Answer For Seekers

Q: What does the Bible say about seeking God?

The Bible teaches that those who seek God will find Him when they search for Him with all their heart (Jeremiah 29:13). In Jeremiah 29:13, the Lord assures us that when we seek Him with our whole heart, we will find Him. This emphasizes the importance of genuine seekers who are not just curious but are earnestly searching for a relationship with God. The act of seeking is not merely a casual endeavor; it requires a heartfelt commitment and sincerity. Those who truly seek the Lord are promised that they will encounter Him, as He desires to be known and worshipped by those who approach Him in truth and spirit, as noted in John 4:23-24.

Q: How do we know Jesus is the way to God?

Jesus explicitly states in John 14:6, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.' In John 14:6, Jesus lays out the exclusivity of His role in salvation by proclaiming, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.' This assertion underscores the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, affirming that no human effort or understanding can bridge the gap between fallen humanity and a holy God. In a world of competing beliefs, it is crucial to recognize that only through Christ's perfect life, sacrificial death, and intercession can we find reconciliation with God. It is not about our faith or merits but wholly and exclusively about Him.

Q: Why is Jesus' return important for Christians?

Jesus' return is crucial because it fulfills God's promises and assures believers of their eternal hope and ultimate victory over sin and death. The return of Christ is an essential doctrine for Christians, as it underscores the truth of His ministry and the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. According to Matthew 24, Jesus instructs us to learn the signs of His return, reinforcing that it is imminent and that we should live in anticipation of His second coming. This return brings with it the hope of eternal life, justice, and restoration. For believers, it affirms that their struggles in this life are temporary and that they will ultimately share in Christ's victory over sin and death, as He 'will descend with a shout' (1 Thessalonians 4:16). It is a time of great solace and assurance for those who are in Christ, as we await the perfect fulfillment of His kingdom.

Q: How can I have peace in my life according to the Bible?

Peace is found through a relationship with Jesus Christ, as He says in John 16:33, 'In Me you may have peace.' In John 16:33, Jesus assures His followers that they can find peace in Him, even amidst the tribulations of this world. This peace is not merely the absence of trouble but a profound peace that transcends circumstances, rooted in our relationship with Christ. As believers, we are called to trust in His person and work, recognizing that He has overcome the world and all its trials. The pathway to experiencing this peace involves remembering His words, staying close to Him, and relying on His promises. It is not about the absence of difficulties but rather a deep-seated confidence that God is sovereign and in control, derived from His faithful presence in our lives.

Q: What does it mean to truly believe in Christ?

To truly believe in Christ means trusting in Him fully for salvation and recognizing Him as the only source of righteousness. True belief in Christ involves more than mere intellectual assent; it requires a deep, personal trust in Him as the sole means of salvation. In John 14:1, Jesus urges us not to let our hearts be troubled, but to believe in God and also in Him, indicating the equality of trust we should place in His divine character. This belief entails understanding that our justification and acceptance before God hinge entirely on Christ's righteousness, not our own. We are to rely on His finished work and to affirm that through faith in Him, we gain access to the Father and find mercy and grace. Authentic belief manifests itself in a life transformed by that faith, leading to worship, obedience, and a desire to know Him through His Word.

Q: Why is it crucial to keep God's Word?

Keeping God's Word demonstrates our love for Him and ensures we remain connected to His truth and guidance. In John 14:23, Jesus emphasizes that if anyone loves Him, he will keep His word, which highlights the inseparable connection between love for God and obedience to His teachings. Keeping God's Word involves more than surface adherence; it reflects a heart that desires to be aligned with God's will and purposes. This obedience is not merely about following rules but about nurturing a relationship with the Lord, where His truth transforms our lives. As we immerse ourselves in His Word, we are equipped to discern false teachings and to grow in our faith. The commitment to keeping God's Word is a hallmark of authentic discipleship and serves as a foundation for our walk with Christ, reminding us of His promises and commandments.

John sixteen. The Lord said over
in Matthew twenty four he said to learn the parable of the fig
tree. And when the branches tender
and put forth leaves you know summer is nigh. So likewise you when you see
all these things. All the things he talked about
there in Matthew twenty four. See, when you see all these things,
know that He is near. Christ is near, even at the door. The return of the Lord is imminent. I mean, soon. It's all over, someone said,
but the shouting. That's what it says. Scripture
says it's going to happen when He comes, the Lord Himself shall
descend with a shout. And in the meantime, the Lord
hath reserved to himself some people who have not bowed the
knee to the Baal, the religion of Baal today. I believe there are some true
seekers. I believe there are some in here. I know there are. Not merely curious people, but
real seekers. seeking the Lord, some true worshipers. It said, our Lord told the woman
at the well that, he said, the time will come and now is when
true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit. I mean,
from the heart, really worshiping God, and in truth, the Word,
the Gospel. He said, the Father seeketh such
to worship him. I believe there's some true worshippers
out there, and I believe there's some in here. Not merely religious,
not here this morning because it's Sunday, but if it were Tuesday,
you'd be here. I believe that. I believe there's
some true watchers, waiters. Talk about those that watch for
the Lord, wait on His coming, look forward to His coming. I
really believe there are. And the scripture says to the
sincere seekers. That's what we looked at last
Sunday morning from Jeremiah. Seeking me, you shall find me
when you search for me with all your heart. He said, you'll find. Seekers will find. He said, those
that knock will have a door open to them, understanding. Askers,
he said, I ask and you'll receive. There's nothing wrong with asking
questions. As a matter of fact, I wish people would ask more
questions. This generation has all the answers,
though, don't they? And the questions they're asking,
they're not worth asking. Job asked some pertinent questions,
didn't he? How can he be clean as born a
woman? How can man be just with God? Good question. The disciples here asked the
Lord some questions, four questions, maybe five. If I get to the fifth. He asked some questions. And the Lord answered them. And
they weren't foolish questions. They were questions that they
wanted some answers for. regarding him, their relationship
with him, and questions that we need to ask. And these are
our Lord's, in John 13, chapter 13, 14, 15, 16, these are our
Lord's parting words to his disciples. These are his private, personal
words to his disciples. This is these are to his true
disciples, his true followers. He spoke many words of comfort,
and he opened up some mysteries to them. He revealed some things
to them and answered their questions. Answered their questions. All
right, look at John 16, verse 33, is the last thing he says. Let's look at the last verse.
Verse 33, These things have I spoken unto you. Now, he said, a great
deal. I mean, he had just spoken much
volumes. He said, These things I have
spoken unto you that in me you might have peace. In me. Knowing
me. Trusting me. Understanding something
of me, my person, my work. That in me you might have peace
in the world. you shall have tribulation. These things have I spoken unto
you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall
have tribulation, but be of good cheer." And he must have smiled when
he said that. I have overcome the world. All right, let's see what some
of the things he said. Back to chapter thirteen now.
Back to chapter thirteen. The Lord was leaving the earth. He was going to the cross to
be crucified, but also to rise again and ascend to the Father.
If they had thought back, sure he told them this several times. Back several ways before this,
it says, At that time, beginning at that time, he began to tell
them how that he would go to Jerusalem and be killed and on
the third day rise again. He told them that more than once.
He began to tell them that, remind them of that custom. If they
just remembered his word. It's all in remembering his word.
Peace is in remembering what he said. And I'm getting ahead
of myself. At any rate, the disciples were
troubled and they were confused. This, their father, Christ would
have been their father. Don't let a father figure. He
is the father. Their father, their mother, their
brother, their provider, their protector. For three and a half
years, they didn't lift a finger. And he told them their very innermost
thoughts. And they watched him provide
for them and protect them. Nothing could harm them. Their teacher, their preacher,
their pastor, their friend, for three and a half years, and now
he was leaving. That much they understood. But
they really didn't know why. He's leaving. Why? We're just
getting started. Why are you leaving? They didn't
really know why. Look at chapter 13, verse 31. Chapter 13, verse 31 and following. Therefore, when he was gone out,
when Judas left, Jesus said, Now is the Son of Man glorified,
and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God
shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify
him." Oh my, you're going to see my glory. Little children,
little children, says the Father. Yet a little while I'm with you.
you shall seek me and as I said unto the Jews whether I go you
cannot come so now I say unto you. And now some questions. They
begin to ask questions. Simon, you know who's going to
talk first, don't you? You know who's going to ask the
first question. Speak up first, don't you? Huh? Peter. Oh, impulsive, impatient,
impetuous Peter. Oh, sorry, sinful, simple Simon. He got to speak up, but Lord. Verse 36, Simon Peter said unto
him, Lord, where are you going? Whither goest thou? The Lord
said, well, whither I go thou cannot follow me, but thou shalt. Follow me. Peter said, Lord,
why can't I follow you now? Let's say, like any of your children,
where are you going? I want to come. Why can't I go? Your children ever said that? I want to go. Where are you going? I've got business to take care
of. You can't come with me. It's no place for children. But
I want to come. Why can't I go? And God's children, here we ask the
same question basically. Where is the Lord? Where is the
Lord? Why didn't He come back? Why
can't I go to be with Him now? Why do I have to suffer? Why
do I have to stay here? Why can't I go? You ask that,
the child of God? Lord? Now, it's the thing I want
you to notice here. I've been talking about it already.
Every time they address him, what do they say? Lord? Every time they ask a question,
you'll see that. Lord? Lord? It's the only way they addressed
him. Where are you going, Lord? Lord,
where are you going? Why can't I tell? Now listen,
Peter was a true believer. Peter was a true disciple of
the Lord. He loved the Lord. He did, because
he first loved Him. But he did love the Lord. Later
on, he would take a fall and deny that he even knew the Lord. And you remember, our Lord called
Peter back and said, Peter, do you love me? He just hung his head and said,
yeah, yes, Lord. He did. Peter did. He knew the
Lord. He loved the Lord. He didn't
show it all the time, but he did. He did. And Peter asked this question
here, and the Lord deals kindly and tenderly with his people.
And the Lord answered Peter's question, and he comforted this
weak fellow. Peter wasn't so strong. No, he
wasn't. He was a coward at heart. And the Lord answered his question
and comforted his sinful heart at the same time. Look at verse
1 of chapter 14. I love this portion. I love these
words. John 14, verse 1. The Lord just
told Peter, Deborah, the Lord just told Peter, Peter, you're
going to deny me. You're going to take the worst
fall you've ever taken. and deny me, and you're going
to feel like you don't even know me at any part or lot in the
matter, I'm going to call you back." Remember when he said,
go tell the disciples and Peter. Make sure you tell Peter, because
he's feeling mighty low about now. You're going to fall. You're going to deny me. But
look what the Lord said, but let not your heart be troubled. You believe Christ. You believe
God. Well, you're going to fall. You
have fallen and you will fall. But let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in Him. You know what he's saying there?
The so-called Jehovah's Witnesses today say he never said he was
God. He just said it. Didn't he? He just said it. You
believe in God? Believe in me. Equally. Believe in me equally. Believe
also in me. Why? I am that I am. Oh my, John 14 is full of his
glorious deity and excellency of his person, king of king,
God in human flesh, isn't it? Jeanette, there's no doubt to
you that Jesus Christ is very God and very God. And you get
exasperated trying to tell people. They won't know unless he reveals
himself. Neither did these disciples until
he revealed himself to them. True believers believe God and
they believe Christ. That's what he said over in his
prayer. He said that, oh, that they might, this is eternal life,
that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ
whom he sent. True believers believe God and
believe Christ. I remember when I first met,
as a young lady, One time when I first met her,
like everybody that first meets me and they find out I'm a preacher, you know, people introduce, just
be glad you don't, you're not a preacher. Just be glad. People
treat you like lepers, like a leper. When somebody says in a crowd
of people, this fellow's a preacher, you might as well have said,
this fellow's got AIDS. Seriously. That's how the mood
changes. But I met this girl, and she
found out that I was a preacher. And at first, everybody wants
to tell me that they're religious. They want me to know. That they
go to church, and this and that, and they didn't, you know. And this girl said, oh, I believe
God. First thing out of her mouth, I said, how you doing? She said, I believe God. Well, I'm glad. I said, I hope
so. But I always take that with a
grain of salt. This girl, she doesn't go, she
doesn't attend worship services. She doesn't worship God. You won't find her this morning
worshiping God anywhere, nor tomorrow morning, nor the next.
Yes, she doesn't worship God. And she doesn't give a flip about
Jesus Christ. She doesn't go anywhere to worship
Jesus Christ. I don't care what she said. He that believeth God worships
God. Now, I mean, somebody really
believes God. fear of the Lord and knows God, they worship God. They're right now in a place
where God's being exalted and God's being extolled. And the
songs they sing are worshipful songs of adoration and praise
and glory to their God. They're worshiping God. They're
not playing with it. They're worshiping God. They believe
God. They worship God. And if they
can't get there, they're sick. They're still worshiping Him.
They believe God. And they believe Christ, and
they believe all their hope is in this Christ, and they've got
to worship Him, learn about Him, study Him. Their desire is like
the Apostle Paul who believed Christ and said, Oh, that I might
win Him and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness,
not just going to church, play on that. I need Christ. Where
is He to be found? Where is He being preached? Where
has he been honored and extolled? That's where I want to be. That's
who I want to see. That's who I want to worship. That's who I believe. I've got
to have the blood. Where's the blood being offered
this morning? Huh? And not in mass. But where is the blood being
presented before the Lord? Faith in Christ. I believe God. I believe Christ. True believers believe God. You
understand what I'm saying? Some of you do. I know you do.
You believe God. You do. You believe also in Christ,
don't you? You believe He is God. Manifest
and reflect. You believe Christ. He's your
righteousness. He's your Lamb. He's your Christ. All the mercy and love and grace
of God is in this Christ. He's your only hope. If I don't
get another verse, if I don't get through another verse, people,
you believe Christ? Do you believe God? Do you believe
Christ? Got to. Nobody comes to the Father
but by Christ. By Christ. Believe also in Christ.
Trust, commit, love, follow Christ. Peter did. He did. Believe God? I don't know much
about him. Believe me. I know you. I believe you. And we don't know much about
God except what the Son has revealed to us. And though Peter was a
miserable failure as a disciple, oh, he failed, didn't he, John?
Oh, he failed. Not only was he about to fall,
but he had fallen on his face. He put his size 10s or 11s in
his mouth so often. Oh, he failed so miserably. And
the Lord is saying this. Mindy, I never called your name,
I don't believe. Call everybody but you, Mindy.
He's saying here, for Peter's comfort, he said, you believe
in God. Why? I mean, you know him. You believe in God, you do. Believe
also in me. Let not your heart be troubled.
Peter did believe, and though he failed, he did believe. He loved the Lord and he followed
the Lord. Let not your heart be troubled. Let not your heart be troubled.
Lord, but where are you going? Why can't I come? Here's his
answer to him, verse 2 and 3. In my Father's house are many
mansions. If it were not so, I would have
told you. I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare
a place for you, If I'm doing this for you, I'm going to come
again and receive you, take you home. My daughter, when I leave in
the morning, tomorrow morning I'll get up early and I'll leave.
And I'll go over there and start working on that house. See, I'm
preparing a place for her. But she's not upset because I
leave. Because she doesn't see me all
day? Why? I'm preparing a place for her. Why am I doing that? I'm doing it for her. And she
knows if I'm doing it for her, that I'm going to come again,
and I'm going to receive her, and take her one of these days,
I hope, one of these days, I'm going to get her and say, honey,
let's go home. We're moving in. How much longer, Dad? How much
longer? And Stan and Sherry are asking
the same thing. How much longer? Soon. A little while. Two weeks. A little while, and
I'll come, and we'll go home. And we'll move in. That's what
the Lord said. That's what the Lord said. A little while. And you don't
see me, do you? You don't see me, but I'm coming. I went to prepare a place for
you. In my Father's house are many
dwelling places. If it were not so, I wouldn't
have told you. I never lie. He that cometh to me, I will
know I was cast out. Believe on me, you'll have everlasting
life. I go to prepare a place for you.
Christ went to the cross to prepare a place for us. He went to the
cross to shed his blood, to put away our sins, that we might
be accepted by holy God and be declared holy and righteous.
Christ went to prepare that place for us. We have a place. We're
accepted with God Almighty. Why? Because Christ prepared
it. We don't lay down. We don't, you know, build our
little mansion in glory. He did it. He built it all. Except
the Lord built the house, they labor in vain to build it. He
built the house had I had not lit the finger. I built that
house with friends. But I built that house. She didn't
lift a finger. The Lord built this house. My
salvation, if I'm going to get there, because he did it all.
He went to prepare a place for me. And he said, if I did this
for you, let not your heart be troubled. I'm going to come back
and get you. And we're going to go home. And our Lord said to Peter, He
said, Where I go, you cannot come now. But John, that was
right before he went to the cross, wasn't it? I mean, that was the
Holy of Holies, wasn't it? That was when our high priest
entered into the Holy of Holies with his own precious blood.
Alone. Right? One man. Alone. By himself. Entered into that
Holy of Holies. and make that great transaction
before God Almighty to put away our sin, we call us better not
touch the earth. He went in by himself and purged
our sin, didn't he? Suffered the wrath of God by
himself alone. Christ said, I alone must do
that for you. I alone. You cannot come with
me. You cannot do this with me. I alone must do it, but I'm going
into the holy, holy, but alone, and to prepare this place for
you, but you shall follow me." You follow that? He said, you
will follow me into the very holy of holies. That's what Hebrews said. He
said, someday you'll have boldness to enter into the very holiest
of all by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Confidence. You will come, and I'll come
and receive you again." Look at the next question. And the
Lord says, whether I go, verse four, you know, and the way you
know. Thomas, old Thomas, doubting,
faithless Thomas. Each one of these people, there's
somebody like him in here. Impulsive impatient I take here
with you all the time always opening his mouth and getting
in trouble. That's me. That's me too. I'm Thomas. You might want to claim all these
people. Thomas was a doubting faithless cynic. Now I'm not
going to believe unless I see his nail print. and touch my
hand in his side, I don't believe." Doubting, faithless Thomas. Look at verse 5, what Thomas
said. He said, Lord, Lord, we don't know. We know not where
that you go. How can we know the way? You
don't know where you're going or the way to get there. He said,
the Lord said, you'll follow me. We don't know where you're
going and don't know the way. This is old Thomas. Any of your children,
some of you had more than one child. Which of your children was a
worry wart? Cry baby all the time. Always
worrying. Hard to convince about anything.
Any of you have children like that? We even glad that you have
a slew of them. Any of your children just growing
up hard to convince, hard to console, they get to crying.
It's hard to get them to stop. Hard to console. Fearful, doubtful. And some of God's people are
that way. Bunyan called them ready to halt. Just ready to
quit. Oh, the slightest obstacle. Oh, I'm going to quit. Fearful,
doubting, ready to halt. Believers always doubting their
salvation. Any Thomases in here? Always
doubting their salvation. I don't think I'm saved. Why? I'm such a sinner. Well, in that
case, ain't nobody saved. Right? But I don't think I'm
saved. How can I be saved and act like
that? We're all asking the same question,
but it doesn't have anything to do with us, you see. How can
I know I'm saved then? We ask a similar question of
that. How can I know what I'm saying? You know, I'd rather somebody
be up and down and doubtful and fearful and always asking, seeking,
coming here and asking. I have some people ask me the
same question, the same question every time. And I want to tell
them bluntly, I just told you. But I don't. I'll answer it again. How can I have faith? I want
more faith. People ask me, I want more faith.
Well, faith comes by hearing, and hearing
by the Word of God. We're going to meet, you know,
we're going to meet later on, we're going to meet tonight,
meet Wednesday night, and just come on out. Faith comes by hearing,
hearing by the Word of God. And when they don't show up,
I think, They'll be back next time and they'll ask me the same
question. They'll ask me the same question.
Well, I'd rather somebody keep coming and maybe asking the same
old question and not come at all and not worry at all, not
ask anything. But he answered Old Dowding Thomas'
question. Verse 6, listen to it. Oh, what
a verse. Old doubter. I don't think I'm
saved. How can I know that I'm saved? I don't know if I'll be saved.
If I'm going to be with God someday, go to heaven, how can I know?
I am the way, he says. I am the way. Thomas, it's not
your faith. but I don't have much faith."
It's not your faith. I am the way. It's my faith,
my faithfulness. You're going to fail, Thomas.
You're going to say, I don't believe. But I cannot deny myself, Thomas. I remain faithful to you. Thomas,
it's not your faith. It's my faithfulness to you.
Oh, if only an old Thomas had realized that this morning. Huh? Thomas, it's not your... better
don't pray much, Thomas. It's not your prayers. Ain't
none of them fit for anything. It's my prayers. And I make intercession for you
always. And the Father always hears my
prayers. We accept you. Because I pray for you. Remember
that what he told Peter that time? Peter, Satan's going to
sit you. He's going to bring you down. Like a roaring lion, he's going
to bring you down. Peter, you're going to be sifted
and you're going to find out there ain't nothing there and
nothing left of you. But, Peter, let not your heart
be troubled. I pray for you, that your faith
fail not. Oh, you're going to fall, you're
going to look like an unbeliever, you're going to act like an unbeliever,
but you're not an unbeliever. You believe God. Believe also
in me. I'm the way, not your prayer. It's not your knowledge It's not you reading the Bible. I am the Bible. I am the way. There's a fellow down in Crossville,
Tennessee. He's illiterate. He can't read,
Stan. He's got a Bible in his lap. I know another fellow in Lexington
who's illiterate, too. He can't read. But somebody reads
it to him. And they're the strongest, if
you know them, they're the salt of the earth. I wish I could
attain under those men, the stature of those men. You know who I'm
talking about? Delphus is one of them. Boy, a little old fella, he gets
Don Bell's water for him and does tapes and all that, and
he can't read. Can't read. But I can't read
the Bible. This fella can't either. But
he believes Christ. And when a man declares Him from
the Word, that's my Christ. Yeah, that's my Christ. I am
the way. But I just don't act like a Christian.
I know it, he says. I know it. But I do. Christ said, I am the way. What
a verse, isn't it? What a statement. Four words. I am the way. You want to get
to God? Yes, I'm the way. I'll get you
there. I'm the truth. Oh, he said, I'm
the truth. Do you know Christ is all? He
said, I don't know much about superlapsarianism. I don't either.
I don't know much about what propitiation means. I can't really
say it. Well, I'll tell you the truth.
I don't either. I just say blood. Most of the
time I just say blood. That's perpetuation. Blood. That's
what it means. The blood makes atonement. Reconciliation. I don't fully understand that.
You talk about imputed righteousness, Preacher. I really can't put
that into words when I try to talk to people. Would you believe
that Christ is your only hope? Before a holy God, the only way
that God's going to accept you Of course, Christ did what he
did for you. Oh, yeah. That's what I believe.
That's the truth. That's true, you know what I'm
saying. You know what I'm saying, just
say Christ. I'm the truth. I'm the truth. There's some preachers I know
right now who absolutely believe that you must be able to Not
only believe, but you must be able to articulate and say in
so many words that that Jesus Christ is. It's a cult, they
say. What's that little rope? They
say it said by justifying faith. And his blood and imputed righteousness. And. See, forsaken your dead
idols, Believing in Christ, your imputed right to justify and
faith in Christ and Christ alone, something like that. If you don't
say it every time. A man doesn't preach it every time. He doesn't.
He's not. Christ is all. Christ says, I'm
the truth. I am the truth. I am the truth. All your acceptance. I am the
life. I am the life, Christ said. I am the life. But I just don't
live like I should." No, you don't. But I lived like you should. I'm the life. And because I live,
did you read that there in verse 19? Because I live, because I
came and lived as a man for men, you'll live also. that there
is imputed righteousness. And can you quote that? Because
I live, you shall live also. Christ is life. Listen to me,
Thomas. If some doubting Thomas in here, and I'm going to deal with this
Wednesday night, life more abundant. If some doubting Thomas in here
would commit their life to Christ. I mean lock, stock and barrel,
like Scott would say, stack your guns. Totally. I mean totally. I believe they'd
find, I know they would, they'd find some real life worth living. Instead of poor pitiful half
a life. Some people as a brother says
lives so far below their privileges, just half a life, half a life. Christ said a life more abundant. All right, look at the next question.
Then the Lord said, if you'd known me, verse seven, you should
have known my father also. From henceforth you know him.
You've seen him. And Philip said unto him, Philip
said, Lord, show us the father, or in a in a question or would
you show us the father. That would suffice would you
show us the father. Or if you if you just show us
the father. Now. There's some Phillips in here.
Apparently Philip was a was an intelligent fellow. He wasn't
one of the fishermen Philip was I don't know what he did. Apparently,
he was an intelligent fellow. He was religious. I believe Philip
was religious before the Lord called him, because it says that
when he went to holler at Nathaniel, he said, we found the Christ. We said, we found him of whom
Moses and the prophets speak. Where'd you hear that? He'd been
going to church, the temple. I believe he was religious. He
was zealous. He was zealous, he was a witnesser. He ran and told Nathanael, Nathanael,
Nathanael, come, come see. Come and see. And he was logical. Lord asked him one time, asked
Philip one time, said he asked him to test him. He was trying
old Philip one time. He said, Philip, he knew Philip
was such a logical fellow. He got all his Ps and Qs in the
right place. did everything. Everything had
to be just so-so. And he said to Philip, old logical
Philip, he said, Philip, there's a big crowd of people. He said,
there's a lot of people here. He said, where are we going to
get the money to feed all these people? Philip? And Philip said,
well, 200 penny worth would not feed all
these. That's right, Philip. That's
right. Oh, logical Philip. Lord, show
us the Father, and it suffices. Would you show us God? Show us
something. We need more, Lord. We need more. And we have some logical Philips
here, and I think a couple of them are female. But after all
the Lord does, has done, after I've been so long time with you,
he said, After all, the Lord has marvelously and miraculously
revealed his power, his providence, his care for us. We need more.
But where am I going to get this to do that? Philip. Verse 9, Philip, have I been
so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me? I am thy God. Fear not, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God. I will still give thee aid."
Philip, have I been so long time with you? And you still fretting? Still need more proof? And I'm
your father. I girded you when you didn't know
me, before you ever knew me. And now that you know me, I'm
still going to gird you. I girded you before you gave
me a thought. Now that you give me a thought, don't give me a
thought. I'm your father. If ye then be an evil, know how
to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall
the heavenly Father give good gifts unto them that ask him?
Huh? Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth
them that fear him. Philip, have I been so long time with
you? I am the Father. How do I say it? I am that I am. I am thy sustainer,
I am thy provider, I am thy protector, I am thy guide, thy guardian,
thy God. See, I'm on it. He that hath
seen me hath seen God. Verse 11, Believe me, that I
am in the Father, and the Father in me. Or believe me for the
very work's sake. Okay, Philip? Here's another
question. Look down at, read on down, Judas,
down verse 22. Judas, now this is not Iscariot.
Judas saith unto them, not Iscariot. This is Jude who wrote Jude,
the little book. Jude, the brother of James, who
was the bishop of Jerusalem. Jude, one of the apostles, the
author of that Jude, listen, Jude was apparently a man of
some understanding. Jude, I believe, was a man of
some insight. Jude was a man of some understanding. He was a quiet fellow, I believe,
a reflective fellow. He doesn't say much about Jude
through the Scripture. He doesn't say hardly anything,
except right here. But he waited for everybody else
to ask their questions, and he'd consider them. And in Deborah,
he had a question. And it was a good question. It
was a good question. It wasn't full of fears and doubts
and all. It was a good question. The question needs to be asked.
It was Jude later on, just a minute, all right? In his book, he said, he talked
about evil men or apostate men that ordained the condemnation. He talked about those going the
way of Cain and the error of Balaam And the. Again, say in
a quorum and things like that, remember that. Evil men ordained
of old to that condemnation. Well. He had some understanding,
he asked this question, verse 22, Lord. How is it? That thou will manifest
thyself unto us. And not under the word. Lord, how do I know we? How will
we know that we're the people of God? We're the church. How will we know who the church
is? There's going to be a world of
professors out there, a lot of religion, much in your name.
What will be the difference? That's a good question, isn't
it, Manson? That's a question worth asking, isn't it, Robert? What's going to be the difference,
Lord? What will be the difference,
all right? Read verses twenty-three and four. Jesus answered and
said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words, and
my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make
our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth
not my savings. The word which you hear is not
mine, but the Father's which sent me. How will you manifest
yourself to us, Lord, and not to the world? And we're going
to go out there and say, We're of God. John said, in a whole world life,
and then how do we know the difference? How do you know the difference?
Did you catch it in the answer? Is there any Jude out there with
a little insight that is asking this question? How do you know
that we're right and everybody? What's the difference? Did you
catch the answer in our Lord there? What'd he say? Look at
it again. Verse twenty-three. If a man
love me, he will keep my words. He loves me not, doesn't keep
my words. My words. A man love me, he'll
believe my word, all of it. Now, I know there's a lot of
people that say that. But you look, you go, and you
find, and you see, and you look and see who is a place where
over in Acts 19, you remember, Rebecca, in Acts 19 it said,
the word of God grew and prevailed. His name was magnified and the
word of God grew and prevailed. He never admitted it. I preached on it at the conference.
You ought to. Well, it says in Acts 19, it
says the true people of God, it says it's where the name,
his name was magnified. They called him Lord. some fellas
named Seba who came in the name of Jesus, casting out, and they
flew naked out of that place. And it says the people, his name
was magnified. The name of the Lord Jesus was
magnified. His name magnified, declared
his name, his person, his work, declared, magnified, extolled,
honored, and his word grew and prevailed. What took precedent? What prevailed? What grew? What do people grow in? The Word. The Word grew, it didn't diminish.
In this day and age, Stan, the Word is diminishing. They're
rarely using it, right? And the difference is, His Word,
in all of it, Christ said, He that loveth me, he keepeth my
words, as one that found great spoil. When you keep something,
it's like You know, everybody's got copies of the Bible. Doesn't
that brother Donny Bell that said if a big windstorm or something
blew up, he said, blew all the dust off all the Bibles and we'd
have the biggest dust storm in the world. Everybody's got a
Bible they keep put up somewhere. And the man loved me. He'll keep my word. When you
keep something, Debra, you gonna keep that little guy beside you?
You'll keep him? You'll give him away? You're
willing to part with him? You're keeping him. That's what it means
to keep. I found the gospel. I found his
word. I found where Christ is breathed.
I found where the word is opened up verse by verse, and I found
what I need. I found God, who is God, who
found me, and who's merciful and gracious and sovereign I
feel some comfort. I'm going to keep this. But here's
a little wind of doctrine. Let's follow this. Look down
here. They're doing some miracles down here. I don't want that.
I found what I need. I'm just going to keep this.
Thank you. But I've got a new revelation. Keep it. Keep it. I'll keep this. I'll keep his
words. That's what it means. None of
us can keep his word to perfection. I mean, live up to perfection. What it means to keep is to keep.
And what it means to keep something is if you love something, you're
going to keep, you're going to keep around it. You're going to be around it
where it is, you're going to keep it. You really love it. Pearl of great pride. I think
I'll keep it. I'll give everything, I'll sacrifice
in order to keep it. in order to keep it. My words,
if you love me, you'll keep my word. All of it. All of it. Not
just what you like. And leave the rest. No, all of
it. All of it. And I said four, maybe five. All of them together, down here
in chapter sixteen, all of them together, that's this. Look at
it. Verse seventeen, and I'll let you go, all right? All of
them together. They were murmuring among themselves. mumbling. Chapter 16, verse 17. And some of his disciples among
themselves, they were talking among themselves, and they said,
What is this? What is he saying here? What's
he saying there? A little while and you shall
not see me again. A little while and you shall see me because
I go to him. They were saying this quietly
among themselves. And God heard them. He read their thoughts. It says, why is it that you reason
among yourself? Jesus knew, look at verse 19,
he knew that they were desirous to ask him. They said that, let's
not ask him any more questions. But he knew they wanted to ask
him. Do you inquire among yourselves? And I could pause there. There's some questions you'd
love to ask. Go ahead. Go ahead. I've been asking the word why
for a good while now. Go ahead. Ask Him. He knew that you were desirous
to ask the Lord. Why? And He said unto you, do you
inquire among yourselves of that I said a little while, and ye
shall not see me? And again, a little while, and ye shall
see me? Well, yeah, that's exactly what we were saying. That's exactly
what we were thinking. Well, verse 28, He says, I came,"
and he said several things, and he said this, "'I came forth
from the Father and am coming to the world again. I leave the world and come to
the Father.'" And his disciples, verse twenty-nine, said, "'Now
you speak plainly. Now,' verse thirty, "'we are
sure you know all things. We don't need to ask you any
more questions. That's what they said. We don't need any man to
ask you any more. By this we believe you came from
God. And now you're with God now.
And you come back to get out. So we'll just wait. We'll just
wait. And he said over there in verse
33, These things have I spoken, these things, that in me you
might have peace. You're going to have tribulation,
but be of good cheer. I'll go to the Father, prepare
a place for you. But, but, but, I'm so weak. I'm
the way. I'm the way. But how are we going to know
that we're not apostating this solid earth? You got my word.
You love it. Keep it. It's what I give you
until I come back. And I'll give you a comforter,
too. I go to my Father. I'm coming
back. a little while and you don't see me." We don't see him, do we? Whom
have he not seen? Huh? And though now, though you
see him not, yet you rejoice with joy unspeakable, full of
glory. Whom have he not seen? You love.
You say, a little while, you don't see me. But in a little
while, you'll see me. You'll see me. You see? Now we know. Now we just wait. Wait with me, John. You're going
to see him. You're going to see him. Every eye's going to see
him. Every eye. Oh, we're going to
see him. All right, Joe, you got a hymn
picked out for it, buddy?

Answer For Seekers

What does the Bible say about seeking God?

How do we know Jesus is the way to God?

Why is Jesus' return important for Christians?

How can I have peace in my life according to the Bible?

What does it mean to truly believe in Christ?

Why is it crucial to keep God's Word?

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