"BEHOLD YOUR GOD"

ISAIAH 40:9

A. "SAY UNTO THE CITIES OF JUDAH, BEHOLD YOUR GOD"
  1. When we consider present day conditions in the nominal Christian world, of which we are a part:
    1. We realize that it misplaces the emphasis - in most cases the emphasis is put on church rituals and church creeds
    2. That is what the Pharisees did in the days of Christ - Matt. 15:1-9; Mark 7:1-13
  2. That is the tragedy of our time:
    1. Nominal Christianity emphasizes the form of religion, but denies the power of truth - 2 Tim. 3:1-5; Rev. 3:14-17
    2. The vision of God seems to have faded out of the lives of many professed Christians B. "BEHOLD YOUR GOD"
  3. The Bible uses the word 'Behold':
    1. To strongly emphasize the importance of a person or an event--Examples: Moses beholding the burning bush - Ex. 3:2; Samuel introducing Saul to the people - I Sam. 12:13; John the Baptist directing his audience to the Lamb of God - John 1:29 Jesus predicted the destruction of the temple - Matt. 24:1-3
    2. To behold is to consider seriously, to concentrate - Phil. 4:8
  4. "Behold your God"
    1. A sinful person cannot see the face of God and live - Ex. 33:20; John 1:18
    2. Jesus assures us that no man hath seen God at any time - John 1:18; 5:37
  5. How then can we behold God?
    1. We can see Him in creation - His handy works - Ps. 19:1-6; 111:1-9
    2. We can see Him on most every page in the sixty-six books of the Bible - John 5:39; 2 Tim. 3:15-17
    3. The ten commandments are expressions of His character - Ex. 20:3-17; Rom. 7: 12-14; Ps. 19:7
    4. We can see Him in the person of His only begotten Son - John 14:9; Heb. 1:3
    5. We can see Him in the life of the child of God - I Pet. 2:9-11; Is. 43:10; Gal. 1:15-16; Matt. 5:13-15
    6. We can see Him in the laws of nature - Is. 40:26; Ps. 147:4
    7. We can see God in the minute fulfillment of Bible prophecy - 2 Pet. 1:16-20; Is. 45:21 C. OUR OPENING TEXT STATES THE CHIEF MISSION OF THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD:
  6. To direct a confused and lost world to turn it's eyes Heavenward - "Behold thy God"
    1. "Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, there is none else." Is. 45:22
    2. "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28-30
    3. Said the Psalmist, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help, my help cometh from the Lord which made heaven and earth." Ps. 121:1-2
  7. To behold God brings many blessings to the beholder:
    1. It creates confidence in His fatherly care - Ps. 103:13-15
    2. It causes one to hate sin and love righteousness--Examples: Think of Job - Job 42: 1-6, then note what impression a look at the Master had on Peter - Mark 14:72
    3. When we behold our God, we will form a right attitude about His attitude toward us and His other children
    4. We will see what the Bible teaches about God is true!
  8. Finally, dear reader:
    1. Do we dare to invite the world to see God in us?
    2. Do we truly reflect His image in our lives?
    3. That is the very objective of the gospel of Jesus Christ - that His image may be formed in us
    4. Note prayerfully, these references in the Bible - Gal. 4:19; Eph. 3:17; Col 1:27; Rom. 8:28-29
    5. We are, indeed, His workmanship in Christ Jesus - Eph. 2:10
    6. Will our speech, our daily life, testify that God is love
    7. "Behold your God" is our only mission in this world!


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