#753 1689 Confession God's Decree Part 2

3:3 By God's decree, and for the demonstration of His glory, some human beings and angels are predestined ( or foreordained ) to eternal life through Jesus Christ, to the praise of His glorious grace. Others are left to live in their sin, leading to their just condemnation, to the praise of His glorious justice. 

20 But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin. 21 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality. 22 Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.… 1 Timothy 5: 20-22

…33 He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in,… Matthew 25: 33-35

5 He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace… Ephesians 1: 5-7

22 What if God, intending to show His wrath and make His power known, bore with great patience the vessels of His wrath, prepared for destruction? 23 What if He did this to make the riches of His glory known to the vessels of His mercy, whom He prepared in advance for glory— 24 including us, whom He has called not only from the Jews, but also from the Gentiles?… Romans 9: 22-24

3:4 These predestined and foreordained angels and people are individually and unchangeably designated, and their number is so certain and definite that it cannot be either increased or decreased. 

19 Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.” 20 A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use. 21 So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.… 2 Timothy 2: 19-21

17 If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. 18 I am not speaking about all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the Scripture: ‘The one who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’ 19I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it comes to pass, you will believe that I am He.… John 13: 17-19

3:5 Those people who are predestined to life were chosen by God before the foundation of the world, according to His eternal and unchangeable purpose and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His will. He chose them in Christ for eternal glory, purely as a result of His free grace and love, without anything else about them serving as a condition or cause moving Him to do so. 

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. 4 For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love 5 He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will,… Ephesians 1: 3-5

9 And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ. 11 In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,… Ephesians 1: 9-11

29 For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those He predestined He also called; those He called He also justified; those He justified He also glorified. 31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?… Romans 8: 29-31

8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not because of our own works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time eternal. 10 And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel,… 2 Timothy 1: 8-10

…12 not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 So it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” 14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not!…
15 For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”… Romans 9: 12-17

…4 But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ, even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,… Ephesians 2: 4-6

11 Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.… Ephesians 2: 11-13

These are rich doctrines that magnify God above all else. They fly in the face of human merit, ego and all religious endeavors that would magnify men, worldly traditions or the desire to be loved by the culture. There are two more paragraphs of God's decree, so I will leave this here for now and finish with part 3.

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#752 1689 Confession God's Decree Part 1

9Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. 10 I distinguish the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come, saying: ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’ 11 I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, I will surely do it.… Isaiah 46: 9-11

He plans, declares His plan, and executes it.

3:1 From all eternity God decreed everything that occurs, without reference to anything outside Himself. He did this by the wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely and unchangeably. Yet God did this in such a way that He is neither the author of sin nor has fellowship with any in their sin. This decree does not violate the will of the creature or take away the free working or contingency of second causes. On the contrary, these are established by God's decree. In this decree God's wisdom is displayed in directing all things, and His power and faithfulness are demonstrated in accomplishing His decree. 

10as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ. 11 In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory.… Ephesians 1: 10-12

16Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and their oath serves as a confirmation to end all argument. 17So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath. 18Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.… Hebrews 6: 16-18

God is unchanging, His word is unchanging. He swears by Himself, for there is nothing greater. 

14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not! 15For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.… Romans 9: 14-16

God has made it clear through the law and now even more through Christ, that all have sinned and the wages of sin is death. Romans 3:23. We all come out of that same lump of clay, children of Adam, fair would be that God judge sin, that all men receive justice. As MacArthur points out "you don't want fair, you want mercy." 

17For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy , and He hardens whom He wants to harden . 19One of you will say to me, “Then why does God still find fault? For who can resist His will?”… Romans 9: 17-19

The hardening of the heart is the turning over of man to what he already is, the hardening is God judgement against sin. Pharaoh believed in himself, thought of himself as a god, God turning him over to his own reprobate mind would reveal the pride and delusion to which all men subscribe in their sin. Believing that God exists did not change Pharaoh's heart, Satan and those stars that fell with him from heaven, they are not atheist either, the demons believe and tremble at the thought of God. In the same way, the law reveals that we are sinners, but the Pharisees thought themselves justified by some legal measure. "Abraham is our father", the rich young ruler thought he had kept the law perfectly from a child, yet he did not love God with all his heart, the truth was that he loved worldly riches. Christ reveals in Matthew 5: 27-28 that the thoughts of man are as speech before the Lord. These are difficult, but humbling doctrines, and to come away with anything other than humility is miss the heart of these teachings. 

12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. 13When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. 14But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed.… James 1:12-14

4We write these things so that our joy may be complete. 5And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.… 1 John 1: 4-6

27In fact, in this very city Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed. 28They carried out what Your hand and purpose had decided beforehand would happen. 29And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness,… Acts 4: 27-29

God was Sovereign in the death of His Son, Christ was despised and rejected just like the prophet Isaiah said He would be. For God to be infinitely Holy and just, then Christ has to die in order for God to save anyone, yet still be consistent with His unchanging attributes. At the same time, we are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners. If given the same opportunity to nail God to a tree, we would do it over and over a million times. We are all culpable in the unjust death of a just Savior. There is none righteous, not even one.

10So Pilate said to Him, “Do You refuse to speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You and authority to crucify You?” 11Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.” 12From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.”… John 19: 10-12

As one commentator puts it: "Jesus acknowledges that the sovereign plan of God includes even the wickedness of His accusers and the cowardice of Pilate."

18Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Arise, O Balak, and listen; give ear to me, O son of Zippor. 19 God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? 20 I have indeed received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot change it.… Numbers 23: 18-20

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. 4For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love 5He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will,…Ephesians 1: 3-5

3:2 God knows everything that could happen under any given conditions. However, His decree of anything is not based on foreseeing it in the future or foreseeing that it would occur under such conditions. 

17so that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear My name, says the Lord who does these things 18 that have been known for ages.’  Acts 15: 17-18

Men cannot move God, and God is not thwarted by the moves of men. The picture is clear even in the old testament. God picks Abraham from all the people living in the world at that time. He tells him to follow Him to a land that He will give his descendants, and that through Abraham all the nations of the earth will be blessed. God's covenant with him was a unilateral covenant, independent of earthly reason, and standing even against Abraham's own logic. God promised Isaac, but this was more than improbable, a stumbling block to both Abraham and his wife. Abraham even attempted to help God fulfill his promise by having Ishmael, but this did not change God's mind. Sarah was passed the age of child bearing, she had never had children, and she had long stopped menstruating. God has pushed the envelope of faith passed the ability of man to conceive. Abraham doubts and Sarah laughs, because she knows from her science that, "God, regardless of what You said, that is not how these things work," the things He created. "My womb has a proven track record of producing nothing, and the time of hope is gone, it is as good as dead." If I hold in my heart an idea of salvation that is anything less than miraculous, what did I believe? Who did I believe in?

…11Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand, 12 not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13So it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”… Romans 9: 11-13

God's grace is not dependent upon my foreseen actions, a faith that I muster up, or any other foreseen merit in me. It is not free if it depends upon my works, faith itself is a gift from God. The Scriptures make clear that our righteousness is as filthy rags, that I have nothing to offer but my sin. It is not of him who wills nor of him who runs but of God that shows mercy.

16So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.… Romans 9: 16-18

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#751 1689 Confession God and The Holy Trinity Part 3

2:3 This divine and infinite Being consists of three real persons, the Father, the Word or Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three have the same substance, power, and eternity, each having the whole divine essence without this essence being divided. The Father is not derived from anyone, neither begotten nor proceeding. The Son is eternally begotten of the Father. The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. All three are infinite and without beginning and are therefore only one God, who is not to be divided in nature and being. Yet these three are distinguished by several distinctive characteristics and personal relations. This truth of the Trinity is the foundation of all of our fellowship with God and of our comforting dependence on Him. 

…6 This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ—not by water alone, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies to this, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and these three are in agreement.… 1 John 5: 6-8

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father,and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”… Matthew 28: 18-20

All the saints send you greetings. 14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. 2 Corinthians 13: 14

Then Moses asked God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is His name?’ What should I tell them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God also told Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.… Exodus 3: 13-15

…10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me— or at least believe on account of the works themselves. 12 Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.… John 14: 10-12

5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ,through whom all things came and through whom we exist. 7 But not everyone has this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that they eat such food as if it were sacrificed to an idol. And since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.… 1 Corinthians 8: 5-7

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.… John 1: 1-3

13 children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’”… John 1: 13-15

…17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known. 19 And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?”… John 1: 17-19

…25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated Me without reason.’ 26 When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father— the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father— He will testify about Me. 27 And you also must testify, because you have been with Me from the beginning.… John 15: 25-27

…5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God.… Galatians 4: 5-7

…57 Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and You have seen Abraham?” 58“Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!” 59 At this, they picked up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple area.… John 8: 57-59

My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” 31 At this, the Jews again picked up stones to stone Him.… 

…32 But Jesus responded, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone Me?” 33“We are not stoning You for any good work,” said the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because You, who are a man, declare Yourself to be God.” 34 Jesus replied, “Is it not written in your Law: ‘I have said you are gods’?… John 10: 29-34

It is a difficult doctrine for the human mind, living inside of time and space, to wrap it's head around. That there is something above design, the Designer, greater than the creation, the Creator, and that God is one Being, three persons, eternally in community, love and harmony. All in agreement, the Father choosing from eternity those that will come, the Son (Word of God, God incarnate, God with us) making the way possible, and the Holy Spirit drawing us to the Way. The Son is the only acceptable sacrifice to satisfy God's infinite and just wrath towards sin. He had to take on humanity, in order to live the life that I, nor any other human could live, blameless before God, die the death that would satisfy God's infinite Holiness and justice, yet rise again, because the wages of sin is death, and He was without sin. The perfect bridge, the only Way to bring men to God, the ark, the covering, the lamb without spot, Emmanuel (God with us).

The Triune God

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#750 1689 Confession God And The Holy Trinity Part 2

“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” 35“Who has first given to God, that God should repay him?” 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.… Romans 11: 34-36

2:2 God has all life, glory, goodness, and blessedness in and of Himself; He alone is all-sufficient in Himself. He does not need any creature He made nor does He derive any glory from them. Instead, He demonstrates His own glory in them, by them, to them and upon them. He alone is the source of all being, and everything is from Him, through Him and to Him. He has absolute sovereign rule over all creatures, to act through them, for them, or upon them as He pleases. In His sight everything is open and visible. His knowledge is infinite and infallible. It does not depend upon any creature, so for Him nothing is contingent or uncertain. He is absolutely holy in all His plans, in all His works, and in all His commands. Angels and human beings owe to Him all the worship, service, or obedience that creatures owe to the Creator and whatever else He is pleased to require of them. 

25 Truly, truly, I tell you, the hour is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted the Son to have life in Himself. 27 And He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.… John 5: 25-27

12 young men and maidens, old and young together. 13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above heaven and earth. 14 He has raised up a horn for His people, the praise of all His saints, of Israel, a people near to Him. Hallelujah!… Psalm 148: 12-14

67 Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word. 68 You are good, and You do what is good; teach me Your statutes. 69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I will keep Your precepts with all my heart.… Psalm 119: 67-69

“Can a man be of use to God? Can even a wise man benefit Him? 3 Does it delight the Almighty that you are righteous? Does He profit if your ways are blameless? 4 Is it for your reverence that He rebukes you and enters into judgment against you?… Job 22: 2-4

24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree that the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25 You will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling will be with the beasts of the field. You will feed on grass like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High is ruler over the kingdom of mankind, and He gives it to anyone He wishes. 26 As for the command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots, your kingdom will be restored to you as soon as you acknowledge that Heaven rules.…  Daniel 4: 24-26

34 But at the end of those days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity was restored to me. Then I praised the Most High, and I honored and glorified Him who lives forever: “For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. 35All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” 36 At the same time my sanity was restored to me, and my honor and splendor returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne, and surpassing greatness was added to me.… Daniel 4: 34-36

12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess.… Hebrews 4: 12-14

4 Therefore prophesy against them; prophesy, O son of man!” 5 And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me and told me to declare that this is what the LORD says: “That is what you are thinking, O house of Israel; and I know the thoughts that arise in your minds. 6 You have multiplied those you killed in this city and filled its streets with the dead.… Ezekiel 11: 4-6

17 so that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear My name, says the Lord who does these things 18 that have been known for ages.’ 19 It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God.… Acts 15: 17-19

16 You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. 17 The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds. 18 The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call out to Him in truth.… Psalm 145: 16-18

12 In a loud voice they said: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” 1 3And I heard every creature in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever!” 14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.… Revelation 5: 12-14

I cannot give God anything that He didn't make, the glory of the creature is from God, working through me, not with a body and hands that I designed, but with that which belongs to Him already. All He owes me are my wages which are the wages of sin, but He is extending Grace provided by His own works through His Son.

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good pleasure. 14 Do everything without complaining or arguing,… Philippians 2: 12-14

For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.… Ephesians 2: 8-10

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13: 20-21

The Word

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#749 1689 Confession God and The Holy Trinity Part 1

So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. 5For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), 6yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.… 1 Corinthians 8: 4-6

2:1 The Lord our God is one, the only living and true God. He is self-existent and infinite in being and perfection. His essence cannot be understood by anyone but Him. He is a perfectly pure spirit. He is invisible and has no body, parts or changeable emotions. He alone has immortality, dwelling in light that no one can approach. He is unchangeable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, in every way infinite, absolutely holy, perfectly wise, wholly free, completely absolute. He works all things according to the counsel of His own glory. He is most loving, gracious, merciful, and patient. He overflows with goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. He rewards those who seek Him diligently. At the same time, He is perfectly just and terrifying in His judgements. He hates all sin and will certainly not clear the guilty. 

Hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe them, so that you may prosper and multiply greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you. 4Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. 5And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.…Deuteronomy 6:4

10But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and eternal King. The earth quakes at His wrath, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.” 11Thus you are to tell them: “The gods that did not make heaven or earth will perish from this earth and from under these heavens.” 12God made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding.… Jeremiah 10: 10-12

“Listen to Me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I have called: I am He; I am the first, and I am the last. 13Surely My own hand founded the earth, and My right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they stand up together.…Isaiah 48: 12-13

13Then Moses asked God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is His name?’ What should I tell them?” 14God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15God also told Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.… Exodus 3: 13-15

23But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. 24God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” 25The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us.”… John 4: 23-25

16But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1: 16-17

15So since you saw no form of any kind on the day the LORD spoke to you out of the fire at Horeb, be careful 16that you do not act corruptly and make an idol for yourselves of any form or shape, whether in the likeness of a male or female,… Deuteronomy 4: 15-16

6“Because I, the LORD, do not change, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed. 7Yet from the days of your fathers, you have turned away from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Hosts. But you ask, “How can we return?”… Malachi 3: 6-7

26And now, O God of Israel, please confirm what You promised to Your servant, my father David. 27But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built. 28Yet regard the prayer and plea of Your servant, O LORD my God, so that You may hear the cry and the prayer that Your servant is praying before You today.… 1 Kings 8: 26-28

22But if they had stood in My council, they would have proclaimed My words to My people and turned them back from their evil ways and evil deeds.” 23“Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away?” 24“Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and earth?” declares the LORD.… Jeremiah 23: 22-24

1A prayer of Moses, the man of God. Lord, You have been our dwelling place through all generations. 2Before the mountains were born, or You brought forth the earth and world, from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. 3You return man to dust, saying, “Return, O sons of mortals.”… Psalms 90: 1-3

2Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3And they called out to one another: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills all the earth. 4At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook, and the temple was filled with smoke.… Isaiah 6: 2-4

2Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” 3Our God is in heaven and does as He pleases. 4Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.… Psalm 115: 2-4

9Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. 10I distinguish the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come, saying: ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’ 11I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, I will surely do it.… Isaiah 46: 9-11

3Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be achieved. 4The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster. 5Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.… Proverbs 16: 3-5

35“Who has first given to God, that God should repay him?” 36For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen. Romans 11: 35-36

5By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11: 5-6

32So now, our God, the great and mighty and awesome God who keeps His gracious covenant, do not view lightly all the hardship that has come upon us, and upon our kings and leaders, our priests and prophets, our ancestors and all Your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today. 33You are just in all that has befallen us, because You have acted faithfully, while we have acted wickedly. 34Our kings and leaders and priests and fathers did not obey Your law or listen to Your commandments and warnings that You gave them.… Nehemiah 9: 32-34

5The boastful cannot stand in Your presence; You hate all workers of iniquity. 6You destroy those who tell lies; the LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit. 7But I will enter Your house by the abundance of Your loving devotion; in reverence I will bow down toward Your holy temple.… Psalm 5: 5-7

6Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, 7maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means excuse the guilty; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” 8Moses immediately bowed down to the ground and worshiped.… Exodus 34: 6-8

1This is the oracle of Nineveh, the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite: 2The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on His foes and reserves wrath for His enemies. 3The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. His path is in the whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet.… Nahum 1: 1-3

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