Closer to God – Introduction

See full series: 2022-sermons
See full series: closer-to-god-2022

Closer to God – Introduction

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: James 4:8


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DRAWING CLOSER TO GOD (1)

 

Today, I would like to introduce my theme for 2022.  As in times past, this will consume the majority of our Sunday morning lessons.  I like to do these themes as they help us to focus more in-depth on major Biblical subjects.  I try to choose topics that are timely and helpful in strengthening our faith as Christians.   These are always topics with numerous subtopics and also larger than can be addressed exhaustively, even over the period of a year (there’s always more to say).  But, it is my hope that with these studies were are more deeply grounded in our understanding of various areas.

This is something I started a number of years ago.  Just by way of reminder, here are some of the themes we have addressed over the past several years.

  • 2013 – Purer in Heart – an examination of our heart – the foundation of our faith.
  • 2014 – Back to the Basics – an examination of various first principal topics
  • 2015 – Let us go on to Perfection – after we learn the basics we need to keep growing
  • 2016 – Others – a reminder that our faith is not something we keep to ourselves
  • 2017-18 – The New Testament Church – an extensive look at the body of Christ, both universal and local
  • 2019 – Lights in a Dark World – the power of our example before others
  • 2020-21 – The Teachings of Jesus – we devoted many lessons that Jesus, our Master Teacher, has given us to follow.

Today, I want to introduce our theme for 2022 – Drawing Closer to God.  In October, Joshua presented a series of lessons entitled, “Nearer, Still Nearer, Lord, to be Thine.”  In that study he addressed topics associated with drawing closer to God.  Our study this year will greatly expand upon that theme.  And it has been on my for several months now, even prior to that gospel meeting.

 

  1. Some examples of closeness to God
    1. Enoch – Walked with God – Genesis 5:24. God took him – he did not see death.
    2. Noah – Walked with God – Genesis 6:9. Thus when the LORD determined to destroy the world by flood, Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. As a result, he and his family were spared by their faith and obedience to God.
    3. Abraham – a friend of God – James 2:23. There is no greater example of trust in the Old Testament that Abraham. Genesis 22 records such great faith he was willing to offer his son, Isaac, because it was what God told him to do.  He trusted God’s promises so much that he believed after the work was done, God would raise Isaac from the dead (Hebrews 11:17-19)
    4. Moses – God spoke with him face to face – Numbers 12:7-8, 3
    5. David – a man after God’s own heart – 1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22
    6. Josiah – 2 Kings 23:25, there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart, with all his soul and with all his might according to all the Law of Moses.
    7. Job – “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth?” Job 1:1, 8
    8. John the Baptist – For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” Luke 7:28
    9. Barnabas – For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord., Acts 11:24
    10. Paul – to my knowledge, there is no statement like this about him, but his life clearly demonstrated a closeness – consider Acts 9:15-16 where the Lord speaks of Paul being a chosen vessel of His. The Lord knew his character even before he obeyed the gospel.   THEN, toward the end of his life, Paul shows his closeness to God when he says, “I know whom I have believed…” (2 Timothy 1:12)
    11. IF you were a Bible character, what would God say about you? Would you find a description similar to this?  Would He describe you as a good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21, 23).
  2. Our need to draw closer to God
    1. Relationship – we all know and appreciate what relationship is.
      1. It is defined as the way two or more people behave toward and deal with each other, or the way two or more people are connected to each other.
      2. While most versions of the Bible (KJV, NKJV, ASV, ESV) do not use the word relationship (the NASB uses it once in Matthew 19:10 where it applies specifically to the husband/wife relationship), the Bible is clearly about relationship. In fact, our lives as Christians is about relationship – how we interact with and are connected to others – whether God & Jesus, our family, our brethren, our neighbors and even our enemies.
    2. When it comes to our relationships in this world, we strive to develop them in the way that is best.
    3. BUT, what about our relationship with God? Does that exist and what does it mean? And HOW CLOSE is that relationship?
    4. How do we draw close to God?
      1. We need to know God – you cannot have a close relationship with one who you do not know. So how do you get to know God?
        1. First, you need to know His word – 1 Corinthians 2:10-12. IT is in His word that we learn about Him – see also Romans 1:16-17, etc.
        2. We need to know who He is – His character and quality. Romans 11:22 – consider both His goodness and severity; 1 Peter 1:15-16 – we seek to be holy as He is holy.
        3. We need to know what He expects of us – Micah 6:8, Deuteronomy 10:12 – both OT passages, but they show an expectation from the Lord. The New Testament is about what He expects of each of us.  Hebrews 10:38-39 notes that the just live by faith, but he who draws back – the Lord has no pleasure in him.
          Luke 9:62 – Jesus spoke of looking back and thus not being fit for the kingdom of God.
        4. We need communication – relationship involves two-way communication. God talks to us – through His word and we talk to God through prayer – the avenue He has provided – James 5:16, 1 Peter 3:12
      2. We need to be growing closer to God – we cannot remain stagnant and be pleasing to God.  That is the constant theme of scripture.  1 Corinthians 15:58, 2 Peter 3:18 – we are to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  1 Peter 2:2 ties this to the sincere milk of His word.
      3. We need to be working in harmony with God – our desire needs to be to please Him in everything we do. Colossians 3:17, 1 Peter 4:11
      4. We need purity of heart – James 4:8, Hebrews 10:22 – let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith; Matthew 5:8 – it is the pure in heart who will see God.
      5. We strive to imitate Him – we will never be a god, but while on earth we can strive to be like the character of Him we read of in scripture. The one who strives to be like Him is pleasing to Him.  2 Peter 1:4 speaks of being partakers of His divine nature.   Ephesians 5:1 – Therefore be imitators of God as dear children; 3 John 11 – Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.  1 Corinthians 11:1 – imitate Christ
      6. We need to be faithful to Him – God is pleased with the faithful – Matthew 25:21, 23; We demonstrate our faithfulness in many ways – how we attend services, how we pray and study, our honesty and integrity, by being true to our word, etc. Those who are close to God will be faithful.  John 14:23 speaks of keeping His word and such the Father will love and make His home with him.
      7. We need to be looking forward to being with Him – Hebrews 11:13-16,
      8. These are a few qualities that can help us draw near to God. Much more could be said about this, and such will be our theme for 2022.
  3. What we will address:
    1. Do you know God and what does that mean? We will address relationship with God and Jesus, trusting God, rendering to God proper reverence, and how God blesses and works in us today.
    2. What separates us from God? Sin and its consequences.
    3. How does God free us from our bondage to sin? Freeing ourselves from this bondage?
    4. Discipleship – What does it mean to be a disciple? What is the cost? Responsibility? Reward?
    5. Holiness – What is holiness and why is it so important?
    6. Qualities that draw us closer to God – purity of life, love, reverence, zeal, faithfulness, etc.
    7. Attitudes that draw us closer to God – humility, contentment, gratitude, etc.
    8. Actions that draw us closer to God – spiritual growth, repentance, prayer, studying God’s word, teaching others, serving others, worship, sacrifice, service, complete obedience, renewing our minds, etc.
    9. Places that (ought to) draw us closer to God – the local church, our homes, who we choose to associate with
    10. Dangers to our relationship with God – worldliness, apathy, ignorance, busyness, idolatry – 1 John 5:21, etc. How to avoid and overcome these dangers.
    11. Fellowship – what is Biblical fellowship? What is Biblical unity? What about compromise – examining when we should and should not compromise, putting Romans 14 in its proper setting; What about false teachers and those teaching or in error? What about other churches teaching/practicing/fellowshipping error?  Where do we draw the line?
    12. What is truth? How to we determine if something is truth or false doctrine? Beware of false teachers.
    13. Our eternal destiny with Him – do we really want to go to heaven? What motivates you to want that more than anything else?

These are some of the subjects I hope to address this year.  Many, if not all, of them have been addressed before, but not in this setting.  And, as is always the case, we need continued reminders of such subject to KEEP us close to God and to keep going.  So with that I commend this study to you with the hopes and prayers that in these lessons we will be strengthened and drawn even closer to God.

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