Is God in Your Life

Is God in Your Life?

August 19, 2007

Introduction

I’ve told the story before of the two men who read the 23^rd Psalm to a rather large audience. I don’t remember all the details of the setting or the occasion, but the first to read was a professional orator. He did a tremendous reading with meaning, emphasis, and all the components of a great speech. He was given tremendous applause.

The second reader was an old missionary. He stood up to read, and when he finished, there was not a dry eye in the house. Afterward, one of those in attendance approached the professional orator and said, “Sir, I don’t understand. You did such a magnificent job of reading, and yet this old gentlemen brought tears to everyone’s eyes. How do you explain that? The orator gave a simple but profound answer: “I know the 23^rd Psalm. He knows the Shepherd.”

The missionary knew the Shepherd, and David who wrote the Psalm knew the Shepherd. Pharaoh did not know the Lord by his own admission. ‘And Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go."’ (Exo 5:2 NKJV)

He didn’t know the Lord, but it did not exempt him from being responsible to the Lord, and he paid a terrible price for his defiance of God. Where are you in your knowledge of God? Are your more like David, or more like Pharaoh?

This morning we raise the question, “Is God in your Life?” Do you know the Shepherd?

Body

I. Do you know God?

A. Knowing God is not the same as knowing about God. The devils know and believe God, but not in a saving way.

(James 2:19 NKJV) You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe; and tremble!

1. Knowing about God may include a great deal of knowledge about Who He is and what He expects of us, but it’s not the same as knowing God.

2. You may know the 23^rd Psalm, but do you know the Shepherd?

B. How do you relate to God? Does God really matter in your life?

II. How do we come to know God?

A. We come to know God by reading and meditation of His Word.

Psalm 1:1Blessed is the man

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Nor stands in the path of sinners,

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

1. We need to read in such a way as to understand the message.

(Neh 8:8 NKJV) So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.

2. We need to read in such a way as to understand and know God better.

B. We need to pray to God often and be comfortable coming into His presence.

1. The Hebrew writer says that we should be able to come boldly before His throne.

(Heb 4:16 NKJV) Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

2. Paul says we are to pray constantly to God.

(1 Th 5:17 NKJV) pray without ceasing,

Cannot mean one non-stop prayer.

Does mean that we must always be in a prayerful frame of mind.

Ready to pray instantly, in a moment of trouble, or a moment of thanksgiving.

3. We need to take time to begin and end our days with prayer.

(1 Chr 23:30 NKJV) to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at evening;

4. We need to thank God for our meals.

(1 Tim 4:3-5 NKJV) forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. {4} For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; {5} for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. .

III. What is the evidence that you know Him?

A. Is there the evidence of a changed life?

(Titus 1:15-16 NKJV) To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. {16} They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

B. We need to live as Jesus lived.

(1 John 1:6-7 NKJV) If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. {7} But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

C. We need to keep His commandments.

(1 John 2:3-6 NKJV) Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. {4} He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. {5} But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. {6} He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. .

1. Can two walk together unless they are in agreement?

(Amos 3:3 NKJV) "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?"

2. If God is in our life, then we have hope for the anchor of our soul for the storms of life.

(Heb 6:19 NKJV) This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,

Conclusion

Again, we ask the question, is God in your life?

Are you more like David who knew God, or are you like Pharaoh who just honestly said, “I do not know the Lord.” The end was tragic.

Life without God is tough. “Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.” (Prov 13:15 KJV)

If God is not in your life, why not respond to His invitation and put on Christ in baptism and make Him the Lord of your life?

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