Bible Study - Unvarnished (1) - One Great Creator - Psalm 33:6-9, 13-15 - Colossians 1:15-17 - Spetember 4, 2016

Bible Study – Unvarnished (1) – One Great Creator – September 4, 2016

This is lesson one (1) in our series entitled “Unvarnished Truth: Life’s Greatest Story.”

Our focus scripture is Psalm 33:6-9, 13-15; Colossians 1:15-17.

GOD created us—and HE knows each of us.

What do you believe? Is there One True GOD or did the universe, world and humans just come into existence by random probability? Is the Bible true or just a compilation of writings people have put together trying to probe the existence of all things including the human race?

Why do I pose such questions? It is because I have considered these questions in my journey. I pondered the existence of GOD and concluded that there had to be a Master designer. I pondered JESUS and HIS role in the scheme of things but found that I had to place my faith in JESUS before truth was revealed. My prayer for all who read/study these lessons that you will discover truth as revealed in the Bible and JESUS The CHRIST. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Psalm 33:1-5: (Lead-in to our focus scripture.)

The author of this Psalm is unknown. Some Bible scholars believe that it was written by David.

Praise to the Creator

 

1 Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous ones; praise from the upright is beautiful.

2 Praise the Lord with the lyre; make music to Him with a ten-stringed harp.

3 Sing a new song to Him; play skillfully on the strings, with a joyful shout.

The first thee verse focus on actions coming from the hearts of those who know GOD to be real. Why? The next verses reveal the reason.

4 For the word of the Lord (LORD/YHWH or Yahweh, the personal covenant name for the One True GOD) is right, and all His work is trustworthy.

5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the Lord's unfailing love.

We may read verse 5 and say but there is so much tragedy in the world how can there be GOD’S unfailing love? Keep in mind that our existence sprang from Adam and Eve who sinned. They chose to eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. As GOD had told Adam, “If you do eat of the forbidden fruit you will die.” All humans live in a world filled with good and evil and death both physical and spiritual are the consequence.

Physical death we as humans have no control over but spiritual death is entirely under our control by placing our faith in JESUS The CHRIST. By placing our faith in JESUS we are given eternal life. Humans are comprised of body, soul and spirit. Without CHRIST when a person dies their spirit goes into eternity separated from GOD. Salvation through faith in JESUS changes the human spirit to Spirit through the miracle of rebirth. The union of GOD’S Divine Spirit with our human spirit results in rebirth through Spiritual conception resulting in Spirit. We become GOD’S child confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit and are born into GOD’S family and Kingdom with all the rights and privileges of being GOD’S child.

Let’s read Psalm 33:6-9:

6 The heavens were made by the word of the Lord, and all the stars, by the breath of His mouth.

GOD spoke and the heavens and all the heavens contain came into existence in an orderly fashion. Universal balance was established.

7 He gathers the waters of the sea into a heap; He puts the depths into storehouses.

HE ordered balance upon earth by designing all of earth to be fashioned for it all upon earth to have purpose, balance and functionality to serve HIM and mankind.

8 Let the whole earth tremble before the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.

Nature itself knows the awesomeness of GOD and honors HIM as creator. If nature knows GOD and trembles, so should the entire inhabitants stand in awe of HIM.

9 For He spoke, and it came into being; He commanded, and it came into existence.

All things came into existence through HIS spoken Word and are under HIS authority and control. Humans think they make history but all of history is under the control and authority of GOD. If you question this study the Old Testament. GOD warned the Israelite's to change their ways or else bad things would come upon them. They didn’t and bad things happened. Humans suffer the consequences of their actions or inaction regarding GOD.

Let’s read 33:13-15:

13 The Lord looks down from heaven; He observes everyone.

14 He gazes on all the inhabitants of the earth from His dwelling place.

15 He alone crafts their hearts; He considers all their works.

GOD is mindful of all mankind. HE knows each person intimately and desires for each person to get to know HIM intimately. But GOD made each person such that he or she has a free will to choose. HE did not make us robots but with the freedom to choose. It all began in the Garden of Eden. There were two specific trees in the garden - the tree of life and the tree of good and evil. GOD did not restrict Adam and Eve from eating the fruit from the tree of life but HE warned Adam of the consequence of eating the fruit from the tree of good and evil. But they were free to choose and they did and we have inherited the results of their choice but not without hope. That hope is in accepting JESUS as our Savior. Have you made this eternal decision? If not, why not? Don’t let Satan talk you into putting off your decision for salvation. Satan will tell you that you have plenty of time, live a little and then become a Christian. That is Satan’s lie. Accept CHRIST as your Savior and experience the joy of your salvation and start the awesome journey of building a personal, intimate, dynamic, loving relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. Your relationship with JESUS, GOD’S Only Son, is the gateway to really getting to know GOD. Don’t miss this opportunity!

Let’s read on to discover more about the role of JESUS The CHRIST.

Let’s read Colossians 1:15-17:

The Centrality of Christ

15 He (JESUS) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation;

The word “image” carries the idea of more than looking like or resembling but making known or manifests the essence of what is being resembled; completeness including essential character and qualities – fullness. JESUS embodies all of GOD in HIM.

The statement “firstborn” gives the idea that JESUS did not come into existence until later but the fact is that JESUS, The Son of GOD, has always been, just as GOD has always been. Firstborn, in this case, does not mean first in line but it is a title to indicate position and authority. The term “firstborn” is used in reference to the resurrection of JESUS as written in Colossians 1:18:

18 He is also the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He might come to have first place in everything.

The Trinity, GOD The Father, GOD The Son and GOD The Holy Spirit all existed in the creation of the world and the universe. The Apostle John wrote in John 1:1-5:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The Word is JESUS The Son of GOD.

2 He was with God in the beginning.

3 All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created.

4 Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men.

5 That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it.

The Apostle John refers to JESUS as the Word and JESUS was with GOD and JESUS created all things. JESUS Is Life!

JESUS stated in John 17:5:

5 Now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with that glory I had with You before the world existed.

JESUS willingly left HIS home in Heaven to come to earth to give HIS life for anyone who will place his or her faith in HIM. HE gave HIS physical, sinless, perfect life to pay for the original sin debt and all sin, in full, for all who will place their faith in HIM. The key words are “for all who place their faith in JESUS.” JESUS paid the price to redeem you from all sin but you must accept it. It is your decision to make.

How do we know that HE paid the sin debt in full and that all will have eternal life that places their faith in HIM? GOD raised JESUS from physical death as proof that HE conquered death. JESUS remained upon earth for 40 days after HIS resurrection. JESUS received HIS new Glorified body at the resurrection, just as all who place their faith in JESUS will receive their new Glorified body at the second coming of JESUS. Study what JESUS could do after HIS resurrection and it will give all Christians what they will be able to do with their new Glorified bodies after the second coming of JESUS.

In the interim between physical dead and receiving their new Glorified body where are Christians? They are in heaven in a special body fashioned by GOD suitable for Heaven as they wait for the LORD JESUS to get the nod from GOD for HIM to return with HIM. At the second coming all in heaven will follow behind JESUS and receive their new Glorified body.

Let’s read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:

13 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep (physically dead), so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.

14 Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.

15 For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord's coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep.

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel's voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

17 Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will always be with the Lord.

18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Let’s continue with our focus scripture in Colossians 1:16-17:

16 because by Him (JESUS) everything was created, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities- all things have been created through Him and for Him.

JESUS created everything in heaven the realm of the eternal, the earth the realm of the temporal, the visible, the invisible, thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. GOD is the architect of all creation. JESUS brought the creation plans into existence.

JESUS brought the creation and redemption plans of GOD to fulfillment through HIS birth, sinless life, death and resurrection. HE ascended into Heaven and sat at the right hand of GOD. GOD sent the Holy Spirit to indwell all who place their faith in JESUS. HE did all this for the redemption of mankind so that they would be restored to GOD’S original intent for mankind. All based upon the freewill and choice of every person upon earth. A decision resulted in mankind loosing eternal life and it takes a decision to be redeemed from eternal death.

17 He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together.

JESUS is the glue that holds all things together. Yet, in our world many people do not want to hear the name of JESUS. Why? Because they do not realize HIS preeminence and they cannot not until they open their hearts up to HIM and ask HIM for HIS forgiveness. Stubbornness is like witchcraft and blocks your path 

to GOD. JESUS is the path to GOD as JESUS spoke in John 14:6:

6 Jesus told him (Thomas), "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

We can kick all we want to but the truth is the truth. Will you accept JESUS as your Savior now? There is no other way to be redeemed from certain eternal death except by placing your faith in JESUS The CHRIST.

Blessings!!!