February 4, 2007pm Passion
in
By Ronald E. George Jr. at the
Proof
that God exists? Does the Lamb live?
A man went to a barbershop
to have His hair cut and his beard trimmed.
As the barber began to work, They began to have a good conversation.
They talked about so many things and various subjects.
When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said:
"I don't believe that God exists."
"Why do you say that?" Asked
the customer. "Well, you just have to go out in The street to realize that
God Doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people?
Would there be abandoned children? If
God existed, there would be neither Suffering nor pain.
I can't imagine loving a God who would allow all of these things."
The customer thought for a moment, But didn't respond because he didn't Want to
start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer Left the shop.
Just after he left the barbershop, He saw a man in the street with long,
Stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed Beard.
He looked dirty and un-kept.
The
customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said
To the barber: "You know
what? Barbers do not exist." "How
can you say that?" Asked the
surprised barber. "I am here,
and I am a barber. And I just worked
on you!" "No!" the
customer exclaimed. "Barbers
don't exist because If they did, there would be no People with dirty long hair
And untrimmed beards, Like that man outside."
"Ah, but barbers DO exist! What
happens is, people do not come to me."
"Exactly!"- Affirmed
the customer. "That's the
point! God, too, DOES exist!
What happens, is, people don't go to Him, and do not look for Him. That's
why there's so much pain, and suffering in the world."
Copied from a website: http://www.jesussite.com/illustrations/salvation.htm
Think of all the lost, lonely, hungering people that you have known. Think of all the hurting people, the crying people, and the dying people that you have known. Wouldn’t you like to be able to do something to help all those people? God wants to help and He has come to make a difference.
Revelation 7:9 (NIV) After this I
looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from
every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in
front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches
in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs
to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." 11 All the angels
were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living
creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12
saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power
and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" 13 Then one of the
elders asked me, "These in white robes--who are they, and where did they
come from?" 14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said,
"These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have
washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore,
"they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his
temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. 16 Never
again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon
them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will
be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will
wipe away every tear from their eyes."
1.
See the Multitude!
a. The Great multitude that no one could count:
b. From every nation, tribe, people and language.
c. Standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.
d. Wearing white robes.
e. Holding palm branches in their hands.
f. Crying in a loud voice “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne and to the lamb.” They testified to the salvation that God had given them.
2.
Feel their Passion!
a. They are glad to be washed and clean: They were forgiven.
b. They have come out of the great tribulation. They were alive and glad to be. They made it through by the grace of God.
c.
They are wearing white robes before the throne.
The ceremonial robes of worship.
They have given themselves to honor the Lord who saved them.
d.
They are under the tent of the Lamb.
He is watching over them and taking care of them.
Just as God brought the people through the wilderness, He is now bringing
them through.
e.
They are happy to not be hungry, thirsty, or hot.
God is providing their food and their shelter from the heat.
f.
They don’t have to worry because the Lamb is their Shepherd.
In God they trust. He
will lead them and they will follow. He
will guide them and they will listen. He
will direct them and they will go with go with Him.
g.
They are happy and have no more tears.
God has wiped away all their tears.
3.
Hear the Angels Praise!
11 All the angels were standing
around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell
down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: "Amen!
Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to
our God for ever and ever. Amen!"
He has all this and
yet, He has chosen to give Himself and all that He has to us.
Thanks be to God!