24-1215a Transcript

Preacher: Scott Reynolds

(1:28) Good morning. (1:30) All right.

This is an interesting topic I’m going to be talking about. (1:36) It’s a little deep. (1:38) I hope that we’re able to make it understandable, (1:43) that you are able to understand, and that I’m able to express it understandably.

(1:56) But it is something that has piqued my interest lately. (2:02) So, the last time I was speaking, we started a new series that I’m calling Beginnings. (2:11) It’s a series on the first 11 chapters of Genesis.

(2:18) The series came about as a result of an article titled, (2:22) Why Are We Losing Them? by Kevin King, J.D., a jurisprudence doctor, (2:29) showing that by compromising our position on the first 11 chapters of Genesis (2:35) in order to engender scientific credibility to fit alleged scientific theories and notions, (2:43) we’ve left young people with serious doubts about the accuracy of the Bible, (2:50) especially when it comes to creation. (2:55) Those early formative years, they were clearly left with questions and reservations (3:00) about the reliability of God’s Word, and the creation account in particular. (3:08) And now, after years of doubting the first chapters of Genesis, (3:12) and years after a constant bombardment of evolution and school and pretty much everywhere else, (3:19) and increasing compromises by religious institutions regarding creation, (3:25) they find themselves gone from the church with no thought of ever returning.

(3:33) So, when we began our series on Beginnings by looking at the events that occurred before the beginning, (3:42) it was in that two-part lesson, specifically the discussion of angels in the evening lesson, (3:50) that got me to thinking about the concept of faith. (3:53) And specifically, why is faith necessary to be saved? (4:00) You may be thinking, what has that got to do with the topic of beginnings? (4:06) Well, as we’re discovering in our Wednesday night class on the Truth Project, (4:12) what’s going on in our society, and what’s been going on in societies ever since the beginning, (4:19) is a major battle. (4:22) A cosmic battle.

(4:23) Del Tackett of the Truth Project calls it. (4:27) It’s a battle between truth and lies. (4:31) And our beliefs, those ideas that govern us, that we live by, (4:36) are determined by what we believe is really real.

(4:43) In the first 11 chapters of Genesis, God is revealing to us some of his foundational truth claims. (4:53) And there you’ll find the creation. (4:56) The creation of man and woman.

(4:58) The fall. (4:59) Cain and Abel. (5:00) The genealogy from Adam to Noah.

(5:03) The increasing corruption of mankind. (5:07) The flood. (5:08) God’s covenant with Noah.

(5:10) Where we get the rainbow, by the way. (5:14) The Table of Nations and the Tower of Babel comprise these 11 chapters. (5:21) So how do we know whether they are true or not? (5:25) How do we determine the truth about anything? (5:29) What is truth? (5:31) And surprisingly, humans have a difficult time even defining what truth is.

(5:40) So, before we begin our beginning study, let’s look at the concept of faith, our beliefs. (5:48) We’re not going to look into the traditional aspect of being saved by faith, (5:53) even though that’s the title of the sermon, saved by faith. (5:57) I hope you’ll catch the nuance as we go on.

(6:01) Or faith versus baptism. (6:04) What I want to know is why. (6:10) Why is faith necessary for our salvation? (6:16) What is faith anyway? (6:18) In Hebrews 11, chapters of chapter 11, verses 1 and 2, it says, (6:24) Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

(6:33) For by it the men of old gained approval. (6:36) So faith is assurance of things we can be sure. (6:42) And faith is not blind.

(6:46) The Apostle Paul tells us that God made it plain for us (6:50) and that he can be, that God can be understood from what he has made. (6:57) That is, we can see an invisible God from the visible things he has made. (7:04) We call it today intelligent design.

(7:09) When we see evidence of a design in an object, you know, I used to cross-country ski. (7:16) Haven’t done that in ages. (7:18) But one time I was out with a friend on a full moon lit night, (7:26) which is really nice in the wintertime to see a full moon.

(7:31) The snow just illuminates the area. (7:37) We came, we were cross-country in the woods, (7:42) and we came across this dilapidated pile of wood, (7:48) but in it you could see a window frame. (7:53) You could see part of a roof.

(7:55) You could see maybe part of a door frame. (8:00) But it was, you couldn’t see the structure. (8:03) But you could see parts of a structure.

(8:08) And we knew that that pile of wood was made by someone. (8:15) Someone did something to get those features. (8:20) So even though we didn’t see anyone build it, (8:25) we didn’t see it in its glory when it was something, (8:30) we were able to discern that that wasn’t just a pile of sticks in the woods.

(8:37) It was something that was designed. (8:41) So when we see evidence of a design in an object, (8:45) then we know that there must be a designer, (8:48) even though we’ve never seen that designer. (8:52) In Romans 1, verses 18 through 20, Paul says again, (8:56) The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven (9:01) against all the godlessness and wickedness of men (9:04) who suppress the truth by their wickedness, (9:08) since what may be known about God is plain to them, (9:13) because God has made it plain.

(9:17) For since the creation of the world, (9:20) God’s invisible qualities, (9:22) His eternal power and divine nature, (9:26) have been clearly seen being understood from what He has made, (9:33) so that people are without excuse. (9:37) So my question is, (9:39) why are we put in a position where we must believe the truth claims of God? (9:46) Why doesn’t He just show Himself and give us proof beyond a doubt (9:50) that His truth claims are true? (9:53) Wouldn’t we then choose to follow and worship Him, wouldn’t you? (9:58) Wouldn’t we do what He asks of us? (10:02) If our decision to follow Him or not were not based on faith, (10:07) but based on sight, us being able to see Him, (10:12) what would our choice be? (10:15) It is amazing that we are even given a choice, (10:20) that we even have an option, a hope. (10:24) Once we’ve chosen to sin, (10:27) it’s amazing that we even have a hope to be redeemed.

(10:32) But if we could see God and experience God, (10:35) and then we chose to sin, (10:41) would we then still be offered (10:42) a hope of redemption? (10:48) Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 7, verse 5, (10:52) we walk by faith and not by sight. (10:57) Thank you, Roger, for reading that. (11:02) The reality is that we must make our choices based on faith.

(11:07) Does that possibly have something to do with God offering the sinner (11:15) hope of salvation? (11:19) I believe the Bible gives us the answer to this question, (11:22) and I believe we will see why we are saved by God’s grace, (11:28) and that’s His willingness to give the gift of salvation to us through faith. (11:34) Ephesians 2, verses 5 and 8. (11:37) So, we walk by faith and not by sight. (11:41) The Bible tells us there are two realms, (11:45) a spiritual realm and a physical realm.

(11:49) And unlike the naturalist who says, (11:52) all that exists is the physical, natural realm, (11:55) and in the words, I love, of Carl Sagan, (11:59) the cosmos is all that is, or was, or ever will be. (12:04) However, even the naturalist is forced to rely on faith. (12:12) It is a fact that there are multiple layers of rock strata (12:17) throughout the entire world.

(12:20) We can see it wherever you go. (12:24) It’s an assumption to say that it took millions of years for them to form. (12:30) It must be assumed because we don’t and can’t observe billions of years.

(12:40) No one was around to see how the strata was formed (12:44) and how they were formed is a theory, not a fact. (12:51) But right from the beginning of the Bible in Genesis 1-1, (12:55) we are introduced to God. (12:57) We are told not much about him at the time, (13:01) and that is our dilemma.

(13:05) We have limited knowledge, as does the naturalist, (13:09) not just those who believe in God, (13:12) but those who don’t believe in God are also limited. (13:15) Humans are limited in knowledge. (13:19) Then in verse 2, we are introduced to the Holy Spirit.

(13:23) We don’t know much about him either at this point. (13:26) But we do know that in his name, truth in advertising, (13:33) he is a spirit. (13:35) And a spirit is not part of the natural realm.

(13:40) Later, we learn from Jesus that God, too, is a spirit. (13:46) John chapter 4, verse 24. (13:49) In Hebrews 1, verse 7, it says that God makes his angels spirits.

(13:58) Angels are created beings, and they, too, are spirits, (14:04) like God and the Holy Spirit. (14:07) The difference being, by the way, between God and the angels, (14:11) God is eternal. (14:13) The angels are eternal, but God is eternal in both directions.

(14:18) No beginning and no end. (14:22) Angels are eternal in one direction. (14:26) They have a beginning and no end.

(14:32) We only know there is a spiritual realm from God revealing that fact to us, (14:39) and this brings up an important point. (14:42) That’s interesting. (14:44) I have interesting in my notes, but it is important also.

(14:50) That is, you cannot see the spiritual realm. (14:57) Apostle John tells us no one has seen God at any time. (15:03) First John chapter 4, verse 12.

(15:07) And, in fact, God told Moses, (15:10) you cannot see my face for no one may see me and live. (15:16) Exodus chapter 33, verse 20. (15:19) The penalty for seeing God is death.

(15:25) Paul says that God is eternal, immortal, and invisible. (15:30) First Timothy 1, verse 17. (15:33) God, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, (15:39) whom no one has seen or can see.

(15:43) First Timothy 6, verse 16. (15:47) And he tells us, Paul, that the things we can see are temporal. (15:52) And temporal is being physical or temporary things.

(15:56) But the things we can’t see are eternal, that is, the spiritual. (16:03) Second Corinthians chapter 4, verse 18. (16:07) So John again emphasizes that God is invisible.

(16:11) When he poses this question, John does, (16:15) if someone says, I love God and hates his brother, he is a liar. (16:22) For he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, (16:27) how can he love God whom he has not seen? (16:32) First John chapter 4, verse 20. (16:36) There are occasions when God opens human eyes to see the spiritual.

(16:41) We have sensors, our eyes, that can see in the physical realm, (16:47) but they cannot see the spiritual realm unless God allows it. (16:53) One such person is Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet from Pethor. (17:00) In the account, he is hired by the king of Moab to curse Israel.

(17:07) And on his way to Moab, he is confronted by the angel of the Lord who stands in his way. (17:13) But the angel of the Lord is invisible to Balaam. (17:18) Balaam’s donkey, however, can see the angel of the Lord standing there with a sword.

(17:24) The donkey swerves three times to avoid him. (17:28) And after each time, Balaam beats the donkey for veering off the path. (17:34) And after the third beating, the Lord opens the donkey’s mouth, (17:38) and it speaks to Balaam, asking him why he is beating it.

(17:43) Balaam said, if he had a sword, he would kill it. (17:47) The donkey asks Balaam, (17:50) am I not your own donkey which you have always ridden to this day? (18:00) Have I been in the habit of doing this to you? (18:04) Balaam replies, no. (18:08) And then in Numbers 22, verses 31 through 33, it says, (18:13) Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, (18:16) and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn.

(18:21) So he bowed low and fell face down. (18:26) The angel of the Lord asked him, (18:28) why have you been beating your donkey? (18:31) Each three times I’ve come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. (18:38) The donkey saw me and turned away from me.

(18:40) These three times, if it had not turned away, (18:44) I would certainly have killed you by now. (18:49) I would have spared it. (18:53) If you want to see the rest of that story, read Numbers chapters 22 through 24.

(18:59) A similar account is where Elisha’s servant’s eyes are opened by the Lord (19:05) to see the spiritual warfare going on around them. (19:09) It’s recorded in 2 Kings chapter 6, verses 15 through 17. (19:16) But normally, the spiritual realm is hidden from us, and deliberately so.

(19:23) Paul tells us that some information in the spiritual realm is not permitted in the natural realm. (19:31) In 2 Corinthians chapter 12, verses 2 through 4. (19:36) Thank you for reading that. (19:39) It says, Paul says, (19:42) I know a man in Christ who 14 years ago, whether in the body, I do not know, (19:47) or out of the body, I do not know, God knows.

(19:51) Such a man was caught up to the third heaven. (19:55) And I know how such a man, whether in the body or apart from the body, (19:58) I do not know, God knows, was caught up into paradise (20:04) and heard inexpressible things which a man is not permitted to speak. (20:15) This hiding of information is similar to how the fact that Jesus was going to die for our sins (20:23) was hidden until after his crucifixion.

(20:29) And it is Paul who tells us why that fact was kept secret. (20:34) In 1 Corinthians chapter 2, verses 6 through 8, Paul says, (20:39) We do speak a wisdom among those who are mature, (20:44) a wisdom, however, not of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away. (20:50) But we speak God’s wisdom, and a mystery, a hidden wisdom, (20:56) which God predestined before the ages and to our glory, (21:02) the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood.

(21:08) For if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (21:17) There was a plan, predestined before the ages began, (21:25) that Jesus would be crucified on a cross. (21:30) That was hidden.

(21:34) And if it had been exposed, if they had understood what was going to happen (21:41) when that event occurred, they would not have crucified Jesus. (21:50) There’s a reason why information is kept in the natural world. (21:58) So, why is information that is readily available in the spiritual realm hidden from the physical realm? (22:08) The result of hiding information is that it effectively divides the two realms (22:14) into a realm of sight and a realm of faith.

(22:21) It’s not an answer, but an observation. (22:25) So, why are there two realms? (22:28) And why hide the spiritual from the natural? (22:32) But at the same time, allow the spiritual to see and interact with the natural. (22:41) It’s one-sided.

(22:43) The natural world cannot see the spiritual world, (22:47) but the spiritual world can see the natural and interact with it. (22:56) I believe it has to do with God’s plan of salvation. (23:00) God made a plan before the creation of both spiritual and physical realms, (23:10) before time began.

(23:14) The plan involves salvation, and this implies that God would create beings that are sentient, (23:20) and that is able to perceive and feel things, (23:23) and beings that are conscious, aware of and responding to their surroundings. (23:30) They’re intelligent. (23:34) God would give his creation the ability of choice, (23:41) to choose to accept, follow, and worship him or reject him.

(23:48) Giving a choice implies some would accept and some would reject God from both realms. (23:58) What is planned for rejection? (24:01) Are the lost from both realms treated the same? (24:05) What is your expectation? (24:08) Are angels treated the same as humans in redemption once they’ve sinned? (24:14) Could an angel, who is a spirit living in the spiritual realm, (24:20) who can see God as he is, (24:23) who can experience his presence and glory, (24:27) and who rejects God, not out of ignorance, (24:31) but with full knowledge of who he is, (24:36) could such a one be offered redemption? (24:41) See what the Bible says. (24:44) Jude, verse 6. (24:47) And the angels did not keep their positions of authority, (24:50) but abandoned their proper dwelling.

(24:53) These he has kept in darkness, (24:56) bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great day. (25:03) Peter says in 2 Peter, chapter 2, verse 4. (25:06) For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, (25:13) putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment. (25:17) So clearly it appears that there is no plan of salvation for angels.

(25:25) There is for humans. (25:29) That’s why the writer of Hebrews says this in Hebrews chapter 2, (25:33) verses 14 through 18. (25:37) Since the children have flesh and blood, (25:41) he too shared in their humanity, (25:43) so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death, (25:51) that is the devil, (25:53) and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

(26:00) For surely it is not angels he helps, (26:07) but Abraham’s descendants. (26:10) For this reason he had to be made like them, (26:13) fully human in every way, (26:15) in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, (26:22) that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. (26:27) Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, (26:32) he is able to help those who are being tempted.

(26:38) So the answer to that question, (26:40) should an angel with full knowledge of God be offered redemption, (26:44) which the Bible answers no, (26:47) should that be why humanity is prevented from seeing the spiritual realm, (26:56) and why any knowledge of the spiritual realm to us has been made a matter of faith, (27:04) with no direct experiential knowledge, (27:07) and why we do not walk by sight, (27:11) but walk by faith. (27:14) Rejection of God by humanity involves a certain amount of ignorance, (27:20) of actually experiencing God. (27:22) We don’t know what that’s like.

(27:26) Perhaps this is why Jesus prayed as he was dying on the cross, (27:32) Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. (27:38) Luke 23, verse 34. (27:41) So, we live in the realm of faith, (27:45) and it is because we humans must walk by faith, (27:49) that we are even offered salvation.

(27:53) The angels aren’t. (27:56) We are saved by faith, (27:58) and that’s how I see it. (28:01) What do you think? (28:03) We’re going to stop here.

(28:05) Tonight we’re going to pick back up with God’s planning before the beginning, (28:09) and follow the plan as it was played out until the fall of angels and the fall of man. (28:18) The created from both realms fell. (28:24) And as we just mentioned, one is offered redemption and the other is not.

(28:29) And that’s tonight. (28:31) So, now we are extending the invitation to anyone who is subject to it. (28:37) While we stand and sing. (28:39)