What we know about God, we know because He has revealed Himself unto us through His Word. We understand that God is omnipotent: all powerful; omnipresent: present everywhere; and omniscient: all knowing. I do not want to take away from God's holy character in any way, but allow me to use a 'play on words' to express some thoughts in the message this morning.
I want to discuss some things that God doesn't know! Now I am not trying to instruct God on anything today, but I want all of us to consider some areas that are extremely important.
I. God Does Not Know Any Person Who Has Not Sinned!
(Rom 3:10) "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"
(Rom 3:23) "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
A. We don't always want to admit it, but we are all sinners!
1. We would like to think that we are basically good people.
2. But the Bible tells us just the opposite.
(Eccl 7:20) "For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not."
3. Deep down we are not good, but rather we are wicked and sinful people.
4. Some would call this negative preaching… they would argue that I should be giving pep talks like a coach.
5. Now and again I do some of that sort of thing, but it is the Truth that hurts our pride and our self-esteem.
B. This is true of believers as well as unbelievers.
1. We do not become perfect and without sin when we believe in Christ.
2. Someone came up with an extremely accurate thought.
3. It goes like this, "Christians aren't perfect, but forgiven."
4. My what a wonderful thought…forgiven of our sins past, present, and future.
(Eph 2:3) "Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."
(Eph 2:8-9) "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: {9} Not of works, lest any man should boast."
5. What an excellent thought and reminder … we are sinners saved by grace.
C. How can that be? Grace and Mercy!
1. Grace = God giving us what we don't deserve.
2. Mercy = God not giving us what we do deserve!
(Heb 4:16) "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
3. When we come to Christ in faith, He will give us both!
II. God Does Not Know Any Person He Does Not Love!
(John 3:16) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
(1 John 4:9-10) "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. {10} Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
A. Some might think God couldn't love them…
1. Because they have done too many terrible things.
2. Because they have failed too many times.
3. Because they have disappointed their loved ones so many times.
4. But I have good news for you today.
B. God loves us even though we have sinned.
1. The Bible is filled with people who have sinned…
2. People that God loved…
3. People who had failed time and time again, but found grace and mercy to go on and be greatly used of God.
(1 Tim 1:15) "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."
C. The love of God reaches down to all.
(Rom 5:8) "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
1. Perhaps no one else has ever shown you love.
2. Perhaps every other relationship you have had has left you feeling empty and unfulfilled…
3. The Lord loves us with an unending love.
(Psa 27:10) "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up."
III. God Does Not Know A Better Time To Be Saved Than Now!
(Isa 55:6) "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:"
(2 Cor 6:2) "(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)"
A. Salvation is available right now for all who will come to Christ in faith.
(2 Pet 3:9b) "The Lord is … not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
1. God's desire is for all to come to Him.
2. The only thing that is keeping people from coming to Christ is their lack of faith.
3. Trust the Word of God and come to Him today.
B. Salvation is in Christ and Christ alone.
1. What are we trusting in today?
2. Only the shed blood of Christ was sufficient to pay the penalty for sin.
3. Paul told the jailer in Philippi…
(Acts 16:31) "…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
4. It is not Jesus plus anything…or minus anything…it is Jesus only!
(Acts 4:12) "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
Some things that God doesn't know