Thanks be to God for His indescribable Gift

Thanks be to God for His indescribable Gift! 2 Corinthians 9 15

• Consider doors/portals: • in the Old Testament • in the New Testament • Examine their relevance today

Door of Expulsion and Alienation

Genesis 3 Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— 22

23 therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. 24 So He drove out the man;

…and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

Expulsion and Alienation

The cherubim serve the purpose of magnifying the holiness and power of God. This is one of their main responsibilities throughout the Bible.

In addition to singing God's praises, they also serve as a visible reminder of the majesty and glory of God and His abiding presence with His people. C. Fred Dickason

ALIENATION • isolation • detachment • estrangement

ALIENATION • distance • separation • division

Door of Separation and Salvation

Genesis 7 15 And they went into the ark to Noah, two by two, of all flesh in which is the breath of life.

So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; 16 and the Lord shut him in.

Door of Identification

John 10 …Jesus said to them… “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 7

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 9

Door of Reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 17

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, 18

Door of Invitation

Revelation 3 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 20

21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

Door of Consummation

Revelation 21 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light… 23

Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 25

Revelation 22 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month… 2

There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. 5

What Next? The • • • trees of: of Expulsion and Alienation Separation and Salvation Identification Reconciliation Invitation Consummation

What Next? Romans 13 8 …the Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world.

What Next? Romans 11 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. 36

What Next? In Remembrance of Me

1 Peter 1 …the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ 7

whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 8

My Jesus, I Love Thee 364

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine; For Thee all the follies of sin I resign; My gracious Redeemer, my Saviour art Thou; If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me, and purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;

I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow; If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death, And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;

And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow, If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight, I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright; I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow, If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

Hebrews 13: 21 …may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,

equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen

Thanks be to God for His indescribable Gift! 2 Corinthians 9 15