Who is a Man of God?
The Scriptures speak of a number of “men of God.”
Men like Moses, Elijah, King David and others, are referred to as men of God.
Specific Purpose Statement: What we want to do today is examine the Scriptures in order to see what makes a person qualified to be a “Man of God.”
And the reason we want to do this is that unless we follow peace with all men, and holiness, no man shall see the Lord:
Men like Moses, Elijah, David were used mightily by God to fulfill His purposes; To be His representatives; To do His Will.
Let’s look briefly at a few of these “Men of God.”
Exodus 3:
1 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.
2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.
“Here am I” is the correct answer – indicating a submission and willingness on Moses’ part to be used of God.
Exodus 3:
5 And He [Jesus Christ – God of the Old Testament] said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place where upon thou stand is holy ground.
It is holy ground, because of God’s presence – that is what makes something holy.
Exodus 3:
6 Moreover He said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
We see the reverence for God in Moses’ humble and meek attitude.
Numbers 12:
3 Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.
We know the story of how God called Moses to be, not only a leader of Israel, but also a representative and type of Jesus Christ.
John 6:
14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that Prophet that should come into the world.
Deuteronomy 18:
15 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto Me; unto Him ye shall hearken;
Today’s Title is seen in this next verse:
Deuteronomy 33:
1 This is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.
Elijah was used powerfully by God.
You might say, “Well, I’m no Elijah – and you are no Elijah,” and you would be absolutely correct – but we do not know why it is that God has called us at this time.
* Brethren, do not diminish or devalue the gift God has given you.
1 Corinthians 7:
7 …Every man [in particular] hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
And Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12 that our spiritual gifts of God are to profit everyone else – they are certainly not for our personal edification or gratification.
1 Corinthians 12:
7 The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
2 Kings 1:
10 Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
King David is called the Man of God (2 Chronicles 8:14).
Let’s turn over to the New Testament where we will find that every single converted person is destine to be a Man of God or a Holy Woman of God.
Paul described Timothy as a man of God, and he gave him some specific virtues or attributes to develop in his life.
We will be looking at how Paul directs Timothy to grow and develop in specific Godly attributes.
Today’s sermon title comes from this next verse:
1 Timothy 6:
11 Paul wrote, O man of God, flee these things;[the un-godliness in the previous verses.] and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Paul tells Timothy that he is definitely and emphatically a Man of God, and yet Paul has further instructions for him.
I believe that this is why the Church of God in not yet prepared for the Marriage of the Lamb.
We sometimes do not realize that there is much more that must be accomplished in our lives.
We too, brethren, are to follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Let’s look at one or two of these attributes we must put on:
* Righteousness
In explaining what righteousness is, Herbert W. Armstrong often quoted Deuteronomy 5:29 where God said to Moses, "Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!"
I can still hear Mr. Armstrong's voice from fifty years ago as he quoted Romans 7:12-14 over 50,000 watt Clear Chanel KAAY Radio in Little Rock, Arkansas: “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good… For we know that the law is spiritual:
Righteousness is living God’s law in the Spirit because it has become an integral part of us. God has put His laws in our hearts… as He says:
Hebrews 8:
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: [They shall be My people.]
Righteousness has to do with living God’s Law, not out of fear, but because we love God’s Law as David wrote:
Psalm 119:
97 O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
* Godliness Also translated as “Holiness.”
Hebrews 12:
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness [same word as ‘godliness’], without which no man shall see the Lord:
Acts 3:
12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness [same word as ‘godliness’]we had made this man to walk?
1 Timothy 3:
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:[what follows in this verse is a broad definition of the message that constitutes godliness:] God was manifest in flesh, justified by Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. [That is the entire life and teachings of Jesus Christ.]
Godliness has to do with living the principles of Jesus Christ as revealed in the entire Gospel account. Godliness is the act of separating ourselves from the ways of this wicked world, and conforming to the perfect Will of God. Godliness is the opposite of the way of worldly passions.
Titus 2:11-12 tells us that the grace of God teaches us that "denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly."
Continuing this thought in 1 Timothy 6:
1 Timothy 6:
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickens all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 That thou keep this commandment [to follow after righteousness, godliness,] without spot, unrebukeable [blameless], until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Paul, in his next letter, explains to Timothy that he has had it rough so that the People of God might thrive on the Word of God.
2 Timothy 2:
9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
Paul says that he is being treated like a common criminal and thrown into jail – but that does not stop the Gospel message from being preached.
2 Timothy 2:
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
The term "elect" is most encouraging because it means that God knows us and has a personal relationship with us.
2 Timothy 3:
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
* 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
We see the title here again:
2 Timothy 3:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Where can a man of God be found today?
Are there any men of God today?
What about us, are we meant to be men and women of God as well?
We might think that being a man of God is a special status relegated only to men of prominence like prophets, apostles and evangelists. Not so!
* Peter makes it clear that all Christians are to become Men of God individually, and collectively they are the People of God:
Speaking to Church of God Christians Peter says:
1 Peter 2:
* 9 You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a very special people [yes, peculiar to the world]; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light:
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the People of God: [title] which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
We will look at these verses more in context in a few minutes.
We see then that as Christians, led by God’s Holy Spirit, we are Men of God in particular, and collectively the People of God!
It is fully God’s intention that the people of God be made perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:17). That is a tall order.
How does a person develop into the kind of person God seeks?
How do we grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? (2 Peter 3:18)
When someone asks, “Are you a Man of God,” How do you define yourself?
Our answer should be, Yes, I am a man of God, because we are the people of God.
We should see ourselves in that way.
We are followers of Jesus Christ.
We are the true saints – just like the true Christians of the first century.
We are the family of God.
O Man of God, we are the people of God in Whom He dwells.
We are the called out ones. We should see ourselves in that role. We are the New Covenant people of God. We are the Church of God. We are the ‘ekklesia’ of God. We are the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ. We are the Body of Christ. We are the household of God.
We are each of us, a Man of God; collectively we are the people of God.
Some brethren make the mistake after their baptism of thinking that they “have it made,” and they start to coast.
The only time you can coast is when you are going downhill – and the Kingdom of God is at the top of the hill.
Peter begins chapter 2 by stating that all un-godliness must be eradicated form our lives.
We are going study through the first twelve verses:
1 Peter 2:
1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking,
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word [God’s Word and Truth], that ye may grow thereby:
Peter is saying that Christians must “Grow up – unto the Lord.”
1 Peter 2:
3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
We are lively stones in Whom He dwells. [notice]
We are lively stones.
Individually, we are each a temple for God to live in.
1 Peter 2:
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
We Christians are a holy priesthood.
Next, Peter is speaking of Jesus Christ:
1 Peter 2:
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion [that is the Church of God] a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe He [Jesus] is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, [Jesus is the Head of the Church]
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
** We are the spiritual temple to whom Jesus Christ will soon return.
We are not like the men of the world – we have come out of the world and separated ourselves from the ways of this world.
When the Tkach administration took the Worldwide Church of God into apostasy, one of the first points that they went off track on was to teach that we were just like the Protestants and Catholics.
The Tkaches taught that is was arrogant and haughty of us to consider ourselves to be a very special people.
God’s calling, faith is Jesus Christ to save us, conversion and the receiving of God’s Holy Spirit, place us in a unique relationship with God and Jesus Christ.
Not understanding the change that takes place when we become the People of God, the Tkaches taught we were condescending of all other religions. We are not!
It is God Who says that His Children are extraordinarily exceptional and very special in His sight.
Not because of anything we have done on our part – but because He has chosen us and called us glory.
All those in the world will be called at a later date.
Brethren, understand this: Jesus died for all mankind – but God has called a few at this time for His very particular purposes.
Yes, we are to reign and rule with Jesus in the millennium (Revelation 5:10), but right now: We are to be lights to the world.
We are to be witnesses of what is going on while Satan is the god of this world.
We have God’s Holy Spirit to lead us toward perfection.
We are to be representatives of the Gospel.
Our Faith is to be lived – not placed under a bushel basket where no man can see it.
Jesus said in Mar 4:21 Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? And not to be set on a candlestick?
1 Peter 2:
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a very special people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
* In the same way that the prophets, apostles and evangelists were “Men of God,” Peter makes the point that we, too, are the “People of God.”
1 Peter 2:
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Peter shows that collectively we are as lively stones, built up a spiritual house [family, household, temple], – and yet, Jesus is not going to marry a temple, city, stones, or a house… [is He?]
** This holy temple in the Lord - a dwelling place of God, is the collective Church of God brethren – Spiritual Israel – Mount Zion – The Firstborn – New Jerusalem – the City of the Lord.
Peter warns us about trying to have one foot in the world and the other foot in the Church.
1 Peter 2:
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation / conduct honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Some day, every person in the world with whom we have come into contact will say – I remember you.
We might as well have a big sign hung around our neck saying – I am a “Child of God.”
Peter reminds us that we are the People of God.
2 Peter 1:
1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
Let’s notice that we are admonished by God’s servants that we be thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
God has held back nothing from His Children and we are the Children of God.
Peter said that we must take the entire Bible and be putting it all together.
2 Peter 1:
3 According as His divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue.
So brethren, let us avail ourselves of these exceeding great and precious promises, and fully become the people of God.
2 Peter 1:
4 Whereby are given unto us [by God] exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Peter is teaching that the grace of God demands diligence or effort.
2 Peter 1:
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
Giving all diligence means that we make every effort.
* “Add,” means that our part of the equation as Christians is to add greatly – “build upon” to what God has given to us.
“Add to your faith” Peter says, because Faith is our starting point. We know that God’s Will is going to be done. Build from that starting point… virtue; and to virtue knowledge…
2 Peter 1:
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me.
15 Moreover I will Endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
Yes, Indeed, God has preserved these Scriptural words of Peter and Paul for us in the Bible.
Brethren, all these things have been preserved – pointing to the glorious days yet to come:
Isaiah 62:
1 For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burns.
The entire world will see one day what we are privileged to see even now.
There is a New Day coming – and we, the People of God will be therein.
Notice a few pages toward the front of your Bible:
Isaiah 51:
1 Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are dug from.
What is a Christian’s stock? What is he made of?
Isaiah 51:
2 Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.
There is a glorious day coming for the People of God.
Isaiah 51:
3 For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
4 Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.
5 My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be forever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.
7 Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revelings.
Be a Man of God!
The entire universe and everything in it was created just for us!
Jesus Christ died for us.
We are the People of God.
End
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"O Man of God" |
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