Until men recognize that they owe everything to God, that they are nourished by his fatherly care, that he is the Author of their every good, that they should seek nothing beyond him – they will never yield him willing service. Nay, unless they establish their complete happiness in him, they will never give themselves truly and sincerely to him.
– John Calvin
Q/A#2
Q: Who is this God we are to love?
A: This God is the LORD, the one true God in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. – Jeremiah 10:10a
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. – Matthew 28:19
Verses for Further Reflection
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. – John 1:1
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit… You have not lied to man but to God.”– Acts 5:3-4
And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” – Matthew 3:16-17
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. – II Corinthians 13:14
…according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood…. – I Peter 1:2a
Discussion Questions Related to the Verses
Who is the Word (Jesus)? Who is the Holy Spirit?
How do we see each person at work in Jesus’s baptism?
How does each person contribute to our salvation?
Q/A#2
Q: Who is this God we are to love?
A: This God is the LORD, the one true God in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King.
– Jeremiah 10:10a
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
– Matthew 28:19
Verses for Further Reflection
Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,
for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.
They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.
They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk;
and they do not make a sound in their throat.
Those who make them become like them;
so do all who trust in them.
O Israel, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.
O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.
You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.
– Psalm 115:1-11
Discussion Questions Related to the Verses
What other gods are you tempted to glory in or trust in?
What is happening in your life right now for which you need to trust in the Lord?
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
The Joy of Walking with God – Tim Challies
The Christian’s walk is one of close fellowship with God and earnest obedience to God. Here are some of the joys we receive in this walk.
The Nail in the Coffin of Our Hearts: Five Hundred Years of Fighting Idolatry – Tony Reinke (DG) Shallow thinking about God always replaces God, and sets in his place a fraudulent idol of security or sex or wealth or power or even of religion.
Sanctification Is a Direction – David Powlison
We must have a vision for a long process (lifelong), with a glorious end (the last day), that is actually going somewhere (today).
Sunday Morning Is Not About Me: The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness – Stephen Witmer (DG)
As we see our Lord for who he is, as we look away from ourselves to gaze upon him again, we will find true, lasting joy and contentment.
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day walking with, thinking about, and gazing upon God!
Q/A#2
Q: Who is this God we are to love?
A: This God is the LORD, the one true God in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Verses for Further Reflection
Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel
and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts:
“I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.
– Isaiah 44:6
“Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth!
For I am God, and there is no other.
– Isaiah 45:22
Remember this and stand firm,
recall it to mind, you transgressors,
remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me,
declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, “My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose.”
– Isaiah 46:8-10
Discussion Questions Related to the Verses
Who is the one true God?
What do you learn about the one true God from these verses, and what significance does each truth have for your life?
Q/A#2
Q: Who is this God we are to love?
A: This God is the LORD, the one true God in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King.
– Jeremiah 10:10a (ESV)
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
– Matthew 28:19 (ESV)
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
Practical Suggestions for Cultivating Communion with God – Kelly Kapic (Crossway)
Communion with God is a deep need for every human, whether we acknowledge the need or not. Communion with God is how we were made to function, and it is ultimately about a loving and very present relationship with the triune Creator.
Two Gifts You Give To Others in Your Sanctification – Tim Challies
Your sanctification is a gift to others. Your continual growth in holiness is not something you emphasize merely for your own benefit or your own assurance, but something you pursue for the benefit of others.
One Man’s Dream Destroyed Millions – Jon Bloom (DG)
We must confront our own wicked proneness to objectify others and resolve all the more to war against it. We humans have a horrible, sinful tendency to view others as roles — too often expendable “extras” — in the epic moving picture of our story, not souls in the real epic of God’s story. The fallen human nature, unhinged from God’s reality, seeks to construct its own preferred reality. And it uses other people to do it.
Are You a Healthy Church Member? – Thabiti Anyabwile (Crossway)
A healthy church member is someone that, in one sense, shares all the sensibilities of a good pastor. They’re going to have a concern for the spiritual growth of others, they’re going to have a concern for the right teaching of God’s Word, and they will have a concern for the church’s witness to the community, for reaching their neighbors and friends.
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day with your local church!
– William Hendriksen on Revelation 4 in More Than Conquerors
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
Alienation from God – Sinclair Ferguson (Ligonier)
Our worldview is self-focused. Man is, in Martin Luther’s words, “incurvatus in se”— turned in on himself, self-obsessed. We belong to what Christopher Lasch has called a culture of narcissism.
The Five Key Factors in Every Christian’s Sanctification – Tim Challies
How does God go about this work of sanctification? David Powlison helpfully narrows it down to five means or five streams through which God pours out his sanctifying grace. These factors work in tandem, each one contributing to our lifelong gain in godliness.
When Did Solomon Write Proverbs 5-7? – Mike Leake (Borrowed Light)
The life of Solomon should serve as a warning to us. The Scriptures are true. Solomon’s words are true. But that mere fact doesn’t protect us unless we actually apply and live out these words. Just knowing that adultery will kill you isn’t enough. You have to actually live in light of those facts. Solomon didn’t and he got burned.
12 Principles on How to Disagree with Other Christians – Andrew David Naselli and J. D. Crowley (9Marks)
But human nature being what it is, the stricter group was always tempted to judge those they saw as too free (“And they call themselves Christians!”), while the free group tended to look down on those with unnecessary restrictions (“those poor legalists!”). Fortunately, Paul condemned both attitudes.
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day with your local church worshiping our great God!
By sleeping, we are relinquishing control and reminding ourselves – at least for a few hours – that God actually doesn’t need us.
Brian J. Mikul 