Who is God . . . N

January 13, 2017

Who is God . . . Never leaves me nor forsakes me, Nazarene, Near/Nigh

Text: Psalms 119:151
Acts 17:22-27

1. Definition

A. Near of place, of time, of personal relationship (kinship); approach.

B. Nigh to bring near, to join one thing to another; approach.

C. What is near you right now? Bible
D. What do you wish was nearer to you? Family

2. Paul at Mars Hill

A. Athenians had an altar with the inscription "To the Unknown God."

B. Paul declared to the Athenians Who God is.
C. Paul let the Athenians know that God was not that far from them.

3. Caught in the Middle

A. You can move towards the world, the flesh, and the devil.

B. Or you can move towards God (which is made possible by the blood of Jesus Christ-Eph 2:13, Heb 7:19)

C. When I draw night to God, He draws night to me (James 4:8)
D. Draw nigh . . .
     * with your heart, not just your mouth (Mt 15:8, Heb 10:22)
     * in fear of Him (Ps 85:9)
     * in truth (Ps 145:18b)
     * with a broken heart (Ps 34:18)
     * and hear (Deut 5:27)

4. To be (near) or not be (near) . . .

A. Be as the Psalmist (. . .be not far from me . . .) (Ps 22:19, 35:22, 38:21, 71:12)
B. The Lord is nigh to those who call upon Him (Ps 145:18a)