As we come to the end of Lord’s Day 25 we are going to look at one more question. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gives the Christian Church our marching orders. In 1 Cor. 11:23-26, the Apostle Paul is ensuring the church in Corinth knows what the Lord’s Supper means That is why this question comes at the end of Lord’s Day 25 after we have looked at what sacraments are

Jesus tells us in the Great Commission (Matthews 28:19-20) to go and make disciples of all nations and

We'll spend most of the second half of 2023 looking at how you, as one who "can pass God's scrutiny"

John uses the same word here in Revelation 21:7 to describe God's people that he used to recount Jesus

doing what you truly want to do. v19 - You want to do good but don't, you don't want to sin but do. v20-23 continuing strength to win the ongoing battle within you so that you might bear fruit for Him (v5, 23

ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Matthew 21

Jesus here says that "all who are in their graves will hear God's voice and come out (v28-29)."

But it can also refer to a church building, as it's used in the opening line of Psalm 122, "I rejoiced

Jesus gives the deepest theological insights to people just like you. Listen to passage & devotional: Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 1 We all believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that there is a single and simple spiritual being, whom we call God— eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, unchangeable, infinite, almighty; completely wise, just, and good, and the overflowing source of all good. Summary One of the beefiest books I have on my shelf is called Systematic Theology, by Louis Berkhof. It weighs in at nearly 1,100 pages of very small type, and as its title implies, it explains in significant detail what the Bible says about God. Yet, when it comes right down to it, Berkhof is forced to admit that "the Bible does not give us a definition of God." The Bible certainly explains quite a bit about God's attributes, character and the things He's done, but nowhere does it provide a stand alone description of exactly what God is. So when Jesus says in v24 that "God is spirit," it ought to get your attention. This is the fullest definition you'll find for God anywhere. Notice here exactly what Jesus said and what He didn't say. He didn't say that God is a spirit, He just said that God is spirit. This makes sense in light of the name God gave Himself: I AM. Just like He does with His other attributes, God defines that which He is. Dig Deeper The format in which Jesus explains what God is adds to our understanding. Jesus doesn't give a speech at a theological conference attended by religious elites, or package His explanation in an 1,100 page book, or even post a series of binge-worthy podcasts. It's not that those formats aren't good and even necessary things, it's just that the context of this conversation deepens the meaning of the one word definition Jesus gives of God. Jesus speaks these invaluable words to a fallen, broken, outcast woman - a Samaritan woman at that! And He does so right after calling her out for her sin and deception. Do you see what this means? It means that knowing God is not just a lofty ideal, attainable only by self righteous monks who climb the religious mountain, so to speak. Theology - knowing what God is and what He has done and is doing - is for common, ordinary, sinful folks; people just like you and me. Nor is theology an optional thing for Christians. You can't just hold onto the Bible's warm fuzzies like love, joy and peace without a firm grasp of the Bible's dogmatic claims. In fact, the very next thing that Jesus says here is that those who worship God must worship Him in spirit and truth. The Christ has come - the one which this sinful woman knew would be able to explain everything to us (v25). He's given us His Word, that we might fully know Him and worship Him in that truth. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father God, who is spirit; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Thank God for giving us the truth in His Word, and pray that you would know it well so you can fulfill your purpose of worshipping Him; ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Mark 5

Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 29 Q.