The invisibility of God is a great problem. It was already a problem to God’s people in Old Testament days. Their pagan neighbors would taunt them, saying, “Where Is now your God?” Their gods were visible and tangible, but Israel’s God was neither. Today in our scientific culture young people are taught not to believe in anything which is not open to empirical investigation. How then has God solved the problem of His own invisibility? The first answer is of course “in Christ.” Jesus Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. John 1:18: “No one has ever seen God, but God the only Son has made him known.” “That’s wonderful,” people say, “but it was 2,000 years ago. Is there no way by which the invisible God makes Himself visible today?” There is. We return to 1 John 4:12: “No one has ever seen God.” It is precisely the same introductory statement. But instead of continuing with reference to the Son of God, it continues: “If we love one another, God dwells in us.” In other words, the invisible God, who once made Himself visible in Christ, now makes Himself visible in Christians, if we love one another. It is a breathtaking claim. The local church cannot evangelize, proclaiming the gospel of love, if it is not itself a community of love.
John Stott

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ARMIES of Israel

ARMIES of Israel ARMIES of Israel, The First mention of # Ex 7:4 COLLECTED BY 2a) Sound of trumpets # Jud 3:27 6:34 2b) Special messengers # Jud 6:35 2Sa…

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BEARD

BEARD BEARD, THE The Jews never appeared without # 2Sa 10:5 Worn even by the priests # Ps 133:2 Laying hold of, a token of respect # 1Sa 20:9 Shaving…

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BREASTPLATE

BREASTPLATE BREASTPLATE A part of defensive armour # 1Ki 22:34 A part of the high priest's dress # Ex 28:4 FOR SOLDIERS 3a) Made of iron # Re 9:9 3b)…

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COMMERCE

COMMERCE COMMERCE The barter of one commodity for another # 1Ki 5:8,11 The exchange of commodities for money # 1Ki 10:28,29 CALLED 3a) Trade # Ge 34:10 Mt 25:16 3b)…

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COVENANTS

COVENANTS COVENANTS Agreements between two parties # Ge 26:28 Da 11:6 DESIGNED FOR 2a) Establishing friendship # 1Sa 18:3 2b) Procuring assistance in war # 1Ki 15:18,19 2c) Mutual protection…

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DECISION

DECISION DECISION Necessary to the service of God # Lu 9:62 Exhortations to # Jos 24:14,15 EXHIBITED IN 3a) Seeking God with the heart # 2Ch 15:12 3b) Keeping the…

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DIVINATION

DIVINATION DIVINATION An abominable practice # 1Sa 15:23 All who practised it, abominable # De 18:12 PRACTISED BY 3a) Diviners # De 18:14 3b) Enchanters # De 18:10 Jer 27:9…

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EARTHQUAKES

EARTHQUAKES EARTHQUAKES Islands and mountainous districts liable to # Ps 114:4,6 Re 6:14 16:18,20 FREQUENTLY ACCOMPANIED BY 2a) Volcanic eruptions # Ps 104:32 Na 1:5 2b) Convulsion and receding of…

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