What Is God Doing Today?

Due to the message that was kind of a split sermon, I'm just going to go right into the sermon today. And of course, I had to change my sermon because Homer Moore passed away, and we all need encouragement. We need to look forward to what the promises of God. And so Homer died in his sleep today. He was a minister and one of God's servants. We read in Psalm 116, verse 15, how painful it is to the Lord when one of his people dies, a person that has God's Spirit. That's a Good News Bible version. God knows how sad and painful it is for him and Jesus Christ to witness one of his servants who died, and for all who loved Homer that are mourning for him today. Yet death is not the end of the person, for brethren such as Homer are part of those which the Bible says, who sleep in Jesus? 1 Thessalonians 4, 14. The Bible tells us when a person dies, they go unconscious. Their Spirit goes up to God, but it is not activated until Christ comes back. And that's when the person is resurrected. And that's what it's through the entire Bible, Old and New Testament. And it tells us those who sleep in Jesus. At the time of Paul, church members had died.

And he didn't say they went up to heaven or hell, down to hell. No, he says they are asleep in Jesus. That means that they are church members. They sleep like other people that are dead, but in Jesus, which means their names are inscribed in that Book of Life with a right to be resurrected in that first resurrection. That's what it's talking about there.

Homer will be awakened when Christ returns and will receive his reward, which we believe is being part of that glorious first resurrection that the Bible talks about with a new spirit body. Let's read Revelation 20 verse 6, because this is the Bible truth.

People have been deceived into believing more about Greek myths than Bible truths. That's just the way the world is. They've been deceived. Notice in Revelation 20 verse 6, it says, Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection.

So if there's a first resurrection, he's talking about because there's going to be one afterwards. He says, Over such the second death has no power, so they will never die again, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Boy, how's that an offer? The privilege of being part of Christ's team during that millennium. That's what Homer was living his life to do, and he died faithfully.

Notice in chapter 22 of Revelation verse 12, It says, And behold, this is talking about Christ, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, to give to everyone according to his work. Verse 14, Blessed are those who do his commandments, that means all ten, including keeping the Sabbath day, which is the fourth, that they may have the right to the tree of life, that's the eternal life, and may enter through the gates into the city.

This is the new Jerusalem. And so that is what our spiritual race is, because you don't qualify, you don't finish, until death comes upon you, or Christ comes before. If Christ comes before, you'll be transformed. When you see him in the air, it says, with a shout of a trumpet, all those dead in Christ will be resurrected at the same time. Not everybody else. They are not going to be resurrected until the thousand year period.

They're not going to live and reign with Christ. They'll be resurrected after that period. And so that's what we are looking for. Is that worth it, brethren, to persevere, to go through the difficulties of this present society, and human nature, and of the temptations? Is it worth it to say, I'm going to do it God's way in my life? You will be eternally blessed, but something each has to choose for themselves. God is not going to choose it for you. You have free will. You can choose, whether to put God first in your life or not.

And so this brings up the question, which is the main subject today. What is God doing today? What is God doing each day of the week? Is He just sitting there watching things and not doing anything about it? In other words, a lot of people think, well God just sort of looks at what's happening, but He doesn't do anything about it. He just lets things go. Well, that's not what the Bible reveals at all. Look at what Christ said in John 5, verse 17. John 5, verse 17.

It says, My Father has been working until now, and I have been working. So they're not just sitting back and just staring or lamenting what's happening. They're actively involved. Every day, every second of the day, they are working for us to be able to make it into His kingdom, to carry out the plan that they have set up.

So what is God and the Father and Jesus Christ doing today? Well, we don't know, but God revealed in His Bible. This is where He told us what He was doing. When we pray to God, we are speaking to Him. When we read the Bible, He is speaking to us. That's where the answer is. And so we're going to go over these points to see what they are doing on our behalf to fully appreciate their love for us.

We should never take it for granted. We should never think, oh, God doesn't care. He doesn't listen. Notice some scriptures. The first point out of seven that we're going to cover today is God the Father and Jesus Christ are meticulously taking care of His creation. In other words, they are actively involved. It's not like, okay, they created things, you know, they turned, pushed the button, and everything runs on automatic pilot, and God doesn't have to do anything.

No, He and Jesus Christ never relax a moment as far as getting things done. Notice Matthew chapter 10, Matthew chapter 10, verse 29 through 33. I'm going to read it from the Good News Bible. It's a little clearer than the New King James. Matthew 10, verse 29 through 33, it says, Jesus Christ talking to His disciples, He says, For only a penny you can buy two sparrows, yet not one sparrow falls to the ground, which means or dies, without your Father's consent.

So God knows right when that bird breathes its last and falls to the ground. I remember my grandson, Andrew, he was in the backyard. Alyssa was also there. Remember what we found when we were going by the creek? He found a dead bird, and he was just maybe three or four. And he said, they call me Tata, right? So Tata, look, this bird, he fell, and it's dead. Well, God knew that bird when it fell. That's how concerned he is. Now, most of us, you see that big deal, not for God.

He actually has to intervene and say, yes, it's time for that bird to die. Christ goes on to say, As for you, even the hairs on your head have all been counted. So he wants to know how much God cares. Do you think he knows what you ate today? What are your problems? He says, if any of us, you could point to someone, how many hairs does he have? God knows exactly how many. That's how much he cares. And yet people think God's not involved. Even the most conscientious mother doesn't love their child enough to know how many hairs they have. And it's somewhere around 120,000 for the normal head.

And so it says that's how much God cares for us. So he goes on to say, Do not be afraid. You are worth much more than many sparrows. If he is worried about what a sparrow does, how much more? Us. He goes on to say, Those who declare publicly that they belong to me. Publicly means they're not ashamed. Yes, Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.

A lot of people, oh, that's embarrassing. But notice what Christ said. Those who declare publicly that they belong to me, I will do the same for them before my Father in heaven. So when we go up to be judged by God, it says here that Jesus Christ will say, they had the courage. They really put me first. But those who reject me publicly, I will reject before my Father in heaven. So I don't want that ever to happen. Christ kind of looks at me and just kind of says, Well, you weren't faithful.

I don't ever want to hear that in my life. I'd rather die than hear that. Notice in Psalms 147, we're talking about the creation, the universe that God is so involved with. Psalm 147 4 through 5 talks about God. It says, He counts the number of the stars. He calls them all by name. That's how much He's concerned about. He knows every star out there in the universe. And by the way, this universe is expanding. Gas is contracting, getting compressed more and more until, boom, a new star comes out.

He knows what He's going to name it. That's how concerned He is. It says, Great is our Lord and mighty in power. His understanding is infinite. Doesn't have any borders or limits. God and Jesus Christ are very active in all of creation, and they are sustaining the universe. Notice what it says in Hebrews 1, verses 2 through 3. It says, here's in the contemporary English version, it says, But now at last God sent His Son to bring His message to us.

God created the universe by His Son. So who is the one who actually carried it out? Jesus Christ, through the orders of God the Father. And everything will someday belong to the Son. Because when Jesus Christ gave up, all His power came down to the earth, lived like a human being so He could taste what it was like and know what temptation is like and all of these things.

And then He came back up to heaven, but yet God has not granted His reward yet about being in charge of the entire universe. That's why it says here that everything will someday belong to the Son.

God's Son has all the brightness of God's own glory and is like Him in every way. By His own mighty word, He holds the universe together. Now, if you are able to make it next week, that's part of the sermon I'm going to give you about how this whole universe is held together. And I think it's going to be very interesting information. How many have ever heard of the cosmic web? Can I see? Okay. Yes, that's something that astronomers don't want you to know because it points to intelligent design and a creator God, but we're going to cover that subject and how all of this is sustained.

And it's amazing what astronomers admit, how everything is sustained, and yet they can't see what actually does it. These are invisible forces that God has to be able to organize the whole universe. So it's ordered, it's expanding elegantly, nothing is crashing, everything is all set up. So, well, God willing, talk about that. So that's the first thing God and Jesus Christ are very active in their creation of the universe.

Number two, God the Father and Jesus Christ extend their mercy throughout the earth. God the Father and Jesus Christ, every day with all the problems, they still extend their mercy. And not only to people who believe in them, even those who don't believe in Him, they still receive His blessings. Notice in Matthew 5, verse 43, Matthew 5, verse 43, this is the second point about what God is doing today. Matthew 5, 43 through 48, how they extend their mercy throughout the earth. Verse 43, it says, you have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies. Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. Even they hate you still be service oriented. Be kind, be patient, that you may be sons of your Father in Heaven, for He makes His Son rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. So He could say, well, I'm just going to have rain in the area where my people are, and the rest of the world just drought. That's all they deserve. No. He still brings the rain upon everybody, even if they do evil, even if they curse God. He still is so merciful that He extends it along with His Son, Jesus Christ. He goes on to say, for if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If people are nice to you, you usually are nice to them. But if people are mean to you, how many people are still gentle and patient and not be mean to them? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in Heaven is perfect, as far as doing things out of love, doing things with patience. Not let any of that evil poison of hate enter your heart. Let's go to Luke 6. That's a parallel scripture, but it says something more that it doesn't say in Matthew. And we just read Luke 6, verse 35. It says, but love your enemies, do good and lend, hoping for nothing in return. In other words, don't do it just to get profit. And your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For he is kind to the unthankful and evil. Isn't it hard to be kind to the unthankful and evil? And yet, it says God is kind. His nature doesn't change. People insult God. He doesn't throw a lightning bolt. Verse 36, Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. So God the Father and Jesus Christ are practicing mercy every day. Thirdly, they hear our prayers every day, and they know best how to respond. They hear our prayers every day and know how best to respond. Let's go to Psalm 55 verse 17. Psalm 55 verse 17. It's so important to have these principles. Some people say, well, I can't do that. Well, start just a little bit at a time. Don't raise the bar all the way up. But just if you can be a little better today, if you can improve what your nature is like. From one day, you'll be surprised how much you can advance. Psalm 55 verse 17. It says, evening and morning and at noon, I will pray and cry aloud, and he shall hear my voice. So God doesn't go to sleep. He can hear your prayers at any time. And if he's worried about little sparrows and knows when they're going to die, how much more important is God when someone is praying to him earnestly, faithfully, obediently? It means a lot to God. Notice in Hebrews chapter 4, Hebrews chapter 4 verse 14.

This is how we can go before the presence of God with comfort and faith.

Hebrews 4 verse 14. It says, seeing then that we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

So in baseball terms, it means Christ batted a thousand.

Now, just about some of the greatest batters in all of baseball history, they barely made 400% which means they got out like 600% because you're batting 400, which means 400, you know, four out of every 10, you're getting a hit or getting to base. But Christ batted a thousand. All the temptations. And believe me, Satan had him in his cross hairs.

And yet Christ never yielded to Satan once. And that's the high priest that we have who's so loving toward us.

It goes on to say, Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, not because we're so good, because God and Christ are so good. That's how we can come before them, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. So never sell God or Jesus Christ short. They cannot do any evil or good or anything against what is good.

Let's go to the third point, the fourth point.

He is such a generous giver of his time, his blessings, the sacrifice of his Son to forgive our sins.

This is one scripture that I just repeat almost every day.

James chapter 1 verse 16 through 18. I just have found it to be so profound, so important to remember God's generosity.

It says, James chapter 1 verse 16. It says, do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Don't be fooled.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

In other words, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He always forgives, loves, helps the person out.

Every day when you wake up, God is there and every blessing that you receive comes from him. Even if you have no idea how these blessings came about, it ultimately comes down from God the Father.

It says, verse 18, of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth. So important.

The truth of God found in his word that we might be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

This is the first crop that God is working on. Preparing, perfecting. He is so patient with this world. He could have pulled a plug on this world a long time ago and nobody could ever have complained. But he is what is called long suffering. He suffers, and that's part of God's nature, to suffer for a long time.

That's what love has its characteristic. 2 Peter chapter 3 verse 9. It says, the Lord is not slack concerning his promise. So some people say, well, when is Christ ever going to come back?

Well, he's going to come back, and it's sooner than most think. He says, as some count slackness, but his long suffering toward us, not willing, that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Repentance is a key where a person says, I'm tired of my own way of doing things, and I want to do it God's way.

And I accept. I repent of what I had lived before, breaking God's laws, and now I'm ready to obey God's laws and put him first into my life.

He provides protection and heals people every day, and he uses his angels. They're all there at his beck and call, and he gives them assignments. You protect this person.

We've had so many miracles over time. I could just give a whole sermon and all the experiences of things that did not look possible to solve, and yet God solved them.

The fifth point is God is calling people to the truth every day and using his church to send the message to the world.

So God is actively involved in the church, opening up doors so we can go through with this wonderful gospel of the coming kingdom.

We have all these booklets. They're all free. We never charge one penny for God's truths because it tells us in the Bible, freely you have received, freely give.

We pay all of these through our tithes and offerings. That's how they get produced. We don't ask anybody who will charge them.

Notice in John chapter 6, verse 64, Christ says, John 6, verse 64, I have it right. I think I've got the wrong.

Yeah, sorry, it's 40. It's John 6, 44.

He said, no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.

And so it tells us God the Father is the one that determines if the person should be called now or later in life.

He also says in verse 65, From that time many of his disciples went back and walked with him no more.

He knew. He knows who are truly called by God, and who are just going to be around for a short while. The sixth point is that God is working with Jesus Christ in us and all who are part of the body of Christ.

Notice John chapter 14 verse 23. Let's go ahead here to John chapter 14 verse 23.

Christ said to his disciples, These things I have spoken to you while being present.

Verse 23, Jesus answered and said to him, If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

And so what is God doing? Well, he's working with each one who has God's Spirit and those that are now being called by God.

That have access, like it tells us also here, that God the Father and Jesus Christ are with the person.

But when you're baptized and receive God's Spirit, then they are in the person.

Now it's something not outside. God is there with you through thick and thin.

They strengthen us. They guide us. They decide what is best for us in the grand scheme of things, because all things will work out in the end for those who love him.

As the Bible says, our lives are so puny, like the grass that grows one day and dries up so quick, in a sense, our lives are.

And the last point, point seven, God the Father and Christ are busy in heaven preparing a kingdom for us.

And that's for Homer, too. He's run his race. In Matthew chapter 20 verse 23, Matthew 20 verse 23. So he said to them, to his disciples, You will indeed drink my cup, which means they're going to suffer by their faith, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with. They're going to have to go through a lot of similar trials.

But to sit on my right hand and on my left, which two of the disciples were asking him if we can sit in your kingdom on your left and your right hand. He says, This is not mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by the Father. So the Father is preparing all of that, putting people in different positions as he sees they develop and grow. So they are actively involved in that because they have to have everything ready when Christ comes back. Because when that resurrection takes place, the assignment has already been established by God the Father and Jesus Christ. So this is the only life we have to prepare for that. Notice in Luke 12, verse 32. Luke 12, verse 32. It says, Do not fear, little flock, the church has always been a little flock of people, not the great multitudes, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

To those who the world doesn't recognize, but God is preparing a kingdom, and we should not, as it says here, fear at all.

So what is God the Father and Jesus Christ doing today? The answer is plenty of things. We should truly appreciate as God the Father is joyfully giving all good things.

Let's go to one last scripture, Romans chapter 8. Romans chapter 8, verse 31.

You see how it all comes together in these scriptures. Romans 8, verse 31. It says, What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, if this is what He is actively doing every day, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. It's God who forgives and places that sacrifice of Jesus Christ for forgiveness.

Seventy times seven, if necessary, by God. But we've got to be doing our part as well. I hope this helps understand better what God the Father and Jesus Christ are doing today.