Looking Into God's Mirror

LOOKING INTO GOD’S MIRROR

· Job 37:18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?

· Exodus 38:8 And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

· Matthew 7:24-29

The word of truth = the Spiritual Glass in which we may see the reflection of our own souls. The Bible not only reveals the Holy God to man; it also discovers sinful man to himself.

James 1: KEY VS 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

· Three elements of contrast between the two men and the gospel mirror:

1-ONE MAN “BEHOLDETH”, AND THE OTHER “LOOKETH.”

2-ONE MAN “GOETH AWAY;” THE OTHER “CONTINUETH TO LOOK”

3-ONE MAN “STRAIGHTWAY FORGETTETH;” OTHER IS “A DOER THAT WORKETH”

Three things that will Help us as we Examine God’s Mirror:

I. THE PERFECT LAW

A-The Gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.)

B-The Entire Word of God(II Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:)

C-The Pattern Set By our Lord( I Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.)

1-The Great Act of Redemption

2-The Central Fact of The New Testament Revelation

3-The Cross: Our Refuge from Sin and Condemnation

II. THE DOERS OF THE PERFECT LAW

A-“Looketh into the Law”

1-Of Resurrection: Peter, John and Mary “stooped down

and looked into the Sepulchre” (John 20:5,8,11)

2-Of Redemption-“Angels desire to look into”(Unto whom it

was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister

the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have

preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from

heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. I Peter 1:12)

Exodus 37:9 And the cherubims spread out their wings on

high, and covered with their wings over the mercy seat, with

their faces one to another; even to the mercy seatward were

the faces of the cherubims.

B-“And continueth”

1-Constantly Striving

2-Cultivating the Habit

3-Contemplating the Central Truths

III. THE BLESSEDNESS OF The Doers of the PERFECT LAW

A-Notice the word “In”, Blessed IN his deed…not “after”, not

“as a reward for”

· Psalms 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right,

rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

B-The deeds of obedience automatically bring blessedness.

· There is no delight so deep and true as the delight of doing the will of Him whom we love.

· There is no blessedness like that of an increasing communion with God.

· There is no blessedness like the glow of approving conscience, the reflection of the smile on Christ’s face.

Conclusion: Remember to First Believe, and then work. We must begin where Paul told the Phillipian Jailer to begin—Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved---If we are to end where James leads us.

Do not begin your building at the roof, but put in the foundations deep in penitence and faith. And then let every man take heed how he buildeth thereon.