TEXT:  Phil. 4:4-7

INTRODUCTION:

A.      IS THE LORD FAR AWAY?

B.      WHAT DOES “AT HAND” MEAN?

          1.       John  19:42.  Close place.

          2.       Matt. 26:18.  Close time.

C.      HOW NEAR IS GOD?

I.      NEAR ENOUGH TO SEE US.

A.      NOTHING ESCAPES (Prov. 15:3;  Jer. 23:23-24).

B.      THE BLESSING OF DAVID (Psa. 139:7-12).

C.      WE ARE KNOWN INSIDE OUT.

          1.       Our needs (Matt. 6:8;  10:29-31).

          2.       Our deeds (Heb. 4:12-13;  Ecc. 12:13-14).

D.      1 Peter 3:12.

II.     NEAR ENOUGH TO SPEAK TO US (Heb. 1:1-2).

A.      THE PROCESS.

          1.       God speaks through Jesus (John 1:18;  12:49).

          2.       Jesus speaks through the Holy Spirit (14:26;  16:13-14).

          3.       The Holy Spirit speaks through the apostles (Eph. 3:3-5).

B.      THE GOSPEL IS A DECLARATION OF GOD’S WILL (1 Thess. 2:13).

C.      SOME WILL NOT HEAR (Rom. 10:16).

          1.       There is salvation (Rom. 1:16;  1 Cor. 1:21).

          2.       Acts 28:27.

D.      NOT ENOUGH JUST TO HEAR (James 2:21-22).

III.    NEAR ENOUGH FOR US TO SPEAK TO HIM.

A.      GOD HEARS THE RIGHTEOUS (1 Pet. 3:12).

B.      BUT THE MAN WHO WON’T HEAR GOD … (Isa. 59:1-2;  Prov. 28:9).

C.      JESUS ENABLES US TO APPROACH GOD BOLDLY (Heb. 4:14-16).

D.      1 Thess. 5:17;  1 Pet. 5:7.

IV.   HOW SHOULD WE LIVE WITH RESPECT TO HIS NEARNESS.

A.      REJOICE … IN THE LORD (vs. 4).

          1.       All spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3).

          2.       Forgiveness (1 John 2:1-2).

B.      LET YOUR FOREBEARANCE BE KNOWN (vs. 5).

          1.       Be like men, courageous and responsible (1 Cor. 16:13).

          2.       Matt. 5:14-16.  A city set on a hill.

C.      IN NOTHING BE ANXIOUS (vs. 6).

          1.       If God is for us (Rom. 8:31).

          2.       Heb. 13:5-6.

CONCLUSION:

A.      THE LORD IS CLOSE.

B.      ARE YOU LOOKING? (Acts 17:27).