We survey the New Testament for verses featuring the phrase "all things" today. These passages of scripture are packed with helpful application.
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All Things
- The term "all things" appears in 152 verses in the New Testament
- It is impossible to imagine a broader term
- It means "each, every, all, any, the whole, everything"
- And there are many key verses, on key topics, in which it is featured
- We're going to look at a few of those verses today
- We're supposed to have a certain perspective in "all things"
- Act in a certain way in "all things"
- Tell people "all things" about Christ and what He commands
- Know that God made "all things"
- And more
- We're reviewing a common phrase from a variety of scriptures today
- And that phrase is our theme: "All Things"
- We may avoid all-encompassing phrases like the one we study today
- We hedge, by saying "sometimes" or "often" or "much of the time"
- But God does not hesitate to make these broad statements when they apply
- This catches my attention as I read scripture
- And I wanted to take a closer look
- Thanks for coming along for this survey
- First we make note of the "all things" in Matthew…
Matthew 7:12
"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
- This is the golden rule passage
- No room is allowed for breaking this rule
- In "all things" we are commanded "do unto others, what we would have them do unto us"
- There are no categories in which we can act another way
- Wiggle-room, for believers in Christ, is excluded
- Act this way all the time
- Don't stop acting this way
- When you don't feel like it, do it
- When you're having a bad day, do it
- Always
- In all things
- You get the point
- Let's try another…
Matthew 21:22
"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
- The extent to which our believing prayers are answered is also unlimited
- If we pray according to His will, believing, "all things" are possible
- There is, perhaps, a long discussion to be had about "His will" and "believing" and what they mean
- But the principle remains: all things are very much possible when we give them to God in prayer
- This should expand our horizons
- It should give a great sense of hope
- Make our view of God increase
- Remind us that He is in the business of doing big things
- This is a wonderful "all things"
- There are others…
Matthew 28:20
"Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
- This use of the phrase "all things" may be more daunting to us
- We are granted the responsibility here to disciple others
- To teach them obedience to "all things" Jesus commands
- This calling is comprehensive
- They must know - and then be encouraged to obey - all His words
- For anyone who knows Him, having been given this commission, we are accountable
- Not only to know His word ourselves, but to pass it along thoroughly and diligently
- This is a big job
- It is given to all His disciples
- Every one of us our teachers
- At God's command
- As we approach John 1, we see the work of the Creator was total…
John 1:1-3
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."
- No natural process was ever begun or moved along, or completed without His direct involvement
- He created "all things"
- The world we occupy was created, we were created, everything we use to make things ourselves was created
- The strength we have to create them was granted by Him
- Each breath we are taking is impossible, but for His direction
- It is all because of Him
- Not only did He create it all
- He is also involved in the affairs of man daily, seeing and knowing all
- The person we refer to as "the woman at the well" knew this
- What she said is recorded in…
John 4:25-29
"The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?"
- Jesus, in addition to being the Creator, knew every thought and action of a seemingly insignificant woman
- I mean insignificant only from our perspective, meaning she was not wealthy or famous or noble or an authority
- (All are significant to Him)
- But He knew what she had done, what she was currently doing, and (if He had chosen) could have told her the future as well
- All things, related to man, are accessible to Him, readily known to Him
- And she, realizing this was the case, had to tell everyone
- This was a comfort to her because of Christ's love and grace
Let's attempt, if we can, to connect some of the ideas related to this phrase:
- We are given no room for failure in serving Him - we are to obey in "all things"
- Acting in specific ways toward people in "all things"
- We are to teach others "all things" that He commanded
- Instructing them to obey in "all things"
- He is the One who created "all things"
- There is no prayer He cannot answer
- There is no thought, no deed that we ever do that He fails to see
- His authority, His knowledge, and His power to act are unlimited
How do these general concepts come together?
- Jesus gives us a better idea in…
John 14:23-27
"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
- We are required to keep all of His commands
- But Jesus promised a Comforter
- We refer to Him as the Holy Spirit or the Holy Ghost
- He dwells with us
- He knows all things
- And He brings all things to our remembrance
- Just when we need them
- Just when we know we are about to fail
- He empowers
- He is the One we must rely upon
- While we have all encompassing commands from God
- We also have an all knowing, all seeing, all caring, all powerful Comforter
- He walks with us in "all things"