Vol. 04, No. 20

Mt. Baker Beacon - 2025

Steven J. Wallace
05/25/25 - Mt. Baker Beacon - 2025

THE OWNERSHIP OF GOD
(by David Dann)

The Bible says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1, NKJV). Since God created all things, it necessarily follows that He is also the owner of all things. Accordingly, King David wrote of the exclusive ownership of God, saying, “The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the waters” (Psa. 24:1-2).

Although God commanded man to “have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen. 1:28), and though the devil wields such extensive influence that he is even called “the god of this age” (2 Cor. 4:4), it is nonetheless still true that, “The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness (Psa. 24:1; cf. 1 Cor. 10:26, 28).

Just how extensive is the ownership of God? Please notice that the Bible teaches that God owns the following:

1. The heavens and earth. Moses expressed the extent of God's ownership to Israel, saying, “Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the earth with all that is in it” (Deut. 10:14). The entire physical realm, including not only the earth, but also the entire universe, is owned by Almighty God and is His to use as He pleases. When the Lord comes again “the heavens will pass away with a great noise” and “the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Pet. 3:10).

2. The plants and animals. The psalmist spoke of God's ownership of the trees, saying, “The trees of the Lord are full of sap, the cedars of Lebanon which He planted” (Psa. 104:16). Furthermore, God has said, “For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psa. 50:10). The plant and animal kingdoms, in all that they entail, belong to God.

3. The silver and gold. God spoke to the remnant that returned from Babylon through the prophet Haggai, saying, “'The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the Lord of hosts” (Hag. 2:8). Though men may seek to amass an earthly fortune for themselves, all that could be considered a store of value or of monetary wealth actually belongs to God. “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Tim. 6:7).

4. The whole of humanity. According to Scripture, not only is, “The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness,” but also “the world and those who dwell therein” (Psa. 24:1). In other words, rather than each man being his own master, all who inhabit the earth are owned by Almighty God, who is the Creator of all. Since all human beings are owned by God, it should come as no surprise that all will be held accountable to Him. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10).

While God's ownership extends over all men and all things, there is a very special sense in which those who are in Christ belong to Him. The apostle Paul wrote to those who had entered this special relationship by believing and obeying the gospel, saying, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's” (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Are you living in a way that honors your Owner?

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SENTENCE SERMON

God didn’t just make the world—He still holds the title deed.

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“THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT” (1)

Ephesians 6:10-17

In a world full of deception and spiritual danger, we are not left defenseless. God has equipped us with “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17). This divine weapon isn’t for display—it’s for battle, helping us stand firm in truth when everything else is falling.

What is the sword of the Spirit identified as, and what qualities does it possess? (Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12)
What does “two-edged” literally mean in the Greek New Testament?
What two purposes does the sword from the Lord’s mouth serve in Revelation?
1. Revelation 1:16, 17
2. Revelation 2:12-16

Balaam

Who were Balaam and Balak? (Rev 2:14)
What did Balaam love? (2 Pet. 2:15-16)
Why was God angry with Balaam? (Num. 22:22)
Who did his donkey see, and what did Balaam wish he had? (Num. 22:27-29)
What was drawn against Balaam, and what sharp lesson can we also make about a perverse way that opposes the sword of the Spirit? (Num. 22:31-33)

THOUGHT QUESTION: What two contrasting effects can the sword of the Spirit have on its listeners, and how does each response reveal where the listener’s focus lies—on self or on the speaker?
(Compare Acts 2:37 and Acts 7:54)

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BAPTISM
1 Peter 3:21, 22

What does Jesus command in Mark 16:16?
What does the word "baptism" mean, and what practices cannot rightly be considered biblical baptism?
What is baptism in the name of the Lord, and what is it compared to in Scripture?
What does baptism in the name of the Lord accomplish?
To what is baptism connected, and in what way?
Who is this baptism intended for?
What are the implications of baptism for the believer?