"WHO IS GOD?"
Youth Fall Retreat 2022 • Sermon • Submitted
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Before we start this weekend I want you to know that I have been and am continuing to pray that you will be open and honest. There is no such thing as a bad question. Everyone one of us in this room agrees on one thing for certain - and that is that we will all die.
Our theme verse for this weekend is Philippians 2:9-11
9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Over the next couple of days we will be answering three questions: 1) who is God, 2) who is Jesus, and 3) who is the Holy Sprit?
As I get the opportunity to share this weekend I am coming to you with the presupposition that the Bible is truth, and that it is fully reliable - I want you to be honest with me - Do you believe that the Bible is true?
Interesting facts -
The Bible was written over a 1500 year span
40 different authors
40 different lifestyles
From three different continents
Three different languages (Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic)
No one has been able to prove that there is a contradiction in the Bible
It is the most printed book in the world - “The Bible is the best-selling book of all time, having sold around 5 billion copies to date”
Notice what the Scriptures say -
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
7 The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the Lord blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.
Who do you say that God is?
Let me ask you another question - How do think that our world was created?
1. God is Creator -
1. God is Creator -
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
Genesis 2:7–8 (NASB95)
7 Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. 8 The Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed.
Cosmological Argument -
Cosmological arguments attempt to prove God’s existence by observing the world around us (the cosmos). They begin with what is most obvious in reality: things exist. It is then argued that the cause of those things’ existence had to be a “God-type” thing. These types of arguments go all the way back to Plato and have been used by notable philosophers and theologians ever since. Science finally caught up with theologians in the twentieth century, when the fact that the universe had a beginning was confirmed. So, today, the cosmological arguments are even powerful for non-philosophers.
The arguments generally adduced by theologians in proof of the being of God are:
(1.) The a priori argument, which is the testimony afforded by reason.
(2.) The a posteriori argument, by which we proceed logically from the facts of experience to causes. These arguments are,
(a) The cosmological, by which it is proved that there must be a First Cause of all things, for every effect must have a cause. Easton, M. G. (1893). In Illustrated Bible Dictionary and Treasury of Biblical History, Biography, Geography, Doctrine, and Literature (pp. 293–294). Harper & Brothers.
1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. 2 Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard. 4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their utterances to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; It rejoices as a strong man to run his course. 6 Its rising is from one end of the heavens, And its circuit to the other end of them; And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
General Revelation -
Special Revelation -
Teleological Argument -
The term teleology refers to explanations that appeal to design and purpose. The teleological argument claims that the appearance of design and purpose in nature implies a designer. Strictly speaking, this is only evidence of “a” designer, not necessarily any specific being. In practice, teleological arguments are often paired with other ideas to imply the existence of a deity, such as the God of the Bible. Teleology is a broad category that includes several narrower ideas, such as fine-tuning, intelligent design, and irreducible complexity. Teleological arguments are suggestions that deliberate choices by God are the most reasonable explanations for certain observations.
(b) The teleological, or the argument from design. We see everywhere the operations of an intelligent Cause in nature. Easton, M. G. (1893). In Illustrated Bible Dictionary and Treasury of Biblical History, Biography, Geography, Doctrine, and Literature (pp. 293–294). Harper & Brothers.
Illustration - take a watch apart and throw it into the ocean - How long do you wait until a watch pops out of the water?
Moral Argument -
The moral argument begins with the fact that all people recognize some moral code (that some things are right, and some things are wrong). Every time we argue over right and wrong, we appeal to a higher law that we assume everyone is aware of, holds to, and is not free to arbitrarily change. Right and wrong imply a higher standard or law, and law requires a lawgiver. Because the Moral Law transcends humanity, this universal law requires a universal lawgiver. This, it is argued, is God.
(c) The moral argument, called also the anthropological argument, based on the moral consciousness and the history of mankind, which exhibits a moral order and purpose which can only be explained on the supposition of the existence of God. Conscience and human history testify that “verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth.” Easton, M. G. (1893). In Illustrated Bible Dictionary and Treasury of Biblical History, Biography, Geography, Doctrine, and Literature (pp. 293–294). Harper & Brothers.
14 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,
2. God is Sustainer -
2. God is Sustainer -
13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
3. God is Sovereign -
3. God is Sovereign -
1 O Lord, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. 3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, You know it all. 5 You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.
God is omnipotent -
God is omnipresent -
God is omniscient -
6 Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; 7 who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”
1 “Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the judgments which the Lord your God has commanded me to teach you, that you might do them in the land where you are going over to possess it, 2 so that you and your son and your grandson might fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. 3 “O Israel, you should listen and be careful to do it, that it may be well with you and that you may multiply greatly, just as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. 4 “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!
10 “You are My witnesses,” declares the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and believe Me And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me. 11 “I, even I, am the Lord, And there is no savior besides Me. 12 “It is I who have declared and saved and proclaimed, And there was no strange god among you; So you are My witnesses,” declares the Lord, “And I am God. 13 “Even from eternity I am He, And there is none who can deliver out of My hand; I act and who can reverse it?”
4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
Names of God -
El-Shaddai “God of the Mountains” or “The Almighty God.” This term is more closely associated with the patriarchal period and can be found most frequently in the books of Genesis and Job. Exodus 6:3 underlines El-Shaddai as the name revealed to the patriarchs. God used it to make His covenant with Abraham (Gen. 17:1–2).
El-Elyon “The Most High God” or “The Exalted One” (Num. 24:16; 2 Sam. 22:14; Ps. 18:13). Melchizedek was a priest of El-Elyon and blessed Abraham in this name (Gen. 14:19–20), referring to El-Elyon as “Maker of heaven and earth.” Canaanites at Ugarit also worshiped god as El-Elyon. El-Elyon seems to have had close ties to Jerusalem.
El-Olam “God of Eternity” or “God the Everlasting One” (Gen. 21:33; Isa. 26:4; Ps. 90:2). God’s sovereignty extends through the passing of time and beyond our ability to see or understand.
El-Berith “God of the Covenant” (Judg. 9:46) transforms the Canaanite Baal Berith (8:33) to show God alone makes and keeps covenant.
El-Roi “God who sees me” or “God of vision” (Gen. 16:13). God sees needs of His people and responds.
Elohim Plural form for deity. It is a frequently used term and the most comprehensive of the “El” combinations. The plurality of this word is not a hint of polytheism. It is a plural of majesty. It is a revelation of the infinite nature of God. In the creation narrative we read: “Then Elohim said, “Let us make man in our image” (Gen. 1:26). This name suggests that there is a mystery to the Creator God which mankind cannot fully fathom. God is absolute, infinite Lord over creation and history. The Christian sees in this term a pointer to the Trinitarian reality of creation.
Yahweh-Jireh “The LORD will provide” (Gen. 22:14). This was the name given to the location where God provided a ram for Abraham to sacrifice in the place of Isaac. This name is a testimony to God’s deliverance.
Yahweh-Nissi “The LORD is my banner” (Exod. 17:15). Moses ascribed this name to God after a victory over the Amalekites. The name of God was considered a banner under which Israel could rally for victory. The Lord’s name was the battle cry.
Yahweh-Mekaddesh “The LORD sanctifies” (Exod. 31:13). Holiness is the central revelation of God’s character. God calls for a people who are set apart.
Yahweh-Shalom “The LORD is peace” (Judg. 6:24). This was the name of the altar that Gideon built at Ophrah signifying that God brings well-being not death to His people.
Yahweh-Sabaoth “The LORD of hosts” (1 Sam. 1:3; Jer. 11:20; cp. 1 Sam. 17:45). This can also be rendered “the LORD Almighty.” It represents God’s power over the nations and was closely tied to Shiloh, to the ark of the covenant, and to prophesy. The title designates God as King and Ruler of Israel, its armies, its temple, and of the entire universe.
Yahweh-Rohi “The LORD is my shepherd” (Ps. 23:1). God is the One who provides loving care for His people.
Yahweh-Tsidkenu “The LORD is our righteousness” (Jer. 23:5–6; 33:16). This was the name Jeremiah gave to God, the Righteous King, who would rule over Israel after the return from captivity. He would establish a new kingdom of justice.
Yahweh-Shammah “The LORD is there” (Ezek. 48:35). This is the name of God associated with the restoration of Jerusalem, God’s dwelling place.
Adon or Adonai
Ancient of Days (Dan. 7:9, 13, 22) (Ps. 90:2).
Rock (Deut. 32:18; Ps. 19:14; Isa. 26:4) God is strong and permanent. Yahweh is sometimes identified as “The Rock of Israel.”
Refuge (Ps. 9:9; Jer. 17:17) God is a haven from the enemy.
Fortress (Ps. 18:2; Nah. 1:7) God is a defense (stronghold) against the foe.
Shield (Gen. 15:1; Ps. 84:11) God is protection.
Sun (Ps. 84:11) God is the source of light and life.
Refiner (Mal. 3:2–3) God is purifier.
Judge The judge was the political ruler during the time of tribal confederacy.
Shepherd God is frequently described as a Shepherd.
Our Father (Jesus taught His disciples to address God in this manner when they prayed; Matt. 6:9);
Father of mercies (2 Cor. 1:3);
Father of lights (James 1:17);
Father of glory (Eph. 1:17). Creed, B. (2003). Names of God. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (pp. 1171–1173). Holman Bible Publishers.
So What?
Think about this question - “Who do you say that God is?”
Believer -
Rejoice in the fact that you have a personal relationship with the living God
Spend time tonight thanking Him for being your God
Unbeliever -
What’s keeping you from coming to God?
Discussion questions -
How do you know if God is real? (Psalm 19)
If you believe in God, what things does he require of you? (Micah 6:8, and John 14 - specifically vs. 15)
What things might keep you from coming to God?