God
Notes
Transcript
Intro; Last Sunday night we looked at “The Bible”, in our first Christian Life Study. Tonight we are going to go a little deeper as we look at it’s author, “GOD”.
The subject of God is vast and overwhelming for the mind of man. God is the only Infinite and Eternal Being, having no beginning and no ending. He is the Creator and Sustainer of life and all that exists in creation.
God is a Person and therefore can be known only by revelation. In the Old Testament He revealed Himself to and through His prophets. In the New Testament He reveals Himself through His Son Jesus Christ.
1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,
2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
For a Christian this might be enough, but for the unbeliever the question always arises, “Can you prove God exists?”
This is a legitimate question that cannot always be answered in a way that will completely satisfy the unreasonable person, the staunch skeptic or one who is determined not to believe.
The problem is that, while truth itself is absolute, there are virtually zero instances of absolute proof outside of pure logic and math. For that reason, courtrooms don’t require absolute proof to reach a verdict; rather, they seek “beyond a reasonable doubt” and consider what’s “most probable.”
That means a certain amount of “faith” is necessary—and not just regarding God’s existence. Perfect knowledge is beyond our ability. Bias and prejudice cloud our views. There will always be a gap between what we can “know” and what we “believe.”
[Illus.] We cannot possibly know every detail involved every time we sit in a chair, eat food, or drive our car. Such actions require a measure of faith. We act, despite what we don’t know, because of what we do know. That’s the essence of biblical faith, including faith in the existence of God. We trust in what is known, leading us to action, despite a less-than-absolute understanding.
1. The Existence of God; Heb. 11:5-6
1. The Existence of God; Heb. 11:5-6
5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
The Bible nowhere attempts to prove or argue the existence of God. The existence of God is a fact taken for granted by the writers of both the Old and New Testaments.
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
These scriptures are statements of either fact or fiction, you either believe them are you don’t. So how can one close that gap between what we know and what we believe?
General Revelation- general truths that can be known about God through nature. Evidence of God exists in all men by rational, logical conscience which embodies our daily existence.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.
19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them.
20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
11 Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.
Cause and Effect- everything that exists owes its existence to a cause.
A watch has a watchmaker
A building has a builder
Creation then must have a Creator
Creation could not have come into existence without an intelligent, personal Creator anymore than the alphabet could produce a book itself without an author.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
Moral Argument- Man’s moral and intellectual behavior compels one to believe that truth, deception, love, hate, goodness, evil, etc., are real and meaningful. The most reasonable explanation for why people think in moral terms and share moral ideals is a real moral law provided by a Moral Lawgiver, God.
14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves,
15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)
Archaeology- the study of human history through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains: Archaeological discoveries in the last 100 years has been one of the greatest support for the Bible’s reliability.
Dead Sea Scrolls [1947] contain parts of every book in the Old Testament except Esther
Finds in 2023; Core Cities of David's Kingdom, City of David 'Moat' and Bedrock Channels, Swords and 'Salt', Ancient Israelite DNA, Patriarchal-Period Currency, Monumental Middle Bronze Shimron, ’Oldest Known Gate' in the Holy Land.
2. The Personality of God; 1 Thes. 1:9
2. The Personality of God; 1 Thes. 1:9
9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
Every person has a personality. Personality is the makeup of one’s character and qualities. Paul declares here that the Thessalonians had turned from the worship of wooden idols [no personality/quality], to serving the living and true God [full of personality].
Personality is more than the character of a person [what they believe], personality is demonstrated through how they live [actions]. What they believe must match up with how they live.
Four Attributes of God’s Personality;
God Loves
John 3:16 (NKJV)
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 15:13 (NKJV)
13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
God Hates [warning]
16 These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
God Cares [cure for worry/anxiety]
22 Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
God Grieves [distressed because we don’t respond to His goodness]
6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.
A saint is a creature of vast possibilities, knit into shape by the ruling personality of God.
Oswald Chambers
3. The Nature of God;
3. The Nature of God;
There is not a whole lot of difference between ones personality and nature. While personality deals with the emotional side of character, a persons nature is the the general psychological characteristics and behavioral traits of humankind. We already know God’s personality/nature is much higher than ours.
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
The Bible gives four definitions of God [though incomplete], but they shed light upon HIs nature.
God is Love -the nature of God in His divine compassion
8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
That word love is agape, love based on need. Most of our love works off emotions. God loves out of our need, not that He doesn’t have feelings because He does!
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
God is Light- the nature of God in His divine character
5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
I read in a book the other day that mad e this statement, “there is really no darkness, just the absence of light”. That’s exactly what John is saying about the nature of God.
Darkness and light are contrasted against each other in the Bible. Darkness is always pictured as evil and light is always seen as good. There is nothing evil in God! “God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good”.
God is a Consuming Fire- the nature of God in Hid divine holiness
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
God’s holiness is the reason for His being a consuming fire, and it burns up anything unholy. The holiness of God is that part of His nature that most separates Him from sinful man.
23 Take heed to yourselves, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God which He made with you, and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of anything which the Lord your God has forbidden you.
24 For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
25 “When you beget children and grandchildren and have grown old in the land, and act corruptly and make a carved image in the form of anything, and do evil in the sight of the Lord your God to provoke Him to anger,
15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
God is Spirit- the nature of God in His divine essence
John 4:24 (NKJV)
24 “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
God does not have a physical body, but that doesn’t mean that He can’t have a personal nature. Even though God is spirit, He is also a living, personal being.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
10 And Joshua said, “By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Hivites and the Perizzites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Jebusites:
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
The idea is that, since God is spirit, people must worship Him accurately (in truth) and in spirit (with their heart and soul), as opposed to relying on traditions, rituals, and physical locales.
God always seeks out those He loves. That is His nature, the nature of Love.
Thomas Blackaby
4. The Grace of God; Eph. 2:8-9
4. The Grace of God; Eph. 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Grace is the love and mercy of God in action.
Mercy is negative meaning something we don’t deserve
Love is positive meaning God meets our need
Both together mean “Grace”
The Grace of God Saves Forever
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Grace of God is Unconditional
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
The Grace of God is Sufficient
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
The Grace of God does not Discriminate
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
The Grace of God Justifies
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
The Grace of God makes Heirs
7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
The Grace of God teaches Believers how to Live
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
Grace is the good pleasure of God that inclines Him to bestow benefits on the undeserving.
A. W. Tozer
5. The Trinity of God; Mt. 3:16-17
5. The Trinity of God; Mt. 3:16-17
16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
In this scripture we see the threefold existence of God. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit all taking part in the baptism of Jesus.
The invisible God [voice of the Father] affirming the baptism of God in the flesh [Jesus], and empowering Jesus with God the Spirit [Holy Spirit] to accomplish the Father’s work on earth.
Trinity is the theological term applied to God to indicate His perpetual existence as three distinct Persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) who nevertheless remain one indivisible God. The concept of a Triune God is more than difficult to comprehend—it’s impossible to comprehend, for the simple reason that we have nothing in our world that has a corresponding existence.
[Egg illus.] shell, egg white and yolk [shell is broken, double yolks]
[Clover] three petals attached to one stem [four leaf clovers]
[Triangle] three points all connected but each independent of the other
[Water] solid, liquid, gas/vapor [water has to change to each state, Trinity doesn’t]
All these illustrations may be helpful but are futile in trying to completely understand the Trinity. An infinite God cannot be fully portrayed in a finite illustration or fully understood by finite minds. This is where faith comes in. We accept the Word of God by faith, and by faith we must understand that God exists in a realm and in a manner beyond our experience or abilities.
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
Close;
The Bible does not argue for the existence of God. It simply reveals him.
Roy E. Swimm