We believe there is but one living and true God everlasting, of infinite power, wisdom and goodness; Maker and Preserver of all things, both visible and invisible. And in the unity of this Godhead, there are three Persons of one substance of eternal being, and equal in holiness, justice, wisdom, power, and dignity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
Who Is God?
Monday, July 08, 2013
3:07 PM
- 1. God Almighty Is . . . Love
- a. When you think about God, what thoughts come into your mind? Do you think about the God of the Old Testament thundering and quaking from the top of Mt. Sinai? Do you think about the God that asked Abraham to take his only son Isaac to the top of the mountain for a sacrifice to Him? Do you picture God as a great Uncle Figure sitting high on a throne casually watching as your life takes twists and turns and is never near or involved?
- b. This lesson is to gain a clearer understanding of Who God really is. If we know Him better, our lives will be far richer. Knowing God, through His Son Jesus Christ, quite literally gives meaning to life!
- i. Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments : for this is the whole duty of man. KJV
- c. 1 John 4:8 for God is love KJV
- i. Many different thoughts may come as we think on God. Our notions of God come often from our past experiences, from Church, from parents or authority figures. We may think about and regard God simply as we have been taught to do so by others. But are those thoughts biblical?
- ii. The truth is is that God loves us.
- 1. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. KJV
- a. While we can all quote that verse and likely have heard it preached a thousand times, do we really GET it?
- b. There are so many versions of the Bible, but change the passage up just a bit, read it and say it to yourself like this "God loved ME so much, He gave His Son's life so that I could go to Heaven and not hell."
- c. God gave the best that He had so that we could go free from our sin. God loves you. God loves people.
- 2. Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. KJV
- 3. 1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us. KJV
- a. Do these passages support or contradict the image of God you have in your mind?
- b. Is this the God that is readily taught or preached in that you are accustomed to hearing and learning about?
- c. In our own words, how does God feel about you?
- 2. 1+1+1=1 . . . God And The Trinity
- a. Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: KJV
- i. God's math is not the same as ours. God is just plain smarter. God is infinite, we are finite. God is and has been forever, and we are created beings. (God is just awesome) And while the Trinity is a deep complex subject, God has written to us in His Word from the beginning of the Book in order for us to better know Him. Consider the following verses:
- 1. Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith 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. KJV
- 2. Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness KJV
- 3. 1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one KJV
- a. Think about this - a woman and her husband are sitting on the front row. If you were to count them you might count 2. BUT what you don't know is that she is pregnant, so now how many are on the front row? God is far deeper than a mere passing glance. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost are not three different gods, they are the same God, One God, working together in perfect unity.
