The Sermon Depository

God

No greater subject can occupy the mind than the study of God and of man's relationship to Him.

I. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD

A. There are many systems that have false teachings or deny the existence of God.

(1) Deism: This system acknowledges that there is a god but denies that a god sustains creation.
(2) Atheism: Without explanation of an effect without a cause, they just say that there is no god.
(3) Skepticism: They can only say they doubt or disbelieve that there is a god, especially a god of revelation.
(4) Agnosticism: This school does not deny God but denies that God can be known.
(5) Pantheism: Everything is god, and god is everything.
(6) Tritheism: They teach that there are 3 separate gods.
(7) Dualism: They believe in two gods, a god that is good and a god that is evil, both being equal.
(8) Monotheism: This is the doctrine of one God. Christians believe this and so does the devil. James 2:19.

B. The Bible does not seek to prove the existence of God. The fact that there is a God is assumed throughout the Scriptures. Before anything came into being, He was “In the beginning God.” The first verse of the Bible begins with the assumption of His pre-existence. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." God's existence is presented as a statement of fact that needs no proof. The man who says that there is no God is called a fool in Psalm 14:1. We also need to connect this verse with John 1:1-5 which clearly states that Jesus was also there at the beginning of creation with God, therefore validating His eternal Sonship. The Holy Spirit also took part in creation. “The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” Genesis 1:2. The triune God created the heaven and the earth.

C. However, even apart from the Bible, there are certain evidences for the existence of God.

(1) Mankind has always believed in a universal being.
(2) Creation must have a creator. The universe could not originate without a cause.
(3) The wonderful design, which we see in creation, demands an infinite designer.
(4) Because good and evil exist throughout the world, we must assume there is a moral law that divides good and evil. Since there is a moral law, there must be a lawgiver.
(5) Since man is an intelligent, moral being, his creator must have been of a much higher order in order to create him.

II. THE NATURE OF GOD

A. God is a spirit. John 4:24. This means that God does not have a body. He is invisible, however, He can reveal Himself to man in visible form. In the person of Jesus Christ, God came into the world in a body of flesh. John 1:14-18; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3.

B. God is Light. “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” I John 1:5.

C. God is Love. “He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love.” I John 4:8.

D. God is a consuming fire. “For our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:29.

E. God hates. “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination to Him.” Proverbs 6:16.

F. God hears. The eyes of the Lord are open unto us, and His ears are open unto our prayers.

G. God is a person. Personal names are used in reference to Him. Exodus 3:14; Matthew 11:25. Personal characteristics are ascribed to Him, such as: (1) knowledge, Isaiah 55:9-10; (2) emotions, Genesis 6:6; (3) will, Joshua 3: 10.

H. God is a Unity. Scripture clearly teaches that there is one God. I Timothy 2:5 (Read this verse.) The false teaching that there are many gods is contrary to reason. There can be only one Supreme Being.

I. God is a Trinity. The Bible teaches not only that there is one God, but also that there are three persons in the Godhead, - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is a mystery to the human mind, but although it cannot be understood, it can be believed because God's Word says it is so. The word "trinity" is not found in the Bible, but the truth is found in the following passages: (1) Baptism of Jesus, Matthew 3:16-17. The great commission, Matthew 28:19. (3)The benediction of II Corinthians 13:14. The Father is called God in Romans 1:7. The Son is called God in Hebrews 1:8. The Holy Spirit is called God in Acts 5:3-4.

III. THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

It is difficult to define God. One of the best ways is to describe certain of His qualities or characteristics. When we try to describe a person to someone that they have never met, we refer to their hair, eyes, size and other characteristics. This is also how the Bible tells us about God. These are known as His attributes.

A. God is omnipresent. This means that God is present everywhere at the same time. Jeremiah 23:24.

B. God is omniscient. In other words, He knows all things. He knows every thought and deed of man. Proverbs 15:3. He knows everything that takes place in nature, including even the death of a sparrow. Matthew 10:29. Though the universe is limitless and gloriously grand, He knows the eternal story of every grain of sand.

C. God is omnipotent. He has all power. He created the universe and now controls it by His power. There is nothing that He cannot do. Matthew 19:26.

D. God is eternal. He never had a beginning, and He will never cease to be. When Moses asked, “Who shall I say has sent me?” God replied, “I AM THAT I AM.” He didn’t reply that he was or that he shall be. He is the eternal “I AM.” Exodus 3:13-14.

E. God is unchangeable. "I am the Lord, I change not." Malachi 3:6.

F. God is holy. He is absolutely pure and sinless. He hates sin and loves goodness. Proverbs 15:9-26. He must separate Himself from sinners, and must punish sin. Isaiah 59:1-2.

G. God is just. Everything He does is right and fair. He fulfills all His promises. Psalm 119:137.

H. God is love. Although God hates sin, He loves sinners. John 3:16.

Note: In speaking to God in prayer, we use words of respect to show reverence for God. It is not proper to address Him in the same way that we would speak to our fellowmen. If we walked into the office of a resident or king, how would we address him? Let’s remember that we are coming into the presence of the King of Kings every time we pray.