What is God? Theology in conception: Sermon 3

What is God? Theology in conception

part 3 of 4

BR: 1 John 4:8 Song: "Oh to be like thee"

I. Introduction

A. What amazes me about New Jersey is the diversity of the people.

B. What is extraordinary about Christians is that there are so many levels of spirituality.

C. What would you think about a Christian who knew God only by 1 John 4:8?

D. What a task ... explaining God ! Definition by A. H. Strong:

"God is the infinite and perfect Spirit in whom all things have their source, support and end."

E. What needs to be understood is the complexity of the subject. It would take many, many sermons to do more than just briefly understand God.

F. What this lesson will attempt to do is understand God by His composition (Godhead [Trinity]), His natural characteristics, and His moral attributes.

II. Body

A. Understanding God means a comphrension of the Godhead.Col 2:9

1. God is the Father. Mal 2:10; Eph 4:6; Heb 12:9; Exo 4:22f.; 1 Chrn 29:10

2. God is the Son. Jn 1:1, 18; 20:28; Titus 2:13

3. God is the Holy Spirit. Acts 5:3-4; Jn 14:23 (14-17); 1 Cor 6:19

4. God is one, yet three. Dt 6:4; Mk 12:29; Jn 15:1-9; 17:22f; Jn 5:18; 10:30

B. Understanding God means considering His natural attributes.

1. God is Spirit. Jn 4:24; Lk 24:39; 2 Cor 3:17; 1 Tim 1:17

2. God is immutable. Heb 1:10-12; 13:8; Mal 3:6

3. God is omnipotent. Gen 17:1; 18:13-14

4. God is omniscient. Rom 11:33-36; Col 2:2-3; Psa 147:5

5. God is omnipresent. Psa 139:7-12; Jer 23:23-24; Prov 15:3; 1 Ki 8:27

6. God is eternal. 2 Pet 3:8; Rev 1:8; 1 Tim 1:17; Psa 90:4

C. Understanding God means understanding His moral attributes.

1. God is Holy. Isa 6:1-3; Eph 4:24; Exo 15:11; Isa 57:15; Rev 15:4

2. God is Righteous. Gen 18:25 Dt 32:4; Rom 2:2-5

3. God is Just. Dt 32:3-4; Psa 97:2; Isa 30:18; Jer 9:24

4. God is Truth. Isa 65:16; Jn 14:6; Psa 31:5

5. God is Love. 1 Jn 4:8; Jn 3:16; Eph 2:4; 2 Cor 13:11

6. God is Mercy. 2 Cor 1:3; Psa 116:5; 62:12; Exo 34:6; Mic 7:18

III. Conclusion

A. There has been much diversity of opinion concerning what God is like over the centuries.

B. There are many, many scriptures which explain God, but the most important thing to remember is that understanding God begins with being known by Him.

C. The three things that will determine my understanding of God are:

1. My attitude.

2. My effort to try to understand Him.

3. My actions as a result of trying to please Him.