Who says there is a God? Theology in question by Gary Rose

This picture ("Who is God") has been residing in my to-do list for quite some time now and I had planned on doing a series on God for a long time. Then, this past week, one of our ministers (Larry Shatzer,above) asked for suggestions for a new course of study- naturally, the topic of God came to mind and I suggested it to him.Then, I remembered a four part sermon study I did in the mid-nineties; here it is.

Who says there is a God? 

Theology in question

John 20:24-29; 1 pet 3:15

I. Introduction

A. Understanding God is necessary for the Christian. 1 pet 3:15

B. Understanding God begins at an early age. My granddaughter Amanda.- 

     Where did I come from? Why am I here?....

C. Understanding God begins with questioning His existence.

D. Understanding God is what theology is about (discourse on God).

E. Understanding God is the theme of this four part series.

1. Who says there is a God? Theology in question.

2. Who is God? Theology in action.

3. What is God? Theology in conception.

4. What does God mean to me? Theology in practice.

F. Understanding God starts with explaining His existence; and that is the focus of our 

    lesson.

II. Body

A. The Cosmological argument for God's existence. (cause and effect) Psa 19:1-2

1. Things just don't happen, there are causes. Creation of matter.

2. These things didn't just happen, their existence is an inherent proof of deity.

B. The Teleological argument for God's existence. (plain man's argument)
     Eccl. 12:13

1. Everything man makes has a purpose (an end design).

2. Every complex thing has a higher intelligence designing it.

3. Everyone asks "why am I here"... can't be answered without God!

C. The Ontological argument for God's existence (philosopher's argument)

1. Proof God exists because man universally conceives of God.

     

2. Perception of God (whether or not He exists) and the assertion He does not exist

 is impossible, because this would invalidate reasoning. No atheism possible.

D. The Moral argument for God's existence (right vs. wrong)

1. Man is different from the animal; he has reasoning, a conscience, remorse.

2. Man's universal concept of morality proves the existence of God.

E. The General argument for God's existence (religious necessity)

1. All men feel the necessity to worship God. This is fact.

2. An understanding of religion is seen in the human tendency to conceive of the 

reality of life in terms of what is true or not true. This means standards. Who provides 

perfect standards... God.

F. The Historical argument for God's existence. (The Jewish people)

III. Conclusion

A. Realizing God exists is fundamental to Christianity. Heb 11: 1-6

B. Really questioning all our beliefs is healthy, it makes us

    THINK, PROVIDES CONFIDENCE.

C. Ready arguments for God's existence reveal our hope of eternal life to the world.