The Only God

The Only God, The God of the Bible. I am that I am. A jealous God. God is love.

Matthew 11:25-29 'I thank you Father that You have hidden these things from the wise and the learned and revealed them to little children for such was pleasing in Your sight. No one knows the Son except the Father and no one knows the Father except the Son and He whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. Come to Me and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.'

Ludwig Fuerbach anticipated Marxism. Man is what he eats, he is not a spiritual being, God is nothing but man’s projection upon the universe.

Who is the God of the Bible?

Romans 1:19-20 'What is known about God is plain to people because God has made it plain to them. For since in the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen by what has been made.'

The entry point into every one’s life is Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:9 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.'

We believe in God, how? 1 Peter 1:21 'Through Jesus you believe in God who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, so your hope and faith are in God.'

There was no Christian background in Corinth or Ephesus. No God framework.

1 Corinthians 2:2 'I resolved to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.'

Ephesians 4:20-21 'The way of life you learned when you were taught about Christ and were taught in Him in accordance with the truth in Jesus.'

Belief in God comes by revelation. God makes the breakthrough.

Romans 1:20 That could not save. Romans 2:12 'All who sin apart from the law will perish apart from the law and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.'

It is sufficient to condemn. Romans 2:15 'The requirements of the law are written on their hearts their consciences also bearing witness.'

John 16:8-11 'The Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin and righteousness and judgement, of sin because they do not believe in Me, of righteousness because I am going to the Father, and judgement because the prince of this world stands condemned.'

The Holy Spirit will work through preachers Romans 10:14 'How can they hear unless someone preaches to them.' 1 Corinthians 1:21 'In the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.'

The God of the Bible assumed God exists. Genesis 1:1 'God created the heavens and the earth.'

John 1:1 'In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.'

Malachi 3:10 'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse that there might be food in my house. Test Me in this ... if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing'

The only way acceptable to God to come into a relationship with Him, is by exercising faith.

Hebrews 11:3 'By faith we believe that the earth was created by the Word of God.'

Mental assent about God proves nothing.

The devil believes in God James 2:19

The devil knows his final doom Matthew 8:29

He knows that his time is short Revelation 12:12

No atheist in hell Luke 16:27 'Not come to this place of torment.'

Preaching Romans 10:14 'How can they hear unless some one preaches to them?'

The Holy Spirit will convict of sin, righteousness, and judgement John 16:8

Faith is a gift. James 1:18 'He chose to give us birth through the Word of truth.' Ephesians 2:8 'For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.' John 6:44 'No one can come to me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.'

Proofs of God. Acquinas (1225-1274) taught that every event has a cause, thus God must exist to create the world.

An argument from design Teleological Anselm Ontology. An idea in my mind.

The fool says in his heart there is no God. He has an idea of what God is. If there was no God he would never have made that statement.

Only those who have faith in God accept such evidence. A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.

Man needs God to remove the veil of unbelief and give him the gift of faith and of salvation.

The Holy Spirit will accomplish that in the lives of the elect of God.

Who is the God of the Bible?

1.God is a personal God. He has His own personality. He can be known. He can have a relationship with those He created. The Trinity are three persons in total harmony working together.

Elohim: God Almighty the Creator of every thing.

Yahweh, I Am that I Am Transcendent, Immanent. High and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, yet near to him who is humble and contrite of heart Isaiah 57:15

Jesus revealed God as Father Matthew 11:27 John 14:6

God and the persons of the Trinity are referred to as He. God made Adam in His image. Woman made for man.

2.God is Holy Leviticus 11:44 'Be holy even as I am holy'

Holiness is otherness. God is like no other.

No other God Exodus 15:11

God hates sin and is incapable of error: Exodus 20 Decalogue (Ten Commandments). Psalm 7:11, Psalm 18:30

Man needs a substitute Habakkuk 1:13

Sacrifices are required. Sin is serious. A Price must be paid. God shows mercy by paying the price.

Hebrews 10:5 'When Christ came into the world, He said ... a body you have prepared for Me.'

The Substitute must be perfect Exodus 12:5

1 Peter 2:22 'He committed no sin, no sin was found in His mouth.'

People must be holy 1 Peter 1:16 'Be holy even as I am holy.'

Conversion results in holiness Ephesians 4:22-23 Put off the old self and put on the new self.

Being made holy is a process 1 Thessalonians 4:3 'It is God’s will that you be sanctified, holy.'

3. God is Merciful Exodus 34:7 God has chosen not to punish, but to show mercy. He himself must provide the substitute.

1 Peter 1:19-20 Jesus Christ, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Genesis 3:15 Extended to the elect Psalm 33:12

Romans 8:33 There is no charge against those whom God has chosen.

Chosen before Creation Acts 13:48 'All who were appointed for eternal life believed.' Ephesians 1:4

By grace, not works: Romans 9:11-12 'God’s purpose in election might stand not by works but by Him who calls.'

2 Timothy 1:9 'Called us to a holy life ... because of His own purpose and will.'

Mercy revealed through the gospel John 3:16 'God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.'

Righteousness of God revealed Romans 1:17 'The righteous shall live by faith'

Righteousness by faith in Jesus alone Romans 4:5 'Trusts God who justifies the wicked...'

4. God is a just God Exodus 34:7 Psalm 89:14

Unlike man Isaiah 55:8-9 'My ways are not like your ways, neither are My thoughts like your thoughts.'

God’s righteousness Psalm 9:8 'He rules the world in righteousness'

Sin must be punished Exodus 34:7 'He does not leave the guilty unpunished.' Numbers 14:18

Whole world is guilty Romans 3:19 'Whole world held accountable to God'

Sin is punished by God by allowing man to do as he likes Romans 1:26 'God gave them up.'

God sends calamity Deuteronomy 32:35 'It is mine to avenge, I will repay.'

God promises death Romans 6:23 'The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord'

God punishes sin by the sacrifice of blood Exodus 12:13 'When I see the blood I will pass over you'

Everlasting hell Matthew 25:41 'Depart from Me you who are cursed into the eternal fire'

Chastening, discipline Hebrews 12:6 only done in the case of His elect or members of His family by faith.

Hebrews 12:7-11 'The Lord disciplines the ones He loves and chastens everyone He accepts.'

5. God is a jealous God

Exodus 20:5 Isaiah 42:8 'I am the Lord that is My name and I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.'

He tolerates no rival Exodus 34:14 'For the Lord whose name is Jealous is a jealous God'

He hates idolatry Deuteronomy 4:23-24 'The Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God'

Jealous for His people James 4:5 'He longs jealously over the spirit He made to dwell in us'

6. Faithful God

Lamentations 3:22-23 'His compassions never fail... great is your faithfulness' 1 Corinthians 1:9

He will never leave nor forsake His elect. Matthew 28:20

Hebrews 13:5 'Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.'

He will supply all their needs Phillipians 4:19 'My God shall supply all your needs by Christ Jesus'

He will make a way of escape in temptation 1 Corinthians 10:13 'God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear, but with the trial provide a way of escape that you may be able to endure it.'

God is truthful Titus 1:2 'He cannot lie.' Hebrews 6:18 'Impossible for God to lie.'

He requires truth in all our dealings Psalm 51:10 'Create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me.'

His Son is truth John 14:6 'I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'

The Holy Spirit is truth John 14:16-17 Sanctify them by the truth.

'Your word is truth' John 17:17

The Attributes of the God of the Bible. All are eternal.

1. God is eternal Genesis 21:33

No beginning Genesis 1:1 'In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.'

No end Deuteronomy 32:40 'As surely as I live forever'

2. Unchanging Malachi 3:6 'I am the Lord, I do not change.'

Hebrews 13:8 'Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever.' I Am that I Am.

His plans and His purposes never change Psalm 33:11 'The plans of the Lord stand forever'

Never moody James 1:17 'He does not change like shifting shadows'

3. He knows everything, Omniscient Psalm 139:1-4 'You are familiar with all my ways.'

Romans 11:33 'How unsearchable are His judgements and His paths from finding out'

Knows what is happening Proverbs 15:3 'The eyes of the Lord are everywhere'

Knows the future Isaiah 46:10 'I make known the end from the beginning'

4. Omnipresent, Everywhere all the time. Psalm 139:7-10

His glory surpasses the heavens Isaiah 6:3 'The whole earth is full of His glory.'

5. All powerful Exodus 15:6 Nothing is too hard for God

Jeremiah 32:27 Is anything too hard for the Lord?

Nothing impossible Luke 1:37 Nothing is impossible with God.

6. God is invisible Exodus 33:20 'You cannot see my face, for no one can see Me and live'

Colossians 1:15 'The Son is the image of the invisible God'

No one has seen God John 1:18 'No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son ... has made Him known.'

God is spirit. John 4:24 'God is spirit, and those that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth'

7. Incomprehensible, Cannot be fully understood.

Isaiah 55:8 'My ways and My thoughts are higher than your ways and thoughts.'

Romans 11:33 'How unsearchable His judgements and His ways passed finding out'

Psalm 40:5 'Many, Lord my God, are the wonders You have done, the things you planned for us'

God keeps us from knowing Him perfectly Isaiah 45:15 'You are a God who has been hiding Himself'

Micah 4:12 'They do not know the thoughts of the Lord'

God is:

Creator Ecclesiastes12:1 'Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.'

Redeemer Psalm 19:14 'May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you, My Rock and my Redeemer.'

Spirit John 4:24 'God is spirit, and those that worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth'

Saviour Isaiah 45:15 'You are a God who has been hiding Himself, the God and Saviour of Israel'

Holy One Isaiah 10:17 'The light of Israel, the Holy One, a flame.'

King of kings 1 Timothy 6:15 'The God and blessed ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords'

Father Matthew 11:27 'No one knows the Father except the Son and he whom the Son chooses to reveal Him'

God is the God of glory Acts 7:2 'The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham'

Knowing the God of the Bible:

Knowing about Him and knowing Him personally makes all the difference.

John 15:15 'I no longer call you servants... instead I call you friends'

Abraham was called the friend of God Isaiah 41:8

Exodus 33:11 'The Lord spoke to Moses as a man speaks with his friend.'

Galatians 4:6 The Spirit witnesses with our spirit, and we call God Abba Father

Psalm 25:14 'God confides in those who fear Him.'

Knowing God:

1. Conversion: Many are called but few are chosen Matthew 22:14

Romans 10:9-10 'If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it with the heart a man believes and is justified and with the mouth he confesses and is saved.'

You believe that Jesus of Nazareth is God in human form, John 1:14 that Jesus fulfilled the law by His life and death. Romans 5:1-2 'Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace.'

He was personally and bodily raised to life. Romans 4:25 'He was delivered unto death for our sins and raised to life for our justification.'

2. Growth in Grace 2 Peter 1:5-8

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Private prayer: Unhurried, as with Bible reading and study.

Teaching and preaching. Hearing and speaking.

Fellowship with other believers in a church where the focus is on Jesus, the way to the Father, and the Holy Spirit, the revealer of both.

The Lord’s Supper is a reminder of what God accomplished through Jesus dying on the cross.

Walk in the Light 1 John 1:7 'Walk in the light as He is in the light'

Be open to the Holy Spirit, willing to learn, to change, and be changed. Admit sins when revealed. Obey God and do whatever He directs you to do.

Accept God’s ordering of your life without complaining, knowing that God only wants the best for you.

Totally forgive others for whatever they have done to you.

Share your Saviour with those that cross your path. Care for those in need.

Lose sight of your own interests and make your aim to please God in everything - h

Seeing God Act:

We need to know His ways. Hebrews 3:10 'They have not known my ways, said God'

Discover what pleases Him. Just spend time with Him and His Word.

God desires worship. In spirit and in truth. He competes with no one or nothing. In other words, nothing must become more important to us than our relationship with Him.

God delights in those who fear Him, who put their trust in His unchanging Word.

God wants us to talk to Him, and to listen to what He says, and do what He reveals to us.

God encourages us to be honest with Him. So many in the Bible were honest, even rude, but He did not take offence. Consider Jonah, Habakkuk, Job.

God knows our needs, and wants us to involve Him in everything we do.

We should first of all submit ourselves to Him, and discover what He would have us do, rather than ask Him to bless our proposed course of action.

Prayer:

Luke 11:9-10 'Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives, he who seeks finds and to him who knocks the door will be opened.'

God does not say when He will act or what He will do or how He will respond.

He will act in accordance with His will, to do us good in the end.

Often He cautions us to wait, which we all find very difficult. He is never late, never early, but always on time.

God wants us to not just have knowledge that is so quickly forgotten, but a relationship with Him, that seeks to become closer and more sensitive to His values, His ways, His priorities.