a. the existence of god - gbbc.org.au · god depends on nothing for his existence. 2. reasonable...
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Theology – The Study of GodThe Almighty God is revealed to us through the Creation, Conscience, Scripture, and Christ.
A. The Existence of God
1. God is introduced without any hesitation.
Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God…”
a. There is no debate regarding the existence of God.
“Theology Proper begins with two assumptions—that God exists, and that he has
revealed Himself to man.” – R Sargent
b. All throughout the Scriptures “the existence of God” is taken for granted.
Exodus 3:14 “I am that I am...” – God was introducing himself to Moses as “the
self existing one.” This claim was also used by Jesus Christ; the Jews understood
what this meant and responded by picking up stones to stone Jesus for His claim of
being the Eternal God.
c. God is Eternal – God existed before all things were made.
Psalm 90:1-2 “Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before
the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the
world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”
Revelations 1:8 “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the
Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”
Colossians 1:17 “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
- Note: All things that are made depend on God because they were made by Him, but
God depends on nothing for His existence.
2. Reasonable arguments of God’s existence
“These arguments may not prove conclusively that God is, but they do show that in
order to argue for the existence of any knowledge, thought, reason, conscience of
man, we must assume that God is.” W Evans
a. Being – God Consciousness
- How did man ever conceive the concept of God? The idea of an infinite and perfect
being (as the heathen like to call it – a higher power) had to originate somewhere.
“Man’s intuition of God (regardless of race, culture, religion, or geographic
location) is invariably that of an infinite, perfect being. Why? How could a finite
and imperfect man devise such a concept? This must argue for the existence of such
a being, for man by himself would not have devised it.” – R Sargent
“All persons everywhere have a deep, inner sense that God exists, that they are his
creatures, and that he is their Creator.” – W. Grudem
- The Scripture makes it clear that some of His creatures will deny that inner sense of
God, and try to explain Him away. Sin causes people to think irrationally.
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Psalm 14:1 “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt,
they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.”
- The fool is a fool because he knows there is a God but wants to explain Him away.
Romans 1:21-22 “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as
God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish
heart was darkened. (22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,”
b. Cause and Effect – A commonly accepted principle is that everything must have a
cause.
- Something didn’t come from nothing.
- When we observe something that is beautifully made we immediately ask, “Who made
that or where did that come from?” We do not assume that it just happened or
appeared from thin air.
- The Eternal God is the cause of the effects we see all around us.
Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
John 1:3 “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made
that was made.”
Colossians 1:16 “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that
are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or
principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”
Romans 11:36 “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be
glory for ever. Amen.”
Hebrews 3:4 “For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.”
“The God of the Bible not only existed before all things, but all things exist because
of Him. He is pure Existence, who gave existence to everything else that exists.
Without Him nothing else would exist.” – N L Geisler
c. Design in Creation
- Requires Wisdom – Everything in the universe demonstrates clear order and design.
- The way the solar system works implies intelligence and purpose in creation.
Genesis 1:31 “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very
good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.”
Proverbs 3:19-20 “The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding
hath he established the heavens. (20) By his knowledge the depths are broken up,
and the clouds drop down the dew.
Psalms 104:24 “O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made
them all: the earth is full of thy riches.”
- The way people were designed with purpose depicts a wonderful masterpiece by an
intelligent creator.
- The amazing senses that humans have: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell.
Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created
he him; male and female created he them.”
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“The crown of God's work was the creation of man in His image and according to
His likeness. This means that man was placed on earth as God's representative, and
that He resembles God in certain ways. Just as God is a Trinity (Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit), so man is a tripartite being (spirit, soul, and body). Like God, man has
intellect, a moral nature, the power to communicate with others, and an emotional
nature that transcends instinct.” W. McDonald
- Psalms 94:9 “He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye,
shall he not see?”
Psalms 139:14 “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”
- Requires Power – We see great power demonstrated in many facets of creation.
This power must have had a Cause that is powerful, power/energy comes from
an energizer/Almighty.
Genesis 1:3 “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”
Psalm 33:6 “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of
them by the breath of his mouth.”
Jeremiah 10:12 “He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the
world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.”
Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth
by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:”
d. Morality
- Man has a moral nature that can sense right from wrong and needs justice to be done.
Therefore, there must be a “cause” of the morality that lies within man.
- Man’s moral nature suggests the existence of a holy Lawgiver who hates evil and loves truth.
“Conscience does not tell us what to do; it merely insists that there is fundamental
moral law in the universe and that it is our duty to observe it” – H C Thiessen
- Our God-given conscience can be suppressed and seared.
1 Timothy 4:1-2 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some
shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
(2) Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
“Perhaps early in their lives their conscience had been tender, but they suppressed
it so often and sinned against the light so much that now their conscience has become
insensitive and hardened.” W. McDonald
- The Holy Moral law of God helps to wake up our conscience and convict us of sin.
Romans 7:9 “For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment
came, sin revived, and I died.”
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e. Congruity
- Congruity is a quality of agreement and correctness. When there's congruity, things fit
together in a way that makes sense.
“If the key fits the lock, we have the right key. If the theory fits the facts, in all
probability we have the right theory.” – W Evans
- When people try to remove God from the picture things begin to be blurred, and do not
make sense.
- It is like trying to paint a picture with no paint. It is like trying to build a house with no
bricks, it just won’t work.
- A God who is eternal, wise, holy, just, and the Creator of all things makes more sense
than something that came out of nothing.
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B. The Revelation of God
1. The knowledge of the “existence God” is revealed to the heart of man.
Romans 1:18-19 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all
ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
(19) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath
shewed it unto them.”
“That which is “knowable” concerning God. The expression implies that there may
be many things concerning God which cannot be known. But there are also many
things which may be ascertained. Such are his existence, and many of his attributes,
his power, and wisdom, and justice, etc.” – A Barnes
2. God reveals himself to man through several ways:
Creation
Conscience
Scriptures
Heavenly Father’s
Wisdom
Jesus Christ
Holy Spirit
3. The Revelation of God is Progressive.
a. Creation
Psalm 19:1-4 “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his
handywork. (2) Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth
knowledge. (3) There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
(4) Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the
world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,”
Abraham Lincoln once said, "I can see how it might be possible for a man to look
down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how he could look up
into the heavens and say there is no God."
“There was a story of a French revolutionist who boasted to a peasant, "We are going
to pull down all that reminds you of God." The peasant replied, "Citizen, pull down
the stars then!"
“No branch of science proclaims God's greatness and man's insignificance more
eloquently than astronomy. The simple fact that distances must be reckoned in light-
years (the distance that light travels in a year) illustrates the point…
Light travels 186,000 miles per second, and there are 31.5 million seconds in a year,
so light travels roughly six trillion miles in a single year! Yet some stars are billions
of light-years from the earth. No wonder we call such computation astronomical.”
– W McDonald
Romans 1:20 “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are
clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power
and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”
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- “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world” – God’s Attributes
- “Being understood by the things that are made” – Creation is a clear revelation of the Creator.
- “His eternal power and Godhead” – God’s eternal power and divine deity, His power and person
is made manifest through His creation.
- “So that they are without excuse.” Creation so clearly points to a Creator-God that man is without
excuse.
b. Conscience – “moral awareness” or “moral consciousness.”
- Conscience can have a distinctive awareness of God's law.
Romans 2:14-15 “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the
things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
(15) Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also
bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one
another;)”
- When the conscience is violated it produces guilt.
John 8:8-9 “And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. (9) And they
which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one,
beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman
standing in the midst.
“Now, conscience is intended to be a goad, not a guide. The man who says, "Just let
your conscience be your guide," is mistaking the function of conscience. Conscience
is God’s watchdog in the soul. Conscience can be silenced and even seared. It is quite
possible to obtain the approval of conscience on a wrong act.” – J Phillips
c. The Scriptures
Psalm 19:7-9 “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of
the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. (8) The statutes of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
(9) The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are
true and righteous altogether.
John 5:39 “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they
are they which testify of me.”
d. The Heavenly Father’s Wisdom
Matthew 16:15-17 “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? (16) And Simon
Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (17) And
Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and
blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”
“The fisherman had not arrived at this concept of the Lord Jesus through intellect or
native wisdom; it had been supernaturally revealed to him by God the Father.”
– W McDonald
Matthew 11:25 “At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord
of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent,
and hast revealed them unto babes.”
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“This revelation was not the result of Peter’s own investigation. It came as the
gracious act of God. God had hidden these things from the proud Pharisees and
Sadducees and revealed them to “babes”, the humble disciples.” W. Wiersbe
e. Jesus Christ
John 1:18 “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in
the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”
- Jesus Christ has fully revealed to men what God is like.
“When men saw Jesus, they saw God. They heard God speak. They felt God's love
and tenderness. God's thoughts and attitudes toward mankind have been fully
declared by Christ.” W. McDonald
- Jesus is “the express image of His person”
Hebrews 1:3 “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his
person…”
- Jesus is “the image of the invisible God”
Colossians 1:15 “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every
creature:”
“Jesus Christ explains God to us and interprets Him for us. We simply cannot
understand God apart from knowing His Son, Jesus Christ.” W. Wiersbe
John 14:9 “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast
thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest
thou then, Shew us the Father?”
f. The Holy Spirit
- To the Sinner
John 16:8 “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of
righteousness, and of judgment:”
- To the Saint
John 14:26 “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send
in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you.”
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C. The Attributes of God – Natural
Attributes = Divine qualities and characteristics
- The Attributes of God commonly fall into two categories “natural” and “moral”
Natural The natural attributes of God point to His
Existence.
Moral The moral attributes of God point to His
Excellence.
Psalms 90:2 “Before the mountains were brought forth, or
ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”
Omniscience – All-Knowing
Omnipresence – All-Present
Omnipotence – All-Powerful
Eternal – Ever-Present
Immutable – Unchanging
Job 37:23 “Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him
out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.”
Holiness Righteousness, Justice, Wrath
Love Mercy, Grace, Patience,
Goodness, Faithfulness
Truth Wisdom
1. Omniscience – God is all knowing.
a. If you combine the Latin roots Omni = "all" and Scientia = "knowledge", you'll
get omniscient, meaning "knowledge of all."
- God’s knowledge is His own divine intellect.
- God is all-knowing because that is His nature.
- God does not grow in knowledge like we do.
- God is complete and perfect in Knowledge.
Romans 11:33-34 “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of
God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (34) For
who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
- Nobody has ever counselled God or taught Him, and no-one ever will.
- God’s knowledge is and will always be.
Isaiah 40:13 “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath
taught him?”
1 Corinthians 2:16 “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct
him? But we have the mind of Christ.”
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Job 40:1-4 “Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said, (2) Shall he that
contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.
(3) Then Job answered the LORD, and said, (4) Behold, I am vile; what shall I
answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
b. God knows everything there is to know.
- Nothing catches God by surprise.
Psalms 147:4-5 “He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their
names. (5) Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.”
Matthew 10:30 “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”
c. God knows all things past, present, or future.
Isaiah 46:9-10 “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none
else; I am God, and there is none like me, (10) Declaring the end from the beginning,
and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall
stand, and I will do all my pleasure:”
d. God is perfect in Knowledge
Job 37:16 “Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of
him which is perfect in knowledge?”
e. God knows everything about everyone.
Hebrews 4:13 “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all
things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”
f. God knows the motives, thoughts, activities, words, and the decisions of all people.
Psalms 139:1-6 “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. (2) Thou knowest
my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. (3) Thou
compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. (4) For
there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
(5) Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. (6) Such
knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.”
1 John 3:20 “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and
knoweth all things.”
g. God is the source of all knowledge, and no-one can ever outsmart God.
Proverbs 21:30 “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the
LORD.”
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2. Omnipresence – God is Everywhere in Everyplace (All-Present)
a. The Omnipresence of God is not exactly an attribute of God, but rather it flows
from His attributes.
- God’s Presence is evident throughout the heavens and the earth.
- God is not limited in space; God is in all places at one time.
1 Kings 8:27 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven
of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?”
b. God’s presence is everywhere
Psalm 139:7-8 “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy
presence? (8) If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell,
behold, thou art there.”
c. Nothing is hidden or can be hidden from God
Psalm 139:12 “Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the
day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”
Jeremiah 23:23-24 “Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?
(24) Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD.
Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
d. God sees every move people make
Proverbs 15:3 “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the
good.”
Hebrews 4:13 “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all
things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”
e. God’s presence is special in the life of His people (The Church)
- Decision Making.
Matthew 18:19-20 “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as
touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which
is in heaven. (20) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there
am I in the midst of them.”
Revelations 2:1 “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith
he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven
golden candlesticks;”
- Fulfilling the Great Commission.
Matthew 28:20 “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded
you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
- Christian living.
Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with
such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
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f. Some distinctions of God’s Omnipresence
- God is not being dispersed throughout the universe. God is Spirit, and His presence is in
all places. Proverbs 15:3
- God’s presence does not mean that God is found in nature or nature is a part of
God. God is separate from His creation, however, His creation is not
independent of Him.
- God’s presence can manifest itself in a glorious way. God makes His presence known in
various ways.
1) God’s presence is on His throne
Revelations 4:2 “And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set
in heaven, and one sat on the throne.”
2) God’s presence is in earth (Solomon’s Temple)
2 Chronicles 7:1-2 “Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came
down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory
of the LORD filled the house. (2) And the priests could not enter into the house of the
LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD'S house.”
3) God’s presence is in the believer’s life (Temple of the Holy Spirit)
Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ
liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of
God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
4) God’s presence is known in the life of wicked people.
- God presence in the life of unbelievers depicts His nature as the LORD GOD who is over all.
Revelations 14:10 “The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured
out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire
and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:”
2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God,
and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: (9) Who shall be punished with
everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”
g. There is no escaping God’s presence.
- No person can escape from the presence of the Lord.
- They can run but they cannot hide.
- God does not have to try to find us, because he can see all that we do.
- God already knows our hiding spots, remember He is ALL-KNOWING.
Genesis 3:8-11 “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden
in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the
LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. (9) And the LORD God called unto
Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? (10) And he said, I heard thy voice in the
garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. (11) And he said,
Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I
commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?”
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3. Omnipotence – (All-Powerful) - Omni = All,
- Potent = Powerful
a. God is all-powerful and is able to do all things that are consistent within His nature. God’s
power is exercised within His perfect will.
Revelations 19:6 “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the
voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for
the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”
b. This attribute refers to God’s limitless power by which He can do what seems to be impossible
to us. God is not limited in His ability like we are, He can do all things.
Matthew 19:26 “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is
impossible; but with God all things are possible.”
Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
Genesis 18:14 “Is any thing too hard for the LORD?...”
Job 42:1-2 “Then Job answered the LORD, and said, (2) I know that thou canst do
every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.”
Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth
by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:”
c. The Word “Almighty” is used about 56 times referring to God alone.
- God introduces himself as the “Almighty one” to Abraham
Genesis 17:1 “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to
Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.”
- God introduces himself as the “Almighty one” to Moses
Exodus 6:1-3 “Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do
to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall
he drive them out of his land. (2) And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I
am the LORD: (3) And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the
name of God Almighty…”
- God introduces himself as the “Almighty one” to Christians
2 Corinthians 6:17-18 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate,
saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (18) And will
be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord
Almighty.”
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d. God’s power is seen:
1) In Creation
Psalm 33:8-9 “Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand
in awe of him. (9) For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.”
Psalm 29:4 “The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of
majesty.”
Romans 1:20 “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are
clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power
and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”
- Note: God’s eternal power - Here are two things implied:
- One, that the universe demonstrates the power of God
- Two, which this power has existed from eternity, and indicates an eternal existence in God.”
2) In Christ & Christians Living
Hebrews 1:3 “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his
person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself
purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”
Ephesians 1:19 “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who
believe, according to the working of his mighty power…”
Exceeding = to exceed, to throw beyond, surpasses,
Greatness = Magnitude (Can’t be measured)
of his power = “dunamis” Where we get the English word “Dynamite” (His Mightiness)
According to the working = “energeia” Where we get the English word “Energy”
Of his mighty power = “is-chus” ability force, strength and might
Ephesians 1:20-21 “Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead,
and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality,
and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this
world, but also in that which is to come:”
- There is not enough words in the Greek or the English to describe the power of God given to us
through Christ.
Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all
that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”
“God is able to do more in this connection than we can ask or think. The extent of
His ability is seen in the manner in which Paul pyramids words to describe
superabundant blessings” – W McDonald
Able
Able to do
Able to do what we ask
Able to do what we think
Able to do what we ask or think
Able to do all that we ask or think
Able to do above all that we ask or think
Able to do abundantly above all that we ask or think
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Able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think
3) In Crisis
- The Power of God delivers Daniel
Daniel 6:20 “And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto
Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God,
is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?”
- The Power of God delivers Israel
Exodus 7:5 “And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth
mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.”
4) In Crowning
Psalm 75:6-7 ‘For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor
from the south. (7) But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
- Saul
1 Samuel 13:13-14 “And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not
kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now
would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. (14) But now thy
kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and
the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not
kept that which the LORD commanded thee.”
- Lucifer
Isaiah 14:12-15 “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how
art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! (13) For thou hast
said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of
God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: (14) I
will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (15) Yet thou
shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
e. God’s power/ability is limited within the boundaries of His nature.
- God cannot lie
Titus 1:2 “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie…”
Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie…”
- God cannot be tempted to sin
James 1:13 “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God
cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:”
- God cannot deny Himself
2 Timothy 2:13 “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.”
- God cannot do anything wrong
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1 John 1:5 “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto
you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”
f. God’s power is expressed in the framework of His will. God chooses to exercise His power
when He sees fit to do so.
- With the three Hebrew Men
Daniel 3:17-18 “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the
burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. (18) But if
not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the
golden image which thou hast set up.
- In Life of Christ.
Matthew 26:52-54 “Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place:
for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. (53) Thinkest thou that I
cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions
of angels? (54) But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
Luke 4:3-4 “And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this
stone that it be made bread. (4) And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That
man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”
- In the account of Sodom and Gomorrah
Genesis 18:28 “Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou
destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will
not destroy it.”
Daniel 4:35 “And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he
doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the
earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?”
God is so great!
There is nothing He does not know.
There is nowhere He is not present.
There is nothing He cannot do.
– W McDonald
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4. Eternal – (Ever-present)
a. God is beyond time.
- Eternity = Timelessness & Never-ending. Infinite duration
- This attribute is also called “God’s infinity”
- Time started when God created the universe, this means God is outside of time.
- To have made time means to be outside of it.
Job 36:26 “Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of
his years be searched out.”
- Time is determined by the relation of the sun to the earth, and God is not limited by His creation.
“The study of physics tells us that matter and time and space must all occur together;
if there is no matter, there can be no space or time either. Thus, before God created
the universe there was no “time,” at least not in the sense of a succession of moments
one after another. Therefore, when God created the universe, He also created time”
– W Grudem
- What seems to be a long period of time with us is nothing to God, because He is outside of time.
2 Peter 3:8 “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the
Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
- One of the reasons God has delayed His coming is because God is timeless.
- God does not live in a scope of time like we do.
Psalms 90:4 “For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and
as a watch in the night.”
“A host of days and nights must be combined to make up a thousand years to us, but
to God, that space of time does not make up a whole night, but only a brief portion of
it. If a thousand years be to God as a single nightwatch, what must be the life-time of
the Eternal!” C H Spurgeon
- God sees the past and the future as He sees the present. God is aware of the process and
progression of time. However, God see it all, from the beginning to the end.
Isaiah 57:15 “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name
is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble
spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
- One day time will merge into eternity.
1 Corinthians 15:28 “And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son
also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.”
b. God is Eternal means = He is without Beginning or End.
Genesis 21:33 “And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the
name of the LORD, the everlasting God.”
- The Everlasting God = The God of Eternity
“God exists endlessly; His existence extends endlessly backwards and forwards (from
our viewpoint of time) without any interruptions or limitations caused by succession
of events.” – C Ryrie
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Isaiah 40:28 “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God,
the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there
is no searching of his understanding.”
Jeremiah 10:10 “But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an
everlasting king…”
- God is, and will always be, now and forever!
Revelations 1:8 “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the
Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”
1 Timothy 1:17 “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God,
be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
“He is eternal, without beginning of days, or end of life, or change of time. He is the
Ancient of days, He is immortal, and the original of immortality; he only has
immortality, for he cannot die.” M Henry
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5. Immutable – (Unchanging)
a. God is Immutable = God is unchangeable and therefore never changes. God is never
inconsistent.
- All may change, but God/Jesus never changes.
Hebrews 1:11-12 “They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old
as doth a garment; (12) And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be
changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.”
Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
- If God were to change in His attributes or character He would then be less than who He is –
The LORD GOD.
Malachi 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I change not…”
b. God does not change His plans and purposes.
Isaiah 46:10 “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things
that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:”
c. God does not change regarding His promises.
1 Kings 8:56 “Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according
to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he
promised by the hand of Moses his servant”
2 Corinthians 1:20 “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto
the glory of God by us.”
d. God is completely perfect.
2 Samuel 22:31 “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is
a buckler to all them that trust in him.”
Psalms 18:30 “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a
buckler to all those that trust in him.”
- God does not have to change, HE is PERFECT.
- God cannot change, He is HOLY.
- God is complete and perfect in all His attributes both natural and moral.
e. God is complete and perfect in all His acts.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing
can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear
before him.”
f. God is complete and perfect in His gifts.
James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down
from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
“God does not change. There are no shadows with the Father of Lights. It is
impossible for God to change. He cannot change for the worse because He is holy;
He cannot change for the better because He is already perfect. The light of the sun
varies as the earth changes, but the sun itself is still shining. If shadows come between
us and the Father, He did not cause them. He is the unchanging God. This means that
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we should never question His love or doubt His goodness when difficulties come or
temptations appear.” W Wiersebe
“One side of the moon is dark, and the other side is light. But in God there is no dark
side. In all of us there is a shadow; you and I cast a shadow. God doesn't vary, He
doesn't change, as the laws of creation reveal. God is not on a yo–yo like a lot of
Christians are today—up today and down tomorrow, and round and round they go.”
– V McGee
g. God’s Immutable character is not to be confused with His dealings.
- God deals differently with the unsaved and the saved.
Joel 2:13 “And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD
your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and
repenteth him of the evil.”
- God’s Immutable character does not mean that He cannot express His heart.
Genesis 6:6 “And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it
grieved him at his heart.”
“The Lord's sorrow does not indicate an arbitrary change of mind, though it seems
that way to man. Rather, it indicates a different attitude on God's part in response to
some change in man's behaviour. Because He is holy, He must react against sin.”
– W McDonald
- God’s Immutable character does not mean that He cannot extend His mercy.
- Note: Mercy is one of God’s “Moral Attributes.”
Jonah 3:10 “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God
repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.”
“This was no real change in God; rather, the object of His threatening was, that He
might not do what He threatened. God’s ‘threatenings’ are conditional, “unless they
repent,” as are His promises.” – A Barnes
Jeremiah 18:7-8 “At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning
a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; (8) If that nation, against
whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought
to do unto them.”
- God’s conditional promises confirm that He is the God of His Word and that He does not change.
- God is true to His Word.
“In God all things are disposed and fixed, nor doth He anything out of any sudden
counsel, which He knew not in all eternity that He should do; but, amid the
movements of His creature in time, which He governeth marvelously …” A Barnes
Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that
he should repent…”
- God does not have to change His ways as if He has done anything wrong. God is not imperfect, but
rather demonstrates mercy to an imperfect people.
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Genesis 18:26 “And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city,
then I will spare all the place for their sakes.”
- God withholding His wrath from a repentant sinner confirms God’s immutable attribute by God
keeping His promise.
- It is important to understand that God’s mercy does not change His mind about how He feels
towards sin; God still hates sin. However, while God’s moral attributes (Mercy) are made manifest,
extended, and demonstrated, this never changes His Holiness.
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D. The Attributes of God – Moral
1. Holiness – Justice, Righteousness, Wrath
a. God’s Holiness –
- The Biblical Hebrew word for “holy” is “godesh”, which means “apartness or set part” or
“sacred”
- The Holiness of God is the KING of attributes!
b. God is completely separate from His Creation.
- Not only separate but exalted above all His created creatures.
“Power is in His arm, omniscience His eye, mercy His bowels, eternity His
duration; but holiness is His beauty.” Unknown
1 Peter 1:16 “…Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
- God is not progressing in His Holiness, for HE is Holy.
- We have to be Holy (Grow, Sanctification), but His Holy.
Isaiah 6:3 “And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of
hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.”
- The thrust of the threefold repetition of God's holiness is to emphasise God's distinction from and
complete separation of His fallen creation.
Revelation 4:8 “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and
they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy,
holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”
Someone put it like “God is Holy is the Past, God is Holy in the Present, and God
is Holy is the Future.
c. God is thrice Holy relating to the God-Head.
1) Holy Father
John 17:11 “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I
come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given
me, that they may be one, as we are.”
2) Holy Son
Acts 3:14 “But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be
granted unto you;”
3) Holy Spirit
Ephesians 4:30 “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto
the day of redemption.”
d. God desired His attribute of Holiness to be known among His own people.
- God did not want His holiness to be ambiguous.
Leviticus 11:44 “For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify
yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy:”
Isaiah 40:25 “To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.”
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e. God’s Holiness is emphasised:
- There had to be a proper approach to a holy God.
1) At Mt. Sinai God’s presence was manifested. The people had to sanctify themselves. – Exodus
19:12-25, Hebrews 12:20
2) The conditions of the priesthood who were to mediate between God and His people – Leviticus 8-10
3) The Tabernacle and Temple’s division in the Holy of Holies – Exodus 26:33, 1 Kings 6:6, 19
4) The detailed offerings that were to be brought before the Lord – Leviticus 1-7
5) Laws given regarding purity – Leviticus 11-15
6) The various feasts of Israel – Leviticus 23
f. Fire is a symbol of God’s Holiness. (Judgment)
Deuteronomy 4:23-24 “Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the
LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness
of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee. (24) For the LORD thy God
is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.”
Hebrews 12:28-29 “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us
have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
(29) For our God is a consuming fire.”
g. A correct view of God’s Holiness leads to a proper view of man sinfulness.
1) Isaiah
Isaiah 6:5 “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips,
and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the
LORD of hosts.”
CH Spurgeon “I believe the holier a man becomes, the more he mourns over the
unholiness which remains in him.”
2) Peter
Luke 5:8 “When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from
me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”
- Peter saw more than the fish; peter saw his own sinfulness and his unworthiness.
- Peter instantly realized he was in the presence of the Holy One demonstrating His
divine power, and he was beat-down with shame over his own sin.
3) Moses
Exodus 3:2-6 “And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of
the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush
was not consumed. (3) And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight,
why the bush is not burnt. (4) And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see,
God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said,
Here am I.(5) And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for
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the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. (6) Moreover he said, I am the God of
thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses
hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.”
h. The Demonstration of God’s Holiness.
1) In His hatred toward sin.
Habakkuk 1:12-13 “Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy
One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty
God, thou hast established them for correction. (13) Thou art of purer eyes than to
behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity…”
Proverbs 6:16 “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination
unto him:”
2) In His separation from sinners.
Isaiah 59:1-2 “Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither
his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (2) But your iniquities have separated between you
and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”
3) In all His ways and works
Psalm 145:17 “The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.”
4) In His laws
Romans 7:12 “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and
good.”
5) In the glorious Gospel
Matthew 7:6 “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls
before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”
2. Righteousness
a. God’s Righteousness – The word “Righteous” means “to be right” or “just”
- The righteousness of God is a display of His holiness.
Psalm 145:17 “The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.”
Daniel 9:14 “Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us:
for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth…”
b. God is known as the righteous one.
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John 17:25 “O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known
thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.”
Revelation 16:5 “…Thou art righteous, O Lord…”
c. The righteousness of God is manifested in several ways:
1) In His Word as God
2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
- God’s word is His instruction in righteousness.
2) In His judgments as Lord
Psalm 19:9 “… the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.”
- All that God determines is always good and entirely righteous.
3) In His ruling as King
Hebrews 1:8 “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a
sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.”
- Scepter of righteousness, is a poetic way of saying that this King rules in absolute
righteousness and integrity.
4) In His justice as the Judge
Acts 17:31“… he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in
righteousness…”
- There will come a day where the great account will balance the books, He will not miss a jot
or a tittle
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d. God desires for all people to seek after His attribute of righteousness.
To Seek after
Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and his righteousness; and all these things shall be
added unto you.
To Strive after
2 Timothy 2:22 “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow
righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call
on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
To Starve after
Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are they which do hunger and
thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”
To Surrender to
1 John 3:7 “Little children, let no man deceive you: he
that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is
righteous.”
To Suffer for
1 Peter 3:14 “But and if ye suffer for righteousness'
sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror,
neither be troubled;”
To be Servant of
Romans 6:18 “Being then made free from sin, ye
became the servants of righteousness.”
To be Sown
Hosea 10:12 “Sow to yourselves in righteousness,
reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is
time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain
righteousness upon you.”
To Submit to
Romans 10:3-4 “For they being ignorant of God's
righteousness, and going about to establish their own
righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the
righteousness of God. (4) For Christ is the end of the
law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
Note: All the above points to Jesus Christ!
- The religious rulers went about trying to produce their righteousness by keeping
the law.
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Galatians 2:21 “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the
law, then Christ is dead in vain.”
Matthew 5:20 “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the
righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom
of heaven.”
3. Justice
a. The justice of God is the demonstration of God’s righteousness
- God’s righteousness and justice go hand in hand. Both attributes are a manifestation of
God’s Holiness.
Genesis 18:25 “…Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
“Justice is the execution of righteousness, and has been termed “judicial holiness.”
– R Sargent
b. God’s Righteousness and justice reveals God’s love for holiness
Psalm 11:7 “For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth
behold the upright.”
c. God’s justice is right, perfect, complete, and cannot be faulted.
Zephaniah 3:5 “The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every
morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no
shame.”
d. God establishes His throne by His justice.
- Because God is Just, He has set in order righteous decrees and governments, God initiates
moral laws on earth, and puts forth commandments coupled with sanctions.
Psalm 89:14 “Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth
shall go before thy face.”
e. God reinforces His laws through executing Justice.
Deuteronomy 7:9 “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God,
which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments
to a thousand generations…”
1) Rewards = Imputed justice (The expression of God’s love not merit)
- Forgiveness
- Redemption Are attributed to us Through Christ alone!
alone
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- Rewards
Matthew 25:21 “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant:
thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter
thou into the joy of thy lord.”
Hebrews 10:35 “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great
recompence of reward.”
Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to
God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Hebrews 11:26 “Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in
Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.”
2 Timothy 4:8 “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all
them also that love his appearing.”
Revelations 22:11-12 “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy,
let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is
holy, let him be holy still. (12) And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me,
to give every man according as his work shall be.”
2) Punishments = Punitive justice (the expression of God’s wrath)
Deuteronomy 7:10 “And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he
will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.”
- Justice demands punishment. If God refuses to punish sin, then He would be unjust.
Genesis 2:17 “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of
it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”
Nehemiah 9:33 “Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast
done right, but we have done wickedly:”
Romans 1:32 “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things
are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
Romans 2:4-8 “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and
longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (5) But
after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day
of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; (6) Who will render to every
man according to his deeds: (7) To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek
for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: (8) But unto them that are contentious,
and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,”
2 Thessalonians 1:8 “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and
that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:”
“God cannot make a law, establish a penalty, and then not follow through if the law is
disobeyed.” – H C Thiessen
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4. Wrath
a. The Wrath of God = The Biblical word for “wrath” in the Greek is “Or-gay” which means
“Indignation” and “Vengeance” or “Righteous Anger”.
b. The Basis for God’s Wrath.
1) God’s Holiness
Romans 1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness
and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”
- God’s wrath will fall upon sinful, wicked, and disobedient people.
Psalm 78:49 “He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and
trouble, by sending evil angels among them.”
Deuteronomy 9:7-8 “Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God
to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt,
until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD. (8) Also in
Horeb ye provoked the LORD to wrath, so that the LORD was angry with you to have
destroyed you.”
2 Kings 22:13 “Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah,
concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that
is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book,
to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.”
2) God’s Righteousness and Justice
- God’s Holiness demands Justice.
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Romans 2:5-6 “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself
wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
(6) Who will render to every man according to his deeds:”
“A Judge named “Gray”, who later went on to serve as a Justice on the Supreme Court,
once said to the man who escaped conviction because of a loop hole in the Law: “I know
that you are guilty and you know it, and I wish you to remember that one day you will
stand before a better and wiser Judge, and that there you will be dealt with according
to justice and not according to law.”
“Man’s justice is always subject to errors, but God’s justice is perfect. No sin escapes His
gaze, and though punishment is sometimes delayed as God grants room to repent, it is
certain. No one escapes God’s justice on a technicality.”
c. Biblical descriptions of God’s wrath.
1) The wrath of God
- God’s wrath is upon the unrepentant sinner.
John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not
the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
Colossians 3:5-7 “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication,
uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is
idolatry: (6) For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of
disobedience: (7) In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.”
“Those who choose evil shall have their choice. Men who hate divine mercy shall not
have it forced upon them, but shall be left to themselves to aggravate their guilt and
ensure their doom. They have loved darkness rather than light, and in darkness they
shall abide. Eyes which see no beauty in the Lord Jesus, but flash wrath upon Him,
may well grow yet more dim, till death which is spiritual leads to death which is
eternal. What can be too severe a penalty for those who reject the incarnate God, and
refuse to obey the commands of His mercy? They deserve to be flooded with wrath,
and they shall be; for upon all who rebel against the Saviour, ‘wrath has come upon
them to the uttermost’ (I Thessalonians 2:16). God’s indignation is no trifle. The
anger of a holy, just, omnipotent, and infinite Being is above all things to be dreaded;
even a drop of it consumes, but to have it poured upon us is inconceivably dreadful.’
– Charles Spurgeon
2) The wrath of the LORD
- The wrath of the Lord is upon a discontent people.
Numbers 11:33 “And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the
wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with
a very great plague.”
3) The wrath of Jesus
- Jesus’ wrath is upon the wicked persecutors.
Revelations 6:9-10 “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the
souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
(10) And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou
not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
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Revelations 6:16-17 “And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from
the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: (17) For the
great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”
- Our persecutors are like flies to God.
4) The wrath of the Almighty
- The Almighty’s wrath is His “fierce Judgment”
Revelations 19:15 “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite
the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of
the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”
d. Faith in Christ alone is the only way to escape the wrath of God.
Romans 5:9 “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from
wrath through him.”
“In God’s Holiness lies the reason for His atonement, what his holiness demanded, his
love provided.” – H C Thiessen
5. Love
a. Love is God’s Mercy, Grace, Patience, Goodness, and Faithfulness.
- The Greek word for “Love” is “Agape” which means “benevolence” and “selfless and sacrificial”.
- God’s love refers to His enormous and infinite goodness.
- God is the supreme definition of love. God is the very essence of love.
2 Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of
one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”
“It is God’s nature to love. He dwells always in the atmosphere of love. How to define or
describe the love of God may be difficult if not impossible.” W Evans
1 John 4:16 “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love;
and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”
“God’s love is that perfection of the divine nature by which God is eternally moved to
communicate himself. It is not a mere emotional impulse, but a rational and voluntary
affection, having its ground in truth and holiness and its exercise in free choice. This is
not to deny feeling, for true love necessarily involves feeling. If there is no feeling in God,
then there is no love in God. The fact that God grieves over the sins of this people implies
that he loves his people.” – HC Thiessen
b. God’s love is also KING of His Attributes.
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- The Holiness and Love of God are inseparable.
- The Cross of Jesus Christ is a perfect example.
Psalms 117:2 “For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for
ever. Praise ye the LORD.
A man of God put it this way: “These twin towers of virtue are reflective of God Himself
for His Mercy reflects His great Love. His Truth emanates from His Holiness.”
A Man of God once said “To have a zeal for God’s Truth without mercy is harsh and
tends toward hypocrisy and produces rebellion. To have Mercy without a Zeal for Truth
is mere sentimentalism (Soppy and emotional)”
Jude 1:21-23 “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord
Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Vs 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
vs 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment
spotted by the flesh.”
Proverbs 20:28 “Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by
mercy.”
- The Best Royal Crown a King can ever have is MERCY & TRUTH.
c. The Love of God is defined in the Scriptures, demonstrated in the Saviour, and delivered by
Spirit.
1) Love is DEFINED in the Scriptures.
- 1 Corinthians 13 is known as the “Love Chapter”.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have
not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (2) And though I have
the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have
all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. (3) And
though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,
and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is a description of pure Love
Suffers long - 1 Corinthians 13:4
- Bears along with, is patient
- Longsuffering, does not give up
Kind - 1 Corinthians 13:4
- To be useful and act courteously
- To be thoughtful and caring
- The opposite of rude
Envies not - 1 Corinthians 13:4
- A strong burning zeal, covet, a longing desire
- To be heated up with envy with the intent to hurt
- Love is content and hopes for the best for others
Vaunteth not itself - 1 Corinthians 13:4
- To boast, to lift up one’s self
- Love is modest
Is not easily provoked - 1 Corinthians 13:5
- To sharpen by, to arouse in anger
- To stimulate, stir up, kindle
- Love is calm, peaceful and patient
Thinks no evil - 1 Corinthians 13:5
- Takes inventory of harmful, immoral, bad,
wrong, and wicked things.
- Love ponders on right and wholesome things
Bears all thing - 1 Corinthians 13:7
- To cover, to endure, to suffer
- Love does not give up, but continues with
Believes all things - 1 Corinthians 13:7
- To have faith in the truth,
- Gives the benefit of the doubt
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Is not puffed up - 1 Corinthians 13:4
- To swell up, haughty
- To blow up, to be proud
- Love is humble
Does not behave itself unseemly - 1
Corinthians 13:5
- Unbecoming, unfitting, out of place
- To be improper or inappropriate
- Love is good and proper
Seeks not her own - 1 Corinthians 13:5
- Seeks others’ welfare before self
- Esteems others better than self
- Love is not self-seeking
- Love is to trust
Hopes all things - 1 Corinthians 13:7
- To have an expected confidence
- Love is to have assurance
Endures all things - 1 Corinthians 13:7
- To remain, to keep on,
- To abide in, to bear with
- Love perseveres and does not give up
2) Love DEMONSTRATED in the Saviour.
- Christ gave himself to God for us out of love.
Ephesians 5:2 “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for
us…”
1 John 3:16 “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us:
and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
3) Love DELIVERED in the Spirit.
- The first fruit of the Spirit is “Love”
Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith,”
d. The objects of God’s Love
1) The Son
John 5:20 “For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth:
and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.”
2) The Saints
John 16:27 “For the Father himself loveth you…”
Hebrews 12:6 “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom
he receiveth.”
3) The Sinners
- The fact that God gave His Son for sinners demonstrates that God loves them.
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.”
- The fact that God does not desire the destruction of the wicked demonstrates that He loves them.
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Ezekiel 33:11 “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the
death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from
your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?”
e. The quality of God’s love
1) It Is Eternal
Jeremiah 31:3 “…. Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with
lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”
2) It Is Infinite — Ephesians 3:19.
Ephesians 3:19 “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might
be filled with all the fulness of God.”
3) It Is Immutable
John 13:1 “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was
come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which
were in the world, he loved them unto the end.”
One day C. H. Spurgeon was walking through the English countryside with a friend. As
they strolled along, the evangelist noticed a barn with a weather vane on its roof. At the
top of the vane were these words: GOD IS LOVE. Spurgeon remarked to his companion
that he thought this was a rather inappropriate place for such a message. “Weather
vanes are changeable,” he said, “but God’s love is constant.”
“I don’t agree with you about those words, Charles,” replied his friend. “You
misunderstood the meaning. That sign is indicating a truth: Regardless of which way the
wind blows, God is love.”
4) It is immense
Romans 8:37-39 “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that
loved us. (38) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (39) Nor height, nor
depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is
in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
6. Mercy
a. Mercy is God’s love manifested.
Ephesians 2:4 “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,”
Titus 3:4-5 “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man
appeared, (5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his
mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
- Mercy demonstrated, is God withholding our deserved judgment.
- In other words “God does not gives us what we deserve.”
Psalm 130:3-4 “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
(4) But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
Psalms103:8 “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.”
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Lamentations 3:22 “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed…”
I Plead for Mercy
A Story is told about a mother who once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her
son.
The emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offense twice and
justice demanded death.
The mother said "But I don't ask for justice...I plead for mercy.?
Napoleon replied. “But your son does not deserve mercy?
The woman cried and said, "Sir, it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is
all I ask for.?
"Well, then,? the emperor said, "I will have mercy.? And he spared the woman's son.
b. God is the Father of mercy.
2 Corinthians 1:3 “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father
of mercies, and the God of all comfort;”
- To God’s people, the phrase “father of” would mean “originator of.” In John 8:44 we see Satan is
known as the father of lies because lies originated with him. God is the Father of mercies because all
mercy originates with Him. That’s who God is; God is a God of mercy.
1) God’s mercy is a display of His CARING Heart.
Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”
Psalm 51:1 “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according
unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.”
Psalm 25:6 “Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they
have been ever of old.”
2) God’s mercy is His COMPASSION. (Luke 17:3-4)
- The Greek word for “mercy” is “Eleemon” which means “to pity” or “show compassion to”
Lamentations 3:22-23 “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because
his compassions fail not…”
- God’s mercy is His willingness to forgive the guilty. (Isaiah 55:7)
Numbers 14:18 “The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and
transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty…”
3) God’s mercies are COUNTLESS.
Nehemiah 9:19 “Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness…”
Psalm 106:45 “And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the
multitude of his mercies.”
7. Grace
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a. Grace is God’s love extended, it is His goodness toward sinful and unworthy people.
Ephesians 2:7 “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace
in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
- While mercy is God not giving us what we do deserve (HELL); grace is God giving to
us what we do not deserve (HEAVEN).
It has been stated “As we paid nothing for God’s eternal love and nothing for the Son of
His love, and nothing for His Spirit and our grace and faith, and nothing for our eternal
rest...What an astonishing thought it will be to think of the unmeasurable difference
between our deserving’s and our receiving’s. O, how free was all this love, and how free
is this enjoyed glory...So then let “Deserved” be written on the floor of hell but on the
door of heaven and life, “The Free Gift”.
b. God’s Grace is His freely undeserved gift; it is His unmerited favour upon man.
1) The Gift of His SALVATION
Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is
the gift of God:
“Grace is the battering ram that shakes the gates of hell.” – CH Spurgeon
- God’s Grace is extended to all.
Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,”
2) The Gift of His SON
- God’s grace is revealed in His Son.
God’s
Riches
At
Christ’s
Expense
Ephesians 1:6-7 “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us
accepted in the beloved. (7) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the
forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
“Christ is the vessel in which God’s grace is presented to our thirsty lips” – CH Spurgeon
3) The Gift in His SERVICE
1 Timothy 1:12-14 “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he
counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; (13) Who was before a blasphemer, and
a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
(14) And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in
Christ Jesus.”
1 Corinthians 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was
bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not
I, but the grace of God which was with me.”
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8. Faithfulness.
a. Faithfulness extends from the immutability of God. Because God is unchanging, He then is
faithful.
Lamentations 3:22-23 “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because
his compassions fail not. (23) They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
Psalm 36:5 “Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto
the clouds.
Deuteronomy 7:9 “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God,
which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments
to a thousand generations;”
b. God’s faithfulness reveals His integrity.
Isaiah 11:5 “And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle
of his reins.”
- God will always display himself as a just and faithful King.
c. Some areas which we see God’s faithfulness
1) Faithful in His Pardon
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
2) Faithful in His Protection
1 Peter 4:19 “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the
keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”
3) Faithful in His Proving
1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:
but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will
with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
4) Faithful in His Promises
Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is
faithful that promised;)”
5) Faithful in Preservation
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray
God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our
Lord Jesus Christ. (24) Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”
Isaiah 25:1 “O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou
hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.”
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9. Wisdom
a. God is wise in all that He does. God cannot do anything that is foolish.
Romans 16:27 “To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.”
1 Timothy 1:17 “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be
honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
b. God being wise goes beyond His omniscience (God being all-knowing). God not only knows
all things, but He does all things well.
1) In CREATION
Psalm 104:24 “O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them
all: the earth is full of thy riches.
2) In His COUNSEL
Job 12:13 “With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.”
Proverbs 21:30 “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.”
3) In the CROSS
1 Corinthians 1:23-24 “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock,
and unto the Greeks foolishness; (24) But unto them which are called, both Jews and
Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
4) In His CHURCH
Ephesians 3:8-11 “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given,
that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; (9) And to
make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the
world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (10) To the intent
that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the
church the manifold wisdom of God, (11) According to the eternal purpose which he
purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:”
“One of God's present purposes in connection with the mystery is to reveal His manifold
wisdom to the angelic hosts of heaven. Paul again uses the metaphor of a school. God is
the Teacher. The universe is the classroom. Angelic dignitaries are the students. The
lesson is on “The manifold wisdom of God.” The church is the object lesson. From heaven
the angels are compelled to admire His unsearchable judgments and marvel at His ways
past finding out. They see how God has triumphed over sin to His own glory. They see
how He has sent heaven's Best for earth's worst. They see how He has redeemed His
enemies at enormous cost, conquered them by love, and prepared them as a Bride for His
Son. They see how He has blessed them with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies. And
they see that through the work of the Lord Jesus on the cross, more glory has come to
God and more blessing has come to believing Jews and Gentiles than if sin had never
been allowed to enter. God has been vindicated; Christ has been exalted; Satan has been
defeated; and the church has been enthroned in Christ to share His glory.”
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E. The Nature of God
1. God is a Spirit
a. God is Spirit is a definition of God's divine nature. He is not a mere man, subject to
limitations.
- God is not made out of flesh and blood. God is not made out of materials.
- God is not “matter” or “a force of energy’ like the sun.
- God is not a particular size or dimension.
John 4:24 “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in
truth.”
- God is not to be limited to any one place (especially in Worship).
- True worship has to do with an inner spiritual disposition not a specified location.
- We can worship God anywhere, at any time and at any place, because God is Spirit.
- Though the Lord chose to dwell among His people in the cloud at the temple, He was not by
any means restrained or confined by anything in all of His creation.
Acts 17:24-25 “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of
heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; (25) Neither is worshipped
with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath,
and all things;”
1 Kings 8:27 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven
of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?”
b. God is a Spirit means that God is invisible.
- Though God chose to manifest Himself through various things like the burning bush, or
angels, etc., God’s essence remains invisible because God is Spirit.
Colossians 1:15 “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every
creature:”
1 Timothy 1:17 “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible …”
Hebrews 11:27 “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he
endured, as seeing him who is invisible.”
- One of the reasons idols and images were forbidden is because no one has ever seen God.
Exodus 20:4 “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of
any thing that is in heaven above…”
Isaiah 40:25 “To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy
One.”
c. How did the children of Israel see God?
Exodus 24:9-10 “Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the
elders of Israel: (10) And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it
were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his
clearness.”
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- The children of Israel saw a manifestation of God, not God in His real essence.
d. How did Moses speak face to face with the Lord?
Exodus 33:11 “And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto
his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a
young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.”
- This indicates to us that Moses had an intimate walk with God, and God revealed His
wisdom to Moses. This does not means Moses saw God’s face.
Numbers 12:7-8 “My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.
(8) With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches;
and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to
speak against my servant Moses?”
- Moses did desire to see the face of God, but God said no one could see Him in all His glory
and live.
Exodus 33:18-20 “And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. (19) And he said,
I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the
LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew
mercy on whom I will shew mercy. (20) And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for
there shall no man see me, and live.”
e. Theophany = Appearances of God
- Many theologians refer to the appearances of God as “theophanies” (Greek: theos = “God”
+ phaino = “appear”)
- God took on various visible forms to show himself to His people.
Three Men (with Abraham) – Genesis 18:1–3
A Man (with Jacob) – Genesis 32:24–25, 28–30
Burning Bush (with Moses) – Exodus 3:2
Pillar of Cloud/Fire (with Israel) – Exodus 13:21-22
Angel of the Lord (with Gideon and Manoah) – Judges 6:22; 13:22
f. God’s attributes are revealed through His Son – the Lord Jesus.
John 1:18 “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in
the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”
- Note: The word translated “declared” derives from the Greek word “exegesis”, which
means “to explain, to unfold, to lead the way, to go before”. Jesus Christ explains and
reveals God to us and unfolds Him for us. We cannot understand God apart from knowing
His Son, Jesus Christ.
g. The DEEP things of God are revealed to us by His Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:6-12 “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet
not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
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(7) But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which
God ordained before the world unto our glory: (8) Which none of the princes of this
world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
(9) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into
the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (10) But
God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea,
the deep things of God. (11) For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the
spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the
Spirit of God. (12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit
which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”
h. How does God have body parts?
Psalm 8:3 “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the
stars, which thou hast ordained;”
Isaiah 59:1 “Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither
his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:”
Psalm 34:15 “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open
unto their cry.”
- These expressions are used to describe God’s attributes in a way we could understand them.
- The voice/finger/hand/arm of God refers to His “POWER”
- The eyes/ears of God refer to His “PRESENCE”
i. Will we ever see the Lord?
Revelations 22:3-4 “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of
the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: (4) And they shall see his
face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.”
They shall see His face: “By which I understand two things: first, that they shall
literally and physically, with their risen bodies, actually look into the face of Jesus;
and secondly, that spiritually their mental faculties shall be enlarged, so that they
shall be enabled to look into the very heart, and soul, and character of Christ, so as
to understand him, his work, his love, his all in all, as they never understood him
before.” (Spurgeon)
A. T. Pierson summarises as follows:
“And there shall be no more curse,” perfect sinlessness;
“but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it,” perfect government;
“and His servants shall serve Him,” perfect service;
“They shall see His face,” perfect communion;
“and His name shall be on their foreheads,” perfect resemblance;
“And there shall be no night there,” perfect blessedness;
“And they shall reign forever and ever,” perfect glory.
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2. God is a Person
a. God is a person means He Has a personality
- Personality involves three things:
1) Intelligence — power of thinking. “I KNOW” e.g. Exodus 3:7.
Exodus 3:7 “And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which
are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their
sorrows;”
2) Sensibility — power of feeling. “I CARE” e.g. Exodus 2:24-25.
Exodus 2:24-25 “And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant
with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. (25) And God looked upon the children
of Israel, and God had respect unto them.
3) Volition — power of willing. “I WILL” e.g. Exodus 3:17.
Exodus 3:17 “And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto
the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and
the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.”
b. God Has Personal Names
Proverbs 30:4 “Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath
gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath
established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if
thou canst tell?”
Exodus 6:2-3 “And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD
(3) And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God
Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.”
c. God is mentioned by personal pronouns (He and His)
Deuteronomy 4:39 “Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the
LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.”
Psalm 100:3 “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not
we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”
Proverbs 30:4 “…what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?”
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d. God is given personal descriptions of what He is like (Characteristics)
God IS Jealous
Deuteronomy 6:15 “…God is a jealous God…”
God IS Love
1 John 4:8 “..God is love.”
God IS Holy
Psalm 99:9 …” God is holy.”
God IS Light
1 John 1:5 “…God is light…”
God IS Angry
Psalm 7:11 “…God is angry with the wicked every day.”
God IS Gracious and Merciful
2 Chronicles 30:9 “God is gracious and merciful…”
e. God has a personal relationship with man.
1) He is their God – (They worship Him)
Psalm 48:14 “For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even
unto death.”
2) He is their Lord – (They follow Him)
Psalm 135:5 “For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all
gods.”
3) He is their Counsellor – (They learn from Him)
Psalm 71:17 “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I
declared thy wondrous works.”
4) He is their Friend – (They talk with Him)
James 2:23 “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and
it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.”
John 15:14-15 “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
(15) Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord
doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I
have made known unto you.
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3. Unity – God is One
a. There is only ONE God.
- He is a person and not an ambiguous pantheistic force.
- Pantheism is the view that God is everyone and everything is God.
- There can only be ONE infinite and perfect being.
Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD…”
Isaiah 45:5 “I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me…”
Zechariah 14:9 “And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall
there be one LORD, and his name one.”
1 Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God…”
b. There is only ONE true God.
- All other gods are false and are man-made dumb idols.
Exodus 20:3-4 “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”
Isaiah 42:8 “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another,
neither my praise to graven images.”
1 Corinthians 8:4 “…we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is
none other God but one.”
c. There is no ONE like God.
Exodus 15:11 “Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee,
glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?”
Psalm 73:25 “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I
desire beside thee.”
d. The Unity of God does not contradict the Trinity of God.
- We worship but ONE God who exists in three persons (TRINITY) not as three separate gods.
“This unity is, however, not inconsistent with the conception of the Trinity, for a unity
is not the same as a unit. A unit is marked by mere singleness. The unity of God allows
for the existence of personal distinctions in the divine nature, while at the same time
recognising that the divine nature is numerically and eternally one. Unity does imply
that the three persons of the trinity are not separate essences within the divine
essence.” – HC Thiessen
e. In Scripture we see that the word “one” is used as “compound unity.”
Genesis 2:24 “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave
unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
Philippians 2:2 “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being
of one accord, of one mind.”
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4. Trinity – God is three in One
a. The Trinity is the association of ONE God in THREE distinct, divine persons.
- This is commonly known as the Trinity – Divine Divinity/Deity – The Triune God.
- The word “Trinity” is not found anywhere in the Scriptures. However, the concept
happens to be in Scripture. (For example the words “Eternal Security” are not found in
the Scriptures, but we see it clearly taught throughout the Scriptures.)
- The Doctrine Does Not Mean Three Gods —ONE God (in essence); THREE Persons.
b. The Trinity Vs Modalism ñ
TRINTY MODALISM
There is only ONE God
There is only ONE God
God exists in THREE distinct Persons
God is one person and ONE person only
God is in THREE persons – The Father is God,
the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God.
God is ONE person who manifests Himself as
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The Father is not the Son, and the Son is
not the Father, and the Spirit is not the
Son, and Father is not the Spirit.
The ONE God manifests Himself in
THREE different modes, not persons.
- The concept of the Trinity can be difficult to comprehend and understand. God is infinitely
greater than the human mind, and we cannot fathom the depth and entirety of God. - We must remember that our theology is based on the Scriptures/God’s Wisdom, and
not on human comprehension.
We do not have to understand everything that God does in order to trust in His Word.
Proverbs 3:5-6.
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c. The Trinity is found in the same account of Scripture.
- John makes it clear.
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.”
- Paul’s teaching on spiritual gifts
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same
Spirit. (5) And there are differences of administrations, but the same
Lord. (6) And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God
which worketh all in all.”
- Paul closes with a benediction.
2 Corinthians 13:14 “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love
of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”
- When Jesus gives the promise regarding the coming of Holy Spirit.
John 14:16 “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another
Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”
- We see it in the Great Commission.
Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”
- It is seen in the baptism of Jesus.
Matthew 3:16-17 “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up
straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto
him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting
upon him: (17) And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved
Son, in whom I am well pleased.
d. The Trinity is found in separate accounts of Scripture.
- The ONE God exists in three coexistent, coeternal, and coequal persons, who are one
in spirit, purpose, and divine nature, yet three in distinctiveness and function.
1) The Father = Is God.
Romans 1:7 “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be
saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord
Jesus Christ.”
2) The Word = Jesus Christ is God.
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John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.”
John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and
we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)
full of grace and truth.”
3) The Holy Ghost = Is God.
Acts 5:3-4 “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart
to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
(4) Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was
it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine
heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.”
e. The Trinity in the Believers
- God
1 John 4:16 “And we have known and believed the love that God hath
to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and
God in him.”
- Christ
Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not
I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live
by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
- Spirit
1 Corinthians 3:16 “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and
that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
f. The Trinity is seen in the Work of the Saviour
Acts 20:28 “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the
which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which
he hath purchased with his own blood.”
g. The Trinity is seen in the Name for God.
- The Hebrew word translated “God” is “Elohim” which is a plural noun.
Genesis 1:26 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our
likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the
fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every
creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”
Genesis 3:22 “And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one
of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take
also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:”
- LORD = yeh-ho-vaw = Jehovah, the self-Existent ONE (Compound Unity)
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- God = el-o-heem = Supreme God, plural noun (US – Trinity)
Genesis 11:6-7 “And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have
all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be
restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. (7) Go to, let us go
down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one
another's speech.”
h. The Trinity is seen in the nature of man.
- Man is a Trinity made in the image of God.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I
pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
- In some passages the terms soul and spirit seem to be synonymous, other times they
seem to be separate in their usage.
1) Of a body, σωμα, an organized system, formed by the creative energy of God out of
the dust of the earth; composed of bones, muscles and nerves; of arteries, veins and
a variety of other vessels, in which the blood and other fluids circulate.
2) Of a soul, ψυχη, which is the seat of the different affections and passions, such as
love, hatred, anger, etc., with sensations, appetites and propensities of different
kinds.
3) Of spirit, πνευμα, the immortal principle, the source of life to the body and soul,
without which the animal functions cannot be performed, how perfect soever the
bodily organs may be; and which alone possesses the faculty of intelligence,
understanding, thinking, and reasoning, and produces the faculty of speech
wherever it resides, if accident have not impaired the organs of speech. – Clarke
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F. The Names of God
a. The most common names that refer to God are “God,” “LORD,” and “Lord.” These
names are given Names of God’s deity.
b. These names in Hebrew are Elohim, Jehovah, and Adonai.
1. ELOHIM
a. Elohim is a Hebrew word which occurs overs 2000 times in the Old Testament and
refers to God’s deity.
b. There are several adjective combinations applied to the word “Elohim”, which help
to underline certain characteristics of the deity God.
1) El Shaddai
- El Shaddai means the God Almighty or Almighty God.
- “El” is also used to describe the name “God” and is used in conjunction with other
words to describe various aspects of God's character.
Genesis 17:1 “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD
appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before
me, and be thou perfect.”
- Almighty = shad-dah'ee, God = El which means ALMIGHTY GOD
- Shaddai comes from the root shadad, which means “to display power”.
Clarke: “El shaddai, I am God all-sufficient; from shadah, to shed, to pour
out. I am that God who pours out blessings, who gives them richly,
abundantly, continually.”
Genesis 28:3 “And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and
multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;”
- This name is found about six times in Genesis, and thirty-one times in Job.
2) El Elyon
- El Elyon means the “Most High God” or “Highest God”
Genesis 14:18 “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and
wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.”
- Melchizedek is the priest of God who is the Supreme Being.
A man of God said, “We should never settle for a “higher power”; we should
serve the Highest Power”.
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Genesis 14:22“And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand
unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,”
- The Most High God is confirmed by the description, "Possessor of heaven and earth".
- This relates to the majesty of God and His highest pre-eminence.
3) El Olam
- El Olam means the “Everlasting God” or "The Eternal God".
- Olam literally means "forever", "eternity", or "everlasting".
Genesis 21:33 “And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there
on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.”
- This is the first time in Scripture in which the Hebrew word “olam” occurs as a
characteristic of God and here it is obviously intended to point out God’s eternal
duration.
2. JEHOVAH (Yahweh - YHWH)
a. Jehovah or Yahweh is a common Hebrew name that refers to God in the Old
Testament.
- It appears over 5,000 times in the Old Testament.
- The upper case letter for “LORD” is translated as Jehovah or Yahweh
b. The Name “Jehovah” is often used throughout the Book of Genesis. However, its
meaning was not revealed until Exodus 3:13-14. See: Exodus 6:3.
Exodus 6:2 “And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the
LORD:”
c. The word “JHWH” comes from the Hebrew root word “hayah,” which means “to
become”.
- This shows the continuous self-revelation of God.
- This is how we define “Jehovah” to be “The Self Existent One Who reveals Himself”.
- It is a special Name that describes the character of God.
- “Jehovah” refers to deity and entitles personality. It is used to indicate the special
relationship of deity to man.
d. The first appearance of the name “Jehovah” is found in Genesis 2:4 along with
“Elohim”.
Genesis 2:4 “… in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the
heavens,”
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- Jehovah Elohim is the Great “I AM THAT I AM” He is the “self-existent One”, the
“One without beginning or ending”, the “Alpha and Omega”.
- What “Jesus” means to Christians, is what “Jehovah” meant to Israel.
- By the way, the New Testament teaches very clearly that Jesus is Jehovah — John 8:58.
- The Greek word for “Jesus” is the Hebrew equivalent for “Joshua”. Joshua, or “Je-
hoshua” means “Jehovah-Saviour”.
e. Compound names for Jehovah
- These “Jehovah titles” shows that the LORD is able to meet the every need of man.
1) Jehovah-Jireh
- This means “The LORD will provide” (a sacrifice). - Jehovah Jireh is the Name of Provision.
Genesis 22:13-14 “And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold
behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and
took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
(14) And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said
to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.
- Just as God provided a substitute for Isaac on the altar of sacrifice, so in Christ, God
has provided the perfect sacrifice for sinners.
2) Jehovah-Rapha
- This means “The LORD that healeth”.
- God is able to bring healing or restoration to an obedient people.
Exodus 15:26 “If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy
God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his
commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases
upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that
healeth thee”
- Obedience to divine instruction will bring healing or restoration, unlike the plagues that
were visited upon Egypt. This specific promise is limited in context to Israel. However,
we see God’s dealings and character revealed through His name.
- God is able to heal a land or a nation from destruction.
- God is able to heal a sick person from sickness.
- God is able to heal a sinner from his sin.
2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble
themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways;
then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their
land.”
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3) Jehovah-Nissi
- This means, “The LORD our banner”.
- Jehovah Nissi is the Name of Victory.
Exodus 17:8-11 “Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
(9) And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with
Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in
mine hand. (10) So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with
Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. (11) And
it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when
he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.”
Exodus 17:15 “And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it
Jehovahnissi:”
- It was God who gave Israel victory against Amalek.
- Moses understood that victory is only possible through God alone. Moses wasn’t foolish
enough to think that he won the battle, so as an act of worship he built an altar and
praised the name of Jehovah-Nissi. The LORD is our BANNER!
Psalm 60:4 “You have given a banner to those who fear You, that it may be
displayed because of the truth.”
4) Jehovah-Shalom
- The Hebrew word “shalom” means peace.
- Jehovah-Shalom means “The LORD our peace’ and “The LORD is Peace”.
Judges 6:24 “Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it
Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.”
- Gideon asked for a sign to be certain that the LORD had called him to deliver Israel from the
hands of the Midianites. Then Gideon prepared an offering of a young goat and of unleavened
bread which the Angel of the LORD then touched with his staff and it was consumed by fire.
Only then did Gideon know he was in the Lord's presence and great fear fell upon him. But
the LORD assured Gideon with the words, "Peace be with you" and Gideon thereupon built
an altar and named the place Jehovah-Shalom.
Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
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5) Jehovah-Ra-ah
- This means “The LORD is my shepherd.”
- A shepherd is one who leads and feeds his flock to pasture.
Psalms 23:1 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Satisfies
Psalms 23:1-6 “The LORD is my shepherd; I
shall not want.
Stills
(2) He maketh me to lie down in green
pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Shepherds
(3) He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the
paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Shields
(4) Yea, though I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou
art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort
me.
Supplies
(5) Thou preparest a table before me in the
presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my
head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Secures
(6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the
house of the LORD for ever.”
6) Jehovah-Tsidkenu
- This means “The LORD our righteousness”.
- The Hebrew word “Tsidkenu” means "to be straight", or "righteous".
Jeremiah 23:6 “In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell
safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR
RIGHTEOUSNESS”.
- This is emphasised and stated three times in verses 5-6 to contrast the RIGHTEOUS
LORD with the false teachers of the day.
- The LORD will lead His People in a RIGHT WAY through Christ Jesus.
Jeremiah 23:5 “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto
David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall
execute judgment and justice in the earth.”
- This also is a prophetic passage dealing with the future restoration and salvation of
Israel. Jehovah Tsidkenu is the Name of Imputed Righteousness.
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7) Jehovah-Shammah
- This means, “The LORD is there” (His Presence).
- Shammah is the Hebrew word which is translated as "there".
- This is the mark of the Divine Presence.
Ezekiel 48:35 “It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the
name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there.”
- This is referring to the millennial city of the Great King, where THE LORD’S presence
will be in the middle of Israel. (Chapter 40-46)
- Jehovah Shammah (God is there) means that God has not abandoned Israel, but will
fulfil all His promises made with Israel.
- All of the unconditional promises which God had made to Israel in the Abrahamic covenant
(Genesis 12), the priestly covenant (Numbers 25), the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7), and
the new covenant (Jeremiah 31), will be fulfilled. So this final verse in Ezekiel and the Name
of the LORD provides the completion of Israel's history — the returned presence of God!
GOD HAS NOT FINISHED WITH HIS PEOPLE!!!
“In all these “Jehovah titles”, we see our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is
our substitute, bearing sin’s punishment; healing us from sin; making us to stand
righteous in Him before a Holy God; He gives us victory over sin; brings peace
within our hearts; is always present to guide us.” – R Sargent
3. ADONAI
a. Adonai is the Hebrew word for Lord/Master.
- The name appears over 400 times in the Old Testament.
- This name also refer to God’s Deity, signifying His power and authority.
Exodus 34:23 “Thrice in the year shall all your men children appear before
the Lord GOD, the God of Israel.”
- The name “Adoni” also relates to men (Genesis 18:12; I Peter 3:6). However, you will
notice a lower case “l” for lord to help distinguish the difference from deity and
humanity.
Genesis 18:12 “Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am
waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”
- When the name “GOD” is capitalised, it also refers to “Jehovah”.
Exodus 34:23 “Thrice in the year shall all your men children appear before
the Lord GOD, the God of Israel.”
- Adonai = Lord, GOD = Jehovah, the Elohim of Israel (All three names together)
Elohim — the One Who made me (position — Creator)
Jehovah — the One Who saved me (personality — Covenant)
Adonai — the One Who owns me (possession — Master) – R Sargent