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WHAT IS GOD LIKE? ATTRIBUTES OF GOD—APPROX 13 WEEKS
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (read)
This is our key scripture for all these lessons. Our purpose is to know and understand God. Too many times we decide what God is like based on our personal preferences and experiences, rather than looking at the Word. You often hear someone say…”My God doesn’t…” or, “That’s not the God I worship.” We need to be careful that the God we worship is actually the God of the Bible and not an idea we have dreamed up of what God is like. The only way we can be sure we are worshiping the one true God is to find out what the Word says about God, and then conform ourselves to Him. Any other approach takes us into a minefield and opens us up to doctrinal error. That is the path of the wide road. Jesus said narrow is the road.
We’re going to begin by talking about false doctrine. Then we will discuss the sovereignty of God, and finally get into all the attributes of God’s character as revealed in the Bible.
It will take at least 13 weeks and perhaps much longer if we take our time and allow for discussion and questions. Remember, no question is stupid, and every comment is welcome.
Let’s begin by first describing what we believe.
As Christians, we are biblical theists.
A biblical theist is one who believes in the existence and primacy of one God who is three persons, transcending and yet immanent in the universe, who has revealed himself in the bible.
Now before you zone out on all those big words, let’s examine them one at a time.
Primacy: simply means first
God has always existed.
No one existed before God.
He was not created by anyone.
Transcending: means “beyond”
God exists beyond all creation.
He is “out there”
If the universe ceased to exist, God’s existence would
Continue.
Immanent: means “here”
He is all around us. You cannot escape His presence.
Look at Romans chapter one.
All mankind began as biblical theists. Romans 1 explains how they dreamed up other alternatives (v 21). Their thinking became futile.
Can you think of some common alternatives to Christianity?
1. Atheism Ps 14:1 The fool has said in his heart, there is no God. This is perhaps the most well-known and best understood religion.
Darwin’s theory of organic evolution was the first
real viable alternative to biblical creation.
Darwin taught that all life began as a single cell which continued to evolve through the eons until the present day, resulting in all the life forms that exist on the earth.
Those first chemicals were brought together by chance and the first living organism was formed.
There was no divine guidance involved in us being on this planet.
Biblical creation stands in total contrast to organic evolution. It states that God purposefully and willfully created the earth and everything in it.
2. Agnosticism
Ps 8:3-4
This is a “who cares” attitude.
It doesn’t make any difference anyway.
If God does exist, he doesn’t care about me.
3. Deism
A deist believes God is “out there” but not “here”
In other words, he is transcendent but not immanent.
He is an impersonal, non-caring God. He set the universe in motion, and watches it wind down.
A deist does not have to deal with Jesus.
4. Pantheism
A pantheist believes God is “here” but not “out there.”
In other words, God is immanent but not transcendent.
If the universe blew up, God would die.
God is inseparable from matter.
“I don’t need to go to church, I feel spiritual when I go hiking.” (Discuss that statement)
A pantheist worships the creation, not the creator.
5. Existentialism
An existentialist will tell you that they exist, and that is all they know.
Any meaning I create for myself is temporary.
Perhaps we are all a figment of someone’s mind.
A pictorial example would be a man in a rowboat in the middle of the ocean; any direction is fine. It makes no difference which way you row.
The result of existentialism carried to its logical conclusion is depression and suicide. Ernest Hemingway and Jack London were both existentialists.
People who are intelligent, but without hope usually follow the existential route. It doesn’t necessarily end in suicide, but almost always leads to depression.
The only way out from this perspective of despair (other than Christianity) is to develop a purpose in life greater than oneself, and that is found in humanism.
6. Humanism
The goal becomes the betterment of mankind. It is a higher calling—a “star trek” mentality.
The whole focus is to glorify man and all that results in that.
A humanist is also an atheist. It just sounds better to take the label of a humanist. It doesn’t have the negative connotations of being an atheist. A humanist could just as easily be an agnostic, pantheist, etc.
Three types of humanism:
a. Hedonistic Humanism
The philosophy is to live for today.
Luke 12:19 eat, drink, be merry
b. Secular Humanism
With secular humanism the welfare of others becomes paramount. Sometimes it is the welfare of the trees, or the earth, or the whales. (never the babies)
The theme of secular humanism is, “Let’s have a better world.”
The end justifies the means.
Consequently, abortion and euthanasia are justified, because the end result is that the world will be a better place.
“Every child a wanted child” (Planned Parenthood slogan)
Values Clarification is taught—challenging children to examine the values taught to them by their parents.
For example, you have a lifeboat with a clergyman, a pregnant woman, and the town drunk. There is only enough space for two. Who do you throw overboard?
What’s wrong with this question?
(It allows no thinking outside the box, no room for God)
c. Christian Humanism
This is possibly the most dangerous type of humanism. It attempts to blend Secular Humanism with Christianity.
A Humanist asks, “How will this benefit (me) (mankind) (the earth)?”
A Christian ask, “How will this benefit God?”
A Christian Humanist asks, “How will being a Christian benefit me?” Can you see the danger of this thinking?
Christian Humanism is defined in I Timothy 6:5,
Phil 3:18, Matt 7:15 (read an discuss)
When these values creep into the church, what types of attitudes will we see displayed? (discuss)
In contrast, John 1:12 says, “to all who received Him”
(not his benefits)
Luke 15: Let’s pretend the prodigal son was a humanist.
How would his response to his father welcoming him have been different? What would his attitude have been toward the ring and the robe? According to this scripture, what was his attitude?
In the story, he looked at the father.
A true Christian looks at the father. (Phil 3:10-11) I want to know Christ…
Application:
Be aware of those who glorify the benefits of Christianity rather than the personhood of God. This is the basis of the prosperity gospel. Can you think of examples?
In witnessing, be careful to lift up the cross (I Cor 2:1-2)
Any appeal to their self-interests in becoming a Christian can result in a false conversion. There must be true repentance.
SOVEREIGNTY
Here is a definition of God’s sovereignty by A.W. Tozer:
God’s sovereignty requires him to be absolutely free to do whatever He wills to do anywhere, and at any time to carry out His eternal purpose in every single detail without interference.
In other words, God is in control.
In the middle ages, the common thought in western civilization basically agreed with this definition. It is still common in some cultures, such as Islamic countries. Our culture, however, now emphasizes individual control and actions. As a culture, we really don’t think of a higher power being involved in our circumstances.
As Christians, we have to go against the grain, and this is just one example where modern Western culture contradicts biblical teaching.
If we think seriously about God’s sovereignty, we become aware of two conflicts:
1. First, the presence in creation of those things God cannot approve of, such as evil, pain, and death.
2. Second, if God rules his universe by sovereign decree, how is it possible for man to exercise free choice? Isn’t he a puppet, whose actions are determined by God, who engineers circumstances as it pleases him?
The attempt to answer these two questions has given rise to the two great doctrines of the church, named after two famous theologians, John Calvin and Jacobus Arminius.
The Christian church has divided into two camps, about half following Calvin and the other half following Arminius.
If you side with one, you deny God’s sovereignty. If you choose the other, you deny man’s free will.
Is there a compromise?
How about this:
God sovereignly decreed that man should be free to exercise moral choice, and man from the beginning has fulfilled that decree by making his choice between good and evil.
When he chooses to do evil, he does not contradict the sovereign will of God, but fulfills it, since God did not decree which choice he should make, but only that he should be free to choose.
Example:
An ocean liner with passengers is crossing the ocean.
The ship represents God’s ultimate will. The passengers are mankind. The destination is eternity. The passengers are not in chains, their activities are not determined. Both freedom and sovereignty are present, and do not contradict each other. Certain things have been decreed by the free determination of God, and one of these is the law of choice and consequences.
You are going through life, and by God’s decree you can make choices to do good or evil. You cannot choose to get off the boat. We are all on the boat, and the destination is predetermined. We are all going to die. We cannot choose to never die. We can, however, choose life. (remember Joshua’s admonition to Israel)
There are three elements to the gospel message:
1. The announcement—the good news of redemption
2. The command—all men are commanded to repent
3. The call—all men are called to surrender to the terms of Grace by believing in Jesus as Savior.
ATTRIBUTES OF GOD
Let’s move on to the attributes of God. Remember our scripture:
Jer 9:23-24 (read)
Definition of attribute of God:
Whatever God has in any way revealed as true concerning himself.
We are limited in our knowledge of God because we are restricted to what he has chosen to tell us in the bible. Perhaps there are things about God that we won’t know until we are in heaven. For now, we can rest assured that what is revealed in scripture about God is all we need to know. We will discuss these attributes of God one at a time.
Why is it important to learn about God?
It is important we worship the true God, not a god of our own creation.
A proper understanding of what God is really like will naturally result in submission to God’s sovereignty.
Phil 1:12-19 (read)
What did Paul understand about God in this passage?
What can we learn about this from our own situation?
Isaiah 40 (look at it together)
This was written to Jews in captivity.
Isaiah was saying, “Let me tell you what God is like.”
This book of Isaiah was written to Jews who thought perhaps God had forgotten them, or did not care about them.
v. 27-28
these two verses are the theme of the chapter.
God is beyond understanding
So here we are attempting to understand him.
Is that futile?
Can an earthworm understand a human?
IMMUTABLE
This simply means God is unchanging.
God never differs from himself.
As humans, we can progress from better to worse (as we age)
Or from worse to better (in behavior)
We can also experience a change inside our bodies, such as maturation.
God has none of those changes.
He has never been less holy than he is today.
He will never be more holy than he is today.
God does not love us any less or more than he did when he created Adam and Eve.
The concept of an evolving God is not found in the bible.
Justice is a theme in the Old Testament, and Love is a theme in the New Testament, but this is not a reflection of God changing over time.
For example, Jesus said, “you say an eye for an eye, but I say love your enemy…”
At first glance, this seems to be pointing out the difference between the Old and New Testaments.
However, Jesus was criticizing the Jews’ misapplication of Mosaic law. The law as given in the Old Testament was a civil law, an action to be taken by government authority. The Jews had perverted it to become a law of personal vengeance. What does God say about vengeance? (“vengeance is mine…”)
Numbers 23:19 and I Samuel 15:29
God is not a man that he should lie or change his mind.
As humans, we are continually changing our mind. Our lives are in a continual state of flux. Even our food preferences change over time.
Malachi 3:6 and Ps 102:25-27
God remains the same.
James 1:17 God does not change like shifting shadows.
Let me clarify that one way God is unchanging is that he always responds to true repentance. II Chronicles 7:14
When God decides to not send judgment, he is remaining true to his own character.
We will never have to worry that God will get up on the wrong side of the bed and is having a bad day. His attitude toward sin has always been the same, and his love toward us remains unchanging.
Ezekiel 33:18-20 God will forgive a wicked man
Jonah 3:9-10 God may yet relent
2 Chronicles 7:14 “if my people…”
I John 1:9 “If we confess…”
All we have to do is meet the clearly stated terms and we are guaranteed a response.
How does this attribute affect me personally?
Redemption! An unchangeable contract.
God is the same in his:
a. Essence (eternal, spirit)
b. Mode of his existence (self-existent, self-sufficient)
c. Perfections (holy)
d. Principles of his administration (truth, just, morally pure)
INCOMPREHENSIBLE
We cannot understand God completely or even partially.
He is so beyond our comprehension that we cannot comprehend his creation.
Isaiah 40:18 God cannot be compared to anything.
Job 11:7-9 God’s mysteries and limits are unfathomable
Romans 11:33 His judgments are unsearchable, his paths beyond tracing out.
However, God in his mercy has made himself “touchable” by us.
I John 1:1
I Cor 2:10 god has revealed himself to us by the Spirit
Ps 34:8 “taste and see that the Lord is good”
Even though we can’t understand God, he encourages us to experience him.
Of course Jesus was the ultimate act by God to make himself touchable. Remember he said “If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the father.”
Not only is God incomprehensible, so is his creation.
The more we learn in science, the more we realize we don’t know.
Regarding his creation; take a look on youtube at a video called “power of ten”
Think of the universe—
A light year is the distance light travels in one year. It takes 8 minutes for light to reach us from the sun.
The nearest star is 4 ½ light years away.
It is approximately 150 light years across the milky way galaxy.
Our galaxy has approx. 150 billion stars.
There are approx. 150 billion observable galaxies.
We can see 14.5 billion light years with radio telescopes
SELF-EXISTENT
God has no origin. All other things had a beginning. All things were created. God has always been.
Isa 40:13 God does not need anyone’s advice
Ps 50:12 If I were hungry I would not tell you
As God, he has no external needs. It is not correct to say God needs anything. (example: He needs our praise)
He desires us to acknowledge his authority, but has no need of it.
John 5:26 The father has life in himself.
(Our life comes from God)
Implication: if the universe ceased to exist, God would still be here. Pantheism says the opposite.
Science is attempting to discover how the universe began. That in itself is an acknowledgement that it was created by someone who had no origin. The very existence of our universe is proof that it was created. Secular scientists try to get around that by saying perhaps it has always existed.
String theory says that the universe sprang into existence out of energy strings. It sounds very much like biblical creation to me, when God spoke the universe into being.
God exists outside of all our categories of time, space, motion, and matter. He is the I AM.
Implication: We are created in God’s image. We also can say “I am.”
So we have billions of I ams running around the earth. Few acknowledge the great I AM.
It is only through the gospel message that man is brought before the face of God.
Acts chapter 2: after Peter’s sermon, they asked, “What shall we do?” This is the cry of every man and woman who realizes they sit on a stolen throne.
When we are born again, a new principle takes the place of the old. The I am is replaced by an attitude of glorifying God. “I am” becomes “You are.”
God does not need our help.
His plan will be accomplished.
He uses us as we yield to his will.
We should never do anything for God to “help him out.”
What is the correct motive for Godly deeds?
Be careful how you encourage someone thinking about becoming a Christian. Which is more appropriate:
Give him your heart (or) Accept his free gift?
One approach emphasizes our position before God, the other glorifies the gift.
SPIRIT
(discuss these scriptures)
John 4:24 God is Spirit
Col 1:15 Christ is the image of the invisible God
Hebrews 1:3 Christ is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.
I Timothy 1:17 now to the king eternal, immortal, invisible…
Question:
John 1:18 says that no man can see God and live.
Yet, several places in scripture men did see God.
Gen 32:30, Ex 24:10, Ezek 1, Isaiah 6, Ex 33:19
Answer:
All physical expressions of God other than Jesus are referring to manifestations of his “essential glory.”
When we say we have seen the sun, we have really only seen its radiance.
What about where God has expressed himself physically?
(sitting on a throne; hand over Moses; covered with feathers Ps 91:4)
Illustration: a burn patient with only a sense of smell remaining.
You would do whatever possible to communicate to that person through means he could understand.
Answer: God so longs for a personal relationship with us that even though He is not physical, if it will help me appreciate him, he will gladly make concessions to accommodate me.
What concessions did God make?
Remember Flatland? What would a flatlander see if you put your finger into their world?
When Jesus was on the earth, where was the best place to see God the Father? (If you have seen me, you have seen the Father)
Where is the best place to see God now?
Can you think of places in the bible where God stepped into our world?
Paul’s conversion
God showing Moses his backside
Appearing to Joshua
Angels-- appearing to Gideon, Mary, Zechariah
Other?
ETERNAL
Isaiah 57:15 He lives forever
40:28 He is not bound by time
Diagram: time as a yardstick—God is looking down at any point He chooses.
Ps 90:1-6 a contrast of God’s endlessness compared to man’s temporal state.
II Peter 3:8 We are time conscious; God is sequence conscious.
Esther: ...”for such a time as this…”
John 8:56-58 Before Abraham was, I AM.
God is timeless both ways, we are timeless in one direction only.
Question: Does God move through time with us, or is everything “now” to Him?
Eph 4:30 do not grieve the Holy Spirit
This implies He can be grieved by us doing something. If He
exists outside of time, wouldn’t He be either grieved or
pleased all the time?
Gen 22:12 “Now I know…” implies that He did not know before.
Any explanations?
Answer: everything is “now” to God, yet at the same time He has chosen to move through time with us.
Imagine traveling through the Columbia Gorge with a friend from out of state. As you round each corner, you are enjoying your friend’s emotions, even though you have been there many times before.
Implications:
1. We need to appreciate the relative value of time. One day in our life may be the fulfillment of 90% of the reason God put us here. (remember Esther)
2. A correct eternal perspective will help us understand suffering. II Cor 4:17-18
3. A healthy perspective on this life is possible as a Christian. We have a definite advantage over others. We can relish the thought of never dying! John 11:25-26
PERSON
Isaiah 40:11
God cares for us
Isaiah 44:8 and 45:5
He sees himself as a person (“I will”)
Throughout the bible, God expresses:
1. Will (Genesis 1)
2. Emotions (Ephesians 4:30) do not grieve the Holy Spirit
3. Mind (Philippians 2:7) active decision making; intellect
Revelation 21
As a person, God will:
1. v 3 dwell among us
2. v 4 wipe away our tears
3. v 7 declares “He will be my son”
4. v 23 & 24 reveal his face to me
John 10:3
God calls his sheep by name
We have problems remembering names, but God knows each one of us individually.
One million can say “Lord?” at the same time and he responds to
each
OMNIPRESENT
God is everywhere.
Isaiah 40: 12, 15,22 God is both here in this room and out there in space.
He is both immanent and transcendent.
Jeremiah 23:24 there is no spot where God is not.
If you go to the farthest galaxy and ask, “are you there?” he will say, “of course.”
Acts 17:28
He is the God in whom we live and move and have our being.
I Kings 8:27 He not only fills the universe, but it cannot contain him. He exists outside the universe.
Ps 139 “you were there”
How does this fact of his omnipresence affect me?
It is a source of strength in sorrow. We are never alone. A child still has pain when held by its mother; but somehow it just helps things feel better.
OMNISCIENT
(all knowing)
God is very smart. He possesses perfect knowledge and has no need to learn. He has never learned, and cannot learn.
If God could learn, that would mean knowledge existed which he did not know about, and then he would not be perfect.
Isaiah 40:13-14, and verse 28b
Hebrews 4:13 everything is uncovered
Romans 11:33 His paths are beyond tracing out
Jeremiah 17:9-10 there is nothing God does not know
(knowledge and wisdom are inseparable)
God knows instantly and effortlessly every mind, spirit, and creature.
He knows the number of hairs on every animal.
He know the location of every insect on earth, and what that insect is doing.
He knows the shape of every speck of dust.
He knows the number of electrons in every atom.
He knows every law, all causes, all feelings, all desires. He is never surprised.
He knows himself perfectly.
How does this apply to me?
1. I can be totally honest with God (He knows it all anyway)
2. God will never discover a skeleton in my closet which will change his attitude about me. (this is not true with people)
God’s wisdom: The ability to determine perfect ends and achieve those ends by perfect means.
Matthew 11:21-24 and Isaiah 48:18
God knows not only what will happen, but what might have been.
All God’s activities are done in perfect wisdom. A better way does not exist.
Question: How can we call trials and sin in the world “perfect” means?
Answer: As we respond to trials, we are perfected (James 1)
If we have no trials, that is great also!
When all things are brought back under God’s authority (and we know they will from I Corinthians 15:28) no one will ever again question that authority.
We are living in a little blip of eternity, known as the time of Satan’s rebellion, man’s sin, and the plan of salvation being implemented.
Once we are in heaven, all things will again be under God’s authority and there will be no rebellion.
What are the implications of knowing this definition of God’s wisdom? Romans 8:28 I can rest in his purpose for my life.
Romans 8:26-27 we are guaranteed to have God’s will, because the Holy Spirit prays for us.
To believe in God’s omniscience means you have the confidence that someday you’ll have the answer to your heartache today.
Think of past hurts and circumstances in your own life.
Our response to circumstances depends on where we are looking.
If we look to God, he is glorified.
If we look at the sin, we become angry.
If we focus on the suffering, we become sorrowful.
OMNIPOTENT
God is very strong.
Isaiah 40:10, 23-26
When we think of power, we tend to think in terms of measurable strength, such as horsepower, or some other unit of exertion.
With God, this is not correct.
Gen 1:3 God merely spoke the universe into existence.
No exertion was required.
Hebrews 1:3 --he upholds all things by the word of his power.
Luke 7:7 “say the word…” and my son will be healed
Job 26:7-
These are some of the minor things. Who can withstand his thunder?
Definition: By the mere exercise of his will he is able to produce whatever he wills.
This attribute is always taken in context with his other attributes.
For example, can God lie? Why not?
Can God create a square circle?
Can he make a rock bigger than he can lift?
He will not violate any of his other attributes.
Remember the issue is not power, but will.
Christ on the cross could have called a legion (12,000) of angels.
He chose not to.
Question: Why doesn’t God get everything he desires?
I Timothy 2:3-4 he wills for all to be saved
Ezekiel 33:11 he takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked
(so why allow the wicked to die?)
Answer: God’s power honors human choice.
He has decided to limit his power to what you decide to do with your life!
What are the implications to this?
1. To live in God’s will is to live in his power
Eph 1:19 his power toward those who believe
3:16 power of the Holy Spirit
3:20 he is able to give us that power
2. This attribute of power makes him capable of manifesting all his other attributes
3. God is unapproachable unless we have the confidence that he loves us
Luke 8:43-48 the woman was afraid….
Revelation 1:5 “to him to loves us”
HOLY
What do you think holy means?
The Hebrew meaning is “to cut” as with a knife
God “separates” us from sin
There are three aspects of God’s holiness:
1. Loftiness
2. Purity
3. Splendor
As Christians, we can claim:
1. We are not of this world (John 17:14)
Our citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3:20)
2. God’s life has been born into us (I John 3:9, Heb 10:14)
3. We are children of God (I John 3:1-3)
Previous to becoming a Christian, our basic focus was on ourselves.
When happens when you are born again?
I Peter 4:2 we live for the will of God
Our interests and identity change.
As a Christian, what is your motive for doing the right thing?
a. Someone might see
b. God punishes sin
c. My love for Jesus
d. I am primarily a spiritual person and want to pursue God
Where do we get the power to live a life of righteousness?
(Romans…”who has delivered me…?”
As a Christian, we must not compromise our identity.
Don’t hop around on the ground like a rabbit if you are a bird.
Remember the scripture about the vine and the branches.
If you are on the vine (Jesus) don’t be looking across the orchard at a blackberry vine and wish you could produce blackberries.
JUST
Genesis 18:22-25 Will not the God of all the earth do right?
Throughout scripture, the concept of “moral equity” pervades.
When we apply justice or righteousness to God we are simply describing the way he is.
It is incorrect to say…”Justice requires God do such and such”
The truth is, there is no external force that can compel God to do anything. God, in being himself, is just.
We measure all goodness in the universe to the degree that it conforms to the nature of God.
Isaiah 40:14 No one has taught God the right way. God is just.
Definition of Just: God perfectly conforms to his own moral law.
What is God’s moral law? (Romans 6:23)
Sin is punishable by death.
Because of his holiness, he is totally separated from anything contrary to his moral law.
This appears to destroy hope for sinners.
Remember that none of God’s attributes are in conflict with any of his other attributes.
So how does God reconcile his holiness with his justice?
What hope is there for sinners?
Romans 3:24 God maintains his justice by Jesus’ death.
Two types of justice:
1. Rewarding justice I John 1:9
To not forgive would be not conforming to his moral law.
(Remember also that his attribute of not changing means he always responds to repentance)
The implication here is that we don’t need to beg God for forgiveness. He must conform to his own character, and must forgive. All we need to do is ask!
Romans 8:1-2 (there is no condemnation)
2. Punishing justice
Romans 2:5-6 a response to non-repentant sin
Hebrews 12:10-22 God disciplines his children
LOVE
Isaiah 40:11 he tends his flock like a shepherd; he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he jently leads those that have young
John 3:16 God so loved the world….
I John 4:7-10 love comes from God
This is love…that he loved us and sent his son
Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another
Definition of love: God is totally moved by his very nature to give himself to us.
Three types of love: (Give me an example of each as we discuss these:)
1. Agape- the willful, determined action of giving oneself.
The focus is on the action.
2. Phileo- a natural response to a delightful object
The focus is on the object
3. Eros- fleshly attraction
The focus is on oneself
Eros does not appear in the bible.
John 13:34 agape love commanded
I John 3:16-18 agape love defined
Three ingredients for agape love:
1. The person doing the loving must have self-worth
2. It requires an aggressive act of the will
3. The giving must be received by the recipient
Let’s look at a practical example:
In marriage, the initial attraction is phileo. However, it must have agape to endure past the honeymoon. There must be a commitment to give of yourself, and it must be received by your spouse.
Our opinion of our self must be high enough to see that we are needed by our spouse. If we don’t feel needed, we have low self esteem.
The extreme example of agape love would be if one spouse gets Alzheimer’s.
Here is another example:
Suffering for Christ. Phil 3:8 “…I have suffered the loss of all things…”
Paul placed himself in the position of receiving from God.
There are some implications here about us being a Christian:
1. Gaining Christ is infinitely better than holding onto anything.
2. When we fail to surrender to God, it is because we cannot comprehend the resources of an infinite God
Review a diagram:
God, represented by a triangle, is looking down at us through a lens of love and grace at the cross. Underneath it all is sinful man.
God’s justice says that sin must be punished.
His holiness requires that he is forever separated for sin.
The cross represents his infinite wisdom.
Jesus bridged the gap.
This whole concept of salvation seems like a pipe dream to a non-believer, unless they are being drawn by the Holy Spirit.
The real important question here, however, is, “Have I responded to what God has put in motion? Have I followed the admonition of I John 1:9 and similar scriptures?
FAITHFUL-TRUTHFUL
Remember that all of God’s attributes are in harmony with each other. Everything he does is consistent with every attribute. He is not torn between justice and mercy. He is not chewing his fingernails.
We must not magnify love above justice, or goodness above holiness. God’s mercy is present in his holiness.
His judgments are love, because they bring the wicked to repentance.
Lamentations 3:22-24 Great is thy faithfulness
Background: spoken by Jeremiah after his world had collapsed. Jerusalem had fallen to Babylon. The temple had been destroyed.
What did Jeremiah mean to say that God is faithful?
He was standing on the Word; not reality as evidenced by the five senses.
How does this apply to me?
I need to be in a position in my life where I can stand on the Word of God regardless of the circumstances. I need to have eyes of faith. This can only be done by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is not humanly possible.
MERCIFUL
Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good…
What is the first thing you plan to do when you enter heaven?
I think the most common answer is that we will thank God for sending Jesus to die for us.
What right do we have to be in heaven? None. We were part of the rebellion.
Yet God, through his tender attribute of mercy will bring you into heaven and give you a new name.
Definition of mercy:
An infinite and inexhaustible energy within the divine nature which disposes God to be actively compassionate.
There is a common perception that the Old Testament is about justice and judgment, while the New Testament is about mercy and grace.
Actually, the Old Testament talks about God’s mercy four times more than the New Testament.
If mercy increased in the New Testament, then God would not be true to his attribute of being unchanging.
The New Testament does have a fuller development of the theme of redemption.
It is not as if God decided to act in mercy after Jesus came to earth.
Mercy is a permanent, unchanging attribute. If he is getting more merciful, (an evolving God) then he can get less merciful, and there could be a time when he kicks us out of heaven.
Nothing that has occurred or that will ever occur will change the mercifulness of God.
Just as God’s justice confronts moral inequity, so his mercy responds to human suffering.
God expects us to exercise mercy:
I Samuel 15:22 obedience is better than sacrifice
Micah 6:6-8 act justly, love mercy, walk humbly
Matt 5:7 blessed are the merciful
Matt 23:23 justice, mercy, forgiveness
James 3:17 full of mercy
The key work here is obedience.
It is the difference between a professing Christian and a practicing Christian.
GRACIOUS
There is a difference between mercy and grace.
Do you know the difference?
Mercy is God responding to human suffering.
Grace is God’s goodness to those in distress who deserve his wrath.
What do we deserve? (death)
What does God’s grace do?
It imputes merit and declares no debt.
Grace is also called “undeserved favor.”
The concept of grace rules out all human merit. It only requires faith in Christ. There is nothing I can do.
Not only that, but God must draw us to himself. (John 6:44)
Definition of Grace:
Grace is the good pleasure of God that inclines him to bestow benefits upon the undeserving.
We benefit eternally by God’s grace. Because he is gracious, he takes us out of prison, gives us royal robes, and we eat at his table forever.
The channel through which God’s grace flows is Jesus.
Grace, like, Mercy, existed in the Old Testament even before the law. Remember God never changes.
Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
No one has ever come to God except by grace through Jesus. Remember what Jesus said? “No one comes to the Father except by me.”
In the Old Testament, they were looking forward to the cross, and after the resurrection we are looking back at the cross.
The cross is the focal point of God’s grace toward man.
Grace is always sufficient to meet our need. Where sin abounded…grace did much more abound.
If we feel God won’t forgive us, then we have an incomplete picture of God’s grace.
Let’s look at what Romans says about grace vs law:
Romans 3:20 Through the law we become conscious of sin
Romans 4:15 Where there is no law there is no transgression
Romans 5:13 sin is not taken into account where there is no law (before Moses)
Romans 6:14 You are not under law, but grace
Romans 7:8 Apart from the law, sin is dead
Romans 8:1-2 there is no condemnation to those in Christ; I am set free from the law of sin and death
Romans 10:4 Christ is the end of the law
Romans 13:10 Love is the fulfillment of the law
Also: Galations 3:22-25 The law was put into effect until Christ came.
WHAT IS GOD LIKE? ATTRIBUTES OF GOD—APPROX 13 WEEKS
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (read)
This is our key scripture for all these lessons. Our purpose is to know and understand God. Too many times we decide what God is like based on our personal preferences and experiences, rather than looking at the Word. You often hear someone say…”My God doesn’t…” or, “That’s not the God I worship.” We need to be careful that the God we worship is actually the God of the Bible and not an idea we have dreamed up of what God is like. The only way we can be sure we are worshiping the one true God is to find out what the Word says about God, and then conform ourselves to Him. Any other approach takes us into a minefield and opens us up to doctrinal error. That is the path of the wide road. Jesus said narrow is the road.
We’re going to begin by talking about false doctrine. Then we will discuss the sovereignty of God, and finally get into all the attributes of God’s character as revealed in the Bible.
It will take at least 13 weeks and perhaps much longer if we take our time and allow for discussion and questions. Remember, no question is stupid, and every comment is welcome.
Let’s begin by first describing what we believe.
As Christians, we are biblical theists.
A biblical theist is one who believes in the existence and primacy of one God who is three persons, transcending and yet immanent in the universe, who has revealed himself in the bible.
Now before you zone out on all those big words, let’s examine them one at a time.
Primacy: simply means first
God has always existed.
No one existed before God.
He was not created by anyone.
Transcending: means “beyond”
God exists beyond all creation.
He is “out there”
If the universe ceased to exist, God’s existence would
Continue.
Immanent: means “here”
He is all around us. You cannot escape His presence.
Look at Romans chapter one.
All mankind began as biblical theists. Romans 1 explains how they dreamed up other alternatives (v 21). Their thinking became futile.
Can you think of some common alternatives to Christianity?
1. Atheism Ps 14:1 The fool has said in his heart, there is no God. This is perhaps the most well-known and best understood religion.
Darwin’s theory of organic evolution was the first
real viable alternative to biblical creation.
Darwin taught that all life began as a single cell which continued to evolve through the eons until the present day, resulting in all the life forms that exist on the earth.
Those first chemicals were brought together by chance and the first living organism was formed.
There was no divine guidance involved in us being on this planet.
Biblical creation stands in total contrast to organic evolution. It states that God purposefully and willfully created the earth and everything in it.
2. Agnosticism
Ps 8:3-4
This is a “who cares” attitude.
It doesn’t make any difference anyway.
If God does exist, he doesn’t care about me.
3. Deism
A deist believes God is “out there” but not “here”
In other words, he is transcendent but not immanent.
He is an impersonal, non-caring God. He set the universe in motion, and watches it wind down.
A deist does not have to deal with Jesus.
4. Pantheism
A pantheist believes God is “here” but not “out there.”
In other words, God is immanent but not transcendent.
If the universe blew up, God would die.
God is inseparable from matter.
“I don’t need to go to church, I feel spiritual when I go hiking.” (Discuss that statement)
A pantheist worships the creation, not the creator.
5. Existentialism
An existentialist will tell you that they exist, and that is all they know.
Any meaning I create for myself is temporary.
Perhaps we are all a figment of someone’s mind.
A pictorial example would be a man in a rowboat in the middle of the ocean; any direction is fine. It makes no difference which way you row.
The result of existentialism carried to its logical conclusion is depression and suicide. Ernest Hemingway and Jack London were both existentialists.
People who are intelligent, but without hope usually follow the existential route. It doesn’t necessarily end in suicide, but almost always leads to depression.
The only way out from this perspective of despair (other than Christianity) is to develop a purpose in life greater than oneself, and that is found in humanism.
6. Humanism
The goal becomes the betterment of mankind. It is a higher calling—a “star trek” mentality.
The whole focus is to glorify man and all that results in that.
A humanist is also an atheist. It just sounds better to take the label of a humanist. It doesn’t have the negative connotations of being an atheist. A humanist could just as easily be an agnostic, pantheist, etc.
Three types of humanism:
a. Hedonistic Humanism
The philosophy is to live for today.
Luke 12:19 eat, drink, be merry
b. Secular Humanism
With secular humanism the welfare of others becomes paramount. Sometimes it is the welfare of the trees, or the earth, or the whales. (never the babies)
The theme of secular humanism is, “Let’s have a better world.”
The end justifies the means.
Consequently, abortion and euthanasia are justified, because the end result is that the world will be a better place.
“Every child a wanted child” (Planned Parenthood slogan)
Values Clarification is taught—challenging children to examine the values taught to them by their parents.
For example, you have a lifeboat with a clergyman, a pregnant woman, and the town drunk. There is only enough space for two. Who do you throw overboard?
What’s wrong with this question?
(It allows no thinking outside the box, no room for God)
c. Christian Humanism
This is possibly the most dangerous type of humanism. It attempts to blend Secular Humanism with Christianity.
A Humanist asks, “How will this benefit (me) (mankind) (the earth)?”
A Christian ask, “How will this benefit God?”
A Christian Humanist asks, “How will being a Christian benefit me?” Can you see the danger of this thinking?
Christian Humanism is defined in I Timothy 6:5,
Phil 3:18, Matt 7:15 (read an discuss)
When these values creep into the church, what types of attitudes will we see displayed? (discuss)
In contrast, John 1:12 says, “to all who received Him”
(not his benefits)
Luke 15: Let’s pretend the prodigal son was a humanist.
How would his response to his father welcoming him have been different? What would his attitude have been toward the ring and the robe? According to this scripture, what was his attitude?
In the story, he looked at the father.
A true Christian looks at the father. (Phil 3:10-11) I want to know Christ…
Application:
Be aware of those who glorify the benefits of Christianity rather than the personhood of God. This is the basis of the prosperity gospel. Can you think of examples?
In witnessing, be careful to lift up the cross (I Cor 2:1-2)
Any appeal to their self-interests in becoming a Christian can result in a false conversion. There must be true repentance.
SOVEREIGNTY
Here is a definition of God’s sovereignty by A.W. Tozer:
God’s sovereignty requires him to be absolutely free to do whatever He wills to do anywhere, and at any time to carry out His eternal purpose in every single detail without interference.
In other words, God is in control.
In the middle ages, the common thought in western civilization basically agreed with this definition. It is still common in some cultures, such as Islamic countries. Our culture, however, now emphasizes individual control and actions. As a culture, we really don’t think of a higher power being involved in our circumstances.
As Christians, we have to go against the grain, and this is just one example where modern Western culture contradicts biblical teaching.
If we think seriously about God’s sovereignty, we become aware of two conflicts:
1. First, the presence in creation of those things God cannot approve of, such as evil, pain, and death.
2. Second, if God rules his universe by sovereign decree, how is it possible for man to exercise free choice? Isn’t he a puppet, whose actions are determined by God, who engineers circumstances as it pleases him?
The attempt to answer these two questions has given rise to the two great doctrines of the church, named after two famous theologians, John Calvin and Jacobus Arminius.
The Christian church has divided into two camps, about half following Calvin and the other half following Arminius.
If you side with one, you deny God’s sovereignty. If you choose the other, you deny man’s free will.
Is there a compromise?
How about this:
God sovereignly decreed that man should be free to exercise moral choice, and man from the beginning has fulfilled that decree by making his choice between good and evil.
When he chooses to do evil, he does not contradict the sovereign will of God, but fulfills it, since God did not decree which choice he should make, but only that he should be free to choose.
Example:
An ocean liner with passengers is crossing the ocean.
The ship represents God’s ultimate will. The passengers are mankind. The destination is eternity. The passengers are not in chains, their activities are not determined. Both freedom and sovereignty are present, and do not contradict each other. Certain things have been decreed by the free determination of God, and one of these is the law of choice and consequences.
You are going through life, and by God’s decree you can make choices to do good or evil. You cannot choose to get off the boat. We are all on the boat, and the destination is predetermined. We are all going to die. We cannot choose to never die. We can, however, choose life. (remember Joshua’s admonition to Israel)
There are three elements to the gospel message:
1. The announcement—the good news of redemption
2. The command—all men are commanded to repent
3. The call—all men are called to surrender to the terms of Grace by believing in Jesus as Savior.
ATTRIBUTES OF GOD
Let’s move on to the attributes of God. Remember our scripture:
Jer 9:23-24 (read)
Definition of attribute of God:
Whatever God has in any way revealed as true concerning himself.
We are limited in our knowledge of God because we are restricted to what he has chosen to tell us in the bible. Perhaps there are things about God that we won’t know until we are in heaven. For now, we can rest assured that what is revealed in scripture about God is all we need to know. We will discuss these attributes of God one at a time.
Why is it important to learn about God?
It is important we worship the true God, not a god of our own creation.
A proper understanding of what God is really like will naturally result in submission to God’s sovereignty.
Phil 1:12-19 (read)
What did Paul understand about God in this passage?
What can we learn about this from our own situation?
Isaiah 40 (look at it together)
This was written to Jews in captivity.
Isaiah was saying, “Let me tell you what God is like.”
This book of Isaiah was written to Jews who thought perhaps God had forgotten them, or did not care about them.
v. 27-28
these two verses are the theme of the chapter.
God is beyond understanding
So here we are attempting to understand him.
Is that futile?
Can an earthworm understand a human?
IMMUTABLE
This simply means God is unchanging.
God never differs from himself.
As humans, we can progress from better to worse (as we age)
Or from worse to better (in behavior)
We can also experience a change inside our bodies, such as maturation.
God has none of those changes.
He has never been less holy than he is today.
He will never be more holy than he is today.
God does not love us any less or more than he did when he created Adam and Eve.
The concept of an evolving God is not found in the bible.
Justice is a theme in the Old Testament, and Love is a theme in the New Testament, but this is not a reflection of God changing over time.
For example, Jesus said, “you say an eye for an eye, but I say love your enemy…”
At first glance, this seems to be pointing out the difference between the Old and New Testaments.
However, Jesus was criticizing the Jews’ misapplication of Mosaic law. The law as given in the Old Testament was a civil law, an action to be taken by government authority. The Jews had perverted it to become a law of personal vengeance. What does God say about vengeance? (“vengeance is mine…”)
Numbers 23:19 and I Samuel 15:29
God is not a man that he should lie or change his mind.
As humans, we are continually changing our mind. Our lives are in a continual state of flux. Even our food preferences change over time.
Malachi 3:6 and Ps 102:25-27
God remains the same.
James 1:17 God does not change like shifting shadows.
Let me clarify that one way God is unchanging is that he always responds to true repentance. II Chronicles 7:14
When God decides to not send judgment, he is remaining true to his own character.
We will never have to worry that God will get up on the wrong side of the bed and is having a bad day. His attitude toward sin has always been the same, and his love toward us remains unchanging.
Ezekiel 33:18-20 God will forgive a wicked man
Jonah 3:9-10 God may yet relent
2 Chronicles 7:14 “if my people…”
I John 1:9 “If we confess…”
All we have to do is meet the clearly stated terms and we are guaranteed a response.
How does this attribute affect me personally?
Redemption! An unchangeable contract.
God is the same in his:
a. Essence (eternal, spirit)
b. Mode of his existence (self-existent, self-sufficient)
c. Perfections (holy)
d. Principles of his administration (truth, just, morally pure)
INCOMPREHENSIBLE
We cannot understand God completely or even partially.
He is so beyond our comprehension that we cannot comprehend his creation.
Isaiah 40:18 God cannot be compared to anything.
Job 11:7-9 God’s mysteries and limits are unfathomable
Romans 11:33 His judgments are unsearchable, his paths beyond tracing out.
However, God in his mercy has made himself “touchable” by us.
I John 1:1
I Cor 2:10 god has revealed himself to us by the Spirit
Ps 34:8 “taste and see that the Lord is good”
Even though we can’t understand God, he encourages us to experience him.
Of course Jesus was the ultimate act by God to make himself touchable. Remember he said “If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the father.”
Not only is God incomprehensible, so is his creation.
The more we learn in science, the more we realize we don’t know.
Regarding his creation; take a look on youtube at a video called “power of ten”
Think of the universe—
A light year is the distance light travels in one year. It takes 8 minutes for light to reach us from the sun.
The nearest star is 4 ½ light years away.
It is approximately 150 light years across the milky way galaxy.
Our galaxy has approx. 150 billion stars.
There are approx. 150 billion observable galaxies.
We can see 14.5 billion light years with radio telescopes
SELF-EXISTENT
God has no origin. All other things had a beginning. All things were created. God has always been.
Isa 40:13 God does not need anyone’s advice
Ps 50:12 If I were hungry I would not tell you
As God, he has no external needs. It is not correct to say God needs anything. (example: He needs our praise)
He desires us to acknowledge his authority, but has no need of it.
John 5:26 The father has life in himself.
(Our life comes from God)
Implication: if the universe ceased to exist, God would still be here. Pantheism says the opposite.
Science is attempting to discover how the universe began. That in itself is an acknowledgement that it was created by someone who had no origin. The very existence of our universe is proof that it was created. Secular scientists try to get around that by saying perhaps it has always existed.
String theory says that the universe sprang into existence out of energy strings. It sounds very much like biblical creation to me, when God spoke the universe into being.
God exists outside of all our categories of time, space, motion, and matter. He is the I AM.
Implication: We are created in God’s image. We also can say “I am.”
So we have billions of I ams running around the earth. Few acknowledge the great I AM.
It is only through the gospel message that man is brought before the face of God.
Acts chapter 2: after Peter’s sermon, they asked, “What shall we do?” This is the cry of every man and woman who realizes they sit on a stolen throne.
When we are born again, a new principle takes the place of the old. The I am is replaced by an attitude of glorifying God. “I am” becomes “You are.”
God does not need our help.
His plan will be accomplished.
He uses us as we yield to his will.
We should never do anything for God to “help him out.”
What is the correct motive for Godly deeds?
Be careful how you encourage someone thinking about becoming a Christian. Which is more appropriate:
Give him your heart (or) Accept his free gift?
One approach emphasizes our position before God, the other glorifies the gift.
SPIRIT
(discuss these scriptures)
John 4:24 God is Spirit
Col 1:15 Christ is the image of the invisible God
Hebrews 1:3 Christ is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.
I Timothy 1:17 now to the king eternal, immortal, invisible…
Question:
John 1:18 says that no man can see God and live.
Yet, several places in scripture men did see God.
Gen 32:30, Ex 24:10, Ezek 1, Isaiah 6, Ex 33:19
Answer:
All physical expressions of God other than Jesus are referring to manifestations of his “essential glory.”
When we say we have seen the sun, we have really only seen its radiance.
What about where God has expressed himself physically?
(sitting on a throne; hand over Moses; covered with feathers Ps 91:4)
Illustration: a burn patient with only a sense of smell remaining.
You would do whatever possible to communicate to that person through means he could understand.
Answer: God so longs for a personal relationship with us that even though He is not physical, if it will help me appreciate him, he will gladly make concessions to accommodate me.
What concessions did God make?
Remember Flatland? What would a flatlander see if you put your finger into their world?
When Jesus was on the earth, where was the best place to see God the Father? (If you have seen me, you have seen the Father)
Where is the best place to see God now?
Can you think of places in the bible where God stepped into our world?
Paul’s conversion
God showing Moses his backside
Appearing to Joshua
Angels-- appearing to Gideon, Mary, Zechariah
Other?
ETERNAL
Isaiah 57:15 He lives forever
40:28 He is not bound by time
Diagram: time as a yardstick—God is looking down at any point He chooses.
Ps 90:1-6 a contrast of God’s endlessness compared to man’s temporal state.
II Peter 3:8 We are time conscious; God is sequence conscious.
Esther: ...”for such a time as this…”
John 8:56-58 Before Abraham was, I AM.
God is timeless both ways, we are timeless in one direction only.
Question: Does God move through time with us, or is everything “now” to Him?
Eph 4:30 do not grieve the Holy Spirit
This implies He can be grieved by us doing something. If He
exists outside of time, wouldn’t He be either grieved or
pleased all the time?
Gen 22:12 “Now I know…” implies that He did not know before.
Any explanations?
Answer: everything is “now” to God, yet at the same time He has chosen to move through time with us.
Imagine traveling through the Columbia Gorge with a friend from out of state. As you round each corner, you are enjoying your friend’s emotions, even though you have been there many times before.
Implications:
1. We need to appreciate the relative value of time. One day in our life may be the fulfillment of 90% of the reason God put us here. (remember Esther)
2. A correct eternal perspective will help us understand suffering. II Cor 4:17-18
3. A healthy perspective on this life is possible as a Christian. We have a definite advantage over others. We can relish the thought of never dying! John 11:25-26
PERSON
Isaiah 40:11
God cares for us
Isaiah 44:8 and 45:5
He sees himself as a person (“I will”)
Throughout the bible, God expresses:
1. Will (Genesis 1)
2. Emotions (Ephesians 4:30) do not grieve the Holy Spirit
3. Mind (Philippians 2:7) active decision making; intellect
Revelation 21
As a person, God will:
1. v 3 dwell among us
2. v 4 wipe away our tears
3. v 7 declares “He will be my son”
4. v 23 & 24 reveal his face to me
John 10:3
God calls his sheep by name
We have problems remembering names, but God knows each one of us individually.
One million can say “Lord?” at the same time and he responds to
each
OMNIPRESENT
God is everywhere.
Isaiah 40: 12, 15,22 God is both here in this room and out there in space.
He is both immanent and transcendent.
Jeremiah 23:24 there is no spot where God is not.
If you go to the farthest galaxy and ask, “are you there?” he will say, “of course.”
Acts 17:28
He is the God in whom we live and move and have our being.
I Kings 8:27 He not only fills the universe, but it cannot contain him. He exists outside the universe.
Ps 139 “you were there”
How does this fact of his omnipresence affect me?
It is a source of strength in sorrow. We are never alone. A child still has pain when held by its mother; but somehow it just helps things feel better.
OMNISCIENT
(all knowing)
God is very smart. He possesses perfect knowledge and has no need to learn. He has never learned, and cannot learn.
If God could learn, that would mean knowledge existed which he did not know about, and then he would not be perfect.
Isaiah 40:13-14, and verse 28b
Hebrews 4:13 everything is uncovered
Romans 11:33 His paths are beyond tracing out
Jeremiah 17:9-10 there is nothing God does not know
(knowledge and wisdom are inseparable)
God knows instantly and effortlessly every mind, spirit, and creature.
He knows the number of hairs on every animal.
He know the location of every insect on earth, and what that insect is doing.
He knows the shape of every speck of dust.
He knows the number of electrons in every atom.
He knows every law, all causes, all feelings, all desires. He is never surprised.
He knows himself perfectly.
How does this apply to me?
1. I can be totally honest with God (He knows it all anyway)
2. God will never discover a skeleton in my closet which will change his attitude about me. (this is not true with people)
God’s wisdom: The ability to determine perfect ends and achieve those ends by perfect means.
Matthew 11:21-24 and Isaiah 48:18
God knows not only what will happen, but what might have been.
All God’s activities are done in perfect wisdom. A better way does not exist.
Question: How can we call trials and sin in the world “perfect” means?
Answer: As we respond to trials, we are perfected (James 1)
If we have no trials, that is great also!
When all things are brought back under God’s authority (and we know they will from I Corinthians 15:28) no one will ever again question that authority.
We are living in a little blip of eternity, known as the time of Satan’s rebellion, man’s sin, and the plan of salvation being implemented.
Once we are in heaven, all things will again be under God’s authority and there will be no rebellion.
What are the implications of knowing this definition of God’s wisdom? Romans 8:28 I can rest in his purpose for my life.
Romans 8:26-27 we are guaranteed to have God’s will, because the Holy Spirit prays for us.
To believe in God’s omniscience means you have the confidence that someday you’ll have the answer to your heartache today.
Think of past hurts and circumstances in your own life.
Our response to circumstances depends on where we are looking.
If we look to God, he is glorified.
If we look at the sin, we become angry.
If we focus on the suffering, we become sorrowful.
OMNIPOTENT
God is very strong.
Isaiah 40:10, 23-26
When we think of power, we tend to think in terms of measurable strength, such as horsepower, or some other unit of exertion.
With God, this is not correct.
Gen 1:3 God merely spoke the universe into existence.
No exertion was required.
Hebrews 1:3 --he upholds all things by the word of his power.
Luke 7:7 “say the word…” and my son will be healed
Job 26:7-
These are some of the minor things. Who can withstand his thunder?
Definition: By the mere exercise of his will he is able to produce whatever he wills.
This attribute is always taken in context with his other attributes.
For example, can God lie? Why not?
Can God create a square circle?
Can he make a rock bigger than he can lift?
He will not violate any of his other attributes.
Remember the issue is not power, but will.
Christ on the cross could have called a legion (12,000) of angels.
He chose not to.
Question: Why doesn’t God get everything he desires?
I Timothy 2:3-4 he wills for all to be saved
Ezekiel 33:11 he takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked
(so why allow the wicked to die?)
Answer: God’s power honors human choice.
He has decided to limit his power to what you decide to do with your life!
What are the implications to this?
1. To live in God’s will is to live in his power
Eph 1:19 his power toward those who believe
3:16 power of the Holy Spirit
3:20 he is able to give us that power
2. This attribute of power makes him capable of manifesting all his other attributes
3. God is unapproachable unless we have the confidence that he loves us
Luke 8:43-48 the woman was afraid….
Revelation 1:5 “to him to loves us”
HOLY
What do you think holy means?
The Hebrew meaning is “to cut” as with a knife
God “separates” us from sin
There are three aspects of God’s holiness:
1. Loftiness
2. Purity
3. Splendor
As Christians, we can claim:
1. We are not of this world (John 17:14)
Our citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3:20)
2. God’s life has been born into us (I John 3:9, Heb 10:14)
3. We are children of God (I John 3:1-3)
Previous to becoming a Christian, our basic focus was on ourselves.
When happens when you are born again?
I Peter 4:2 we live for the will of God
Our interests and identity change.
As a Christian, what is your motive for doing the right thing?
a. Someone might see
b. God punishes sin
c. My love for Jesus
d. I am primarily a spiritual person and want to pursue God
Where do we get the power to live a life of righteousness?
(Romans…”who has delivered me…?”
As a Christian, we must not compromise our identity.
Don’t hop around on the ground like a rabbit if you are a bird.
Remember the scripture about the vine and the branches.
If you are on the vine (Jesus) don’t be looking across the orchard at a blackberry vine and wish you could produce blackberries.
JUST
Genesis 18:22-25 Will not the God of all the earth do right?
Throughout scripture, the concept of “moral equity” pervades.
When we apply justice or righteousness to God we are simply describing the way he is.
It is incorrect to say…”Justice requires God do such and such”
The truth is, there is no external force that can compel God to do anything. God, in being himself, is just.
We measure all goodness in the universe to the degree that it conforms to the nature of God.
Isaiah 40:14 No one has taught God the right way. God is just.
Definition of Just: God perfectly conforms to his own moral law.
What is God’s moral law? (Romans 6:23)
Sin is punishable by death.
Because of his holiness, he is totally separated from anything contrary to his moral law.
This appears to destroy hope for sinners.
Remember that none of God’s attributes are in conflict with any of his other attributes.
So how does God reconcile his holiness with his justice?
What hope is there for sinners?
Romans 3:24 God maintains his justice by Jesus’ death.
Two types of justice:
1. Rewarding justice I John 1:9
To not forgive would be not conforming to his moral law.
(Remember also that his attribute of not changing means he always responds to repentance)
The implication here is that we don’t need to beg God for forgiveness. He must conform to his own character, and must forgive. All we need to do is ask!
Romans 8:1-2 (there is no condemnation)
2. Punishing justice
Romans 2:5-6 a response to non-repentant sin
Hebrews 12:10-22 God disciplines his children
LOVE
Isaiah 40:11 he tends his flock like a shepherd; he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he jently leads those that have young
John 3:16 God so loved the world….
I John 4:7-10 love comes from God
This is love…that he loved us and sent his son
Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another
Definition of love: God is totally moved by his very nature to give himself to us.
Three types of love: (Give me an example of each as we discuss these:)
1. Agape- the willful, determined action of giving oneself.
The focus is on the action.
2. Phileo- a natural response to a delightful object
The focus is on the object
3. Eros- fleshly attraction
The focus is on oneself
Eros does not appear in the bible.
John 13:34 agape love commanded
I John 3:16-18 agape love defined
Three ingredients for agape love:
1. The person doing the loving must have self-worth
2. It requires an aggressive act of the will
3. The giving must be received by the recipient
Let’s look at a practical example:
In marriage, the initial attraction is phileo. However, it must have agape to endure past the honeymoon. There must be a commitment to give of yourself, and it must be received by your spouse.
Our opinion of our self must be high enough to see that we are needed by our spouse. If we don’t feel needed, we have low self esteem.
The extreme example of agape love would be if one spouse gets Alzheimer’s.
Here is another example:
Suffering for Christ. Phil 3:8 “…I have suffered the loss of all things…”
Paul placed himself in the position of receiving from God.
There are some implications here about us being a Christian:
1. Gaining Christ is infinitely better than holding onto anything.
2. When we fail to surrender to God, it is because we cannot comprehend the resources of an infinite God
Review a diagram:
God, represented by a triangle, is looking down at us through a lens of love and grace at the cross. Underneath it all is sinful man.
God’s justice says that sin must be punished.
His holiness requires that he is forever separated for sin.
The cross represents his infinite wisdom.
Jesus bridged the gap.
This whole concept of salvation seems like a pipe dream to a non-believer, unless they are being drawn by the Holy Spirit.
The real important question here, however, is, “Have I responded to what God has put in motion? Have I followed the admonition of I John 1:9 and similar scriptures?
FAITHFUL-TRUTHFUL
Remember that all of God’s attributes are in harmony with each other. Everything he does is consistent with every attribute. He is not torn between justice and mercy. He is not chewing his fingernails.
We must not magnify love above justice, or goodness above holiness. God’s mercy is present in his holiness.
His judgments are love, because they bring the wicked to repentance.
Lamentations 3:22-24 Great is thy faithfulness
Background: spoken by Jeremiah after his world had collapsed. Jerusalem had fallen to Babylon. The temple had been destroyed.
What did Jeremiah mean to say that God is faithful?
He was standing on the Word; not reality as evidenced by the five senses.
How does this apply to me?
I need to be in a position in my life where I can stand on the Word of God regardless of the circumstances. I need to have eyes of faith. This can only be done by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is not humanly possible.
MERCIFUL
Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good…
What is the first thing you plan to do when you enter heaven?
I think the most common answer is that we will thank God for sending Jesus to die for us.
What right do we have to be in heaven? None. We were part of the rebellion.
Yet God, through his tender attribute of mercy will bring you into heaven and give you a new name.
Definition of mercy:
An infinite and inexhaustible energy within the divine nature which disposes God to be actively compassionate.
There is a common perception that the Old Testament is about justice and judgment, while the New Testament is about mercy and grace.
Actually, the Old Testament talks about God’s mercy four times more than the New Testament.
If mercy increased in the New Testament, then God would not be true to his attribute of being unchanging.
The New Testament does have a fuller development of the theme of redemption.
It is not as if God decided to act in mercy after Jesus came to earth.
Mercy is a permanent, unchanging attribute. If he is getting more merciful, (an evolving God) then he can get less merciful, and there could be a time when he kicks us out of heaven.
Nothing that has occurred or that will ever occur will change the mercifulness of God.
Just as God’s justice confronts moral inequity, so his mercy responds to human suffering.
God expects us to exercise mercy:
I Samuel 15:22 obedience is better than sacrifice
Micah 6:6-8 act justly, love mercy, walk humbly
Matt 5:7 blessed are the merciful
Matt 23:23 justice, mercy, forgiveness
James 3:17 full of mercy
The key work here is obedience.
It is the difference between a professing Christian and a practicing Christian.
GRACIOUS
There is a difference between mercy and grace.
Do you know the difference?
Mercy is God responding to human suffering.
Grace is God’s goodness to those in distress who deserve his wrath.
What do we deserve? (death)
What does God’s grace do?
It imputes merit and declares no debt.
Grace is also called “undeserved favor.”
The concept of grace rules out all human merit. It only requires faith in Christ. There is nothing I can do.
Not only that, but God must draw us to himself. (John 6:44)
Definition of Grace:
Grace is the good pleasure of God that inclines him to bestow benefits upon the undeserving.
We benefit eternally by God’s grace. Because he is gracious, he takes us out of prison, gives us royal robes, and we eat at his table forever.
The channel through which God’s grace flows is Jesus.
Grace, like, Mercy, existed in the Old Testament even before the law. Remember God never changes.
Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
No one has ever come to God except by grace through Jesus. Remember what Jesus said? “No one comes to the Father except by me.”
In the Old Testament, they were looking forward to the cross, and after the resurrection we are looking back at the cross.
The cross is the focal point of God’s grace toward man.
Grace is always sufficient to meet our need. Where sin abounded…grace did much more abound.
If we feel God won’t forgive us, then we have an incomplete picture of God’s grace.
Let’s look at what Romans says about grace vs law:
Romans 3:20 Through the law we become conscious of sin
Romans 4:15 Where there is no law there is no transgression
Romans 5:13 sin is not taken into account where there is no law (before Moses)
Romans 6:14 You are not under law, but grace
Romans 7:8 Apart from the law, sin is dead
Romans 8:1-2 there is no condemnation to those in Christ; I am set free from the law of sin and death
Romans 10:4 Christ is the end of the law
Romans 13:10 Love is the fulfillment of the law
Also: Galations 3:22-25 The law was put into effect until Christ came.
