Knowing God
Barry Lovett
23 Thus says the Lord : Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth; 24 but let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord ; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NRSV)
22 Then Paul stood before the meeting of the Areopagus and said, “People of Athens, I can see you are very religious in all things. 23 As I was going through your city, I saw the objects you worship. I found an altar that had these words written on it: to a god who is not known . You worship a god that you don’t know, and this is the God I am telling you about! 24 The God who made the whole world and everything in it is the Lord of the land and the sky. He does not live in temples built by human hands. Acts 17:22-24 (NCV)
Many of our spiritual, ethical, doctrinal and even emotional and physical problems are a result of a misconception of God.
Theology = The study of God
Obviously the word “God” means different things to different people.
One of the ways God is known to us is through His attributes… “A quality or characteristic belonging to a person or a thing”
GOD IS OMNIPOTENT:
“Both riches and honor come from thee, and thou rulest over all. In thy hand are power and might…” I Chronicles 29:12
“with God all things are possible” Matthew 19:26
What does that mean for us today… HE CAN DO IT!
We’ve got to stop explaining away the miraculous intervention of God. He’s still working miracles today.
GOD IS OMNIPRESENT:
There is no point nearer to God than any other point.
· Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there 9 If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. Psalm 139:7-10
· “The eyes of the Lord are in every place keeping watch o the evil and the Good.” Psalms 15:3
· “Can any hide himself in t secret places that I shall not see him?” saith the Lord. Jeremiah 24:23
You cannot escape the presence of an omni-present God.
GOD IS OMNISCIENT.
· Lord , you have examined me and know all about me.2 You know when I sit down and when I get up. You know my thoughts before I think them.3 You know where I go and where I lie down. You know thoroughly everything I do. 4 Lord , even before I say a word, you already know it.5 You are all around me—in front and in back—and have put your hand on me. Your knowledge is amazing to me;it is more than I can understand. Psalm 139:1-6 (NCV)
· great is our lord, and of great power, his understanding is infinate” Ps 14:5
God is omniscient means – He knows it.
God doesn’t just have knowledge of actuality, He knows all possibilities.
GOD IS IMMUTABLE.
· For I am the Lord, I change not. Malachi 3:6
· Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8
“All that God is, He has always been; and all that he has been He will ever be.”
He can do it. He knows it. He is here, and He never changes. How does this apply to our lives.
KNOWING THAT GOD CAN DO IT… encourages me to trust God.
KNOWING THAT GOD IS HERE… gives me courage, security and comfort.
Knowing God is here also helps me fight temptation.
KNOWING THAT GOD KNOWS IT… gives me confidence.
Knowing that God knows it also helps me to relax.
KNOWING THAT GOD NEVER CHANGES… encourages me to pray.
Knowing that God never changes means I don’t have to play “He loves me, He loves me not” with God.
“The people who know their God shall be strong and shall do great exploits.” Daniel 11:32.