## Article II: Of the True God

## Psalms 19:1 & 14:1

Only a fool would say that there is no God! However, one might ask "How can I know that there is a God and what kind of a being is He?" The one and only true God is a knowable and wonderful Lord that is working and doing His good pleasure in this world today. This evening we want to consider the knowledge of the only true God, the personality of the only true God, and the attributes of the only true God.

I. The Knowledge of God. (How can I know Him?)

A. God is seen in the miracle of creation.

1. "The heavens declare the Glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork." cf. Ps. 19:1

2. This material universe we live in, with its law, order, and beauty is more than a mere work of chance.

3. It is the handiwork of Almighty God Himself.

4. All of man's theories concerning the origin of the universe have a central flaw...they all begin with something!

5. What they fail to acknowledge is that this universe began with someone! God Almighty!

B. God is seen in the pages of history.

1. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." cf Ps. 33:12

2. History has witnessed the rise and fall of more than twenty distinct civilizations.

3. As long as the heart of a nation is turned upward toward God, they prosper, but when their eyes are turned by doubt, pleasure, pride, and greed, downward the decline begins and gathers with every passing decade of godlessness.

4. The same is true with individuals:

a. When Napolean Bonaparte invaded Russia, he announced to the Russian ambassador that he would destroy their empire.

b. The ambassador's reply was: "Man proposes, but God disposes!"

c. In his angered reply Napolean said, "Tell your master that I am he that proposes and I am he that disposes!"

d. This was, in effect, a challenge to God, and God answered with the tiny snowflake.

e. When Napolean hurled his attack against Moscow, God sent snow from the heavens: the official report following his retreat from the frozen plains was 213,516 French soldiers and 95,816 horses dead!

f. This was the beginning of the end for Napolean and his powerful military.

C. God is seen in the pages of the Bible.

1. This is where we will concentrate this evening to see Him.

2. We will see who He is and what He is like.

II. The Personality of God. (Who is He?)

A. He is a Spirit.

1. John 4:24, "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth."

2. This verse means that although God is very real, he is not material and is not visible to us

3. He met Moses upon the mountain and Moses asked Him to show him His glory...God told Moses "Thou canst not see my face."

4. God has a form because He said "Let us make man in our own image", but it isn't a physical form.

5. God moves in His Spirit through the world and we do not see Him, but in heaven we shall see him face to face.

B. He is a Person.

1. The Bible always represents Him as a person, as a living God.

2. Many speak of a "force" or "higher power" but in doing so they de-personalize God.

3. God is a person, not just an "it" or a "thing" or an "existence"!

4. He knows, He feels, He loves, He hears prayers, He speaks, and He acts.

C. He is a Triune God.

1. He exists in three persons:

a. God the Father

b. God the Son

c. God the Holy Spirit

2. Note: 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."

3. At the baptism of Christ we see each of these three persons:

a. God the Son, Jesus was baptized.

b. God the Holy Spirit decended like a dove.

c. God the Father spoke from heaven saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Mt. 3:16-17

III. The Attributes of God. (What is He like?)

A. God is Omnipotent (all-powerful).

1. God said, "I am the Almighty God." cf. Genesis 17:1

2. Job said, "I know that thou canst do every thing." cf. Job 42:2

3. Jeremiah said, "There is nothing too hard for thee." cf. Jer. 32:17

4. God is all powerful, we need to acknowledge His power.

B. God is Omniscient (all-knowing).

1. NOTE: Isaiah 46:9-10

2. "Great is our Lord, and of great power his understanding is infinite." cf. Ps. 147:5

3. John said, "God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things." cf. 1 Jn. 3:20

4. God knows everything about us!

C. God is Omnipresent (all-existing)

1. NOTE: Jeremiah 23:23-24

2. The psalmist asked the question: "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?"

3. The answer..."THOU ART THERE".

4. We cannot hide from God, because He is there!

D. God is Immutable (unchanging).

1. "For I am the Lord, I change not..." cf. Mal. 3:6

2. James said there was "no variableness" in Him.

3. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." cf. Hebrews 13:8

E. The Scriptures declare that God is:

1. "... For I am Holy". cf. Leviticus 11:44

2. "... The Lord is righteous". cf. 2 Chronicles 12:6

3. "... for God is love". cf. 1 John 4:8

4. "I am the truth." cf. Jn 14:6 5. "... from everlasting to everlasting thou art God." cf. Ps. 90:2

Conclusion: We have considered how that we can know that God exists, who He really is, and what He is like. But all of this means absolutely nothing if we do not know Him personally. To simply know about God is not sufficient to secure for us eternal life. Eternal life is in acceptin His son, Jesus Christ, and His redemptive work on Calvary.

Do we know Him tonight? Are we living our lives in accordance with His principles? Are we sharing our knowledge of Him with others?