What the Bible Teaches – About God
If someone said to you, “Describe life,” how would you describe it? It is hard to describe something to essential yet so intangible as “life.” Other things that may be equally hard to define are: eternity, the universe, light, love.
Yet these vast concepts can all be defined with one word – God! He is life. He is eternal. He is larger than the galaxy. He is light. And He is love. Despite His transcendence, the Bible reveals us several concrete truths several important truths about God:
I. God Exists. (Genesis 1:1)
A. His existence is assumed. “In the beginning GOD…”
The opening verse of the Bible does not seek to build a case for the existence of God; it simple begins by stating, “In the beginning God…” This is quite interesting when you consider all the doubt and skepticism about the existence of God.
If you assume for a minute that there is a God, then it would make perfect sense that He would not spent alot of time trying to prove His existence. It would be like saying to someone, “Prove you exist.” The person might say, “What do you mean, prove I exist; if you can’t see that I exist then no proofs are going to convince you.”
Proof for God is all around us, and as a result He does not need to build some big case for His existence. He just works, creates, and is. That is proof enough.
B. He has always existed. “In the BEGINNING God…”
God has always been there. Before there was anything – there was God. Before time and space – God was there. Psalm 90:2 tells us, “Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”
C. We must believe that He is. (Hebrews 11:6)
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. Belief in the existence of God is the first step to pleasing Him. Faith in a Creator should be most natural when you consider the creation. Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
A person has to work very, very hard to convince themselves beyond all doubt there absolutely is no God. Psalm 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.
Our world denies God’s existence thinking it is so wise, but it has become a foolish. 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: 21 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…
D. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. (Proverbs 1:7)
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
When writing words of wisdom and instruction to his son, Solomon begins by saying right up front – the very first step, the ABCs, the beginning of all knowledge and all wisdom (Prov 9:10) is the “fear of the Lord.”
Only a fool begins with the premise there is no God. At best, we should say I don’t know or I don’t think; but to say I absolutely know there is no God is the most foolishly thing you can say.
E. Everything else apart from the living God is vanity. (Acts 14:15)
Acts 14:15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
On their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas come to the town of Lystra and heal a lame man. The people react immediately by trying to worshipping, thinking they are gods come down to them as men. Paul responds by basically saying, “Guys stop this; we are just men like you. We are here to tell you that you can turn from these “vanities” (empty, fruitless ideas) and to turn in faith to the living God.”
There is a God who is not a dead God, a false god, a God made with hands, a God who is just a man; there is a living God who as we will see in the next point created all things.
If you don’t believe in God, then what do you believe in? nothing? yourself? some other god? other other idea? Everything else but the true and living God is an empty, fruitless thing.
II. God Created All Things. (Genesis 1:1)
A. Created everything and left Himself a witness. (Acts 14:15-18)
Acts 14:15–18 15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: 16 Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. 18 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
The living God of the Bible is the Creator God. He made heaven, earth, the sea, and everything in them (v.15). All through the years He allows nations to walk in their own ways and gives them a measure of freedom (v.16). He has not, however, “left…himself without witness” because He does good, gives rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, and fills hearts with food and gladness (v.16-17). All of these things that God does for men on the earth, He does so men will know who He is and turn to Him.
B. Created heaven and earth in six days. (Genesis 1:1-25)
- 1st day – light (v.3-5)
- 2nd day – sky & sea (v.6-8)
- 3rd day – dry land, grass, trees, plant (v.9-13)
- 4th day – sun, moon, stars (v.14-19)
- 5th day – fish and birds (v.20-23)
- 6th day – land animals (v.24-25)
C. Created man unique. (Genesis 1:26-2:25)
God created man in His image and likeness and gave him dominion over the earth. Then God blessed man, ended his work, gave man a purpose, gave man a free will, and created man to need other men and women.
It might seem hard to believe that there is a God who created everything. But consider the alternatives;
- The universe and everything in it has always been here.
- The universe created itself.
III. GOD IS TRIUNE. (Genesis 1:1,2,26)
In Genesis 1:1, we see the eternal God creating, and then in Genesis 1:2, we see the Spirit of God moving on the waters. In Genes 1:26, God says, let “us” make man in “our” image. So we get the impression that somehow there is more than one person with God.
A. Not more than one True God. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)
Deuteronomy 6:4–5 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: 5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. In contrast to all nations around Israel who worshipped many God, the Lord is one God.
B. One God existing as three co-equal, co-eternal persons – Father, Son, and Spirit. (John 1:1-3) – All have Divine named, attributes, and works.
John 1:1–3 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
- v.1 The Word was: 1) there in the beginning, 2) with God, 3) was God.
- v.2 The Same was there in the beginning with God.
- v.3 The Word – made all things and nothing else was made without Him.
The trinity is not something that you will every fully grasp, but it is something the Bible teaches and is yet another mystery about who God is.
It is very important to know and believe this aspect of God to fully grasp the message and meaning of Bible.
IV. GOD IS THE LIGHT OF MEN.
A. God’s life is the light of men (John 1:4-5)
John 1:4–5 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
- v.4 The Word of God has life in Himself. John 5:26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
- v.4 This life is the light of men. The life of God is what givens men light.
B. Man’s sin cuts Him off from God. (Romans 5:12, 8:22)
- Without God we are cut off from life and light (v.5 “in darkness”).
- Man was originally created to know and walk with God – God gave Him purpose, joy, life, and light.
- Man sinned and was cut off from God – in darkness (separated, dying).
- Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
- Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
C. God’s light shines into the darkness of man’s sin through the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 1:6-14).
- v.5 God’s light found in God the Word shown in the darkness.
- It penetrated the darkness of sin.
- It bridged the gap of separation.
- v.5 The darkness could not comprehend (lay hold, grasp, overcome, win) against the light – light aways wins.
How did this come about?
- v.6 God sent a man – John.
- v.7 His job was to tell about the Light so all men would believe.
- v.8 He was not the Light only the witness.
- v.9 Tell men about true Light that lights every man who comes into world.
- v.10 He was in the world – the creator of the world – yet it knew Him not.
- v.11 He came unto His own – but His own received Him not.
- v.12 Anyone who does receive Him will be come the son of God.
- v.13 Will be born into God’s family by God’s power.
- v.14 All through the Word becoming flesh.
V. GOD IS FULLY REVEALED IN JESUS (John 1:14-18)
John 1:14–18 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. 15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 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.
- v.14 God took on flesh! The Word of God revealed God to us in the greatest way.
- v.14 The Word lived among men – men saw His glory (transfiguration).
- v.14 This glory was that of the only begotten of the Father – full of grace and truth.
- v.15 John said – this one Jesus is the one I have been telling you to prepare for.
- v.15 He is preferred before me and was before me.
- v.16 Of His fullness we have received – such grace!
- v.17 Moses gave the law (commandments – that show how sinful we are); Jesus Christ brought grace and truth (both truthfulness and goodness/forgiveness).
- v.18 No man has seen God at any time, but the Son, who was in the boss of the father declares Him.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US:
1) You are not God.
- There is a God and we are not Him.
- So often we live our lives like we are in charge, we can do whatever we want, but that is simply not true.
2) You were created for a purpose.
- God made you. He put you here on this earth for a reason.
- “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.” – Augustine
3) You need a Saviour.
- Your sin separates you.
- You are in darkness and can’t find real light and life without Him.
4) Jesus, the eternal Son and Word of God is the only Saviour.
- There is no way to save yourself by law-keeping.
- No other One qualified and able.
- Receive Jesus and believe on Jesus.
5) Don’t take His grace lightly.
- The eternal Creator God made you and loved you enough to come to you, to pay for your sin even when you walked away from Him.
- He has been gracious and good and kind to you.
- Don’t treat His grace lightly
- Don’t throw it away.
- Receive it. Believe it. Live it. Love it.
- Enjoy it. Share it. Use it.
1 Corinthians 15:10 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.