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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation

Revelation of God How do most people view God? “Who (or what) is God?”

The Bible does not seek to prove the existence of God; it simply affirms His existence by declaring, "In the beginning God..." <Gen. 1:1>. God, the creator and sustainer of the universe has provided humankind with a revelation of Himself.

It is God alone defines Himself. He establishes truth. It is He alone who determines the plan for their salvation.

Although the full revelation of God was present in Jesus Christ, scripture does not record all the actions and teachings of Jesus nor a full explanation and understanding of God..

Joh 21:25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

The limitations of the human mind prevent a full understanding of God.

Our finite minds can only arrive at a partial understanding of the divine nature and attributes of God who transcends our highest thoughts.

If man cannot fully understand himself or know his neighbor, how can he possibly comprehend Him whose ways are past finding out.

Rom 11:33-35 NKJV Oh, 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 HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD? OR WHO HAS BECOME HIS COUNSELOR?" 35 "OR WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM AND IT SHALL BE REPAID TO HIM?"

Job 15:8 NKJV Have you heard the counsel of God? Do you limit wisdom to yourself?

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation Job 36:22 NKJV "Behold, God is exalted by His power;

Who teaches like Him?

Isa 40:13 NKJV Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has taught Him?

Jer 23:18 NKJV For who has stood in the counsel of the LORD, And has perceived and heard His word? Who has marked His word and heard it?

1Co 2:16 NKJV For "WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD THAT HE MAY INSTRUCT HIM?" But we have the mind of Christ.

We try to imagine what God is like by comparing and associating Him with what we can see, sense and understand.

To think and speak of His attributes or perfections, as though He were composed of parts, is only an evidence of the limitation of the mind to fully grasp all God is in Himself:

God and all His glorious attributes are one.

Joh 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Through a glass darklyThe believer's understanding of God continues to increase as he spiritually matures in Christ.

It will finally be complete in eternity when he stands in the presence of God. 1 Cor 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but

then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (KJV)

God has revealed Himself to mankind through:

The natural, physical world, God has revealed Himself through the physical universe By observing the universe, one can find positive indications of God's existence.

Creation reveals the results of a universal mind that devised and executed an intricate unified master plan.

Psa 19:1-4 NKJV To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation shows His handiwork. 2 Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,

Rom 1:19-20 NKJV 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, His written word - the Bible

The Bible.

Joh_17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

Although we cannot fully understand God, we still can know Him through a personal relationship of faith and through a study of what the Bible teaches about His nature.

We’re not simply concerned about what it says, but about what it means and what it means to us.

Always ask three questions as you pour over the Scripture:

— What does it say? [WHAT?]

— What does it mean? [SO WHAT?]

— What does it mean to us? [NOW WHAT?]

The greatest revelation of God comes through Jesus Christ the Lord,

Joh 14:9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?

Joh 14:11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

Col 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven

and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight — 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Col 2:6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all

principality and power.

As you study Jesus words, actions and attitudes, ask yourself what do they reveal about God ?

Knowing the God you Worship

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation Our first goal is to learn more about God — more of His qualities and attributes and ways, to know Him better, to draw nearer Him, and to become more deeply acquainted with Him as our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.

Divine RevelationHow do you communicate to an aborigine a TV set or a 747 jet?

Describe the color blue to a man who has never been able to see.

Any explanation will be inherently incomplete.

So even when we’re dealing solely with physical properties, we find our understanding limited by the boundaries of reality itself.

When we talk of the Godhead we’re dealing with something “one step beyond”.

God can only be known by revelation — not by reason alone.

Divine revelation is a matter of God’s sovereign freedom.

We are only able to know and understand what and as much as He reveals to us about Himself.

The First and the Last

Isa 41:4 NKJV Who has performed and done it, Calling the generations from the beginning? 'I, the LORD, am the first; And with the last I am He.' "

Isa 44:6 NKJV "Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: 'I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.

Isa 48:12 NKJV "Listen to Me, O Jacob, And Israel, My called: I am He, I am the First, I am also the Last.

Rev 1:11 NKJV saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation Rev 1:17 NKJV And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.

But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.

Rev 22:1 NKJV And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Rev 2:8 NKJV "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, 'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:

The Sh’ma: Deuteronomy 6:4-5

4 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.

Quoted by our Lord in Matthew 22:37-38: 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy

God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

Also emphasized by God Himself in Exodus 20:3, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." (Cf. Verse 5.)

Isaiah 45:5-6 5 I [am] the Lord, and [there is] none else, [there is] no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: 6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that [there is] none beside me. I [am] the Lord, and [there is] none else.

The One, The Only…

There is no absurdity involved when it is contended that plurality can (and does) coexist with unity. [Adam + Eve = “One Flesh.”]

Half of the father’s DNA merges with half of the mother,s DNA to form the whole new DNA chain of the child. The 2 become one.

God is unique, singular, one, and very jealous of that position.

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation Hebrew words for “one”:

yahidh = “unique”

‘ehadh = does not preclude distinguishable entities

The Sh’ma, Deuteronomy 6:4-5, uses ‘ehadh.

Within the linguistic structure, the fact that unity, or “oneness” is expressed as 'ehadh does not exclude having plurality within it.

i.e., Gen 2:24, Adam and Eve are said to be one flesh.

The One, The Only…Plurality

El = singular, a general designation for a god

Adding the suffix “-im” changes the singular into a plural word

Elohim = plural (as in cherib vs cherubim, seraoh vs seraphim, et al.).

Adonai uses plural voweling also.

In Genesis 1:1, Elohim [God] is a plural noun but is used with a singular verb bara.

Paul, in the Greek, uses this grammatical solecism, 1Ths 3:11Every place where Elohim is written in the Bible it is a grammatical error -- the plural noun doesn’t agree with the singular verb.to which it is attached.

It is a subtle clue of “more than one within the one.”

In many cases it is carried through to our English translation.

Gen 1:26 Let us make man in our own image...

Gen 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:

Gen 11:7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation This plurality cannot be associating God with the angels. Angels had no part with God in the creation.

References to

“Angel of YHWH”: Gen 18:2, 17; 28:22 with 19:1; Josh 5:13-15 with 6:32; Judg 13:8-21; Zech 13:7.

“Spirit of the Lord”: Gen 1:2; Isa 40:13; 48:16,17; 59:19; 63:10f.

Psalm 2: Trialogue among the three... Distinction between YHWH and His Messiah (v.2); Son, King (v.6).

Psalm 22: Christ, “My God...” (v.1; v.15).

This coupling of the plural noun with singular verb actions taken by the noun is not an error. It is a revealing of the nature of God which is beyond the limits of the created universe we use as a reference point in our understanding and attempts at explanation,

The Three as OneThree primary names (Elohim, YHWH, Adonai) are each ascribed to each of the three persons we identify in the Triune God.

• Father — obvious.

• Son: El, Isaiah 9:6; YHWH, Psalm 68:18; Isaiah 6:1-3; 45:21

• Spirit: YHWH, Isaiah 11:2 (“Spirit of YHWH”);

Cf. Judges 15:14; Elohim, Exodus 31:3

In Isaiah 6 we have the famous vision of the throne of God, the scene in the “holy place of the holy ones” celebrated by the seraphim who veiled their faces before them: “Holy, Holy, Holy.”

Notice there are three declarations of Holy.

Is this a declaration of the absolute unique Holiness of God [italics, bold, caps] or is it ascribing Holy to each member of the Godhead or both?

This is repeated in Revelation 4:8.

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation In Isaiah 6:8 we see another hint of the plural: “Who shall go for us?”

Isa 6:8-10 NKJV Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." 9 And He said, "Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' 10 "Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed."

Notice that John attributes this passage to Christ (John 12:41), and Paul attributes it to the Holy Spirit (Acts 28:25).

Joh 12:36-41 NKJV While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them. 37 But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM OF THE LORD BEEN REVEALED?" 39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: 40 "HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES AND HARDENED THEIR HEARTS, LEST THEY SHOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, LEST THEY SHOULD UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEARTS AND TURN, SO THAT I SHOULD HEAL THEM." 41 These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.

Act 28:25-26 NKJV So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 26 saying, 'GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY: "HEARING YOU WILL HEAR, AND SHALL NOT UNDERSTAND; AND SEEING YOU WILL SEE, AND NOT PERCEIVE;

Thus, all three persons are included.

Jacob’s Blessing:

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation Genesis 48:15-16 15 And he blessed Joseph, and said, God,

before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, 16 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.

The “God before whom my fathers did walk,” plus “The God who fed me,” plus “the Angel who redeemed me,” = three persons.

All are mentioned as objects of divine worship and the source of blessing:

God the Father (the Leader and Teacher), God the source of illumination and comfort, and the Goel, the Redeemer.

Also: 2 Sam 23:2,3; Isa 48:16,17; Isa 63:7-10; Ps 29:3-5.

OT Benediction: Numbers 6:24-2724 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:

The benevolent “love of God,” the father of mercies and fountain of all good;

25 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The redeeming and reconciling “grace of our Lord Jesus Christ”;

26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

The purity, consolation, and joy, received by “the communion of the Holy Spirit.”

[From J. Pye Smith’s Person of Christ, q.Chafer,Vol 1, page 299.]

2 Cor 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.

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation One God but in Three Persons. Plurality does indeed exist in Unity.

The Trinity While there are definite distinctions between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit appearing throughout; the unified Trinity is also assumed throughout.

Attributes of GodAll attributes are ascribed to each of the three.

• Holiness

Father: Revelation 15:4 Son: Acts 3:14 Spirit: (everywhere: “Holy Spirit”)

Thus, “Holy, Holy, Holy” Isaiah 6:3• Eternal Existence

Father: Psalm 90:2 Son: Alpha and Omega, First and Last, etc.; Rev 1:8, 17;

John 1:2; Micah 5:2; cf. Zech 12:10 (Hebrew); Gen 1:1, et al. [Also Isa 41:4.]

Spirit: Hebrews 9:14.• Infinite Power

Father: 1 Peter 1:5 Son: 2 Corinthians 12:9 Spirit: Romans 15:19

• Omniscience

Father: Jeremiah 17:10 Son: Revelation 2:23 Spirit: 1 Corinthians 2:11

• Omnipresence

Father: Jeremiah 23:24Son: Matthew 18:20 Spirit: Psalm 139:7

• Truth

Father: John 7:28

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation Son: Revelation 3:7Spirit: 1 John 5:6

• Benevolence

Father: Romans 2:4 Son: Ephesians 5:25 Spirit: Nehemiah 9:20

• Disposition for Communion

Father: 1 John 1:3 Son: 1 John 1:3 Spirit: 2 Corinthians 13:14

There is no intimation that any one person of the Godhead sustains these attributes in respect to the other two persons; or that they are held in partnership;

Each is predicated of each as though no others existed;

The peculiar relationship of One in Three, and Three in One, is upheld apart from those usual interdependent sharing which characterize human combinations and manifestations.

"The fact that each person possesses all the divine characteristics and so completely that it would seem that no other need to

possess them, speaks of the distinction between the Persons as such. On the other hand, the fact that they all manifest these characteristics in identically the same ways and to the same

measure, speaks of the unity from which their mode of existence springs." — Chafer, Vol 1, p. 305.

Worship of God1) By angels: Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8

2) By saints: John 16:23,24; Ephesians 6:18

3) The Benedictions: Numbers 6:24-26; 2 Corinthians 13:14

Other New Testament ReferencesThe entire Gospel of John...

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”;

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation 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”;

John 14:16-26; John 15:26; John 16:5ff; also Titus 3:4ff. The entire Gospel of John...

Other Common Attributions1 Thess 1:2-5; 2 Thess 2:13ff; 1 Cor 12:4ff; 2 Cor 13:14; Eph 2:18; Eph 3:2ff; Eph 4:4ff; Eph 5:18ff; 2 Tim 1:3, 13ff. Also: Heb 2:3ff; 6:4ff; 10:29ff; 1 Pet 1:2; 2:3ff; 4:13ff; 1 Jn 5:4; Jude 20ff; Rev 1:4ff.

The Bible teaches:

• the invisible Father, from whom all revelations proceeds;

• the Son, who mediates and objectively incarnates that revelation as an historical revelation;

• the Holy Spirit, who is divinely outpoured and subjectively applies that revelation to man.

Knowing the one true God Should Be Our Priority in LifeYour Name, O Lord, Endures Forever

Psa 135:1 Praise the LORD! Praise the name of the LORD; Praise Him, O you servants of the LORD! 2 You who stand in the house of the LORD, In the courts of

the house of our God, 3 Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; Sing praises to His

name, for it is pleasant. 4 For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His

special treasure. 5 For I know that the LORD is great, And our Lord is above all

gods. 6 Whatever the LORD pleases He does, In heaven and in

earth, In the seas and in all deep places. 7 He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth;

He makes lightning for the rain; He brings the wind out of His treasuries.

8 He destroyed the firstborn of Egypt, Both of man and beast. 9 He sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, O Egypt,

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation Upon Pharaoh and all his servants.

10 He defeated many nations And slew mighty kings — 11 Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, And all the

kingdoms of Canaan — 12 And gave their land as a heritage, A heritage to Israel His

people. 13 Your name, O LORD, endures forever, Your fame, O

LORD, throughout all generations. 14 For the LORD will judge His people, And He will have

compassion on His servants. 15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, The work of

men's hands. 16 They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have,

but they do not see; 17 They have ears, but they do not hear; Nor is there any

breath in their mouths. 18 Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who

trusts in them. 19 Bless the LORD, O house of Israel! Bless the LORD, O

house of Aaron! 20 Bless the LORD, O house of Levi! You who fear the

LORD, bless the LORD! 21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, Who dwells in

Jerusalem! Praise the LORD!

What does verse 5 say about God? What does verse 17 say about false gods (idols)? What does verse 18 say about those who make or worship

false gods (idols)?

We will inevitably conform to our gods. We are made in the image of God, and when we worship an inferior version — an idol, whatever it is — we become like whatever we worship.

An idol is the thing or person that comes first in our lives, and we will either be deformed by our idols or transformed by the true God who made us.”

What false gods dominate our age? How is our society becoming like the gods it

worships?

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation If we aren’t careful, we become ‘trained’ Christians, people who have learned to do the things people expect outwardly. But we may be God-starved inwardly.

This happened to the Christians in Ephesus, who, despite their outstanding Christian character, drifted from their first love

(Revelation 2:4) Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

Do you feel that has ever happened to you?

Philippians 3:10 … that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

The Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly].

How closely does this verse reflect the quality of your own relationship with God?

Knowing God Is the Basis of Our DignityJeremiah 9:23-24. 23 Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise

man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; 24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD.

Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met? How does it feel to have a highly-admired person as

your friend?The Bible tells us we shouldn’t brag or base our self-esteem on our wisdom or education, or on our physical conditioning or financial wellbeing.

We are to glory in Someone we’ve met,

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation in Someone we know, in Someone we love.

We should freely boast in the Lord.”

Luk 10:20  Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. 

Can you recall a time when you truly “boasted” in knowing God?

Knowing God Is the Secret of Our Maturity1Jn 2:12-14 NKJV I write to you, little children, Because your

sins are forgiven you for His name's sake.

13 I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one.

I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father.

14 I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.

I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.

John speaks of three stages of growth in knowing God.

Some are little children; some are young men; some are adults — they are fathers.

What distinguishes each group? How do you feel about going to the next level?

Knowing God Is the Source of Our AuthorityDan 11:32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall

corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation The old King James Version of this verse:

‘But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.’

According to Daniel, there is a great sense of energy and strength wrapped up in knowing God. Those who do exploits for the kingdom are those who walk intimately with the King.

Do you feel a sense of energy from your spiritual life? What kind of “exploits” might we be doing if our

relationship with Him were stronger?

Knowing God Is the Reason for Our Humility1Pe 5:5-7 NKJV Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves

to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

When we speak of the sovereignty of God, we’re referring to His absolute control over everything from the tides of history to the details of our days.

The Most High rules over heaven and earth, over the large and the small.

What is the connection between our humility before God and our trust in God?

Think of someone you respect whom you’ve gotten to know better.

Has your deepening friendship resulted in a greater level of trust? How has that shown itself in your friendship? How does this apply to our walk with God?

Knowing God Is the Key to Our SerenityDan 4:34 And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my

eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is from generation to generation.

God is in charge! He is in control.

When you know your God, you can put your head on the pillow at night and go to sleep, no matter what’s going on.

You have a sense of serenity that says — ‘I’m not in charge, the enemy is not in charge, the world is not in charge – God is in charge….

It doesn’t all depend on me. I have a God in heaven and I can trust in His sovereignty, His holiness, His justice, His omnipotence, His omniscience.

I can cast my cares on Him.’”

Do you have that kind of serenity? Why would a better understanding of the sovereignty

of God enhance our serenity? How can we better grasp the endless expanse of

God’s sovereignty?We meet God through Jesus Christ, who, by His death and Resurrection, has given us access into His presence.

Joh 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

Heb_4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Jas 4:7-8 KJV  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

We get to know Him better by spending time with Him, conversing, talking with Him in prayer, and listening to Him through His Word.

When we neglect our fellowship with God, the spiritual quality of our lives begins to dim.”

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation What can you do tomorrow that you weren’t doing

yesterday that will help you build a deeper friendship with God?

Are there changes you need to make? Are there sins you need to turn from? Is there information you need to study? Are there habits you need to form?

What truth or concept from this lesson was most meaningful to you?

If you were to take one idea from this lesson to put into practice this week, starting tomorrow, what would it be?

Your heavenly Father looks (acts) like we see Jesus.

“Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (Jn. 14:9 ).

You can believe in any kind of God you want based on your opinion, experience and understanding but…

Unless your heavenly Father looks and acts and reacts like Jesus, He’s not real.

We create gods out of our own backgrounds, and we try to worship them.. At best they are only caricatures of the true King. The real Father, the One we must recognize and embrace, looks like the Jesus of Scripture.

If you struggle to envision your Heavenly Father’s love or forgiveness, His strength or tenderness, take a good look at Jesus.

Do you sometimes imagine your heavenly Father as an angry, distant God?

Then see Jesus touching people, healing them, crying over them.

Look as Jesus gathers the children in His arms turning His full attention to the little bundle He cradles.

And as you envision His tender love toward a precious little child, know that it is the same affection He holds for you.

We need help to recognize our heavenly Father, to see Him for who He really is, not masked by the insensitivities or distortions of our sometimes painful lives.

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation We need to get behind and under the quotes we use to describe God…God is________

Experiencing God - Seeking HimPsa 34:8 taste and see...lord is good

Psa 27:4 one desire..dwell with God

Psa 42:1-2 heart pants after God/soul thirsts for him

Jer 29:13 search with all your heart and you will find me

Isa 26:8-9 I desire and seek the Lord body/soul/spirit

Phil 3:7-10 I count all things loss for knowledge of Christ

If you like someone you want to know them, you enjoy their presence.

If you love someone, you consume yourself with them. You seek them out and communicate, spend all the time you can with them. Every possible moment

David is called a man after God's own heart.

1Sa_13:14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you."

1Sa_16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Act 13:22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I HAVE FOUND DAVID THE SON OF JESSE, A MAN AFTER MY OWN HEART, WHO WILL DO ALL MY WILL.'

1Ki 15:5 because David did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, and had not turned aside from anything that

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

Psa 63:1-8 NKJV A Psalm of David When He Was in the Wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. 2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. 3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. 4 Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. 5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. 6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. 7 Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. 8 My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.

David's desire was to God.

What were his desires and values and results in life?

Psa 73:1-28 NKJV A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. 3 For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm. 5 They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men. 6 Therefore pride serves as their necklace; Violence covers them like a garment. 7 Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish. 8 They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; They speak loftily. 9 They set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue walks through the earth. 10 Therefore his people return here, And waters of a full cup are drained by them. 11 And they say, "How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?" 12 Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches. 13 Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, And washed my hands in innocence. 14 For all day long I have been plagued, And chastened every morning. 15 If I had said, "I will speak thus," Behold, I would have been

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation untrue to the generation of Your children. 16 When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me—

17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end. 18 Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. 19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. 20 As a dream when one awakes, So, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image. 21 Thus my heart was grieved, And I was vexed in my mind. 22 I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.

23 Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. 24 You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. 26 My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 27 For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry. 28 But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works.

Vs 1-16 envious occupation with others-backsliding

Vs 17 the remedy-seeking and knowing God and gaining understanding

Vs 23-28 occupation with God and the results

What conclusions about God & our relationship to him can you determine in asaph example?

Psa 90:1 NKJV A Prayer Of Moses the Man of God. LORD, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. 3 You turn man to destruction, And say, "Return, O children of men." 4 For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it is past, And like a watch in the night. 5 You carry them away like a flood; They are like a sleep. In the morning they are like grass which grows up: 6 In the morning it flourishes and grows up; In the evening it is cut down and withers. 7 For we have been consumed by Your anger, And by Your wrath we are terrified. 8 You have

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation set our iniquities before You, Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance. 9 For all our days have passed away in Your wrath; We finish our years like a sigh. 10 The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 11 Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath.

12 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. 13 Return, O LORD! How long? And have compassion on Your servants. 14 Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, That we may rejoice and be glad all our days! 15 Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us, The years in which we have seen evil. 16 Let Your work appear to Your servants, And Your glory to their children. 17 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands.

What is to be learned by seeking God?

Psa 143:8 Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.

When do you seek God? With what attitude?

Psalm 63:6-8 on your bed-quiet times-times of meditation

Psalm 119:164 seven times a day do i praise thee

Daniel 6:10 threee times a day..prayed and gave thanks

Times and methods vary. Go to God at your best time and often throughout the day. Regularly when you are at maximum alertness with minimum interuptions. Special times - when God leads you to think of him, as well as the times of need.

Seek God in his word.

Meditate on God's own words rather than our own thoughts and impressions

1Th 2:13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men,

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

2Ti 3:16-17 NKJV All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.Why is God's word essential in our relating to God?

The more we know about him the more we like and learn to love him. The more we want to know and respond to him.

Psa 45:2-8 NKJV You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever. 3 Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O Mighty One, With Your glory and Your majesty. 4 And in Your majesty ride prosperously because of truth, humility, and righteousness; And Your right hand shall teach You awesome things. 5 Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the King's enemies; The peoples fall under You. 6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. 7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions. 8 All Your garments are scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia, Out of the ivory palaces, by which they have made You glad.

Col 1:15-20 NKJV He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

Rev 1:10-18 NKJV I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea." 12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

Depending on himIsa 50:10 NKJV "Who among you fears the LORD? Who obeys

the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness And has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD And rely upon his God.

Psa 37:3 NKJV Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. 6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. 7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation Pro 30:5 NKJV Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to

those who put their trust in Him.

Zec 4:6 NKJV So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.

Php 4:13 NKJV I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Heb 4:16 NKJV Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

2Ch 20:12 NKJV O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." 13 Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the LORD. 14 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And he said, "Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: 'Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you." 18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. 19 Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with voices loud and high. 20 So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper." 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD,

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: "Praise the LORD, For His mercy endures forever." 22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.

Jer 17:5 NKJV Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the LORD. 6 For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, And shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited 7 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. 8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

Isa 40:27 NKJV Why do you say, O Jacob, And speak, O Israel: "My way is hidden from the LORD, And my just claim is passed over by my God"? 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Rom 4:20 NKJV He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

Rom 15:13 NKJV Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Psa 31:19 NKJV Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men! 20 You shall hide them in the secret place of

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00 GOD – TJL Intro Compilation Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From the strife of tongues.

What do these passages tell you about depending on God?What truths stand out to you about God and his involvement with you?

His attributes, his relationship to you, his attitudes, his desires, his promises and his actions?

What thoughts, feelings, attitudes or reservations have hindered you from depending on God?Jas 4:1-10 NKJV Where do wars and fights come from among

you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"? 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

How do your actions and choices demonstrate your belief that God is dependable?What changes must you make to your schedule or in your manner of relating to God to draw closer to him?

What attributes of God draw you to him?

***** Go to the Holiness of God study *****