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Theology – The Study of GodThe Almighty God is revealed to us through the Creation, Conscience, Scripture, and Christ.

A. The Existence of God

1. God is introduced without any hesitation.

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God…”

a. There is no debate regarding the existence of God.

“Theology Proper begins with two assumptions—that God exists, and that he has

revealed Himself to man.” – R Sargent

b. All throughout the Scriptures “the existence of God” is taken for granted.

Exodus 3:14 “I am that I am...” – God was introducing himself to Moses as “the self existing one.” This claim was also used by Jesus Christ; the Jews understood

what this meant and responded by picking up stones to stone Jesus for His claim of

being the Eternal God.

c. God is Eternal – God existed before all things were made.

Psalm 90:1-2 “Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before

the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the

world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”

Revelations 1:8 “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the

Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

Colossians 1:17 “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

- Note: All things that are made depend on God because they were made by Him, but

God depends on nothing for His existence.

2. Reasonable arguments of God’s existence

“These arguments may not prove conclusively that God is, but they do show that in

order to argue for the existence of any knowledge, thought, reason, conscience of

man, we must assume that God is.” W Evans

a. Being – God Consciousness

- How did man ever conceive the concept of God? The idea of an infinite and perfect

being (as the heathen like to call it – a higher power) had to originate somewhere.

“Man’s intuition of God (regardless of race, culture, religion, or geographic

location) is invariably that of an infinite, perfect being. Why? How could a finite and imperfect man devise such a concept? This must argue for the existence of such

a being, for man by himself would not have devised it.” – R Sargent

“All persons everywhere have a deep, inner sense that God exists, that they are his

creatures, and that he is their Creator.” – W. Grudem

- The Scripture makes it clear that some of His creatures will deny that inner sense of

God, and try to explain Him away. Sin causes people to think irrationally.

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Psalm 14:1 “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt,

they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.”

- The fool is a fool because he knows there is a God but wants to explain Him away.

Romans 1:21-22 “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,”

b. Cause and Effect – A commonly accepted principle is that everything must have a

cause.

- Something didn’t come from nothing.

- When we observe something that is beautifully made we immediately ask, “Who made

that or where did that come from?” We do not assume that it just happened or

appeared from thin air.

- The Eternal God is the cause of the effects we see all around us.

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

John 1:3 “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made

that was made.”

Colossians 1:16 “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that

are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or

principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”

Romans 11:36 “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be

glory for ever. Amen.”

Hebrews 3:4 “For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.”

“The God of the Bible not only existed before all things, but all things exist because

of Him. He is pure Existence, who gave existence to everything else that exists.

Without Him nothing else would exist.” – N L Geisler

c. Design in Creation

- Requires Wisdom – Everything in the universe demonstrates clear order and design.

- The way the solar system works implies intelligence and purpose in creation.

Genesis 1:31 “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very

good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.”

Proverbs 3:19-20 “The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding

hath he established the heavens. (20) By his knowledge the depths are broken up,

and the clouds drop down the dew.

Psalms 104:24 “O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made

them all: the earth is full of thy riches.”

- The way people were designed with purpose depicts a wonderful masterpiece by an

intelligent creator.

- The amazing senses that humans have: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell.

Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created

he him; male and female created he them.”

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“The crown of God's work was the creation of man in His image and according to His likeness. This means that man was placed on earth as God's representative, and

that He resembles God in certain ways. Just as God is a Trinity (Father, Son, and

Holy Spirit), so man is a tripartite being (spirit, soul, and body). Like God, man has

intellect, a moral nature, the power to communicate with others, and an emotional

nature that transcends instinct.” W. McDonald

- Psalms 94:9 “He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye,

shall he not see?”

Psalms 139:14 “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”

- Requires Power – We see great power demonstrated in many facets of creation.

This power must have had a Cause that is powerful, power/energy comes from an energizer/Almighty.

Genesis 1:3 “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”

Psalm 33:6 “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of

them by the breath of his mouth.”

Jeremiah 10:12 “He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the

world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.”

Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth

by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:”

d. Morality

- Man has a moral nature that can sense right from wrong and needs justice to be done. Therefore, there must be a “cause” of the morality that lies within man.

- Man’s moral nature suggests the existence of a holy Lawgiver who hates evil and loves truth.

“Conscience does not tell us what to do; it merely insists that there is fundamental

moral law in the universe and that it is our duty to observe it” – H C Thiessen

- Our God-given conscience can be suppressed and seared.

1 Timothy 4:1-2 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some

shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

(2) Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

“Perhaps early in their lives their conscience had been tender, but they suppressed

it so often and sinned against the light so much that now their conscience has become

insensitive and hardened.” W. McDonald

- The Holy Moral law of God helps to wake up our conscience and convict us of sin.

Romans 7:9 “For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment

came, sin revived, and I died.”

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e. Congruity

- Congruity is a quality of agreement and correctness. When there's congruity, things fit

together in a way that makes sense.

“If the key fits the lock, we have the right key. If the theory fits the facts, in all

probability we have the right theory.” – W Evans

- When people try to remove God from the picture things begin to be blurred, and do not

make sense.

- It is like trying to paint a picture with no paint. It is like trying to build a house with no

bricks, it just won’t work.

- A God who is eternal, wise, holy, just, and the Creator of all things makes more sense

than something that came out of nothing.

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B. The Revelation of God

1. The knowledge of the “existence God” is revealed to the heart of man.

Romans 1:18-19 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all

ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

(19) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath

shewed it unto them.”

“That which is “knowable” concerning God. The expression implies that there may

be many things concerning God which cannot be known. But there are also many

things which may be ascertained. Such are his existence, and many of his attributes,

his power, and wisdom, and justice, etc.” – A Barnes

2. God reveals himself to man through several ways:

Creation

Conscience

Scriptures

Heavenly Father’s

Wisdom

Jesus Christ

Holy Spirit

3. The Revelation of God is Progressive.

a. Creation

Psalm 19:1-4 “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. (2) Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth

knowledge. (3) There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

(4) Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the

world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,”

Abraham Lincoln once said, "I can see how it might be possible for a man to look

down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how he could look up

into the heavens and say there is no God."

“There was a story of a French revolutionist who boasted to a peasant, "We are going

to pull down all that reminds you of God." The peasant replied, "Citizen, pull down the stars then!"

“No branch of science proclaims God's greatness and man's insignificance more

eloquently than astronomy. The simple fact that distances must be reckoned in light-

years (the distance that light travels in a year) illustrates the point…

Light travels 186,000 miles per second, and there are 31.5 million seconds in a year,

so light travels roughly six trillion miles in a single year! Yet some stars are billions

of light-years from the earth. No wonder we call such computation astronomical.”

– W McDonald

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:”

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- “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world” – God’s Attributes

- “Being understood by the things that are made” – Creation is a clear revelation of the Creator.

- “His eternal power and Godhead” – God’s eternal power and divine deity, His power and person

is made manifest through His creation.

- “So that they are without excuse.” Creation so clearly points to a Creator-God that man is without

excuse.

b. Conscience – “moral awareness” or “moral consciousness.”

- Conscience can have a distinctive awareness of God's law.

Romans 2:14-15 “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the

things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

(15) Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also

bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one

another;)”

- When the conscience is violated it produces guilt.

John 8:8-9 “And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. (9) And they

which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one,

beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman

standing in the midst.

“Now, conscience is intended to be a goad, not a guide. The man who says, "Just let

your conscience be your guide," is mistaking the function of conscience. Conscience

is God’s watchdog in the soul. Conscience can be silenced and even seared. It is quite

possible to obtain the approval of conscience on a wrong act.” – J Phillips

c. The Scriptures

Psalm 19:7-9 “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. (8) The statutes of the LORD are right,

rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

(9) The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are

true and righteous altogether.

John 5:39 “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they

are they which testify of me.”

d. The Heavenly Father’s Wisdom

Matthew 16:15-17 “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? (16) And Simon

Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (17) And

Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and

blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”

“The fisherman had not arrived at this concept of the Lord Jesus through intellect or

native wisdom; it had been supernaturally revealed to him by God the Father.”

– W McDonald

Matthew 11:25 “At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord

of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent,

and hast revealed them unto babes.”

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“This revelation was not the result of Peter’s own investigation. It came as the

gracious act of God. God had hidden these things from the proud Pharisees and

Sadducees and revealed them to “babes”, the humble disciples.” W. Wiersbe

e. Jesus Christ

John 1:18 “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in

the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”

- Jesus Christ has fully revealed to men what God is like.

“When men saw Jesus, they saw God. They heard God speak. They felt God's love

and tenderness. God's thoughts and attitudes toward mankind have been fully

declared by Christ.” W. McDonald

- Jesus is “the express image of His person”

Hebrews 1:3 “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his

person…”

- Jesus is “the image of the invisible God”

Colossians 1:15 “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every

creature:”

“Jesus Christ explains God to us and interprets Him for us. We simply cannot

understand God apart from knowing His Son, Jesus Christ.” W. Wiersbe

John 14:9 “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast

thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest

thou then, Shew us the Father?”

f. The Holy Spirit

- To the Sinner

John 16:8 “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”

- To the Saint

John 14:26 “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send

in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,

whatsoever I have said unto you.”

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C. The Attributes of God – Natural

Attributes = Divine qualities and characteristics

- The Attributes of God commonly fall into two categories “natural” and “moral”

Natural The natural attributes of God point to His

Existence.

Moral The moral attributes of God point to His

Excellence.

Psalms 90:2 “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from

everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”

Omniscience – All-Knowing

Omnipresence – All-Present

Omnipotence – All-Powerful

Eternal – Ever-Present

Immutable – Unchanging

Job 37:23 “Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in

plenty of justice: he will not afflict.”

Holiness Righteousness, Justice, Wrath

Love Mercy, Grace, Patience, Goodness, Faithfulness

Truth Wisdom

1. Omniscience – God is all knowing.

a. If you combine the Latin roots Omni = "all" and Scientia = "knowledge", you'll

get omniscient, meaning "knowledge of all."

- God’s knowledge is His own divine intellect.

- God is all-knowing because that is His nature.

- God does not grow in knowledge like we do.

- God is complete and perfect in Knowledge.

Romans 11:33-34 “O 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 hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

- Nobody has ever counselled God or taught Him, and no-one ever will.

- God’s knowledge is and will always be.

Isaiah 40:13 “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath

taught him?”

1 Corinthians 2:16 “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct

him? But we have the mind of Christ.”

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Job 40:1-4 “Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said, (2) Shall he that

contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

(3) Then Job answered the LORD, and said, (4) Behold, I am vile; what shall I

answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

b. God knows everything there is to know.

- Nothing catches God by surprise.

Psalms 147:4-5 “He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their

names. (5) Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.”

Matthew 10:30 “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”

c. God knows all things past, present, or future.

Isaiah 46:9-10 “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none

else; I am God, and there is none like me, (10) Declaring the end from the beginning,

and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall

stand, and I will do all my pleasure:”

d. God is perfect in Knowledge

Job 37:16 “Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of

him which is perfect in knowledge?”

e. God knows everything about everyone.

Hebrews 4:13 “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all

things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

f. God knows the motives, thoughts, activities, words, and the decisions of all people.

Psalms 139:1-6 “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. (2) Thou knowest

my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. (3) Thou

compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. (4) For

there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

(5) Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. (6) Such

knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.”

1 John 3:20 “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and

knoweth all things.”

g. God is the source of all knowledge, and no-one can ever outsmart God.

Proverbs 21:30 “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the

LORD.”

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2. Omnipresence – God is Everywhere in Everyplace (All-Present)

a. The Omnipresence of God is not exactly an attribute of God, but rather it flows

from His attributes.

- God’s Presence is evident throughout the heavens and the earth.

- God is not limited in space; God is in all places at one time.

1 Kings 8:27 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven

of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?”

b. God’s presence is everywhere

Psalm 139:7-8 “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy

presence? (8) If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell,

behold, thou art there.”

c. Nothing is hidden or can be hidden from God

Psalm 139:12 “Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the

day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”

Jeremiah 23:23-24 “Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?

(24) Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD.

Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

d. God sees every move people make

Proverbs 15:3 “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the

good.”

Hebrews 4:13 “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all

things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

e. God’s presence is special in the life of His people (The Church)

- Decision Making.

Matthew 18:19-20 “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as

touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which

is in heaven. (20) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there

am I in the midst of them.”

Revelations 2:1 “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith

he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven

golden candlesticks;”

- Fulfilling the Great Commission.

Matthew 28:20 “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded

you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

- Christian living.

Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with

such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

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f. Some distinctions of God’s Omnipresence

- God is not being dispersed throughout the universe. God is Spirit, and His presence is in

all places. Proverbs 15:3

- God’s presence does not mean that God is found in nature or nature is a part of

God. God is separate from His creation, however, His creation is not

independent of Him.

- God’s presence can manifest itself in a glorious way. God makes His presence known in

various ways.

1) God’s presence is on His throne

Revelations 4:2 “And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set

in heaven, and one sat on the throne.”

2) God’s presence is in earth (Solomon’s Temple)

2 Chronicles 7:1-2 “Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came

down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. (2) And the priests could not enter into the house of the

LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD'S house.”

3) God’s presence is in the believer’s life (Temple of the Holy Spirit)

Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ

liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of

God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

4) God’s presence is known in the life of wicked people.

- God presence in the life of unbelievers depicts His nature as the LORD GOD who is over all.

Revelations 14:10 “The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured

out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire

and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:”

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God,

and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: (9) Who shall be punished with

everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”

g. There is no escaping God’s presence.

- No person can escape from the presence of the Lord.

- They can run but they cannot hide.

- God does not have to try to find us, because he can see all that we do.

- God already knows our hiding spots, remember He is ALL-KNOWING.

Genesis 3:8-11 “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden

in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the

LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. (9) And the LORD God called unto

Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? (10) And he said, I heard thy voice in the

garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. (11) And he said,

Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?”

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3. Omnipotence – (All-Powerful) - Omni = All,

- Potent = Powerful

a. God is all-powerful and is able to do all things that are consistent within His nature. God’s

power is exercised within His perfect will.

Revelations 19:6 “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the

voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for

the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”

b. This attribute refers to God’s limitless power by which He can do what seems to be impossible

to us. God is not limited in His ability like we are, He can do all things.

Matthew 19:26 “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is

impossible; but with God all things are possible.”

Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”

Genesis 18:14 “Is any thing too hard for the LORD?...”

Job 42:1-2 “Then Job answered the LORD, and said, (2) I know that thou canst do

every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.”

Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth

by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:”

c. The Word “Almighty” is used about 56 times referring to God alone.

- God introduces himself as the “Almighty one” to Abraham

Genesis 17:1 “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to

Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.”

- God introduces himself as the “Almighty one” to Moses

Exodus 6:1-3 “Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do

to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall

he drive them out of his land. (2) And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I

am the LORD: (3) And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the

name of God Almighty…”

- God introduces himself as the “Almighty one” to Christians

2 Corinthians 6:17-18 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate,

saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (18) And will

be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord

Almighty.”

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d. God’s power is seen:

1) In Creation

Psalm 33:8-9 “Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand

in awe of him. (9) For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.”

Psalm 29:4 “The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of

majesty.”

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:”

- Note: God’s eternal power - Here are two things implied:

- One, that the universe demonstrates the power of God

- Two, which this power has existed from eternity, and indicates an eternal existence in God.”

2) In Christ & Christians Living

Hebrews 1:3 “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his

person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself

purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”

Ephesians 1:19 “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who

believe, according to the working of his mighty power…”

Exceeding = to exceed, to throw beyond, surpasses,

Greatness = Magnitude (Can’t be measured)

of his power = “dunamis” Where we get the English word “Dynamite” (His Mightiness)

According to the working = “energeia” Where we get the English word “Energy”

Of his mighty power = “is-chus” ability force, strength and might

Ephesians 1:20-21 “Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead,

and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this

world, but also in that which is to come:”

- There is not enough words in the Greek or the English to describe the power of God given to us

through Christ.

Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all

that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”

“God is able to do more in this connection than we can ask or think. The extent of His ability is seen in the manner in which Paul pyramids words to describe

superabundant blessings” – W McDonald

Able

Able to do Able to do what we ask

Able to do what we think

Able to do what we ask or think

Able to do all that we ask or think

Able to do above all that we ask or think

Able to do abundantly above all that we ask or think

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Able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think

3) In Crisis

- The Power of God delivers Daniel

Daniel 6:20 “And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto

Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God,

is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?”

- The Power of God delivers Israel

Exodus 7:5 “And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.”

4) In Crowning

Psalm 75:6-7 ‘For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor

from the south. (7) But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

- Saul

1 Samuel 13:13-14 “And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not

kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now

would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. (14) But now thy

kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and

the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not

kept that which the LORD commanded thee.”

- Lucifer

Isaiah 14:12-15 “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how

art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! (13) For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of

God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: (14) I

will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (15) Yet thou

shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

e. God’s power/ability is limited within the boundaries of His nature.

- God cannot lie

Titus 1:2 “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie…”

Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie…”

- God cannot be tempted to sin

James 1:13 “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God

cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:”

- God cannot deny Himself

2 Timothy 2:13 “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.”

- God cannot do anything wrong

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1 John 1:5 “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto

you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

f. God’s power is expressed in the framework of His will. God chooses to exercise His power

when He sees fit to do so.

- With the three Hebrew Men

Daniel 3:17-18 “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the

burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. (18) But if

not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the

golden image which thou hast set up.

- In Life of Christ.

Matthew 26:52-54 “Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place:

for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. (53) Thinkest thou that I

cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions

of angels? (54) But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

Luke 4:3-4 “And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this

stone that it be made bread. (4) And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That

man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”

- In the account of Sodom and Gomorrah

Genesis 18:28 “Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou

destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will

not destroy it.”

Daniel 4:35 “And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he

doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the

earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?”

God is so great!

There is nothing He does not know.

There is nowhere He is not present.

There is nothing He cannot do.

– W McDonald

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4. Eternal – (Ever-present)

a. God is beyond time.

- Eternity = Timelessness & Never-ending. Infinite duration

- This attribute is also called “God’s infinity”

- Time started when God created the universe, this means God is outside of time.

- To have made time means to be outside of it.

Job 36:26 “Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.”

- Time is determined by the relation of the sun to the earth, and God is not limited by His creation.

“The study of physics tells us that matter and time and space must all occur together;

if there is no matter, there can be no space or time either. Thus, before God created

the universe there was no “time,” at least not in the sense of a succession of moments

one after another. Therefore, when God created the universe, He also created time” – W Grudem

- What seems to be a long period of time with us is nothing to God, because He is outside of time.

2 Peter 3:8 “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the

Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

- One of the reasons God has delayed His coming is because God is timeless.

- God does not live in a scope of time like we do.

Psalms 90:4 “For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and

as a watch in the night.”

“A host of days and nights must be combined to make up a thousand years to us, but

to God, that space of time does not make up a whole night, but only a brief portion of

it. If a thousand years be to God as a single nightwatch, what must be the life-time of the Eternal!” C H Spurgeon

- God sees the past and the future as He sees the present. God is aware of the process and

progression of time. However, God see it all, from the beginning to the end.

Isaiah 57:15 “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name

is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble

spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

- One day time will merge into eternity.

1 Corinthians 15:28 “And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son

also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.”

b. God is Eternal means = He is without Beginning or End.

Genesis 21:33 “And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the

name of the LORD, the everlasting God.”

- The Everlasting God = The God of Eternity

“God exists endlessly; His existence extends endlessly backwards and forwards (from

our viewpoint of time) without any interruptions or limitations caused by succession

of events.” – C Ryrie

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Isaiah 40:28 “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God,

the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there

is no searching of his understanding.”

Jeremiah 10:10 “But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an

everlasting king…”

- God is, and will always be, now and forever!

Revelations 1:8 “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the

Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

1 Timothy 1:17 “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God,

be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

“He is eternal, without beginning of days, or end of life, or change of time. He is the Ancient of days, He is immortal, and the original of immortality; he only has

immortality, for he cannot die.” M Henry

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5. Immutable – (Unchanging)

a. God is Immutable = God is unchangeable and therefore never changes. God is never

inconsistent.

- All may change, but God/Jesus never changes.

Hebrews 1:11-12 “They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old

as doth a garment; (12) And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be

changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.”

Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

- If God were to change in His attributes or character He would then be less than who He is –

The LORD GOD.

Malachi 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I change not…”

b. God does not change His plans and purposes.

Isaiah 46:10 “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:”

c. God does not change regarding His promises.

1 Kings 8:56 “Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according

to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he

promised by the hand of Moses his servant”

2 Corinthians 1:20 “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto

the glory of God by us.”

d. God is completely perfect.

2 Samuel 22:31 “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is

a buckler to all them that trust in him.”

Psalms 18:30 “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a

buckler to all those that trust in him.”

- God does not have to change, HE is PERFECT.

- God cannot change, He is HOLY.

- God is complete and perfect in all His attributes both natural and moral.

e. God is complete and perfect in all His acts.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing

can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear

before him.”

f. God is complete and perfect in His gifts.

James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down

from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

“God does not change. There are no shadows with the Father of Lights. It is

impossible for God to change. He cannot change for the worse because He is holy;

He cannot change for the better because He is already perfect. The light of the sun varies as the earth changes, but the sun itself is still shining. If shadows come between

us and the Father, He did not cause them. He is the unchanging God. This means that

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we should never question His love or doubt His goodness when difficulties come or

temptations appear.” W Wiersebe

“One side of the moon is dark, and the other side is light. But in God there is no dark

side. In all of us there is a shadow; you and I cast a shadow. God doesn't vary, He

doesn't change, as the laws of creation reveal. God is not on a yo–yo like a lot of Christians are today—up today and down tomorrow, and round and round they go.”

– V McGee

g. God’s Immutable character is not to be confused with His dealings.

- God deals differently with the unsaved and the saved.

Joel 2:13 “And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD

your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and

repenteth him of the evil.”

- God’s Immutable character does not mean that He cannot express His heart.

Genesis 6:6 “And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it

grieved him at his heart.”

“The Lord's sorrow does not indicate an arbitrary change of mind, though it seems

that way to man. Rather, it indicates a different attitude on God's part in response to

some change in man's behaviour. Because He is holy, He must react against sin.”

– W McDonald

- God’s Immutable character does not mean that He cannot extend His mercy.

- Note: Mercy is one of God’s “Moral Attributes.”

Jonah 3:10 “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God

repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.”

“This was no real change in God; rather, the object of His threatening was, that He might not do what He threatened. God’s ‘threatenings’ are conditional, “unless they

repent,” as are His promises.” – A Barnes

Jeremiah 18:7-8 “At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning

a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; (8) If that nation, against

whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought

to do unto them.”

- God’s conditional promises confirm that He is the God of His Word and that He does not change.

- God is true to His Word.

“In God all things are disposed and fixed, nor doth He anything out of any sudden

counsel, which He knew not in all eternity that He should do; but, amid the movements of His creature in time, which He governeth marvelously …” A Barnes

Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that

he should repent…”

- God does not have to change His ways as if He has done anything wrong. God is not imperfect, but

rather demonstrates mercy to an imperfect people.

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Genesis 18:26 “And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city,

then I will spare all the place for their sakes.”

- God withholding His wrath from a repentant sinner confirms God’s immutable attribute by God

keeping His promise.

- It is important to understand that God’s mercy does not change His mind about how He feels

towards sin; God still hates sin. However, while God’s moral attributes (Mercy) are made manifest,

extended, and demonstrated, this never changes His Holiness.

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D. The Attributes of God – Moral

1. Holiness – Justice, Righteousness, Wrath

a. God’s Holiness –

- The Biblical Hebrew word for “holy” is “godesh”, which means “apartness or set part” or

“sacred”

- The Holiness of God is the KING of attributes!

b. God is completely separate from His Creation.

- Not only separate but exalted above all His created creatures.

“Power is in His arm, omniscience His eye, mercy His bowels, eternity His

duration; but holiness is His beauty.” Unknown

1 Peter 1:16 “…Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

- God is not progressing in His Holiness, for HE is Holy.

- We have to be Holy (Grow, Sanctification), but His Holy.

Isaiah 6:3 “And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of

hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.”

- The thrust of the threefold repetition of God's holiness is to emphasise God's distinction from and

complete separation of His fallen creation.

Revelation 4:8 “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and

they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy,

holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”

Someone put it like “God is Holy is the Past, God is Holy in the Present, and God

is Holy is the Future.

c. God is thrice Holy relating to the God-Head.

1) Holy Father

John 17:11 “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I

come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given

me, that they may be one, as we are.”

2) Holy Son

Acts 3:14 “But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be

granted unto you;”

3) Holy Spirit Ephesians 4:30 “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto

the day of redemption.”

d. God desired His attribute of Holiness to be known among His own people.

- God did not want His holiness to be ambiguous.

Leviticus 11:44 “For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify

yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy:”

Isaiah 40:25 “To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.”

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e. God’s Holiness is emphasised:

- There had to be a proper approach to a holy God.

1) At Mt. Sinai God’s presence was manifested. The people had to sanctify themselves. – Exodus

19:12-25, Hebrews 12:20

2) The conditions of the priesthood who were to mediate between God and His people – Leviticus 8-10

3) The Tabernacle and Temple’s division in the Holy of Holies – Exodus 26:33, 1 Kings 6:6, 19

4) The detailed offerings that were to be brought before the Lord – Leviticus 1-7

5) Laws given regarding purity – Leviticus 11-15

6) The various feasts of Israel – Leviticus 23

f. Fire is a symbol of God’s Holiness. (Judgment)

Deuteronomy 4:23-24 “Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the

LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness

of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee. (24) For the LORD thy God

is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.”

Hebrews 12:28-29 “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us

have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

(29) For our God is a consuming fire.”

g. A correct view of God’s Holiness leads to a proper view of man sinfulness.

1) Isaiah

Isaiah 6:5 “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips,

and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the

LORD of hosts.”

CH Spurgeon “I believe the holier a man becomes, the more he mourns over the

unholiness which remains in him.”

2) Peter

Luke 5:8 “When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from

me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

- Peter saw more than the fish; peter saw his own sinfulness and his unworthiness.

- Peter instantly realized he was in the presence of the Holy One demonstrating His divine power, and he was beat-down with shame over his own sin.

3) Moses

Exodus 3:2-6 “And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush

was not consumed. (3) And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight,

why the bush is not burnt. (4) And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see,

God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said,

Here am I.(5) And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for

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the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. (6) Moreover he said, I am the God of

thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses

hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.”

h. The Demonstration of God’s Holiness.

1) In His hatred toward sin.

Habakkuk 1:12-13 “Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy

One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty

God, thou hast established them for correction. (13) Thou art of purer eyes than to

behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity…”

Proverbs 6:16 “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination

unto him:”

2) In His separation from sinners.

Isaiah 59:1-2 “Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither

his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (2) But your iniquities have separated between you

and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

3) In all His ways and works

Psalm 145:17 “The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.”

4) In His laws

Romans 7:12 “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and

good.”

5) In the glorious Gospel

Matthew 7:6 “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls

before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”

2. Righteousness

a. God’s Righteousness – The word “Righteous” means “to be right” or “just”

- The righteousness of God is a display of His holiness.

Psalm 145:17 “The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.”

Daniel 9:14 “Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth…”

b. God is known as the righteous one.

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John 17:25 “O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known

thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.”

Revelation 16:5 “…Thou art righteous, O Lord…”

c. The righteousness of God is manifested in several ways:

1) In His Word as God

2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for

doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

- God’s word is His instruction in righteousness.

2) In His judgments as Lord

Psalm 19:9 “… the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.”

- All that God determines is always good and entirely righteous.

3) In His ruling as King

Hebrews 1:8 “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a

sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.”

- Scepter of righteousness, is a poetic way of saying that this King rules in absolute

righteousness and integrity.

4) In His justice as the Judge

Acts 17:31“… he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in

righteousness…”

- There will come a day where the great account will balance the books, He will not miss a jot

or a tittle

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d. God desires for all people to seek after His attribute of righteousness.

To Seek after

Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

To Strive after

2 Timothy 2:22 “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow

righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call

on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

To Starve after

Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are they which do hunger and

thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

To Surrender to

1 John 3:7 “Little children, let no man deceive you: he

that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is

righteous.”

To Suffer for

1 Peter 3:14 “But and if ye suffer for righteousness'

sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;”

To be Servant of

Romans 6:18 “Being then made free from sin, ye

became the servants of righteousness.”

To be Sown

Hosea 10:12 “Sow to yourselves in righteousness,

reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is

time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain

righteousness upon you.”

To Submit to

Romans 10:3-4 “For they being ignorant of God's

righteousness, and going about to establish their own

righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the

righteousness of God. (4) For Christ is the end of the

law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”

Note: All the above points to Jesus Christ!

- The religious rulers went about trying to produce their righteousness by keeping the law.

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Galatians 2:21 “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the

law, then Christ is dead in vain.”

Matthew 5:20 “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the

righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom

of heaven.”

3. Justice

a. The justice of God is the demonstration of God’s righteousness

- God’s righteousness and justice go hand in hand. Both attributes are a manifestation of

God’s Holiness.

Genesis 18:25 “…Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”

“Justice is the execution of righteousness, and has been termed “judicial holiness.”

– R Sargent

b. God’s Righteousness and justice reveals God’s love for holiness

Psalm 11:7 “For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth

behold the upright.”

c. God’s justice is right, perfect, complete, and cannot be faulted.

Zephaniah 3:5 “The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every

morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no

shame.”

d. God establishes His throne by His justice.

- Because God is Just, He has set in order righteous decrees and governments, God initiates

moral laws on earth, and puts forth commandments coupled with sanctions.

Psalm 89:14 “Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth

shall go before thy face.”

e. God reinforces His laws through executing Justice.

Deuteronomy 7:9 “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God,

which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments

to a thousand generations…”

1) Rewards = Imputed justice (The expression of God’s love not merit)

- Forgiveness

- Redemption Are attributed to us Through Christ alone!

alone

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- Rewards

Matthew 25:21 “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant:

thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter

thou into the joy of thy lord.”

Hebrews 10:35 “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great

recompence of reward.”

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.”

Hebrews 11:26 “Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in

Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.”

2 Timothy 4:8 “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all

them also that love his appearing.”

Revelations 22:11-12 “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy,

let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is

holy, let him be holy still. (12) And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me,

to give every man according as his work shall be.”

2) Punishments = Punitive justice (the expression of God’s wrath)

Deuteronomy 7:10 “And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he

will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.”

- Justice demands punishment. If God refuses to punish sin, then He would be unjust.

Genesis 2:17 “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of

it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

Nehemiah 9:33 “Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast

done right, but we have done wickedly:”

Romans 1:32 “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things

are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”

Romans 2:4-8 “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and

longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (5) But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day

of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; (6) Who will render to every

man according to his deeds: (7) To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek

for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: (8) But unto them that are contentious,

and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,”

2 Thessalonians 1:8 “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and

that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:”

“God cannot make a law, establish a penalty, and then not follow through if the law is

disobeyed.” – H C Thiessen

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4. Wrath

a. The Wrath of God = The Biblical word for “wrath” in the Greek is “Or-gay” which means

“Indignation” and “Vengeance” or “Righteous Anger”.

b. The Basis for God’s Wrath.

1) God’s Holiness

Romans 1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness

and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”

- God’s wrath will fall upon sinful, wicked, and disobedient people.

Psalm 78:49 “He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and

trouble, by sending evil angels among them.”

Deuteronomy 9:7-8 “Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God

to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt,

until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD. (8) Also in

Horeb ye provoked the LORD to wrath, so that the LORD was angry with you to have

destroyed you.”

2 Kings 22:13 “Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah,

concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that

is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book,

to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.”

2) God’s Righteousness and Justice

- God’s Holiness demands Justice.

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Romans 2:5-6 “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself

wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

(6) Who will render to every man according to his deeds:”

“A Judge named “Gray”, who later went on to serve as a Justice on the Supreme Court,

once said to the man who escaped conviction because of a loop hole in the Law: “I know

that you are guilty and you know it, and I wish you to remember that one day you will

stand before a better and wiser Judge, and that there you will be dealt with according

to justice and not according to law.”

“Man’s justice is always subject to errors, but God’s justice is perfect. No sin escapes His

gaze, and though punishment is sometimes delayed as God grants room to repent, it is

certain. No one escapes God’s justice on a technicality.”

c. Biblical descriptions of God’s wrath.

1) The wrath of God

- God’s wrath is upon the unrepentant sinner.

John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not

the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

Colossians 3:5-7 “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication,

uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is

idolatry: (6) For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of

disobedience: (7) In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.”

“Those who choose evil shall have their choice. Men who hate divine mercy shall not have it forced upon them, but shall be left to themselves to aggravate their guilt and

ensure their doom. They have loved darkness rather than light, and in darkness they

shall abide. Eyes which see no beauty in the Lord Jesus, but flash wrath upon Him,

may well grow yet more dim, till death which is spiritual leads to death which is

eternal. What can be too severe a penalty for those who reject the incarnate God, and

refuse to obey the commands of His mercy? They deserve to be flooded with wrath,

and they shall be; for upon all who rebel against the Saviour, ‘wrath has come upon

them to the uttermost’ (I Thessalonians 2:16). God’s indignation is no trifle. The

anger of a holy, just, omnipotent, and infinite Being is above all things to be dreaded;

even a drop of it consumes, but to have it poured upon us is inconceivably dreadful.’

– Charles Spurgeon

2) The wrath of the LORD

- The wrath of the Lord is upon a discontent people.

Numbers 11:33 “And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the

wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with

a very great plague.”

3) The wrath of Jesus

- Jesus’ wrath is upon the wicked persecutors.

Revelations 6:9-10 “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the

souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

(10) And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou

not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

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Revelations 6:16-17 “And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from

the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: (17) For the

great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”

- Our persecutors are like flies to God.

4) The wrath of the Almighty

- The Almighty’s wrath is His “fierce Judgment”

Revelations 19:15 “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite

the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of

the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”

d. Faith in Christ alone is the only way to escape the wrath of God.

Romans 5:9 “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from

wrath through him.”

“In God’s Holiness lies the reason for His atonement, what his holiness demanded, his

love provided.” – H C Thiessen

5. Love

a. Love is God’s Mercy, Grace, Patience, Goodness, and Faithfulness.

- The Greek word for “Love” is “Agape” which means “benevolence” and “selfless and sacrificial”.

- God’s love refers to His enormous and infinite goodness.

- God is the supreme definition of love. God is the very essence of love.

2 Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of

one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”

“It is God’s nature to love. He dwells always in the atmosphere of love. How to define or

describe the love of God may be difficult if not impossible.” W Evans

1 John 4:16 “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love;

and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

“God’s love is that perfection of the divine nature by which God is eternally moved to

communicate himself. It is not a mere emotional impulse, but a rational and voluntary

affection, having its ground in truth and holiness and its exercise in free choice. This is

not to deny feeling, for true love necessarily involves feeling. If there is no feeling in God,

then there is no love in God. The fact that God grieves over the sins of this people implies that he loves his people.” – HC Thiessen

b. God’s love is also KING of His Attributes.

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- The Holiness and Love of God are inseparable.

- The Cross of Jesus Christ is a perfect example.

Psalms 117:2 “For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for

ever. Praise ye the LORD.

A man of God put it this way: “These twin towers of virtue are reflective of God Himself

for His Mercy reflects His great Love. His Truth emanates from His Holiness.”

A Man of God once said “To have a zeal for God’s Truth without mercy is harsh and

tends toward hypocrisy and produces rebellion. To have Mercy without a Zeal for Truth is mere sentimentalism (Soppy and emotional)”

Jude 1:21-23 “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord

Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Vs 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

vs 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment

spotted by the flesh.”

Proverbs 20:28 “Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by

mercy.”

- The Best Royal Crown a King can ever have is MERCY & TRUTH.

c. The Love of God is defined in the Scriptures, demonstrated in the Saviour, and delivered by

Spirit.

1) Love is DEFINED in the Scriptures.

- 1 Corinthians 13 is known as the “Love Chapter”.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have

not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (2) And though I have

the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have

all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. (3) And

though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,

and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”

- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is a description of pure Love

Suffers long - 1 Corinthians 13:4

- Bears along with, is patient

- Longsuffering, does not give up Kind - 1 Corinthians 13:4

- To be useful and act courteously

- To be thoughtful and caring

- The opposite of rude

Envies not - 1 Corinthians 13:4

- A strong burning zeal, covet, a longing desire

- To be heated up with envy with the intent to hurt

- Love is content and hopes for the best for others

Vaunteth not itself - 1 Corinthians 13:4

- To boast, to lift up one’s self

- Love is modest

Is not easily provoked - 1 Corinthians 13:5

- To sharpen by, to arouse in anger

- To stimulate, stir up, kindle

- Love is calm, peaceful and patient

Thinks no evil - 1 Corinthians 13:5

- Takes inventory of harmful, immoral, bad,

wrong, and wicked things.

- Love ponders on right and wholesome things

Bears all thing - 1 Corinthians 13:7

- To cover, to endure, to suffer

- Love does not give up, but continues with

Believes all things - 1 Corinthians 13:7

- To have faith in the truth,

- Gives the benefit of the doubt

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Is not puffed up - 1 Corinthians 13:4

- To swell up, haughty

- To blow up, to be proud

- Love is humble

Does not behave itself unseemly - 1

Corinthians 13:5

- Unbecoming, unfitting, out of place

- To be improper or inappropriate

- Love is good and proper

Seeks not her own - 1 Corinthians 13:5

- Seeks others’ welfare before self

- Esteems others better than self

- Love is not self-seeking

- Love is to trust

Hopes all things - 1 Corinthians 13:7

- To have an expected confidence

- Love is to have assurance

Endures all things - 1 Corinthians 13:7

- To remain, to keep on,

- To abide in, to bear with

- Love perseveres and does not give up

2) Love DEMONSTRATED in the Saviour.

- Christ gave himself to God for us out of love.

Ephesians 5:2 “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for

us…”

1 John 3:16 “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us:

and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

3) Love DELIVERED in the Spirit.

- The first fruit of the Spirit is “Love”

Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,

goodness, faith,”

d. The objects of God’s Love

1) The Son

John 5:20 “For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth:

and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.”

2) The Saints

John 16:27 “For the Father himself loveth you…”

Hebrews 12:6 “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom

he receiveth.”

3) The Sinners

- The fact that God gave His Son for sinners demonstrates that God loves them.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that

whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

- The fact that God does not desire the destruction of the wicked demonstrates that He loves them.

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Ezekiel 33:11 “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the

death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from

your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?”

e. The quality of God’s love

1) It Is Eternal

Jeremiah 31:3 “…. Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with

lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”

2) It Is Infinite — Ephesians 3:19.

Ephesians 3:19 “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might

be filled with all the fulness of God.”

3) It Is Immutable

John 13:1 “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was

come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which

were in the world, he loved them unto the end.”

One day C. H. Spurgeon was walking through the English countryside with a friend. As

they strolled along, the evangelist noticed a barn with a weather vane on its roof. At the

top of the vane were these words: GOD IS LOVE. Spurgeon remarked to his companion

that he thought this was a rather inappropriate place for such a message. “Weather

vanes are changeable,” he said, “but God’s love is constant.”

“I don’t agree with you about those words, Charles,” replied his friend. “You

misunderstood the meaning. That sign is indicating a truth: Regardless of which way the

wind blows, God is love.”

4) It is immense

Romans 8:37-39 “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that

loved us. (38) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor

principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (39) Nor height, nor

depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is

in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

6. Mercy

a. Mercy is God’s love manifested.

Ephesians 2:4 “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,”

Titus 3:4-5 “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man

appeared, (5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his

mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

- Mercy demonstrated, is God withholding our deserved judgment.

- In other words “God does not gives us what we deserve.”

Psalm 130:3-4 “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

(4) But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

Psalms103:8 “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.”

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Lamentations 3:22 “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed…”

I Plead for Mercy

A Story is told about a mother who once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her son.

The emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offense twice and

justice demanded death.

The mother said "But I don't ask for justice...I plead for mercy.?

Napoleon replied. “But your son does not deserve mercy?

The woman cried and said, "Sir, it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is

all I ask for.?

"Well, then,? the emperor said, "I will have mercy.? And he spared the woman's son.

b. God is the Father of mercy.

2 Corinthians 1:3 “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father

of mercies, and the God of all comfort;”

- To God’s people, the phrase “father of” would mean “originator of.” In John 8:44 we see Satan is

known as the father of lies because lies originated with him. God is the Father of mercies because all

mercy originates with Him. That’s who God is; God is a God of mercy.

1) God’s mercy is a display of His CARING Heart.

Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,

even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”

Psalm 51:1 “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according

unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.”

Psalm 25:6 “Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they

have been ever of old.”

2) God’s mercy is His COMPASSION. (Luke 17:3-4)

- The Greek word for “mercy” is “Eleemon” which means “to pity” or “show compassion to”

Lamentations 3:22-23 “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because

his compassions fail not…”

- God’s mercy is His willingness to forgive the guilty. (Isaiah 55:7)

Numbers 14:18 “The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and

transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty…”

3) God’s mercies are COUNTLESS.

Nehemiah 9:19 “Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness…”

Psalm 106:45 “And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the

multitude of his mercies.”

7. Grace

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a. Grace is God’s love extended, it is His goodness toward sinful and unworthy people.

Ephesians 2:7 “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace

in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”

- While mercy is God not giving us what we do deserve (HELL); grace is God giving to us what we do not deserve (HEAVEN).

It has been stated “As we paid nothing for God’s eternal love and nothing for the Son of

His love, and nothing for His Spirit and our grace and faith, and nothing for our eternal

rest...What an astonishing thought it will be to think of the unmeasurable difference

between our deserving’s and our receiving’s. O, how free was all this love, and how free

is this enjoyed glory...So then let “Deserved” be written on the floor of hell but on the

door of heaven and life, “The Free Gift”.

b. God’s Grace is His freely undeserved gift; it is His unmerited favour upon man.

1) The Gift of His SALVATION

Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is

the gift of God:

“Grace is the battering ram that shakes the gates of hell.” – CH Spurgeon

- God’s Grace is extended to all.

Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,”

2) The Gift of His SON

- God’s grace is revealed in His Son.

God’s

Riches

At

Christ’s Expense

Ephesians 1:6-7 “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us

accepted in the beloved. (7) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the

forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

“Christ is the vessel in which God’s grace is presented to our thirsty lips” – CH Spurgeon

3) The Gift in His SERVICE

1 Timothy 1:12-14 “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he

counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; (13) Who was before a blasphemer, and

a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

(14) And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in

Christ Jesus.”

1 Corinthians 15:10 “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.”

8. Faithfulness.

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a. Faithfulness extends from the immutability of God. Because God is unchanging, He then is

faithful.

Lamentations 3:22-23 “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because

his compassions fail not. (23) They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”

Psalm 36:5 “Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto

the clouds.

Deuteronomy 7:9 “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments

to a thousand generations;”

b. God’s faithfulness reveals His integrity.

Isaiah 11:5 “And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle

of his reins.”

- God will always display himself as a just and faithful King.

c. Some areas which we see God’s faithfulness

1) Faithful in His Pardon

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to

cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

2) Faithful in His Protection

1 Peter 4:19 “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the

keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”

3) Faithful in His Proving

1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:

but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will

with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

4) Faithful in His Promises

Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is

faithful that promised;)”

5) Faithful in Preservation

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray

God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (24) Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”

Isaiah 25:1 “O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou

hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.”

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9. Wisdom

a. God is wise in all that He does. God cannot do anything that is foolish.

Romans 16:27 “To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.”

1 Timothy 1:17 “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be

honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

b. God being wise goes beyond His omniscience (God being all-knowing). God not only knows

all things, but He does all things well.

1) In CREATION

Psalm 104:24 “O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them

all: the earth is full of thy riches.

2) In His COUNSEL

Job 12:13 “With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.”

Proverbs 21:30 “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.”

3) In the CROSS

1 Corinthians 1:23-24 “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock,

and unto the Greeks foolishness; (24) But unto them which are called, both Jews and

Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

4) In His CHURCH

Ephesians 3:8-11 “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; (9) And to

make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the

world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (10) To the intent

that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the

church the manifold wisdom of God, (11) According to the eternal purpose which he

purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:”

“One of God's present purposes in connection with the mystery is to reveal His manifold

wisdom to the angelic hosts of heaven. Paul again uses the metaphor of a school. God is

the Teacher. The universe is the classroom. Angelic dignitaries are the students. The

lesson is on “The manifold wisdom of God.” The church is the object lesson. From heaven

the angels are compelled to admire His unsearchable judgments and marvel at His ways past finding out. They see how God has triumphed over sin to His own glory. They see

how He has sent heaven's Best for earth's worst. They see how He has redeemed His

enemies at enormous cost, conquered them by love, and prepared them as a Bride for His

Son. They see how He has blessed them with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies. And

they see that through the work of the Lord Jesus on the cross, more glory has come to

God and more blessing has come to believing Jews and Gentiles than if sin had never

been allowed to enter. God has been vindicated; Christ has been exalted; Satan has been

defeated; and the church has been enthroned in Christ to share His glory.”