God The Father

God The Father
2/3 session EBI
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Monday 21 November 2011
The foundation of all true knowledge of God must be a clear mental apprehension of His perfections as revealed in Holy Scripture. An unknown God can neither be trusted, served, nor worshipped.
A. W. Pink Attributes of God.
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What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. For this reason the gravest question before the Church is always God Himself, and the most portentous fact about any man is not what he at a given time may say or do, but what he in his deep heart conceives God to be like.
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We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental image of God. This is true not only of the individual Christian, but of the company of Christians that composes the Church. Always the most revealing thing about the Church is her idea of God, just as her most signicant message is what she says about Him or leaves unsaid, for her silence is often more eloquent than her speech.
AW Tozer The Knowledge of the Holy.
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Draw a picture illustrating what you think are the three most important aspects of what God is like
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Draw a picture You are allowed illustrating what only think are the you three words which would you three most use to describe important aspects God? of what God is like
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The Nature of God

It is important to know the nature of the one you are dealing with...with a lot of errant teaching about who God is, God has been so misdened, tragically redened and even dismissed that people do not understand His true nature...Knowing the nature of God as he reveals himself, rather than how we wish he were, can save us from a life of confusion and defeat
Evans
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Talking about the nature of something means what is intrinsic to its being - rabbits hop, cows moo, students sleep So what does God do naturally, what are characteristics which mark God out as God? Is he a tyrant, a joke, a grandfather, a better version of humanity or do you imagine something else?
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1. God is a Transcendent Being

In saying transcendent we mean God is totally distinct (a synonym for transcendent) from his creation - he is unique, one of a kind - there is nothing you can really compare with God. If you imagine God then it is probably not what he is like the only understanding we can get is from what God tells us of himself 9
The "Eye of God" is a composite of images taken by the Hubble Telescope and the Kitt Peak National Observatory.

In saying transcendent we mean transcendent |transendnt| God is totally distinct (a - beyond or above the range of synonym for transcendent) from normal or merely physical human his creation - he is unique, one experience of a kind - there is nothing you - surpassing the ordinary;God. can really compare with exceptional If you imagine God then it is - (of God) existing apart from probably not what he is like and onlysubject to the limitations not understanding we can the of the from what God tells us of material universe. Often get is contrasted with immanent . himself 9

In saying transcendent we mean God is totally distinct (a synonym for transcendent) from his creation - he is unique, one of a kind - there is nothing you can really compare with God. If you imagine God then it is probably not what he is like the only understanding we can get is from what God tells us of himself 9
Isaiah 40: With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him? 19 As for an idol, a metalworker casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and fashions silver chains for it. 20 A person too poor to present such an offering selects wood that will not rot; they look for a skilled worker to set up an idol that will not topple. 21 Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? 10
22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. 23 He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing... 25 To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal? says the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.
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Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Some people say, I like to think God is like this and does that... The truth is God does not think in the same way as humans think.
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1.a. Distinct in his thoughts
Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Some people say, I like to think God is like this and does that... The truth is God does not think in the same way as humans think.
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Psalm 50:21 These things you have done, and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you. God is not like man - nor like Superman - he is totally utterly transcendent
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1.b. Distinct in his person Voltaire, God
created man in his own image, and man returned the favour
Psalm 50:21 These things you have done, and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you. God is not like man - nor like Superman - he is totally utterly transcendent
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Voltaire, God created man in his own image, and man returned the favour
There is no other god or person to compare God with. Psalm 97:9 - For you, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. Psalm 99:2 - The LORD is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples.
1.c. Distinct in his deity
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This cartoon has no relevance at all to the subject
There is no other god or person to compare God with. Psalm 97:9 - For you, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. Psalm 99:2 - The LORD is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples.
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This cartoon has no relevance at all to the subject
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Ex 20:4-6You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
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What does shall not make Ex 20:4-6Youthis mean for us - how do we apply image for yourself an it? in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
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What does shall not make Ex 20:4-6Youthis mean for us - how do we apply image for yourself an it? in the form of anything in heaven above or on the we use a Can we paint pictures, can earth beneath or in the waters cross in worship? below.You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
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What does shall not make Ex 20:4-6Youthis mean for us - how do we apply image for yourself an it? in the form of anything in heaven above or on the we use a Can we paint pictures, can earth beneath or in the waters cross in worship? below.You shall not bow down to Is it right to sayfor I, the only use signs we can them or worship them; like the bread jealous God, LORD your God, am aand wine which God has said isthe children for the sin of ok? punishing
the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
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What does shall not make Ex 20:4-6Youthis mean for us - how do we apply image for yourself an it? in the form of anything in heaven above or on the we use a Can we paint pictures, can earth beneath or in the waters cross in worship? below.You shall not bow down to Is it right to sayfor I, the only use signs we can them or worship them; like the bread jealous God, LORD your God, am aand wine which God has said isthe children for the sin of ok? punishing Is doing anything other the parents to the third and fourth than this generation of and therefore a way of idolatry those who hate me, but showing love to a glory? And, if we do limiting Gods thousand generations of those who love me this, do we make God smaller and and keep my commandments. therefore limit him?
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When you reduce God to something you are comfortable with it gives you liberty to do what you want. The Israelites made the golden calf - and then... built an altar in front of the calf and announced, Tomorrow there will be a festival to the LORD. So the next day the people rose early and sacriced burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.
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When you reduce God to something you are comfortable with it gives you liberty to do what you want. The Israelites made the golden calf - and then... built an altar in front of the calf and announced, Tomorrow there will be a festival to the LORD. So the next day the people rose early and sacriced burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.
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2. God is a Spirit Being

John 4:23-24 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, What does that mean - how might we understand and apply this?
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It means that God does not have a body - Jesus said this in Luke 24: 39 a spirit does not have esh and bones Jesus has a body because he became a man - it was not his essential nature God uses anthropomorphisms anthro pos = man, morphos = form Mention [spiritual, rather than physical] is made of Gods hand, back, eye, face ears...so that we might have some understanding of God - but it is only in part In worship God is rstly concerned about our heart, then our body as a result of that
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2.a. God is Immaterial
It means that God does not have a body - Jesus said this in Luke 24: 39 a spirit does not have esh and bones Jesus has a body because he became a man - it was not his essential nature God uses anthropomorphisms anthro pos = man, morphos = form Mention is made of Gods hand, back, eye, face ears...so that we might have some understanding of God - but it is only in part In worship God is rstly concerned about our heart, then our body as a result of that
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God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. This means he has the three aspects of being a person - mind, will emotions - he thinks, feels and chooses So he is a person - but without a body - Ex. 3:14 God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM.This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.
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2.b. God is a Person
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. This means he has the three aspects of being a person - mind, will emotions - he thinks, feels and chooses So he is a person - but without a body - Ex. 3:14 God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM.This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.
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John 1:18 - No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. Exodus 33:18, 22 -Then Moses said, Now show me your glory.... When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by Moses did not see God but only something of his glory
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2.c. God is Invisible
John 1:18 - No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. Exodus 33:18, 22 -Then Moses said, Now show me your glory.... When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by Moses did not see God but only something of his glory
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We might not see God, though in Jesus we have seen him, but we know he is there by what he does. God being spirit does 2 things: 1. It frees us from materialism - we are freed from looking for life in the wrong places - a relationship with God is developed on a spiritto-spirit basis 2. Knowing God is spirit means we are complete in him - Col 2:9-10, Acts 17:24-25, Jer 29:13 give him your heart in worship and see him act in your life 22
3. God is an Eternal Being

Ps 90:1-2 Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
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3.a. He has no beginning
Put simply there has never been a time when God did not exist. Somewhere we all encounter the problem of what, or who, came rst. God, according to the Bible, exists from everlasting to everlasting - God is forever, history is meaningless to him as he exists outside of time. God is the I AM - he has no past or future, he simply is. A parallel might be to think about looking at Niagara Falls - it is as if our view is from close up but Gods is from overhead, seeing where the river originates and where it concludes - He sees it all
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Put simply there has never been a time when God did not exist. Somewhere we all encounter the problem of what, or who, came rst. God, according to the Bible, exists from everlasting to everlasting - God is forever, history is meaningless to him as he exists outside of time. God is the I AM - he has no past or future, he simply is. A parallel might be to think about looking at Niagara Falls - it is as if our view is from close up but Gods is from overhead, seeing where the river originates and where it concludes - He sees it all
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Everything which is created needs something else to exist - God doesnt need anything to exist, he has always been. God did not need to create us - he is totally fullled in himself. God created us so that we could enjoy Him and participate in His world and all that He is doing.
3.b. He is Independent
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Everything which is created needs something else to exist - God doesnt need anything to exist, he has always been. God did not need to create us - he is totally fullled in himself. God created us so that we could enjoy Him and participate in His world and all that He is doing.
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4. God is an Immutable Being

immutable |imyotbl| unchanging over time or unable to be changed James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
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Does God sometimes change his mind? Unchangeableness Moses & the in his being, character, Unchanging Israelites - Ex. 32:9-14 purposes and promises, 38:1-6 does act Hezekiah Isa yet God and feel emotions,Jonahhe acts and feels Nineveh and 3:4, 10 differently in response to different What we see is that if a situation changes situations Grudem then Gods attitude or expression of Malachi 3:6,7 For the Lord do not intention will change -I in essence God change...return to me to different situations responds differently and I will return to you Can you think of a name of God which this is called the present attitude of God note that Gods his unchanging nature? here indicates nature has not changed
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Does God sometimes change his mind? Moses & the Israelites - Ex. 32:9-14 Hezekiah Isa 38:1-6 Nineveh Jonah 3:4, 10 What we see is that if a situation changes then Gods attitude or expression of intention will change - in essence God responds differently to different situations this is called the present attitude of God note that Gods nature has not changed here
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Process Theology says that process and change are essential parts of genuine existence, and therefore God must be changing over time also, just like anything else that exists. Charles Hartshorne, the father of process theology, says God is continually adding to himself all the experiences that happen anywhere in the universe, and is thus continually changing. Our actions change God - this gives great meaning to human lives! However, evangelicals believe our meaning comes not from changing God but in that God created us for his glory and that he counts us signicant.
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Why are we here? What is our purpose? Bruce Ware answers in this way The answer is NOT that God was lonely and needed fellowship. Ps 50 hes offended and dishonored to think so. Rather, particularly in relation to his people, the answer it this: though he doesnt need us, he loves us, and his purpose in creating and redeeming us is not that we might ll up some lack in him, but that he might ll us up with himself.
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He made us empty to be lled with his fullness, thirsty to drink of the water of life, weak to receive his strength, foolish to be instructed and corrected by his wisdom. In his love, he longs to give, to share the bounty. He wants us to experience in nite measure the fullness of joy and blessing that he knows innitelyall to redound to the praise and glory of his name, the Giver and Provider of all the good we enjoy
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God cannot, does not and will not change. Ps 119:89 - Forever, O LORD, your word is rmly xed in the heavens.
4.a. Changeless in his Person
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God cannot, does not and will not change. Ps 119:89 - Forever, O LORD, your word is rmly xed in the heavens.
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Hebrews 6:17-18 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he conrmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have ed to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. Hebrew 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Gods plans do not change and his knowledge is the same now as it was on the day of creation 32
4.b. Changeless in his Purpose
God is consistent there is no shadow because he does not move, or deviate from his purpose
Hebrews 6:17-18 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he conrmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have ed to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. Hebrew 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Gods plans do not change and his knowledge is the same now as it was on the day of creation 32
Exodus 32 10 leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them.Then I will make you into a great nation. 14 Then the LORD relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened. Jonah 3 4 Jonah began by going a days journey into the city, proclaiming, Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown. 10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had33threatened.
4.c. Changeless in his Character
Exodus 32 10 leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them.Then I will make you into a great nation. 14 Then the LORD relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened. Jonah 3 4 Jonah began by going a days journey into the city, proclaiming, Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown. 10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had33threatened.
Exodus 32 10 leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them.Then I will make you into a great nation. 14 Then the LORD relented and did not bring on his Does God had threatened. people the disaster he change his mind? Jonah 3 What does this say about 4 Jonah began by going character?the city, a days journey into Gods days and Nineveh will be proclaiming, Forty more overthrown. 10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had33threatened.
So what does this really mean? Gods character is entirely consistent - it never changes. However, if a change on a mans part affects another part of Gods character, God is then free to relate to that person out of that aspect of his character not the previous. God did not change his mind about Ninevehs sin but in repenting they appealed to another part of Gods character, his grace. They then moved from God dealing with them on the basis of his wrath against sin, to being dealt with by his grace. God did not change - he was and is always perfect - he simply responds to the readjustment of man.
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5. God is a Triune Being

This is a difcult truth! Dt 6:4 - Hear, O Israel:The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Isa 45:5, 1 Cor 8:4
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The One God is made up of three persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. We use the word Trinity to describe this - though it is not a biblical word it is useful to describe the threeness of God. Although it is hard to understand we have to remember God is transcendent - he is not like us. Images used to try to explain the trinity include:
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5.a. One God in Three Persons
The One God is made up of three persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. We use the word Trinity to describe this - though it is not a biblical word it is useful to describe the threeness of God. Although it is hard to understand we have to remember God is transcendent - he is not like us. Images used to try to explain the trinity include:
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Shell
Yolk
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White
Steam
Ice
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Water
5.b. The Trinity in Creation
Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. God = Elohim - a plural word Gen 1:26Then God said, Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the sh in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,and over all the creatures that move along the ground. Gen 1:27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Plural - singular - plural all in one chapter
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Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. God = Elohim - a plural word Gen 1:26Then God said, Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the sh in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,and over all the creatures that move along the ground. Gen 1:27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Plural - singular - plural all in one chapter
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The pre-incarnate Christ says, Isa 48:16 And now the Sovereign LORD has sent me, endowed with his Spirit. Matt 27:46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice,Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? (which means My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?) The Father is God: Gal 1:1, 3 Eph 1:2-3 The Son is God: John 20:28 The Holy Spirit is called God: Acts 5:3-4
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5.b. The Trinity throughout Scripture
The pre-incarnate Christ says, Isa 48:16 And now the Sovereign LORD has sent me, endowed with his Spirit. Matt 27:46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice,Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? (which means My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?) The Father is God: Gal 1:1, 3 Eph 1:2-3 The Son is God: John 20:28 The Holy Spirit is called God: Acts 5:3-4
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Simply put The Trinity is involved in working cooperatively in many areas, e.g. 1 Pet 1:1-2 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,To Gods elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: 2 Cor 13:14May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Creation is ascribed to God (Gen 1:1), Jesus (Col. 1:16), Holy Spirit (Gen 1:2, Ps 104:30)
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All three act in unity, one God in three persons, equal in essence though distinct in function Tony Evans Evans suggests the best image of the Trinity is that of a family: ...a woman and a man who are one, and children who bear the same essence as mum and dad
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Conclusion
This is the God we are learning of, the one we should long to know; 1 Tim 1:17
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (TM) Deep honor and bright glory to the King of All Time One God, Immortal, Invisible, ever and always. Oh, yes!
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Responding to the Nature of God

Evans makes 4 helpful points in how we respond to Gods nature - the transcendent, eternal, spirit, immutable, triune God: 1. Let God be God - Let God do what God wants in Gods way - dont say God would never allow that, How could God bless that person? etc.
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2. Dont make bargains with God - such as Ill do this if God does that - dont make deals with God. 3. Dont think that the better your performance the more God will love you - you are already complete in Christ, you dont have to work harder for his acceptance - serve him out of love and gratitude
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Memory Verse
Of old you laid the foundations of the earth, And the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you endure; They will wear out like a garment. You change them like raiment, and they pass away; But you are the same, and your years have no end. Psalm 102:25-27
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4. Make knowing God a priority - this might mean saying no to other things, even good things - accept Gods invitation to come closer.
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4. Make knowing God a priority - this might mean saying no to other things, even good things - accept Gods invitation to come closer.
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God The Father

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God The Father

2/3 session EBI

The Nature of God

1. God is a Transcendent Being

1. God is a Transcendent Being

1. God is a Transcendent Being

1.a. Distinct in his thoughts

1.b. Distinct in his person Voltaire, God

1.c. Distinct in his deity

This cartoon has no relevance at all to the subject

This cartoon has no relevance at all to the subject

2. God is a Spirit Being

2.a. God is Immaterial

2.b. God is a Person

2.c. God is Invisible

3. God is an Eternal Being

3.a. He has no beginning

Monday 21 November 2011

4. God is an Immutable Being

4.a. Changeless in his Person

4.b. Changeless in his Purpose

4.c. Changeless in his Character

Monday 21 November 2011

5. God is a Triune Being

5.a. One God in Three Persons

5.b. The Trinity in Creation

Monday 21 November 2011

5.b. The Trinity throughout Scripture

Responding to the Nature of God

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