Expanding Our Understanding of God's Infinite Nature

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we celebrated the incredible work God is doing through our deaf ministry, led by Ms. Sabrina Frazier and Ms. Barb. Their dedication has transformed a small group into a thriving community, ministering to many. This serves as a testament to God's boundless love and power, which cannot be confined to any box we might try to place Him in. This leads us to a crucial question: How big is your God box? Often, our perception of God is limited by our faith and understanding, but God is far greater than any constraints we impose.

We explored the nature and attributes of God, emphasizing His self-existence, eternality, and immutability. God is not bound by time; He is the eternal "I Am," existing outside the constraints of past, present, and future. His attributes, such as sovereignty, holiness, and love, are in perfect harmony, none greater than the other. This balance is crucial because focusing on one attribute over others can skew our understanding of God.

The doctrine of the Trinity reveals God as one being in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Though the term "Trinity" isn't found in Scripture, the concept is evident throughout. God's attributes, including omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience, further illustrate His infinite nature. He is all-powerful, present everywhere, and all-knowing, understanding even the deepest thoughts of our hearts.

God's righteousness and justice ensure that He is the ultimate standard of what is right and good. Despite the world's injustices, we can trust that divine justice will ultimately prevail. His mercy and grace are evident in His patience with us, offering forgiveness and favor we don't deserve. The cross is the ultimate demonstration of His love, mercy, and grace.

In closing, we are reminded that God is beyond our comprehension, and we should strive to see Him as He truly is, not as we want Him to be. By removing the limitations we place on God, we open ourselves to His transformative power in our lives. Let us take the lid off our God box and allow Him to work freely and powerfully through us.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Boundless Nature: God cannot be confined to any box we create. His nature and attributes are infinite, and He exists beyond the constraints of time and space. Our understanding of God should expand beyond our limitations to truly grasp His greatness. [31:33]

2. The Harmony of God's Attributes: God's sovereignty, holiness, and love are in perfect harmony. No single attribute is greater than the others, and focusing on one can skew our understanding. Recognizing this balance helps us appreciate the fullness of God's character. [43:49]

3. The Doctrine of the Trinity: God is one being in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This concept, though not explicitly named in Scripture, is evident throughout. Understanding the Trinity helps us see the multifaceted nature of God. [46:34]

4. God's Omnipotence, Omnipresence, and Omniscience: God is all-powerful, present everywhere, and all-knowing. These attributes assure us that nothing escapes His knowledge or control, and He is always available to us. [52:14]

5. God's Mercy and Grace: God's mercy and grace are demonstrated through His patience and the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Despite our unworthiness, He offers forgiveness and favor, inviting us into a relationship with Him. [55:09]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Celebrating the Deaf Ministry
- [02:00] - Opening Prayer
- [03:30] - How Big is Your God Box?
- [05:00] - Understanding God's Nature
- [07:00] - Charles Spurgeon's Reflection
- [09:00] - The Nature of God
- [11:00] - God's Self-Existence and Eternity
- [13:00] - The Doctrine of the Trinity
- [15:00] - God's Attributes in Harmony
- [17:00] - God's Omnipotence, Omnipresence, and Omniscience
- [19:00] - God's Righteousness and Justice
- [21:00] - God's Mercy and Grace
- [23:00] - Removing the Lid from Your God Box
- [25:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 45:5 - "I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God."
2. Genesis 1:26 - "Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness...'"
3. Psalm 139:7-10 - "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."

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Observation Questions:

1. What are the three main attributes of God discussed in the sermon, and how are they described as being in harmony with each other? [43:49]

2. How does the sermon describe the concept of the Trinity, and what analogy is used to help explain it? [46:34]

3. According to the sermon, what does it mean for God to be omnipresent, and how is this supported by Psalm 139? [52:14]

4. What role does the cross play in demonstrating God's mercy and grace, as mentioned in the sermon? [55:09]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon challenge the common perceptions or "boxes" people place God in, and what impact does this have on one's faith? [31:33]

2. In what ways does understanding the harmony of God's attributes help prevent a skewed perception of His character? [43:49]

3. How does the concept of God's omnipresence provide comfort and assurance to believers, according to the sermon? [52:14]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between God's justice and the injustices present in the world? [55:09]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own "God box." How might your current understanding of God limit His work in your life, and what steps can you take to expand your perception of Him? [31:33]

2. Consider the balance of God's attributes in your personal faith journey. Is there one attribute you tend to focus on more than others, and how might this affect your relationship with God? [43:49]

3. How can the understanding of the Trinity deepen your relationship with each person of the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? [46:34]

4. In what ways can you remind yourself of God's omnipresence in your daily life, especially during challenging times? [52:14]

5. How can the demonstration of God's mercy and grace through the cross inspire you to extend the same to others in your life? [55:09]

6. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to trust in God's justice, despite the injustices you see around you. How can you actively place this trust in Him? [55:09]

7. What practical steps can you take this week to ensure that your understanding of God is based on who He truly is, rather than who you want Him to be? [01:02:02]

Devotional

Day 1: Expanding Our Understanding of God's Boundlessness
God's nature is limitless, transcending any constraints we might impose. Often, we try to fit God into a "box" of our own understanding, limiting His power and presence in our lives. However, God exists beyond time and space, and His attributes are infinite. By recognizing this, we can begin to expand our understanding of His greatness and allow Him to work more fully in our lives. This expansion of understanding invites us to experience His transformative power and love in ways we never imagined. [31:33]

Isaiah 40:28-29 (ESV): "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength."

Reflection: In what ways have you limited your understanding of God? How can you begin to expand your perception of His boundless nature today?


Day 2: Embracing the Harmony of God's Attributes
God's attributes, such as sovereignty, holiness, and love, exist in perfect harmony. No single attribute is greater than the others, and focusing on one can lead to a skewed understanding of His character. By recognizing the balance of His attributes, we can appreciate the fullness of who God is. This understanding helps us to see God as He truly is, rather than how we might want Him to be. It encourages us to embrace the complexity and beauty of His nature. [43:49]

Psalm 89:14 (ESV): "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you."

Reflection: Which attribute of God do you tend to focus on the most? How can you seek a more balanced understanding of His character today?


Day 3: Understanding the Trinity's Multifaceted Nature
The doctrine of the Trinity reveals God as one being in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While the term "Trinity" is not explicitly found in Scripture, the concept is evident throughout. This understanding helps us to see the multifaceted nature of God, as each person of the Trinity plays a unique role in His divine plan. Embracing the mystery of the Trinity allows us to deepen our relationship with God and appreciate the richness of His nature. [46:34]

2 Corinthians 13:14 (ESV): "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

Reflection: How does the concept of the Trinity challenge or enrich your understanding of God? What steps can you take to explore this mystery further?


Day 4: Trusting in God's Omnipotence, Omnipresence, and Omniscience
God is all-powerful, present everywhere, and all-knowing. These attributes assure us that nothing escapes His knowledge or control, and He is always available to us. In a world filled with uncertainty, we can find comfort in knowing that God is sovereign and intimately involved in our lives. Trusting in His omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience allows us to rest in His care and guidance, knowing that He is always with us and for us. [52:14]

Jeremiah 23:23-24 (ESV): "Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust in God's omnipotence, omnipresence, or omniscience? How can you begin to surrender these areas to Him today?


Day 5: Experiencing God's Mercy and Grace
God's mercy and grace are demonstrated through His patience and the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Despite our unworthiness, He offers forgiveness and favor, inviting us into a relationship with Him. This invitation is a testament to His boundless love and compassion for us. By accepting His mercy and grace, we can experience the fullness of His love and be transformed by His presence in our lives. [55:09]

Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV): "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."

Reflection: How have you experienced God's mercy and grace in your life? What steps can you take to extend that same mercy and grace to others today?

Quotes


And generally speaking, the size of your box is most often decided by the size of your faith and what you perceive God is able to do. The problem is God doesn't fit in a box. No matter how big your box is or how small your box is, he doesn't fit there. [00:31:20] (18 seconds)


The proper study of a Christian is the Godhead. The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God he calls Father. [00:33:45] (26 seconds)


It's a subject so vast that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity, so deep our pride is drowned in its infinity. Other subjects we can compass and grapple, and then we feel a kind of self-content and go our way with the thought, behold, I am wise. [00:34:17] (21 seconds)


God alone, to be sovereign, God alone has supreme authority and absolute control over everything in existence. This includes dominion over nature, events, human affairs, and that nothing occurs outside of His purview or without His permission. [00:45:44] (15 seconds)


At the core of who He is is agape love, meaning He's all about the business of giving Himself to others. I love this. He's self-giving and unconditional. What does that mean? It means that His love for me is not based upon who I am or what I do. [00:47:36] (18 seconds)


It means that he is present everywhere at all times, and his presence is not limited by time, space, or physical boundaries. It means that he is fully present in every location in the universe simultaneously. And it suggests that there's no place that's beyond God's reach. [00:52:14] (19 seconds)


Mercy is not getting what you deserve, not getting the punishment, the discipline that you deserve, whereas grace is getting the favor that you don't deserve. And so, what we see is that God has given us because of His patience, because of His love, because of His sovereignty, because of His holiness. [00:55:09] (21 seconds)


Stop trying to contain God in your human limitations. He's far beyond what you can see, what you can think, what you can even imagine. Instead, I want to challenge you to strive to see Him for who He really is, which by the way, if you spend time in this book, you will see who He really is. [01:01:52] (24 seconds)


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Transcript
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