Understanding God: Existence, Attributes, and Faithfulness

In our Sunday night Abide Deeper session, we embarked on a profound exploration of the doctrine of God, delving into the nature and existence of God as revealed in the Bible. We began by reflecting on A.W. Tozer's assertion that what a person thinks about God is the most important thing about them. This statement challenges the prevailing cultural notion that beliefs about God are irrelevant. Instead, our understanding of God shapes every aspect of our lives, influencing our values, decisions, and worldview.

We acknowledged the rise of aggressive atheism in recent years, which often relies on mockery rather than logical argument to dismiss belief in God. Despite these cultural challenges, we affirmed that there are compelling reasons to believe in God's existence. We discussed several philosophical arguments, such as the argument from change, efficient causality, and time and contingency, which point to the necessity of a transcendent being—God.

Furthermore, we explored the biblical revelation of God, emphasizing that while creation itself declares God's glory, the Bible provides a more detailed and precious understanding of His nature. We examined key attributes of God, including His self-existence, eternality, omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, righteousness, and compassion. These attributes reveal a God who is not only powerful and just but also loving and merciful.

We also touched on the concept of the Trinity, affirming that the God of the Bible is one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This profound mystery is woven throughout the New Testament, demonstrating the unity and diversity within the Godhead.

In the second part of our session, we surveyed the historical books of the Old Testament, from Joshua to Esther, covering nearly a thousand years of Israel's history. These books chronicle Israel's journey from entering the Promised Land to their return from exile, highlighting God's faithfulness and the need for a perfect king, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Importance of Our View of God: Our understanding of God profoundly impacts our lives. In a culture that often dismisses beliefs about God as irrelevant, we must recognize that our view of God shapes our values, decisions, and worldview. A true understanding of God leads to a life aligned with His purposes. [02:35]
• 2. The Reality of God's Existence: Despite cultural challenges and the rise of atheism, there are compelling reasons to believe in God's existence. Philosophical arguments, such as the argument from change and efficient causality, point to the necessity of a transcendent being. Our belief in God is not based on wishful thinking but on rational and experiential evidence. [06:14]
• 3. God's Revelation in Creation and Scripture: While creation declares God's glory, the Bible provides a more detailed and precious understanding of His nature. The world book teaches us about God's power and order, but the word book reveals His love, mercy, and grace. To truly know God, we must engage with His revelation in Scripture. [18:19]
• 4. The Nature of the Trinity: The God of the Bible is one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This profound mystery is woven throughout the New Testament, demonstrating the unity and diversity within the Godhead. Understanding the Trinity enriches our relationship with God and deepens our worship. [25:36]
• 5. The Historical Books and God's Faithfulness: The historical books of the Old Testament chronicle Israel's journey from entering the Promised Land to their return from exile. These books highlight God's faithfulness and the need for a perfect king, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. They remind us of God's sovereignty and His redemptive plan throughout history. [51:39]
  ** [51:39]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:20] - Introduction to Abide Deeper Sessions
• [01:06] - Doctrine of God: Theology Proper
• [02:12] - A.W. Tozer's Profound Statement
• [04:02] - The Existence of God in a Modern World
• [06:33] - Arguments for God's Existence
• [09:32] - The Role of Science and Philosophy
• [12:43] - God's Revelation in Creation
• [15:15] - The God Revealed in the Bible
• [21:30] - Attributes of God: Yahweh
• [25:36] - Understanding the Trinity
• [32:56] - God is Alive and Self-Existent
• [38:44] - God's Eternal Nature
• [46:48] - God's Ethical and Compassionate Nature
• [51:39] - Overview of Historical Books in the Old Testament

1. Psalm 19:1-4
2. Romans 1:20
3. Deuteronomy 6:4

1. According to Psalm 19:1-4, how does creation declare the glory of God? What specific elements of creation are mentioned? [16:16]
2. In Romans 1:20, what are the "invisible attributes" of God that are clearly seen through creation? How does this passage suggest people are without excuse? [16:58]
3. Deuteronomy 6:4 is known as the Shema. What does this verse declare about the nature of God, and why is it significant in understanding the doctrine of the Trinity? [24:16]
4. How does the sermon describe the cultural challenges to belief in God, and what are the two main approaches used by modern atheism to argue against God's existence? [06:33]

1. How does the understanding of God as revealed in creation and scripture differ, and why is it important to engage with both? [18:19]
2. The sermon mentions philosophical arguments for God's existence, such as the argument from change and efficient causality. How do these arguments support the belief in a transcendent being? [09:32]
3. What does the concept of the Trinity reveal about the unity and diversity within the Godhead, and how does this understanding enrich a believer's relationship with God? [25:36]
4. How do the historical books of the Old Testament highlight God's faithfulness and the need for a perfect king, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ? [51:39]

1. Reflect on A.W. Tozer's statement that what a person thinks about God is the most important thing about them. How does your view of God shape your daily decisions and interactions with others? [02:35]
2. In a culture that often dismisses beliefs about God, how can you confidently share your reasons for believing in God's existence with others? What challenges might you face, and how can you overcome them? [06:14]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of engaging with God's revelation in scripture. What specific steps can you take to deepen your understanding of God's nature through Bible study this week? [18:19]
4. Understanding the Trinity can deepen our worship. How can you incorporate this understanding into your personal or corporate worship practices? [25:36]
5. The historical books of the Old Testament remind us of God's sovereignty and redemptive plan. How can you find encouragement in God's faithfulness during times of personal struggle or uncertainty? [51:39]
6. Consider the attributes of God discussed in the sermon, such as His omnipotence, omniscience, and compassion. Which attribute resonates most with you, and how can it influence your relationship with God and others? [21:30]
7. The sermon discusses the rise of aggressive atheism and its impact on belief. How can you engage in meaningful conversations with those who hold different beliefs about God, while maintaining respect and understanding? [04:44]