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Series: Strong Doctrines in Shifting Times


Message # 3 "I BELIEVE IN GOD"


Introduction:

Last week we began a series entitled Bedrock Beliefs for the
Shifting Sands of Time. Last Sunday I talked about "Why I
Believe in Believing," and I talked about faith.

Romans 11:6 tells us "that we must believe that He is a rewarder
to those who seek Him."

Today I want to talk to you about who I believe in, and that is
God.

(Pascal -- "God shaped vacuum.")
April 17, 1994 -- AM Service
Job 22:21 says, "Acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace;
thereby good shall come to thee."

Jeremiah challenged us with a word from God when God said, "Thus
saith the Lord, let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich
man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth glory in
this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord."
Jeremiah 9:23-24.

You see, intellect can fail you. (downing of the Black Hawk
helicopters.) Physical strength can desert you. (Jay
Hillgenberg - 3 times pro-football - heart attack) Material can
disappear. (Politicians)
God says understand me and know me. An unknown God cannot be
trusted, served or worshiped.

I am talking about more than theoretical. God is talking about
knowing Him in your soul.

Jeremiah 7:17 - "If any man will do His Will, He shall know."

Charles Spurgeon said:
"Nothing will so enlarge the intellect, nothing will so magnify
the soul of a man, as a devout, earnest, investigation of the
subject of deity.

"There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a
contemplation of the Divinity. It is a subject so vast, that
all of our thoughts are lost in its immensity. So deep, that
our pride is drowned in infinity.

"Other subjects we can comprehend and grapple with. In them we
feel a self-contentment and feel we are wise. But when we come
to this Master Science our plumbline cannot sound its depth, our
eagle eye cannot see its height. We turn away with the thought,
'I am but of yesterday, and know nothing.' "


I.The principles of God "who understands me."

A.He was solitary.
Genesis 1:1 - "In the beginning God."
No heaven.
No earth. No angels.

No devil.
God was "From everlasting."

B.His sufficiency.
Self-contained.
Self-satisfied.

C.His steadfastness.
Malachi 3:6 - "He changes not."
God is immutable.
James 1:17 - "The father of lights, with whom there is no
variableness, no shadow of turning."
Deuteronomy 32:4
He is a rock.

D.His sovereignty.
Ephesians 1:11 - "He works all things to His will."
READ:
Romans 11:34
Isaiah 40:15-18
Isaiah 40:22-23
1 Timothy 6:16

E.His supremacy.
He is omnipotent -- All powerful.
He is omniscient -- All knowing.
He is omnipresent -- Everywhere.

Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither
are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are
higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and
my thoughts than your thoughts."


II.The personality of God "who knows me."
To fully know God, you need four elements.

A.The access to knowledge.
The Holy Spirit.
The Holy Scriptures.
The Power of Prayers.
The Purity of Purpose.

B.The attributes of knowledge. His Holiness.
Leviticus 19:2 - "I the Lord am holy."
His Faithfulness.
Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and
forever."
Deuteronomy 7:9
2 Thessalonians 3:3 - "The Lord is faithful and will establish
you."
His Goodness.
His Patience.
His Grace.
His Mercy.
Luke 6:36 - "Be ye merciful as your father is merciful." His
Love.
John 3:16.

C.Attitude that came from knowledge.
"Fruit from Knowledge."
Galatians 5:22 - "The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
self-control."


III.A personal relationship with God.

A.A personal experience.
READ John 14:8-9.

Jesus is the exact representation of the Father.
John 3:16 - "For God so loved..."B.A permanent experiment.
READ Romans 8:35-39