GOD TELLS US ABOUT HIMSELF What God Is Like Christianity 101 – Lesson 2 Immanuel Lutheran Church Clayton Township, Neenah, Wisconsin

Last Week’s Memory Treasure The heavens declare … Psalm 19:1

Last Week’s Memory Treasure The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Psalm 19:1

New Testament Books – First Half MatthewRomans Mark1 & 2 Corinthians LukeGalatians JohnEphesians ActsPhilippians Colossians

Opening Discussion How do I answer someone who is challenging the Christian faith, who is trying to prove that God doesn’t exist by asking, "If God is truly omniscient (all-knowing) and omnipotent (all-powerful) and loving, how could He allow suffering and evil?"

What the True God Is Like And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness…” Exodus 34:6

What the True God Is Like And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness…” Exodus 34:6 God is… gracious and merciful

What the True God Is Like “Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.” Leviticus 19:2

What the True God Is Like “Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.” Leviticus 19:2 God is… holy

What the True God Is Like Lord, You have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God. Psalm 90:1-2

What the True God Is Like Lord, You have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God. Psalm 90:1-2 God is… eternal

What the True God Is Like “Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away? Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the LORD. Jeremiah 23:23-24

What the True God Is Like “Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away? Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the LORD. Jeremiah 23:23-24 God is… omnipresent (present everywhere at the same time)

What the True God Is Like “I the LORD do not change.” Malachi 3:6

What the True God Is Like “I the LORD do not change.” Malachi 3:6 God is… unchangeable

What the True God Is Like Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

What the True God Is Like Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 God is… omnipotent (all-powerful or almighty)

What the True God Is Like The third time He said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” John 21:17

What the True God Is Like The third time He said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” John 21:17 God is… omniscient (all-knowing)

What the True God Is Like Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8

What the True God Is Like Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8 God is… love

The God of the Bible Is Triune Tri = 3

The God of the Bible Is Triune une = 1

The God of the Bible Is Triune Tri = 3une = 1 Triune = 3 Persons in 1 Godhead

The God of the Bible Is Triune Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Deuteronomy 6:4

The God of the Bible Is Triune Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Deuteronomy 6:4

The God of the Bible Is Triune Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…” Genesis 1:26

The God of the Bible Is Triune Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…” Genesis 1:26

The God of the Bible Is Triune “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

The God of the Bible Is Triune “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

The God of the Bible Is Triune “‘The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace.’” Numbers 6:24-26

The God of the Bible Is Triune “‘The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace.’” Numbers 6:24-26

The God of the Bible Is Triune Above Him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.” Isaiah 6:3

The God of the Bible Is Triune Above Him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.” Isaiah 6:3

The God of the Bible Is Triune May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:4

The God of the Bible Is Triune May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:4

The Persons of the Godhead The Father, who is the… Creator (He makes something out of nothing)

The Persons of the Godhead The Son, who is the… Redeemer (He buys back)

The Persons of the Godhead The Holy Spirit, who is the… Sanctifier (He makes holy)

The Persons of the Godhead All 3 Persons are explicitly called God, described as God and act like God. All of the previously listed characteristics of God— “holy, eternal, etc.”—apply equally to each Person of the Trinity.

Agree or Disagree? 1.Jesus Christ is just as eternal and as powerful as God the Father. 2.The Holy Spirit is equal to the Father and the Son in power and knowledge. 3.God is able to do all things; nothing is impossible for Him. 4.God knows each one of us personally and cares about us personally.

Discussion Question #1 Recently while I was getting my car fixed, someone started talking to me about religion and said the trinity is a man-made thing. What biblical passages can dispel this view? I want to be better prepared the next time I am asked this question.

Discussion Question #2 How can we explain the Trinity as three persons and yet one God in a way that makes sense?

Discussion Question #3 Are we unloving or intolerant when we proclaim that everyone who does not worship the triune God is actually worshiping a false god or a god who does not exist?

Memory Treasure May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14

New Testament Books – Second Half 1 & 2 ThessaloniansHebrews 1 & 2 TimothyJames Titus1 & 2 Peter Philemon1, 2, 3 John Jude Revelation

Closing Prayer Almighty God and Father, dwelling in majesty and mystery, filling and renewing all creation by Your eternal Spirit, and manifesting Your saving grace through our Lord Jesus Christ: in mercy cleanse our hearts and lips that, free from doubt and fear, we may ever worship You, one true immortal God, with Your Son and the Holy Spirit, living and reigning, now and forever. Amen.