Who is my God? Introduction to the Attributes of God

Our Goal this Summer Answer, “Who is my God?” Answer, “Who is my God?” – Not “What should I believe about God?” – But “What do I really believe about God?” Why bother? Why bother? 1.It’s our greatest command (Mt 22:37-38) 2.It’s our greatest privilege (Phil 3:8) 3.It’s the foundation of all else in life worldview, attitudes, behavior, relationships…

Isaiah 6:1-5 I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him… one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.” And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke. Then I said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.”

Overview Attribute Attribute – Definition: “a characteristic, quality or property which is intrinsic to its subject” Objective Objective Not an action or choice Not an action or choice

Overview Attribute Attribute – Incommunicable: “does not share” Self-existence, immutability, omnipotence, etc. Self-existence, immutability, omnipotence, etc. – Communicable: “shares in a limited sense” Spirituality – life, personality Spirituality – life, personality Intellectual Attributes - wisdom, truth Intellectual Attributes - wisdom, truth Moral Attributes – Goodness, love, grace, righteousness Moral Attributes – Goodness, love, grace, righteousness etc. etc.

Guiding Principles 1.God is ultimately unfathomable Psalm 145:3 Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised, And His greatness is unsearchable.

Guiding Principles 1.God is ultimately unfathomable Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!

Guiding Principles 1.God is ultimately unfathomable Theological term: Transcendent 1.“to exist outside, beyond the material universe and so not limited by it” 2.“to be above or beyond all known categories of experience or language”

Guiding Principles 1.God is ultimately unfathomable 2.But He chose to reveal Himself to us – Creation (Romans 1:20) – His actions in history (Acts 14:16-17) – His Word (Hebrews 1:1) – His Son (Hebrews 1:2-3a)

Guiding Principles 1.God is ultimately unfathomable 2.But He chose to reveal Himself to us Theological term: Immanent “God condescends to be present in His creation and to experience relationships with His creatures.” But to understand it … 1 Cor 2:10-16

Application 1.Reflect on past times of struggle – How did you respond? – What does this reveal about your conception of God? 2.Pray – That God would unearth false conceptions about Him… – …and correct them… – …and transform you more fully into His image.