Do You Really Believe in God? A True, Living, and Eternal God?

Poll Results Concerning God 1990 Gallup poll revealed that 94% of Americans believe in God or a universal spirit –Only 81% of college graduates believe in God 2009 ARIS Survey concerning religion and belief in God: –“When it comes to religion, the USA is now a land of the freelancers” –People who call themselves “Christians” dropped more than 11% in a generation

Religion2008 (Mil)1990 Pop2008 PopChange Catholic %25.1%-1.1% Baptist %15.8%-3.5% No Religion %15.0%+6.8% Christian (Generic) %14.2%-0.6% Protestant %12.9%-5.8 Don’t know %5.2%+2.9% Charismatic8.03.2%3.5%+0.3% Denominations7.12.6%3.1%+0.5% Mormon3.21.4% 0% New Movements2.80.8%1.2%+0.4% Jewish2.71.8%1.2%-0.6% Eastern Religions2.00.4%0.9%+0.5% Muslim1.40.3%0.6%+0.3%

Poll Results Concerning God Since the first ARIS survey was released in 1990, other national surveys have offered snapshots of the USA’s faith and others have commented on these findings: –41% of people have switched their religion at some point in life (Pew survey) –How far is heaven? At least half will make it, Americans say (Baylor University survey)

Poll Results Concerning God –“Religion has become more like a fashion statement, not a deep personal commitment for many” (Kosmin) –“I’m totally disengaged from the church and the Bible, too. Sunday mornings mean playing in a park, not praying in a pew” (Mueller) –“If religion comes up, everyone at the table will start mocking it. I don’t know anyone religious and hardly anyone spiritual” (Rossi)

Poll Results Concerning God –“…I see kids today who have no vocabulary of faith, and neither do many of their parents” (Gautier) –“I am a deeply committed follower of Christ. Rather than aligning with a specific denomination, I attend a non-denominational community church where I like rock music, but Bible study is the focus of my faith. We just look to Jesus. It happens inside of people’s souls” (Haynes)

Poll Results Concerning God Two comments individuals stated in response to the USA Today religious survey: –“I’m so happy to see the increase in non-believers, agnostics, atheists. As people become more educated and expand their knowledge and experiences, they’re more likely to see that religion is about as valid as Mother Goose fairy tales” –“This is good news. The sooner mankind weans himself from the tyranny of religion the better. Religion is the worst thing ever invented. More misery has been visited upon mankind in the name of religion than anything else”

The Bible Shows and Proves the Existence of God Presents us a living GodPresents us a living God –Psalms 65:2 We MUST believe in GodWe MUST believe in God –Hebrews 11:6 God is NOT just an abstract idea or impersonal creator – He is aGod is NOT just an abstract idea or impersonal creator – He is a –“living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them” (Acts 14:15)

The Bible Shows and Proves the Existence of God God’s Word teaches the absolute necessity of knowing who God really isGod’s Word teaches the absolute necessity of knowing who God really is –John 17:3 –2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 “knowing God” means more than having some understanding of His existence“knowing God” means more than having some understanding of His existence It includes all concepts that lead to a right relationship with GodIt includes all concepts that lead to a right relationship with God

Faith Is Essential in Recognizing the True God We must gain faith in HimWe must gain faith in Him –Romans 10:17; Hebrews 10:22-24 Many are drawing back, losing their faith and living a life expecting God to change to keep up with modern timesMany are drawing back, losing their faith and living a life expecting God to change to keep up with modern times “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:38-39

Faith Is Essential in Recognizing the True God Comments from a Theologian conference (2000)Comments from a Theologian conference (2000) –“God’s image is going to have to change for all faiths if religion is to survive” –“We can’t enter the 21 st century with the idea of the God we learned in Sunday School” –“The God I grew up with had an image of a stern lawgiver and judge who required obedience within a system of rewards and punishments – a ‘monarchical model’ of God that has turned many people away from the Christian faith” –“I find it literally incredible that the God of the whole universe has chosen to be known by one religious tradition”

It Does Matter That We Believe in God Should all who claim the name of Christ be united? YESShould all who claim the name of Christ be united? YES –John 17:20-23 God’s Word says that we do things the same way!God’s Word says that we do things the same way! –1 Corinthians 1:10 –Ephesians 4:3-6

It Does Matter That We Believe in God Jesus’ message did not waver depending on His audience – Paul taught likewiseJesus’ message did not waver depending on His audience – Paul taught likewise –1 Corinthians 7:17 –1 Timothy 6:3-5 –1 John 4:1 We must follow the same standard today!We must follow the same standard today! –Jude 3; Matthew 15:9, 13

There Really Is Only One True God With God’s Word as our complete guide, we can believe in the one and only GodWith God’s Word as our complete guide, we can believe in the one and only God –He’s the creator – man is the creature Genesis 1:1, 26-27; John 1:1-5; Acts 17:26-31Genesis 1:1, 26-27; John 1:1-5; Acts 17:26-31 –Man is an immortal being and will live forever Hebrews 9:27; Ecclesiastes 12:7; James 2:26Hebrews 9:27; Ecclesiastes 12:7; James 2:26

There Really Is Only One True God Moral standard for man is not of his own personal choosing – it comes from GodMoral standard for man is not of his own personal choosing – it comes from God –Titus 2:12 –John 10:10 –1 John 5:4-5 One day, EVERYONE will KNOW the truth!