1. What is the Nature of God ? What is the Nature of Man ? What is the Goal of Life ? Progressive Sanctification

2. Isaiah 40:3-5 3 A voice cries:“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” God is the initiator of the relationship with man. Christianity is unique among the religions of the world in that it consists not of man seeking God, but God seeking man. The Nature and character of God Matt 3:3 Mark 1:3 Luke 3:4-6 John 1:23 Malachi 3:1,4:5-6

3. Isaiah 40:10-11 10 Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. There is a delicate balance between God's strength and power on the one hand and his extreme gentleness on the other The Nature and character of God

4. Isaiah 40:26 26 Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing. Isaiah 40:28 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. The Nature and character of God

5. Creator vs. Shepherd Creator: no tolerance for less than perfection all elements in place Shepherd: always working with weakness, imperfection, and disobedience The Nature and character of God

6. Isaiah 40:13-14 13 Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel? 14 Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding? These verses are Rhetorical Questions What wisdom I have, I have to attribute it to someone who taught me or that God made me understand something that normally I would not. The Nature and character of God

7. Isaiah 40:15-17 15 Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust. 16 Lebanon would not suffice for fuel, nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering. 17 All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness. The safety and security of a powerful nation means nothing to God and he can change that in a second The Nature and character of God

8. Isaiah 40:28 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. Only 2 persons that have control over the hurt in your life. God and you Satan can not (See Job 1) If something terrible happens to you, did God do it? God is never surprised. God doesn’t have to bargain with Satan to accomplish his will in our lives or to get us through every day. The Nature and character of God

9. Isaiah 42:1-4 1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. 2 He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; 3 a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. 4 He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law. Prophecy relating to Jesus Christ and his ultimate judgment The Nature and character of God

10. Isaiah 42:8 8 I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. God shares his Glory with no one The Nature and character of God

11. Isaiah 43:11-13 11 I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior. 12 I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and I am God. 13 Also henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?” Who can save and give security? Welfare Programs Pension Plans Medical programs Wages Jobs Stock Options The Nature and character of God