1. by

2. Q 3 What do the Scriptures principally teach? The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. Westminster Shorter Catechism

3. MOST IMPORTANT: KNOWING GOD Jeremiah 9:23 Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.”

4. ETERNAL LIFE: KNOWING GOD John 17:1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

5. NO IDOLS: KNOW GOD Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

6. GOD’S ATTRIBUTES – CHARACTER – NAME Sovereign, Eternal, Infinite, Independent, Unchanging, Infallible, Transcendent, Omnipresent, Omniscient, Omnipotent, Creator, Sustainer, Triune Holy, Good, Personal, Relational, Truthful, Faithful, Wise, Loving, Merciful, Gracious, Patient, Righteous, Just, Wrath

7. Romans 9:19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory

8. Romans 9:19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?

9. GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY OUR RESPONSIBILITY Isaiah 45:9 “Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’?

10. GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY OUR RESPONSIBILITY We are responsible for our choices If God should judge you it would agree with: – Your treatment of Him – Your treatment of other people – Your treatment of yourself God’s judgments are always based on His justice in condemning sin It is always wrong & absurd for a mere human to accuse God of wrongdoing

11. Romans 9:22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory

12. GOD’S PATIENCE 1 Timothy 1:15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

13. GOD’S PATIENCE 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

14. HOW PEOPLE ARE DIVIDED Many roads with same destiny: False One road with same destiny: False Two separate roads: False – Jews: heritage, tradition, rituals, good works – Gentiles One road with a fork in the road: True – All are sinners that deserve eternal punishment – Fork in the road: God’s will/JESUS CHRIST Justice for those He lets go their own way in unbelief Mercy for those He elects to regenerate and to believe All for His glory

15. Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God gave them up…

16. PRINCIPLES God’s ultimate purpose in all that He wills is to glorify Himself by proclaiming His name God glorifies Himself by showing mercy & grace to those who do not deserve it – the elect He glorifies Himself by dispensing justice to those who deserve it – the reprobate You are saved because God in eternity past decided to love you for His glory We are all responsible for our choices

17. HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE ELECT? Godly sorrow over your sins Confess your sins Repent from your sins Faith in, trust in, belief in the Lord Jesus Christ Live to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ Testify to the Lord Jesus Christ Learn about/know the One Holy Triune God Love the One Holy Triune God Love people