God's Divine Nature Lesson 5 Series

A. INTRODUCTION

1. How could the untrained observe and describe God?

a. Spirit.

b. Invisible.

c. Unknown.

d. The source of law.

e. Intelligent – designer.

2. Only God understands Himself perfectly. Why some have difficulty accepting/defining/describing God:

a. No infinite understanding.

b. Divine attributes are difficult to comprehend.

c. Sin blinds.

d. Don’t want to know God.

e. Reject His dominion/central.

B. GOD’S NATURE IS EXPLAINED BY GOD HIMSELF

1. God is immaterial (not physical). God does not have a spirit (KJV), He is Spirit. “God is Spirit” (John 4:24, NLT). He has all power, all knowledge, and is everywhere present at the same time.

2. God is invisible. “No man has seen God at any time” (John 1:18): a. Saw results of God.

b. Saw God’s manifestation.

c. “That who was from the beginning … we have seen with our eyes … our hands have handled … we declare to you … that you may have fellowship … Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:1-3, NKJV).

3. They saw God. “When the fulness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman” (Galatians 4:4-5, NKJV).

4. There are all kinds of law, i.e., civil jurisprudence, business law, law of gravity, moral law, laws defining the growth health and training of your physical body. Where does God come in? God did not create law, and law is not a power He controls. No, God is law. Law is the extension of the Person of God and is the force by which He directs, controls, and brings all thing to completion. Think rays from sun.

5. Why does man fight/rebel against law? Because man is independent – dependent. God created him/her to be both.

6. God is intelligent-designer. “I have revealed Myself from Heaven … truth about Myself that is obviously seen in nature and the universe … all can see clearly My power and intelligent design” (Romans 1:18-19, ELT).

a. Illustration of pile of bricks, Who made them?

b. Illustration of exquisite brick wall – who designed and built it?

c. God had a purpose when He planned the ear and formed the eye (Psalm 94:9). If God plans little things, how about huge intricate things?

d. Why does God not tell us everything. “The Lord our God has secrets known to no one (Deuteronomy 29:29). “Abraham called on the name of the unknown Lord, El Olam, the God of mystery” (Genesis 21:33, ELT). “God ... has made know His mystery ... kept secret in ages past … that Gentiles and Jews are fellow-heirs” (Ephesians 3:3-6).

a. You cannot know.

b. You should not know.

c. Timing.

d. It is God’s privilege to keep secrets.

e. Faith-trust His plan for everything.

C. HOW SHOULD YOU RESPOND

1. Realize God knows everything, and you don’t. So determine to learn as much about God and His plan as possible. “I know the plans I have for you … plans for good and not for disaster” (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT).

2. Accept and exercise faith in God’s plan for the earth, civilization, and yourself.

3. Ask for wisdom from God, learn about His ways in Scriptures, and pray for daily guidance and His life-directing plan.

4. Praise and worship, because you are connected to the One who controls all, will you do what He plans?

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.

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