He's in charge of us.
He was never born.
He invented time.
He doesn't have a body.
He invented math.
He never gets tired.
and He places a knowledge of Himself within every man and woman who has ever lived.
His name is YAHWEH, the Absolute Ruler ... and we're not even sure we are pronouncing the name right.
He is God.
He wants us to know Him.
He was never born.
He invented time.
He doesn't have a body.
He invented math.
He never gets tired.
and He places a knowledge of Himself within every man and woman who has ever lived.
His name is YAHWEH, the Absolute Ruler ... and we're not even sure we are pronouncing the name right.
He is God.
He wants us to know Him.
Key word this week: ASEITY Pronounced ah - SEE - eh-tee
Miriam Webster's Dictionary says the definition is "the absolute self-sufficiency, independence, and autonomy of one."
This is God.
Miriam Webster's Dictionary says the definition is "the absolute self-sufficiency, independence, and autonomy of one."
This is God.
FIRST OF ALL, READ THIS INSTALLMENT OF THE 13TH DISCIPLE
The 13th Disciple
I am not even sure how to explain this...
A drink of water? Yes, I'll take one. Lie down? No, I just want to sit. And think.
Of course, I'm shaking. You'd be shaking if you saw what I just saw. It happened only, what, two hours ago? With all of my being, I never thought I would see something like that. Not since Jesus left, anyway.
Yes, I'm of the Way. I'm a Believer. That doesn't take away the awe, the fear...
Okay, okay. I'll explain what happened. This was over at the courtyard, over there, where there's lots of room. There are so many people now, I don't think anybody can count them, so we need lots of room until we figure out where to meet. Since the event at Pentecost, you know, with us all receiving that power, hearing the rushing wind and receiving the flame of fire from Yahweh Himself... well, somewhere near three thousand people have come to faith in Yeshua. We don't even know what to call the group. Most now are referring to the assembly as the Ecclesia, you know, imitating the same word used in the Greek government for citizen assembly. It has a nice sound to it.
There were a few hundred people there. Peter was there. He's not a disciple any more, he is now known as one of the leaders of the new Messiah movement.
Well, I'm standing over at the side, helping out with carrying baskets of food for the needy and I pause because there ha been a lot of discussion about where we should meet. Do we rent a building? Do we pay to build one ourselves? And how do we help those who have lost their jobs because this new faith? All these questions can only be answered with money, right? It's a practical matter, and i put down my basket and walked over to the table where Peter was. He is being practical about all of this. He wants to be responsible, and so do we all. it's the best way to begin this new movement.
In to the courtyard walks this man, name of Barnabas. He's a good fellow. Not talkative, even a bit shy, but not timid, mind you. He's a good honest sort. Says plainly what he means, with no showmanship.
He walks over to Peter and the other apostles - that's what they call them now, the "sending ones" - and puts a bag - a big bag, mind you - at the feet of Peter and begins to walk away. Peter calls to him. "What is this?"
Barnabas turns around respectfully but lowers his head. "You needed money. There's some money to help." Peter opens the bag and I get to look in it. It's stuffed with money. Peter looks up. "How did you get this money?"
"I sold my land. I inherited property from my late father. I sold it." He gestured. "That's the payment. Use it as you feel is right."
Peter gulped. "You sold all of your land?"
Barnabas shrugged. "Well, yes." He bowed his head. "Just... just use it for whatever the Ecclesia needs." He turned and left quickly. I could see he was getting embarrassed by all the attention.
It was something! Everyone was talking about it.
Now, understand that Barnabas didn't want the attention. But he sure got it! They were talking about making him a leader or somehow honor him. He was gone, though.
This must have got to Ananias. He's the one who always does a lot of talking, always wants to be out in front? Well, about an hour later, in front of those hundreds of people, he walks in and does the same thing. He plops down a big bag of money and stands there, grinning. "Here's my donation to the Ecclesia," he says, standing there and waiting for an answer. I peek over Peter's shoulder. It's a good-sized amount of money.
Peter is not emotional. He looks right at Ananias and says something like "how did you get this amount of money?"
"Well, I sold a parcel of my land, the one big lot in the commercial district of the city. Everybody knows the place I'm talking about." he announces a bit loudly. Some people gasp. That was a pricey piece of property.
Paul stares at him. "And this is the total amount of the property sales price?"
Ananias nods. "Yes, it is. I thought I would give the proceeds of the sale to you."
Peter asks again. "This is the total sales price?"
Ananias smiles widely. he likes the idea of Peter repeating his good deed, he thinks. "Yes."
Peter then stands up so quickly that it almost knocks me back toward the wall. His eyes are red. Something has happened to him, you understand? He knew something.
His voice starts off sharp. "Why did you allow Satan to get inside you, Ananias. Why did you let the devil control your thinking? You lied." The place is quiet. Peter's voice rises in anger. "You lied to the Holy Spirit." Ananias gulps and steps back. Peter roars.
"You lied to God!" Peter was almost sputtering. "Didn’t that belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You lied not to us, but you lied to God."
And Ananias fell over in shock. Listen to me; Ananias died. Right there. On the spot. He was dead. They checked his vital signs and his heart was stopped. The only thing to do was to take him out and bury him.
Wait. I'm not done. His wife comes in.
She grins and waits to be congratulated. Peter confronts her. “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”
“Yes,” she says, “that is the price.”
He grabs his head in frustration. “What reason do you have to scheme this way to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look of there- the feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” And she dies. Falls over dead.
Two of them, lying to God. Two of them in perfect health. And now both of them are dead for lying in the face of God.
I tell you, God is a God of justice. I just want to sit here for a while, if that's all right with you.
A drink of water? Yes, I'll take one. Lie down? No, I just want to sit. And think.
Of course, I'm shaking. You'd be shaking if you saw what I just saw. It happened only, what, two hours ago? With all of my being, I never thought I would see something like that. Not since Jesus left, anyway.
Yes, I'm of the Way. I'm a Believer. That doesn't take away the awe, the fear...
Okay, okay. I'll explain what happened. This was over at the courtyard, over there, where there's lots of room. There are so many people now, I don't think anybody can count them, so we need lots of room until we figure out where to meet. Since the event at Pentecost, you know, with us all receiving that power, hearing the rushing wind and receiving the flame of fire from Yahweh Himself... well, somewhere near three thousand people have come to faith in Yeshua. We don't even know what to call the group. Most now are referring to the assembly as the Ecclesia, you know, imitating the same word used in the Greek government for citizen assembly. It has a nice sound to it.
There were a few hundred people there. Peter was there. He's not a disciple any more, he is now known as one of the leaders of the new Messiah movement.
Well, I'm standing over at the side, helping out with carrying baskets of food for the needy and I pause because there ha been a lot of discussion about where we should meet. Do we rent a building? Do we pay to build one ourselves? And how do we help those who have lost their jobs because this new faith? All these questions can only be answered with money, right? It's a practical matter, and i put down my basket and walked over to the table where Peter was. He is being practical about all of this. He wants to be responsible, and so do we all. it's the best way to begin this new movement.
In to the courtyard walks this man, name of Barnabas. He's a good fellow. Not talkative, even a bit shy, but not timid, mind you. He's a good honest sort. Says plainly what he means, with no showmanship.
He walks over to Peter and the other apostles - that's what they call them now, the "sending ones" - and puts a bag - a big bag, mind you - at the feet of Peter and begins to walk away. Peter calls to him. "What is this?"
Barnabas turns around respectfully but lowers his head. "You needed money. There's some money to help." Peter opens the bag and I get to look in it. It's stuffed with money. Peter looks up. "How did you get this money?"
"I sold my land. I inherited property from my late father. I sold it." He gestured. "That's the payment. Use it as you feel is right."
Peter gulped. "You sold all of your land?"
Barnabas shrugged. "Well, yes." He bowed his head. "Just... just use it for whatever the Ecclesia needs." He turned and left quickly. I could see he was getting embarrassed by all the attention.
It was something! Everyone was talking about it.
Now, understand that Barnabas didn't want the attention. But he sure got it! They were talking about making him a leader or somehow honor him. He was gone, though.
This must have got to Ananias. He's the one who always does a lot of talking, always wants to be out in front? Well, about an hour later, in front of those hundreds of people, he walks in and does the same thing. He plops down a big bag of money and stands there, grinning. "Here's my donation to the Ecclesia," he says, standing there and waiting for an answer. I peek over Peter's shoulder. It's a good-sized amount of money.
Peter is not emotional. He looks right at Ananias and says something like "how did you get this amount of money?"
"Well, I sold a parcel of my land, the one big lot in the commercial district of the city. Everybody knows the place I'm talking about." he announces a bit loudly. Some people gasp. That was a pricey piece of property.
Paul stares at him. "And this is the total amount of the property sales price?"
Ananias nods. "Yes, it is. I thought I would give the proceeds of the sale to you."
Peter asks again. "This is the total sales price?"
Ananias smiles widely. he likes the idea of Peter repeating his good deed, he thinks. "Yes."
Peter then stands up so quickly that it almost knocks me back toward the wall. His eyes are red. Something has happened to him, you understand? He knew something.
His voice starts off sharp. "Why did you allow Satan to get inside you, Ananias. Why did you let the devil control your thinking? You lied." The place is quiet. Peter's voice rises in anger. "You lied to the Holy Spirit." Ananias gulps and steps back. Peter roars.
"You lied to God!" Peter was almost sputtering. "Didn’t that belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You lied not to us, but you lied to God."
And Ananias fell over in shock. Listen to me; Ananias died. Right there. On the spot. He was dead. They checked his vital signs and his heart was stopped. The only thing to do was to take him out and bury him.
Wait. I'm not done. His wife comes in.
She grins and waits to be congratulated. Peter confronts her. “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”
“Yes,” she says, “that is the price.”
He grabs his head in frustration. “What reason do you have to scheme this way to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look of there- the feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” And she dies. Falls over dead.
Two of them, lying to God. Two of them in perfect health. And now both of them are dead for lying in the face of God.
I tell you, God is a God of justice. I just want to sit here for a while, if that's all right with you.
God is Real and is Active in this Universe Right Now
Blaise Pascal said that every man has a God-shaped vacuum - In other words, every person existing has an inner awareness that a Divine and Intelligent Designer exists. The Bible explains this in numerous passages, like Romans 1:19 : because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
Psalm 14:1 - The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds.
God is known both in Scripture ("special revelation") and in nature ("general revelation")
God's ways of taking care of us are evident on a daily basis. Acts 14:17 - He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness
In fact, God's notebook is evident above us. For untold ages, humans have wondered at the glory of the skies both in the daytime and at night. The Bible agrees with this wonder and lets us know that God is actually using the skies as a way for us to encounter the awe of Him:
Psalm 19:1-2 - The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
God Allows Us to Discover Him and Learn About Him
In fact, the ultimate prize in life is in knowing God and glorifying Him. If we follow His plan, we get to live beyond this Earthly life: John 17:3 This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. God's intent is for us to know Him and join Him in His Kingdom after this life on Earth.
The truly challenging thing about all this is that humans must remember that , on one hand, He is incomprehensible, meaning that He is unable to be fully understood - Psalm 145:3 - "Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised, And His greatness is unsearchable."
Psalm 147:5 - "Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite."
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!"
On the other hand, we can know God truly - John 17:3, Hebrews 8:11, 1 John 2:13.
God's Attributes
The Cambridge English Dictionary says that an attribute is "a quality or feature of a person or thing, especially one that is an important part of its nature." THere are attributes of God that help us understand more about who He is. They are broken down into two groups. The first is a group known as His Incommunicable attributes, and these are attributes God does not share with any human or any other thing in the universe. Examples are attributes like eternity, immutability ("unchangeableness"), and omnipresence. The second attributes of God are known as Communicable attributes, and these are the kind that Christians can actually receive from God and "imitate". God will share these, communicating to us the way to explore and use them. For instance, we can be holy. We can love.
There are some we cannot imitate. These are called "Incommunicable Attributes"
For instance, Independence - We may think we're independent, but it's almost comical the way we need so many things: air, water, food, gravity ... even friends. God does not need any of these. Think of it: He is not dependent on us or anything else creation, yet He wants us to join Him in His Kingdom forever. We are allowed to worship Him and not only bring Him joy but enjoy Him as well.This is classic self-existence. Acts 17:24-25; Psalm 90:2. God did not create us because He was lonely.
Blaise Pascal said that every man has a God-shaped vacuum - In other words, every person existing has an inner awareness that a Divine and Intelligent Designer exists. The Bible explains this in numerous passages, like Romans 1:19 : because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
Psalm 14:1 - The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds.
God is known both in Scripture ("special revelation") and in nature ("general revelation")
God's ways of taking care of us are evident on a daily basis. Acts 14:17 - He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness
In fact, God's notebook is evident above us. For untold ages, humans have wondered at the glory of the skies both in the daytime and at night. The Bible agrees with this wonder and lets us know that God is actually using the skies as a way for us to encounter the awe of Him:
Psalm 19:1-2 - The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
God Allows Us to Discover Him and Learn About Him
In fact, the ultimate prize in life is in knowing God and glorifying Him. If we follow His plan, we get to live beyond this Earthly life: John 17:3 This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. God's intent is for us to know Him and join Him in His Kingdom after this life on Earth.
The truly challenging thing about all this is that humans must remember that , on one hand, He is incomprehensible, meaning that He is unable to be fully understood - Psalm 145:3 - "Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised, And His greatness is unsearchable."
Psalm 147:5 - "Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite."
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!"
On the other hand, we can know God truly - John 17:3, Hebrews 8:11, 1 John 2:13.
God's Attributes
The Cambridge English Dictionary says that an attribute is "a quality or feature of a person or thing, especially one that is an important part of its nature." THere are attributes of God that help us understand more about who He is. They are broken down into two groups. The first is a group known as His Incommunicable attributes, and these are attributes God does not share with any human or any other thing in the universe. Examples are attributes like eternity, immutability ("unchangeableness"), and omnipresence. The second attributes of God are known as Communicable attributes, and these are the kind that Christians can actually receive from God and "imitate". God will share these, communicating to us the way to explore and use them. For instance, we can be holy. We can love.
There are some we cannot imitate. These are called "Incommunicable Attributes"
For instance, Independence - We may think we're independent, but it's almost comical the way we need so many things: air, water, food, gravity ... even friends. God does not need any of these. Think of it: He is not dependent on us or anything else creation, yet He wants us to join Him in His Kingdom forever. We are allowed to worship Him and not only bring Him joy but enjoy Him as well.This is classic self-existence. Acts 17:24-25; Psalm 90:2. God did not create us because He was lonely.
- Unchangeableness - God is unchanging in His being, perfections, purposes, and promises, yet He does act and feel emotions, and He acts and feels differently in response to different situations. Also known as immutability.
- Evidence in Scripture - Psalm 102:25-27; Malachi 3:6; Numbers 23:19.
- Does God change His mind? Exodus 32:9-14; Isaiah 38:1-6; Jonah 3:4-10.
- The question of God's impassibility - Does God have emotions?
- God is both infinite and personal - In many religions, the opposite is true.
- The importance of God's unchangeableness - If God could change, it could possibly be for the worst.
- Eternity - God has no beginning, end, or succession of moments in His own being, and He sees all time equally vividly, yet God sees events in time and acts in time.
- God is timeless in His own being - Revelation 1:8; Psalm 90:2; Ephesians 1:4.
- God sees all time equally vividly - Psalm 90:4; 2 Peter 3:8; Isaiah 46:9-10.
- God sees events in time and acts in time - Galatians 4:4-5.
- Omnipresence - God does not have size or spatial dimensions, and is present at every point of space with His whole being, yet God acts differently in different places.
- God is everywhere - Jeremiah 23:23-24.
- God does not have spatial dimensions - 1 Kings 8:27; Isaiah 66:1-2.
- God can be present to punish, to sustain, or to bless - Amos 9:1-4; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3.
- Unity - God is not divided into parts, yet we see different attributes of God emphasized at different times.
- We are not able to comprehend all of God's attributes at once.
- Some of God's attributes may seem more prominent at different times.
- One attribute cannot be singled out as more important.
ONE OF THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD THAT FEW PEOPLE REALIZE IS THE ATTRIBUTE OF BEAUTY.
GOD IS BEAUTIFUL.
It really means that God is the sum of all desirable qualities.
Have you ever thought of God as beautiful?
Psalm 27:4 - One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord
And to meditate in His temple.
Psalm 73:25 - Whom have I in heaven but You?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
How do you experience beauty? In sight? In sound? In taste? In surroundings?
The beauty of God goes much deeper, reaching into one's soul and giving a settled contentment as a result.
Bible scholar R.C,. Sproul says "First Chronicles 16:29 is one of the places where we read of beauty: 'Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!' (NKJV). This passage conjoins the holiness and glory of God with respect to the idea of beauty. We are called to come into the presence of God and to worship what is beautiful about Him—His glory and holiness."
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GOD IS BEAUTIFUL.
It really means that God is the sum of all desirable qualities.
Have you ever thought of God as beautiful?
Psalm 27:4 - One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord
And to meditate in His temple.
Psalm 73:25 - Whom have I in heaven but You?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
How do you experience beauty? In sight? In sound? In taste? In surroundings?
The beauty of God goes much deeper, reaching into one's soul and giving a settled contentment as a result.
Bible scholar R.C,. Sproul says "First Chronicles 16:29 is one of the places where we read of beauty: 'Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!' (NKJV). This passage conjoins the holiness and glory of God with respect to the idea of beauty. We are called to come into the presence of God and to worship what is beautiful about Him—His glory and holiness."
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Attributes Describing God's Being
B. Mental Attributes
- Spirituality - God's spirituality means that God exists as a being that is not made of any matter, has no parts or dimensions, is unable to be perceived by our bodily senses, and is more excellent than any other kind of existence. 1 Cor 14:14; Phil 3:3; 1 Cor 6:17; Rom 8:16.
- God is a spirit - John 4:24.
- You are forbidden to think of God as physical - Exodus 20:4.
- Invisibility - God's invisibility means that God's total essence, all of His spiritual being, will never be able to be seen by us, yet God still shows Himself to us through visible created things.
- No one in the flesh has seen God - John 1:18; John 6:46; 1 Tim 6:16.
- There are various theophanies - Exodus 33:11, 20; Gen 18:1-33; Isaiah 6:1.
- Jesus is the express image of God - John 1:18, 14:9; Heb 1:3.
- God's total essence cannot be seen - Psalm 145:3, 1 Tim 1:17, 6:16.
- God will be seen in heaven - Matt 5:8; 1 Cor 13:12; 1 John 3:2; Rev 22:3-4.
B. Mental Attributes
- Knowledge (Omniscience) - God fully knows Himself and all things actual and possible in one simple and eternal act.
- God knows everything - 1 John 3:20.
- God knows Himself - 1 Cor 2:10-11.
- God knows what will happen - Heb 4:13; 2 Chron 16:9; Matt 10:29-30.
- God knows what could happen - Matt 11:21; 1 Sam 23:11-13; 2 Kings 13:19.
- God's knowledge is eternal and never changes.
- The heresy of Open Theism.
- Wisdom - God always chooses the best goals and the best means to those goals. Rom 16:27; Job 9:4; Psalm 104:24; Rom 8:28; James 1:5.
- Truthfulness - God is the true God and all His knowledge and words are both true and the final standard of truth. Jeremiah 10:10-11; John 17:3; Job 37:16; Num 23:19; Psalm 141:6; Col 3:9-10; Ex 20:16.
- Goodness - God is the final standard of good, and all that God is and does is worthy of approval. God's mercy and grace are closely related to His goodness.- Luke 18:19; Psalm 100:5, 106:1; Genesis 1:31.
- Love - God eternally gives of Himself to others. 1 John 4:8, 5:3; John 3:16; Matthew 22:37-38.
- Holiness - God is separated from sin and devoted to seeking to His own honor. Exodus 19:4-6, 26:33; Psalm 71:22, 99:9; Leviticus 19:2; Hebrews 12:14.
- Righteousness (Justice) - God always acts inaccordance with what is right and is Himself the final standard of what is right. Deut 32:4; Isaiah 45:19; Romans 3:25-26.
- Jealousy - God continually seeks to protect His own honor. Ex 20:5; Deut 4:24; Isa 48:11.
- Wrath - God intensely hates all sin. Ex 32:9-10; Deut 9:7-8; Rom 1:18; Eph 2:3; Psalm 7:11.
- Will - God approves and determines to bring about every action necessary for the existence and activity of Himself and all creation.
- God is the ultimate reason for everything - Eph 1:11; Rev 4:11.
- God's secret will - the "why" things happen - Deut 29:29.
- God's revealed will - Matt 6:10; Acts 2:23.
- God's freedom - that attribute whereby He does whatever He pleases - Psalm 115:3.
- Omnipotence (or Power, including Sovereignty) - God is able to do His holy will. - Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17; Matthew 19:26; Ephesians 3:20.Things God cannot do:
- God cannot deny His own character - 2 Tim 1:13.
- God cannot lie - Titus 1:2.
- God cannot be tempted by evil - James 1:13.
- Perfection - God completely possesses all excellent qualities and lacks no part of any qualities that would be desirable for Him. - Matthew 5:48; Psalm 18:30.
- Blessedness - God delights fully in Himself and in all that reflects His character. - 1 Tim 6:15.
The Truth of the Trinity
A. The doctrine of the Trinity is progressively revealed in Scripture
- Partial revelation in the Old Testament - Genesis 1:26; 3:22; 11:7; 16:13; Psalm 45:6-7; 110:1; Isaiah 6:8; Matt 22:41-46.
- More complete revelation in the New Testament - Matthew 3:16,17; 28:19; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; Jude 20-21.
- *God is three persons - John 1:1,2; John 17:24; Ephesians 4:4-6.
- *Each person is fully God - John 20:28; Acts 5:3-4.
- *There is one God - Deut 6:4-5; Isaiah 45:5-6.
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