IS GOD REAL TO ME?

· We need to get to the place that we have a firm foundation for our decision making process. The crisis-driven mentality of our day is one that has slipped into the lives of the believers of the Church of the Living God.

· We do not need to make crisis-driven decisions, but Christ-directed decision. The only way for this to happen is for us to determine some boundaries before the time comes for a decision.

· Example: determine to NEVER take a drink of alcohol today and when the temptation comes then you will have already have made the decision.

· All of us have been given the power of choice. Once we make the choice then it has the power over us!!!!

One of the Decisions that we have to make is one about God: is He real? How can I know this? Where can I find answers?

You will never successfully navigate through the difficult times of life as long as you have unsettled questions about God.

I encourage you to listen to the Bible as it speaks of God.

The first verse in the Bible is the foundational verse of the entire Bible. If a person believes the first verse then he will have very little difficulty believing anything else recorded in the Bible.

“If God really created all things, then He controls all things, and can do all things.”

I. Declaration of God’s Existence- “In the beginning God…”

The Bible does not argue the existence of God it simply states it as fact that He does Exist.

A. Divine origin of time

Before time began God already existed

(John 1:1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Time is a gift given to us from God. We need to make the best use of our time:

Certain amount of time to live

Certain amount of time to make a decision for Christ

Certain amount of time in this service to make a choice.

Eph 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Jas 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Pro 27:1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Our time is short and we must decide if God is real during this time!!!!

B. Defeating of all false religion in these words

· Atheism, agnosticism, rationalism for it states that there is a God.

(Psalms 14:1) The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

· Materialism- all things had a beginning and are not eternal

· Polytheism- there is only ONE God, the Creator of all things

· Pantheism- God is distinct and above the creation

· Humanism-because God not man is the ultimate source of life

· Evolution-because God created all things

Declaration of God’s existence

II. Description of God’s Power

Note- create not make. He did not use any existing materials for He made the materials also!!!

Did not need time or some other energy to produce this creation.

A. Power to create

(Nehemiah 9:6) Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.

(Psalms 33:6) By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

(Psalms 121:2) My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

(Isaiah 40:28) Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

(Jeremiah 10:12) He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

(Acts 4:24) And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

(Acts 17:24) God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

(Colossians 1:16) For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

(Colossians 1:17) And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

(Revelation 4:11) Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

B. Power to sustain

C. Power to save

Declaration of God’s existence

Description of God’s power

III. Defining of God’s Design

A. Dwelling for His creation- man

(Psalms 115:16) The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.

(Isaiah 45:18) For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.

(Psalms 25:13) His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.

(Matthew 5:5) Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

B. Development of a relationship with His creation

Adam walked with God in the cool of the day and fellowshipped with Him

(Exodus 29:45) And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.

(Jeremiah 24:7) And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

(2 Corinthians 6:16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

(Revelation 21:3) And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Conclusion:

How is your relationship with the God of the universe?

Is He your God and are you His child?

Do you walk with Him?

The question is not so much whether God is real, But-Is God real to me?

The answer to this is reflected in how you live.

Your hobbies, your giving, your testimony, your lifestyle.

All of us have been given the power of choice. Once we make the choice then it has the power over us!!!!