Knowing God Part 1

Psalm 139:6 KJV 1900

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Wow! David really summed up our lesson for us! We cannot “attain” knowledge of God. He is far beyond our comprehension. So why bother?

It’s true God cannot be FULLY understood, but that does not mean we cannot know or learn about Him. Scripture reveals for us certain areas about God that we certainly can learn from.

His:

Person

Existence

Attributes

Unity

Trinity

Decrees

The Person of God

Two questions come to mind:

Who is God?

How do we define Him?

John 4:24 KJV 1900

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

God has not physical body

Luke 24:39 KJV 1900

39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

Jesus was God in flesh. This was necessary so that we could be saved. God had to become man, but we will get into that much later on.

What about, Deuteronomy 4:12

Deuteronomy 4:12 KJV 1900

12 And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice.

The Israelites heard a voice, but did not see a body

1 Peter 1:16 KJV 1900

16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

and 1 John 1:5

1 John 1:5 KJV 1900

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

These verses speak to God’s holy nature, not his form.

1 John 4:8 KJV 1900

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

A complete definition of God is not humanly possible

We cannot fully comprehend God, but we can know about Him.

We learn about Him by the way He is revealed to us in Scripture.

The Bible says:

God is:

Spirit - no physical form John 4:24

John 4:24 KJV 1900

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Infinite - with no beginning, no ending Genesis 1:1

Genesis 1:1 KJV 1900

1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Eternal Daniel 7:9

Daniel 7:9 KJV 1900

9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

Unchangeable Hebrews 13:8

Hebrews 13:8 KJV 1900

8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Malachi 3:6 KJV 1900

6 For I am the Lord, I change not; Therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Wise 1 Tim. 1:17

1 Timothy 1:17 KJV 1900

17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Jude 25 KJV 1900

25 to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Powerful - God referred to as “Almighty” in 57 places, from Genesis 17:1-Revelation 21:22

Holy 1 John 1:5

1 John 1:5 KJV 1900

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Leviticus 20:7 KJV 1900

7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God.

1 Peter 1:15–16 KJV 1900

15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Just 1 John 1:9

1 John 1:9 KJV 1900

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Good Psalm 25:7

Psalm 25:7 KJV 1900

7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: According to thy mercy remember thou me For thy goodness’ sake, O Lord.

Psalm 31:19 KJV 1900

19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; Which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee Before the sons of men!

Psalm 52:1 KJV 1900

1 Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? The goodness of God endureth continually.

Truthful Titus 1:2

Titus 1:2 KJV 1900

2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Descriptions of His Person

The Bible presents god in an anthropomorphic way...

This means the Bible pictures God having human form so that we may understand Him better.

Jesus was literally God in human form, but God the Father has no physical form

He is described as having:

A heart Hos. 11:8

Hosea 11:8 KJV 1900

8 How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee, Israel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim? Mine heart is turned within me, My repentings are kindled together.

Hands Ex. 3:20

Exodus 3:20 KJV 1900

20 And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.

Arm Ex. 6:6

Exodus 6:6 KJV 1900

6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:

a Mouth Num. 12:8

Numbers 12:8 KJV 1900

8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

ears Psalm 14:4

Psalm 14:4 KJV 1900

4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? Who eat up my people as they eat bread, And call not upon the Lord.

And eyes Psalm 94:9

Psalm 94:9 KJV 1900

9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? He that formed the eye, shall he not see?

God’s Amazing Word

God communicates to us through His Word

In His Word He describes Himself to us in terms we may understand

We can be thankful knowing that God wants us to know about Him

We will never understand God, but we should be thankful that we can know Him!

Next week:

Proof that God Exists!