The Existence of God
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Introduction
Introduction
Prayer Request
The Existence of God
The Existence of God
The questions we want to answer tonight is how do we know God exists?
There are two parts to this answer.
All people have an inner sense of God
We believe the evidence for God is found in scripture and in nature.
Give me an experience where you saw evidence of the existence of God in your life?
Humanity’s Inner Sense of God
Humanity’s Inner Sense of God
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.
25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
This implies that they actively rejected truth that they knew.
Scripture also recognizes that some people deny this inner sense of God and even deny that God exists.
1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;
there is none who does good.
What cause people to reject or deny this inner sense of God?
Sin leads people to think irrationally and to deny God’s existence, and that it is someone who is thinking irrationally or who has been deceived who will say, “There is no God.”
As believers, this inner awareness is what becomes stronger and more distinct.
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
The intensity of this awareness for a Christian is such that though we have not seen Him, we love Him.
Believing the evidence in Scripture and in nature
Believing the evidence in Scripture and in nature
We have evidence that God exists within the Bible.
The Bible readily assumes that God exists.
1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Based on this verse, what do we know about God?
Along with God’s word, the world also gives abundant evidence of God’s existence.
20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
This verse suggests that in every sense, every created thing gives evidence of God’s character.
What creature/element of creation bears the strongest witness that there is a God?
17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”
(Paul and Barnabas)
1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
(David)
For those who are correctly evaluating the evidence, everything in scripture and everything in nature proves clearly that God exists and that He is the powerful and wise creator that scripture describes Him to be.
Therefore…
When we believe that God exists, we are basing our belief not on some blind hope apart from any evidence, but on an overwhelming amount of reliable evidence from God’s words and God’s works.
It is a characteristic of true faith that it is a confidence based on reliable evidence, and faith in the existence of God shares this characteristic.
The knowability of God
The knowability of God
Since creation and His word are clear evidence’s of His existence, is it still possible to not know God?
We can never fully understand God.
3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
and his greatness is unsearchable.
5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.
(David)
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.
(Paul)
We can never know any of God’s attributes completely or exhaustively.
How is this a positive thing for us?
Always room to delight and discover.
2. We can know God truly.
What are some attributes of God that we learned from 1 John?
He is love and light.
But this isn’t just about knowing about God… It is about knowing God!
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.”
The christian life includes a personal relationship with God himself!
What makes a relationship personal?
The ability to converse.
We speak to God in prayer, he speaks to us through His word.
23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
