Series Title: Foundations of the Christian Faith

1. The Core Truth: Who is God?

God as Creator: The Source of Everything

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

God is the uncaused cause, the eternal being who existed before time began.

Philosophically and biblically, God is understood as the First Cause, He was not brought into existence by anything — He simply is.

This is distinct from everything else in creation, because everything we see and experience has a cause — except for God.

God Has No Beginning

Psalm 90:2 “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”

Unlike created things, which depend on a prior cause, God has no origin.

He exists outside of time. He was before all things, and all things find their existence in Him.

When Moses asked God His name, He responded:

Exodus 3:14 “God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ””

The Hebrew, in which this was written, can be translated “I am WHAT I am,” “I am THAT I am,” or “I will be what I will be.”

He is timeless. Incomprehensible by the human mind. Indefinable. He simply Is.

This statement is profound because it speaks of self-existence.

God is not contingent upon anything or anyone — His nature is to exist eternally, without beginning or end.

The Universe Must Have an Uncaused Cause

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

Everything in our world has a cause—every effect we see results from something before it.

Science confirms that the universe had a beginning, which logically leads to the question: What caused it?

The law of causality tells us that everything that begins to exist has a cause.

Since the universe began, it must have had a cause outside of itself—something eternal, uncreated, and powerful enough to bring it into existence.

God alone fits this description.

He is: Eternal (Revelation 22:13 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.””) Self-existent (John 1:1–3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”) The Creator (Colossians 1:16 “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”)

God’s Eternal Nature Gives Meaning to Our Faith

If God had a beginning, He would need a cause.

If God were subject to time, He would not be sovereign over it.

But Scripture reveals a God who simply exists — unchanging, unshaken, and ultimate.

This is why we can trust Him:

He is not limited like us (Malachi 3:6 ““For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” )

His plans are eternal (Isaiah 46:9–10 “remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’” )

Our faith is rooted in Someone who does not depend on anything else to exist (Acts 17:24–25 “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” )

This is Why This Matters for Our Faith

If God were merely another created being, He would be subject to time, change, and weakness. But because He is the uncaused cause, we know (1) He does not fail, (2) He is not limited by creation, (3) He is the foundation of truth, (4) He is the reason all things exist.

Belief in God’s self-existence is not just an abstract idea—it is the bedrock of why He is worthy of worship.

He was before time, beyond limitation, and the source of everything.

That kind of God is completely trustworthy.

Why This Matters for Us

If God created out of love and will, it means: (1) Our existence is intentional—we are not accidental, but designed in His image. (2) Creation invites worship—when we look at the heavens, we are called to see His glory, not just the beauty. (3) Our purpose is rooted in Him—we were made for a relationship with Him, just as creation was made to reflect Him.

This truth changes everything—our view of the world, our view of ourselves, and our response to Him.

God did not create because He had to—He created because He wanted to.

And that means we are wanted, valued, and chosen.

He spoke creation into existence—not out of necessity, but out of divine will and love.

God is lacking for nothing, nor did He need anything beyond Himself to be complete.

He spoke creation into existence purely out of divine will and love—a deliberate act of goodness, not obligation.

My wife is an artist. On a Saturday afternoon, she will often sit down with her watercolors and a brush and paint beautiful pictures.

She doesn’t have to. She has no obligation to. She simply loves to do it.

Before creation, there was only God. And, because of God’s sovereign will, He chose to create something other than Himself. He made the heavens and the earth and all who dwell therein.

He didn’t need anything. He wasn’t lonely. He simply wanted to.

God created everything out of His good pleasure. He’s the master artist who exercised His creativity because he wanted to.

Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”

Creation itself is a testament to His glory, a canvas reflecting His majesty.

Every sunrise, every towering mountain, every delicate flower—all of it points to the creative power and pleasure of Almighty God, speaking His presence into the world for us to behold.

God did not create simply to exist—He created with purpose, with intentionality, and with love.

Humanity was not an accident, nor was the beauty of the world a mere coincidence.

Instead, Scripture affirms that all things were brought into being by His word, meaning He created not by effort but by the sheer power of His voice.

John 1:3 “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

This verse affirms that nothing exists apart from His creative authority—every molecule, every galaxy, every unseen force in nature is a product of His intentional design.

Evidence of His Artistry and Power

Each element of creation reveals a piece of God’s nature:

The vastness of the universe declares His greatness. (Isaiah 40:26 “Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing.” )

The complexity of life testifies to His wisdom. (Psalm 139:13 “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” )

The renewal of seasons reminds us of His faithfulness. (Genesis 8:22 “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”” )

Everything we see—every breath we take, every heartbeat, every moment we witness—is evidence that creation is not random but crafted by the hands of the Almighty.

And yet, creation does not merely exist for its own sake—it was made to point back to Him.

Romans 1:20 “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.”

Creation preaches! —every star, every ocean, every life on earth proclaims the reality of the Creator.

As Creator, God is not distant or uninvolved.

He formed mankind in His image (Genesis 1:26-27), giving us the ability to think feel, create, and have a relationship with Him.

Creation itself reflects His character—order, beauty, wisdom, and purpose.

God as Sustainer: The One Who Holds All Things Together

Isaiah 44:6 “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.”

God is not merely the architect of the universe—He is also its keeper, ensuring that life continues according to His design.

He is eternal, unchanging, and sovereign over all things.

Colossians 1:17 “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

Hebrews 1:3 “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”

Unlike human rulers, God never falters.

His dominion over the cosmos is constant, and His reign will never be overthrown.

Even in seasons of uncertainty, God remains the anchor for those who trust in Him.

God is the Triune Being: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Matthew 28:18 “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

Christianity uniquely reveals God as Triune—three distinct persons, yet one divine essence. This mystery is fundamental to understanding how God works in the world and in our lives.

The Father—The sovereign ruler, the initiator of creation and redemption.

Psalm 103:19 “The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.”

John 6:44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.”

The Son (Jesus Christ)—The Word made flesh, the Redeemer who dwelt among us.

John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Colossians 2:9 “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,”

The Holy Spirit—The Comforter, the guide who empowers believers.

John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””

Why This Truth Matters

Understanding who God is shapes our response to Him.

If He is Creator, then life has purpose.

If He is Sustainer, then we have hope.

If He is Triune, then we are invited into a relationship with a God who is personal, present, and powerful.

This truth isn’t just theological—it’s deeply personal.

It answers these questions:

Why are we here? — Because God created us for His glory.

What sustains us? — His unchanging nature and sovereign power.

How do we know Him — Through Jesus Christ, revealed by the Spirit.

This is the starting point of faith.

Everything else — salvation, obedience, mission — flows from knowing Him for who He is.

Know: Understanding the True Nature of God

God is the uncaused Cause, the eternal being