THE DOCTRINE OF GOD

The Doctrine of God

Introduction

For decades, our schools have taught children that they are nothing more than advanced animals—that life is the product of chance, that morals are relative, and that truth is whatever you want it to be. This is the poison of humanism.

Imagine taking a compass and slowly twisting the needle until it no longer points north. A student may think he is traveling in the right direction, but every step he takes will lead him further away from home. Humanism has twisted the compass of an entire generation. Instead of pointing them to God, their Creator and Sustainer, it has told them there is no true north—no God, no accountability, no eternal purpose.

Now we are reaping the fruit: young people struggling with identity, despair, and hopelessness, because when you remove God, you remove meaning. As the psalmist said, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God” (Psalm 14:1).

But the good news is this: even when men try to erase God from the blackboard, His reality cannot be erased from the heart. Conscience still whispers His law, creation still shouts His power, and the Spirit of God is still at work drawing young hearts back to Him.

But there is an awakening:

You can see it in unexpected places: Bible sales spiking during crises, prayer gatherings multiplying, young people gathering on football fields to seek God, families coming back to church after years away. There is a stirring, a sense that the things of this world are not enough. People are beginning to wake up and look beyond the noise for the eternal.

It reminds me of Acts 17:23, where Paul stood on Mars Hill and said, “As I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.” Our nation is restless, searching, and even building its “altars to the unknown”—but the answer is still the same: the God of the Bible.

Tonight we begin at the very heart of theology, the study of God Himself. Every great structure rests upon a foundation. If the foundation is weak, the whole building will collapse. If theology is the building of Christian doctrine, then its foundation is the truth about God.

A. W. Tozer once said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”That’s true. If your thought of God is low, your worship will be low, your living will be low. But if your thought of God is high, then your worship will rise and your living will rise with it.

That’s why the first chapter in Bancroft’s Elemental Theology begins with The Doctrine of God. Before we can talk about man, sin, salvation, or heaven, we must begin with God.

So tonight, let us look at four great truths:

The Reality of God

The Revelation of God

The Nature of God

The Knowledge of God

And I pray this will not just fill our minds, but set our hearts ablaze with worship.

I. The Reality of God

Let’s start at the beginning. Does God exist?

The Bible does not argue for God—it simply declares Him.

Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

The Bible never takes time to prove God’s existence. It assumes it, because God’s reality is written on the human heart. Romans 1:19–20 

Romans 1:19–20 KJV 1900

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

tells us that the invisible things of God are clearly seen, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that men are without excuse.

Illustration: The sun doesn’t argue that it exists. It shines. Even if a blind man denies the sun, the sun still shines. Likewise, even if men deny God, He is still there.

A. The Witness of Nature

Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”

Think of the stars in the night sky, the order of the planets, the complexity of the human eye, the beauty of a flower. None of these came by accident. Creation points to a Creator.

Illustration: Imagine walking on the beach and seeing “Welcome to Rhode Island” written in the sand. You would never think, “Oh, the tide must have written that.” You’d know intelligence was behind it. How much more the universe!

B. The Witness of Conscience

But not only does nature point to God—our own conscience does too.

Romans 2:14–15 KJV 1900

14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

Even Gentiles who do not have the Law still have the law written in their hearts. Their conscience bears witness.

Every human being has an inward sense of right and wrong. Even a thief doesn’t want to be stolen from. Even a liar doesn’t want to be lied to. Where does that moral sense come from? From God, the Moral Lawgiver.

Illustration: Watch children play. Sooner or later, one cries out, “That’s not fair!” Who taught them fairness? It’s written on their hearts by God.

C. The Witness of History

History also testifies to God. Nations that forget Him decay morally and collapse. Babylon, Rome, and countless others have fallen, but God remains. Daniel 4:25 

Daniel 4:25 KJV 1900

25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

1. The Roman Empire

Rome was once the strongest empire in the world—its legions marched across Europe, its government system was admired, its culture refined.

But Rome rotted from within long before it was conquered from without.

Historians note: immorality, rampant idolatry, brutal entertainment in the Colosseum, slavery, and the breakdown of the family.

Luxury and lust consumed the ruling classes. Caesar after Caesar became more corrupt.

Eventually, Rome collapsed, not mainly by outside invasion, but by inner decay.

Illustration point: Rome is the perfect example of a nation rejecting the God of creation, replacing Him with gods of their own making, and reaping destruction.

2. Ancient Israel

God blessed Israel like no other nation—He gave them His law, His prophets, His covenant.

But when Israel turned to idols, God withdrew His blessing.

Read the book of Judges: every man did that which was right in his own eyes. This led to national weakness, captivity, and moral chaos.

Later, when Judah forsook the Lord, He allowed Babylon to destroy Jerusalem in 586 B.C.

Illustration point: Israel’s history shows that even a nation blessed by God can fall if it forsakes Him.

3. The French Revolution (1789–1799)

In their hatred of the monarchy and the church, revolutionaries declared “Reason” to be their god.

They literally enthroned a woman in Notre Dame Cathedral as the “Goddess of Reason.”

The Goddess of Reason was a symbolic figure in the Cult of Reason, a state-sponsored atheistic religion established during the French Revolution to replace Catholicism. This cult celebrated reason and liberty, with the Goddess often represented in ceremonies, notably at the Notre Dame Cathedral on November 10, 1793, where she was depicted by a living woman in a dramatic ritual.

Christianity was outlawed, the Bible was banned, morality collapsed.

The result? The Reign of Terror—mass executions, fear, blood in the streets.

Humanism tried to replace God with man, and France nearly destroyed itself.

Illustration point: When man puts himself in God’s place, terror follows.

4. The Soviet Union (1917–1991)

Founded on atheism and Marxist materialism, the Soviet Union banned Bibles, shut down churches, and taught generations of youth that there is no God.

But with no foundation of truth, the nation was built on lies, fear, and oppression.

The result was decades of poverty, moral collapse, gulags, and the deaths of millions.

By 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed under its own weight.

Illustration point: Any system built on the denial of God cannot stand.

5. Modern America (Application)

America was built on biblical foundations. Our founders acknowledged God in public documents, prayers, and institutions.

But over the last century, we have witnessed a shift: prayer banned from schools, morality redefined, truth made relative.

The fruit is visible: fatherless homes, broken families, epidemic levels of depression, confusion, and violence.

Just like Rome, Israel, France, and the USSR, if America continues to reject God, it too will decline.

Illustration point: History shouts the warning: a nation that forgets God will not stand. Psalm 9:17 – “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”

📖 Transition back to doctrine: These examples show us that belief in God is not just a personal matter—it shapes the destiny of whole nations. When God is honored, nations are blessed; when God is rejected, nations collapse.

Put together, nature, conscience, and history shout: There is a God!

II. The Revelation of God

But if there is a God, how has He made Himself known? Bancroft distinguishes between general revelation and special revelation.

A. General Revelation

General revelation is God revealing Himself in ways that all men can see.

Through Creation – Romans 1:20

Romans 1:20 KJV 1900

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Through Conscience – Romans 2:15

Romans 2:15 KJV 1900

15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

Through Providence – Acts 14:17“He left not himself without witness.”

Acts 14:17 KJV 1900

17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

But general revelation alone only condemns. It shows man that God exists and that man is guilty. It cannot save. For that, we need more.

B. Special Revelation

Special revelation is God speaking directly, in ways that explain salvation.

Through His Word

The Scriptures are God’s inspired record of Himself.

2 Timothy 3:16 – “All scripture is given by inspiration of God.”

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV 1900

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Through His Son

Hebrews 1:1–2 – “God… hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son.”

Hebrews 1:1–2 KJV 1900

1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

John 1:18 – “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son… he hath declared him.”

John 1:18 KJV 1900

18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Illustration: Creation is like the night sky—you see stars but not in detail. But take a telescope, and suddenly you see planets, rings, craters. That telescope is the Bible and Christ. They show God in detail.

III. The Nature of God

Now, who is this God? What is He like?

Bancroft highlights several attributes of God’s nature:

A. God Is Spirit

John 4:24 – “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” God is not confined to flesh and bone. He is invisible, everywhere present.

B. God Is Personal

God is not an impersonal force, like electricity. He is a living Person with mind, emotion, and will.

He thinks – Psalm 139:17

Psalm 139:17 KJV 1900

17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!

He feels – Genesis 6:6

Genesis 6:6 KJV 1900

6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

He wills – Ephesians 1:11

Ephesians 1:11 KJV 1900

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Illustration: A magnet has power but no personality. God has both power and personality.

C. God Is Eternal

Psalm 90:2 – “From everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” Everything else has a beginning. God has none.

Psalm 90:2 KJV 1900

2 Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

D. God Is Self-Existent

Exodus 3:14 – “I AM THAT I AM.” God depends on no one. He is the uncaused Cause.

Exodus 3:14 KJV 1900

14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

E. God Is Immutable (Unchanging)

Malachi 3:6 – “For I am the LORD, I change not.” Everything in our world changes—our bodies, our health, our opinions. But God does not change.

Malachi 3:6 KJV 1900

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

Illustration: A lighthouse stands unmoved as waves crash around it. God is that lighthouse in the storm.

IV. The Knowledge of God

Finally, can man truly know God?

A. Man Cannot Fully Comprehend God

Romans 11:33 – “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” We cannot know God exhaustively.

B. Man Can Truly Know God

But though we cannot know Him fully, we can know Him truly.

Through His Word.

Through His Spirit.

Through His Son.

Jeremiah 9:23–24 – “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom… but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me.”

Jeremiah 9:23–24 KJV 1900

23 Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Neither let the mighty man glory in his might, Let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, That he understandeth and knoweth me, That I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: For in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

Illustration: A child doesn’t understand electricity fully, but he knows enough to use it. Likewise, we don’t need to know everything about God to truly know Him.

Doctrinal Statements (Summary)

God exists eternally and independently.

God reveals Himself generally in creation and specially in Christ and Scripture.

God is Spirit, personal, eternal, self-existent, and unchanging.

Man cannot know God fully, but he can know Him truly.

Closing & Application

The Doctrine of God is not just for scholars. It is for you.

If God is real, life has meaning.

If God is holy, sin is serious.

If God is personal, fellowship is possible.

If God has revealed Himself in Christ, salvation is available.

John 17:3 says: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

Friend, tonight I ask: Do you just know about God—or do you know Him personally? Do you know Him through Jesus Christ? Theology that does not lead to doxology is wasted.

So let us worship, adore, and yield ourselves afresh to this God—real, revealed, eternal, personal, and unchanging.

Amen.