Who is God

The God Who Is—and Who Makes Himself Known

Text: Exodus 3:14; Hebrews 1:1–3

There is something deeply humbling about the fact that God does not ask for our permission to exist. He does not wait for human validation, philosophical approval, or scientific confirmation. He simply is. And yet, the wonder of Scripture is this: the God who simply is has chosen to make Himself known.

We are not left to guess, speculate, or invent. The eternal God has revealed Himself clearly, personally, and sufficiently. The question is not whether God has spoken—but whether we will listen.

I. The God Who Is

The Bible does not begin with an argument. It begins with God.

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” There is no attempt to prove Him, defend Him, or justify Him. Scripture assumes what is ultimately undeniable: God is the starting point of all reality. Before time began ticking, before matter existed, before man took his first breath—God already was.

This is why Psalm 14 says, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” Scripture does not treat unbelief as intellectual sophistication, but as moral resistance. The issue is not lack of evidence—it is refusal to submit.

When God reveals Himself to Moses in Exodus 3, He declares, “I AM THAT I AM.” Not “I was,” not “I will become”—but “I AM.” God is self-existent. Everything else depends on something. God depends on nothing. Everything else is sustained. God sustains all.

We can reason toward God. Philosophical arguments can point to a cause, a designer, a moral lawgiver. But they cannot bring a sinner into a saving relationship with Him. They cannot reveal Him as Father, Redeemer, and Savior.

The real issue is not ignorance—it is suppression. Romans 1 tells us that men “hold the truth in unrighteousness.” They know God, but refuse to glorify Him as God. The problem is not that God has failed to reveal Himself. The problem is that man refuses to respond rightly.

II. The God Who Reveals

God has not remained hidden. He has made Himself known.

First, through general revelation. Creation itself is a constant sermon. “The heavens declare the glory of God.” Every sunrise, every star-filled sky, every intricate detail of life proclaims His power and wisdom. Romans tells us that this revelation leaves humanity “without excuse.”

God also reveals Himself through providence. Acts 14 reminds us that He has not left Himself without witness—He gives rain, fruitful seasons, food, and gladness. Every meal you eat, every breath you take, is evidence of a sustaining Creator.

Even the human conscience testifies to Him. Romans 2 says that the law is written on the heart. People instinctively know right and wrong because they are made in the image of a moral God.

But general revelation, while true, is not enough. It tells us that God is powerful, wise, and moral—but it does not tell us how to be saved. It does not reveal Christ.

That is why we need special revelation.

Hebrews 1 declares that “God… hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son.” Jesus Christ is the fullest revelation of God. He is “the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person.” If you want to know what God is like, you look at Christ.

And God has preserved this revelation in Scripture. The Bible is not merely helpful—it is necessary. It is the authoritative record of who Christ is and what He has done.

General revelation leaves us without excuse. Special revelation shows us the way of salvation.

III. The God Who Names Himself

God does not just reveal that He exists—He reveals who He is.

Throughout Scripture, God gives us His names, and those names are not random. They are intentional revelations of His character.

He is Yahweh—the great “I AM,” the covenant-keeping God who is eternally faithful.

He is Elohim—the Creator, powerful and majestic, who spoke all things into existence.

He is Adonai—Lord and Master, worthy of submission and obedience.

He is El Shaddai—God Almighty, all-sufficient and able to sustain His people.

He is El Elyon—the Most High God, sovereign over every authority and power.

He is Yahweh Jireh—the Lord who provides. He sees the need before we even recognize it.

He is Yahweh Shalom—the Lord who is peace. Not merely the giver of peace, but peace itself.

He is Yahweh Tsidkenu—the Lord our righteousness. The righteousness we cannot produce, He provides.

And He is the Lord of hosts—the commander of heaven’s armies, whose purposes cannot be stopped.

These names teach us that God is faithful. He binds Himself to His promises and never fails.

They teach us that God is sovereign. “He hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.”

They teach us that God is provider and sustainer. There is not a need in your life that escapes His notice or exceeds His ability.

IV. Responding to God’s Self-Revelation

So how should we respond?

First, reject homemade views of God. We are naturally inclined to reshape God into something comfortable, manageable, and agreeable. But a God we invent cannot save us. Only the God who has revealed Himself can.

Second, submit to God’s revealed Word. Jesus said, “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God.” True knowledge of God comes through Christ, and Christ is known through Scripture.

Third, rest in God’s revealed character. When anxiety rises, remember Yahweh Shalom—God Himself is your peace. When needs press in, trust Yahweh Jireh—the Lord will provide. When guilt weighs heavy, cling to Yahweh Tsidkenu—the Lord is your righteousness.

Your stability in life is not found in circumstances that constantly change. It is found in a God who never does.

Conclusion

God is not an abstract idea. He is the eternal “I AM.”

God is not silent. He has spoken through creation, through Scripture, and ultimately through His Son.

And God is not distant. He has made Himself known so that He might be known—personally, truly, and savingly.

But here is the final question: you can know about God and still be lost.

So the question is not simply, “Who is God?”

The question is, “Do you know Him through Jesus Christ?”