In One God

Deuteronomy 6:4 CSB

“Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

INTRO—

State of Theology Survey (2025; LifeWay Research & Ligonier Ministries…Reported out by my friend Dr. Malcolm Yarnell, professor at SWBTS)

American Evangelical =

Evangelicals were defined by Lifeway Research as people who strongly agreed with the following four statements:

The Bible is the highest authority for what I believe.

It is very important for me personally to encourage non-Christians to trust Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Jesus Christ’s death on the cross is the only sacrifice that could remove the penalty of my sin.

Only those who trust in Jesus Christ alone as their Savior receive God’s free gift of eternal salvation.

Respondents can also be identified as evangelical in The State of Theology data explorer based on their supplied church affiliation.

SURVEY SAYS

There is one true God in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Evangelicals – 97% agreed

The Holy Spirit is a force but is not a personal being.

Evangelicals – 53% agreed

Jesus was a great teacher, but he was not God.

Evangelicals – 68% disagreed (so about 30% agreed)

Religious belief is not about objective truth.

Evangelicals – 53% disagreed (so about 45% agreed)

God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

Evangelicals – 47% agreed (nearly half)

THE NICENE CREED

We believe in one God,

the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, visible and invisible.

Job 11:7 “Can you fathom the depths of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?”

[[Zophar, the Naamathite]]

WE BELIEVE: In One God

Deuteronomy 6:4–5 “Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”

The Shema…a confession of faith in the one true God!

Exodus 20:1–4 “Then God spoke all these words: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery. Do not have other gods besides me. Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth.”

What the one true God has commanded.

Ephesians 4:4–6 “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.”

Our heritage of faith is OT & NT!!

The Father

Psalm 103:13–14 “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. For he knows what we are made of, remembering that we are dust.”

Wisdom reminds us and comforts us…God, like a father…

Matthew 6:9 ““Therefore, you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, your name be honored as holy.”

Praying to…Our Father!

Luke 15:20 “So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him.”

[[Best picture of God as Father!]]

The Father goes out to the younger son.

Luke 15:22–24 ““But the father told his servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.”

Rejoicing over a wayward repenter!

Luke 15:28 ““Then he became angry and didn’t want to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.”

The Father goes out to the elder son.

Luke 15:31–32 ““ ‘Son,’ he said to him, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ””

Celebrates the lost being found…the dead being alive again!

Romans 8:15 “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!””

We have been adopted into an amazing, eternal family!

The Almighty

Genesis 17:1 “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him, saying, “I am God Almighty. Live in my presence and be blameless.”

The first time we see El-Shaddai (God-Almighty) in Scripture is at the onset of God’s fulfillment of his promise to Abraham…the miraculous birth of Isaac!

Revelation 1:7–8 “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. So it is to be. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.””

To the end of The Book—In the Revelation, John opens the letter(s) by sharing who God himself says he is.

Romans 9:20–21 “On the contrary, who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? Will what is formed say to the one who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?” Or has the potter no right over the clay, to make from the same lump one piece of pottery for honor and another for dishonor?”

Here is the important reminder for us—God is God and we are not…and have never been meant to be (or become).

Maker of Heaven & Earth

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

The first truth to which we are introduced in the Bible…God is the one responsible for bringing into existence everything that is!

Revelation 4:11 “Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.”

At the end of the Bible…God is still worthy to be praised, for starters, because he is responsible for bringing into existence everything that is.

Colossians 1:15–16 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through him and for him.” [“…of all that is, visible and invisible.”]

Job 38:1–3 “Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind. He said: Who is this who obscures my counsel with ignorant words? Get ready to answer me like a man; when I question you, you will inform me.”

Job 38:4–7 “Where were you when I established the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who fixed its dimensions? Certainly you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? What supports its foundations? Or who laid its cornerstone while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” [God’s questions for Job continue through the end of chapter 39]

CONCL—

AND, SO…

I am not almighty (The Almighty)

I am not creator (The Creator)

…I can stop feeling like I have to be almighty… [for God to accept/love me;]

…I can rest in the knowledge my God IS able.

…Apart from God, I should fear the intensity of his wrath against sin/sinners.

Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will be quiet in his love. He will delight in you with singing.””

[Our God is Might to Save}…

Isaiah 63:1 “Who is this coming from Edom in crimson-stained garments from Bozrah— this one who is splendid in his apparel, striding in his formidable might? It is I, proclaiming vindication, powerful to save.”

INVITATION:

Salvation

Preparing to Partake of the Lord’s Supper

OBSERVING THE LORD’S SUPPER

BODY OF CHRIST (Bread)

1 Corinthians 11:23–24 “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it,

and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.””

BLOOD OF CHRIST (Cup)

1 Corinthians 11:25 “In the same way also he took the cup, after supper,

and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.””

PROMISE OF CHRIST

1 Corinthians 11:26 “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”