Who is God?

Who is God?

What seems like such a simple question is really so immense we struggle to put a concise statement forward.

However, this simple little question is very helpful in diagnosing our spiritual life, and it is necessary for us to be able to answer it.

The answer to this seemingly simple question is what protects from being outside the Christian faith, and shows if we truly know the God of the Bible.

So, in our quest to do some theology, and examine if what we believe about God is biblical we are going to turn to an evangelistic encounter with people from all walks of life.

Acts 17:16-34

Verse 16-17

Paul has just been driven from the city of Berea and is now waiting for some of his companions to join him in Athens.

As he was waiting for them to arrive Paul was provoked due to the amount of idols in the city (over 70k)

In being provoked, it may have been in part anger and sadness for the people, but it was also a genuine concern for their conversion.

So, as he waited he began to do what he had been doing in former cities. Engaging people about faith in the Synagogue and the marketplace.

Verse 18

As Paul was preaching there were some Epicureans and Stoics that were listening to Paul’s strange new teaching

Some thought of him as a scrapper of religion

Others thought he was coming to introduce Athens to new gods.

This is a big deal, because when someone would bring a new teaching to Athens, it required state authorization.

If your new religion was deemed dangerous you could be arrested.

So, Paul needed to gain permission to bring this new teaching from the council who was in charge of guarding the beliefs and traditions of Athens.

Verse 19-21

They took Paul and brought him to the Areopagus in order to question Him about this new religion.

Verse 22-23

Paul begins by respectfully addressing the counsel, recognizing the earnest pursuit of the divine so many of them were performing.

Paul spent time walking around and observing the idols and practices of worship that filled the city, again seeing how religious the people were.

There was one particular idol that caught Paul’s attention though, as it said to the unknown God.

This unknown God is the one whom Paul says he came and is preaching on behalf of.

Verse 24-25

Paul begins his discourse by describing God and how we relates to His creation.

Some key things and attributes of God to see

The unknown God is creator, omnipotent and eternal

He is not confined to any one place, but He is present everywhere with all in His creation.

The God of scripture doesn’t need sacrifices like their pagan idols, because our God is self sufficient, meaning there is nothing He needs. - Aseity

This corrects one false idea, that states hat God made us because He was lonely. God never lacks anything, but has always existed in perfect harmony.

God is the sustainer of the universe. He created everything, and all things living continue to live because of the gracious breath of life God has granted them.

26-27

After establishing God as the self sufficient creator Paul now examines the Creator’s relation to man.

God is the originator of all mankind, establishing us in Adam.

Not only did God establish man, but He is the Lord of History establishing each of us in the place and and time He so chooses to fulfill His good pleasure and will.

God not only made us, but He did so in order that we might have fellowship with Him.

God made man that they may seek Him and perhaps find Him, though He is never truly far.

There is a skeptical tone here, because in sitting this Paul is also aware that the unregenerate man will never find God.

People innately long for God, but not the God of scripture.

Verse 28-29

After describing the God of scripture, Paul now transitions to comparing Him to their idols.

As established God is the root of man’s existence, and in supporting this Paul uses one of their poets ow line.

In doing so Paul establishes the thought that there we cannot possibly create an idol/ God with our hands.

Any picture of God or a god that is created by man will fall short.

There is only one God, the God of scripture.

So what are they to do with this knowledge. Paul ends His appeal for the Gospel with this.

Do not forget that Paul is speaking to people who control his freedom to preach

Verse 30-31

God in His patience has overlooked the world’s false religions for a time, but this is no more.

God is calling all men to repent.

Paul has established the authority and reality of the God of scripture, and now gives the Areopagus the reason for their repentance.

God has appointed a judge, Jesus Christ who will come in righteousness, and to whom we will all have to give an account.

This is the conclusion of Paul’s message, he preached to men of much knowledge and power, boldly and without hesitation.

Notice the 3 responses

Verse 31-34

Some scoffed, some wanted more, and some believed.

Final thoughts:

Who is God? We come back to our original question.

Is the God you serve one the one who reveals Himself in scripture or one of your own making.

Do you belong to the transcendent, wrathful, Just Holy, all powerful creator or have you created your own God in order to find comfort in your sin.

As believers you need to be able to answer the question, for your eternity rests on it.

Invitation:

Today we will have an opportunity to come to God in prayer and repentance.

If you have confined yourself to a cheap God of your own making, seek out and you might find the creator waiting to restore you.

He is commanding all top repent so come to Him and find restoration.