Scripture Reading: Psalm 25:1-11

We Must Believe God Is

Intro.

1. Cannot be saved unless one first believes “God is,” Heb. 11:6.

2. The divine existence forms the basis for everything that has been, or every will be, Gen. 1:1; Acts 17:28; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3.

3. God is real, righteous and ready: Real (truly exists); Righteous (completely holy and just); Ready (to save and to punish sin).

4. We are Christians because we know who God is (Acts 17:23). Who God is impacts every part of our lives. We must believe God is…

I. GOD IS…

A. Spirit, John 4:24.

1. God is distinct from humanity, Num. 23:19.

a. Does not sin; does not think like we do (Isa. 55:6-9), etc.

b. God became flesh; not so that He could know us, but so that we can know Him, John 1:14, 18.

2. We must concern ourselves with our souls; made in the image of God, Gen. 1:26-27; Matt 16:26.

3. We must conform ourselves to the image of Christ, Rom. 8:29; Col. 3:10.

B. True, John 3:33.

1. Truth is the self-expression of God, Deut. 32:4 (John 14:6).

2. His word is truth, John 17:17.

a. His testimony is true, cf. Rom. 3:4.

b. His testimony of His Son is true, 1 John 5:10 (John 5:36-37; 2 Pet 1:17-18).

c. Know Him…in Him…in His Son…eternal life, 1 John 5:20.

3. We must hear and obey His truth, John 8:45-47.

C. Light, 1 John 1:5.

1. Brilliance of holiness, cf. 1 Tim 6:16.

2. Illumination of life, John 1:1-4.

3. Vanquishes darkness of sin, John 1:5; 3:19.

4. We must come to/walk in the light, John 3:20-21; 8:12; 1 John 1:7.

D. Love, 1 John 4:8. Love emanates from God.

1. God defines and shows love to us, 1 John 4:9-10 (John 3:16).

2. We must love God, neighbors, enemies, one another, Matt. 22:37-39; 5:44-45; 1 John 4:7, 11-12, 16.

E. Faithful (trustworthy).

1. To bless us eternally in the fellowship of Christ, 1 Cor. 1:7-9.

2. To protect us from sin as we resist temptation, 1 Cor. 10:13.

3. To keep His word to us, 2 Cor. 1:18.

4. We must be trustworthy:

a. To bless, not curse, Rom. 12:14.

b. To guard ourselves and others from sin, Eph. 6:10-11; Gal. 6:2.

c. To faithfully keep our word to God, Luke 6:46.

F. One, Gal. 3:20.

1. One God of all, Rom. 3:29-30.

2. Not divided, Deut. 6:4.

3. No other god, 1 Cor. 8:5-6.

4. We must show ourselves to be sons of God by being one (united) in Christ, John 17:20-21; 13:34-35; Eph. 4:3-6.

Conclusion

1. Isa. 46:8-11: There is no other god except Jehovah. He knows the end from the beginning (10) and does what He says He will (11).

a. He says He will save sinners in Christ, Rom. 6:23 (Gal. 3:26-27).

b. He says He will punish disobedient sinners, 2 Thess. 1:8-9.

2. God must have first place in our hearts and our lives.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted June 13, 2022