God Is ... Sovereign, Good, Active

Has God revealed Himself to us?
Yes:  General Revelation (nature, reason, design, etc.)  AND
Special Revelation (specific truths, written down = Bible) AND
His Son - John 1:18 - He unveiled (exogited) things about God

What can we Know about God (through Specific Revelation)???
Answer = A LOT  (a lifetime of study) - inexhaustible - new understanding, new enlightenment

3 Things about God that are:
1)  clear (in Scripture) - declared over and over again
2)  relevant (to us)

GOD IS:  SOVEREIGN     GOOD     ACTIVE

I.  Sovereign - HE is the final Supreme Power and Authority.  THE Ruler of all that is.
ie:  things, circumstances, situations, beings -- material and immaterial.

Illustration:  Jer. 32:24-27

His Sovereignty is:  A)  Absolute - in control of EVERYTHING - if a single atom is beyond His control, He is NOT Sovereign.
                              B)  Eternal - ie:  Both ways!!!  Always has been , always will be.  Rev. 22:13
Therefore:              C)  Current - in control NOW!!!  He did not create and then lose control, as in the case of Frankenstein.

II.  Good  Psalm 106:1, 107:1 - hundreds of references regarding the goodness of God.
= good news!!!  Because if He was Sovereign and not good, what then?????
But note:  He is NOT good as WE are good - human, limited

HIS goodness = Righteous - always does what is right
                         Just
                         Holy
                         Perfect
Deut. 32:3-4

III.  Active - (involved)  Did not create and withdraw
His activity is:  A)  Ongoing - John 5:16-17, Col. 1:15-17
                       B)  Comprehensive - Matt. 10:29 - doesn't happen without His knowledge and permission
                                                                                    (micromanagement)
                       C)  Personal - Matt. 10:30-31

His is:  Omnipotent (all powerful)   Omniscient (all knowing)  Omnipresent ( everywhere)  Jer. 23:23-24

So... He sees, knows, cares, interacts - Matt. 6:9 - "Father" - wants relationship

Conclusion:  this is good news!!!
ie:  God is Sovereign, Good, Active, Personal

This is 'the God' who "woos" you!!   Who invites you to accept, believe, trust, follow - 1 Pet. 5:6-7

So:  #1 - have you trusted?  (initially? w/yourself/, with your soul?) - cast all your anxiety on Him? 
have you verbally declared it? - Rom. 10:10

#2.  do you need to re-trust Him? - not for salvation, not re-saved, but re-dedicate

#3.  Do you need to trust Him further?  fuller?
typically encounter more things to trust Him with as we age. 

Psalm 34:8 - "taste and see"  "blessed is he"

There are blessings found in trusting Him that are not found anywhere else.

The Biblical Canon

Question:  How do we Know  #1. the Bible is the ancient word(s)?  and #2.  it is accurate and complete?
How do we know we have the right words?


This is the question of a Biblical Canon.

We started this series with General Revelation and Natural Theology ==> 1) a case for God 2) apart from Scripture

BUT, Christianity is more than General Revelation or natural theology.
Christianity is General Revelation plus Special Revelation.

Special Revelation = knowledge and information about God that is not generally available; cannot be gleaned from nature (our surroundings)
Example:  the Gospel

The means of Special Revelation?  Heb. 1:1-3 - "exact representation of His being"

The record of Special Revelation? = the Bible

So, the Question.  Given Special Revelation AND given that it was written down, still

How do we know we have the Right Record??

This is the question of a Biblical CANON.

CANON - a rule or measuring stick.  Point:  these are the writings by which and with which we measure all things!! - truths, morals, ethics, person of God, information about God, etc.

The test(s) of Canon - (how it was formed)

OLD TESTAMENT:
#1.  A call - Isa. 6:1-9  Ezek. 2:1-5 - GOD chose the individual - could never get revelation from God without a call from God.

#2. Accompanying miracles - examples:  Moses, Elijah, Elisha, etc.- not to prove existence of God, but to prove the message/messenger was from God.

#3.  Fulfilled prophecy - example:  Jeremiah - fall/return

#4.  Acceptance by the people - (often in retrospect)

So,  Old Testament Canon closed 400 years BC - until John - Mark 1:1-5

NEW TESTAMENT

#1.  Apostolic Authorship - because they were companions & eyewitnesses  - 1 John 1:1-3
Question?  Mark & Luke? - ans. Mark wrote on behalf of Peter, Luke wrote on behalf of Paul
James and Jude? - answer:  Jesus' half brothers
Paul? - 1 Cor. 15:3-8

#2.  Acceptance by the early church
because = close to the Apostles SO were able to question and verify!!
= recognition, Circulation,  Preservation 

#3.  Compatible doctrine
questionable books *measured against undisputed books - Matthew, John, Galatians, ...

Question?  "Lost Books" ?

Note:  New Testament - Canonical process.  If didn't meet all three tests, were not accepted .  (formal) Finalization - 397/Carthage

(*Canonization doesn't grant authority, it recognizes authority!!)

Summary:
The historic and orthodox Christian faith is built on:
General Revelation plus Special Revelation

Question - What's the most common form of faith n America today?  My guess is a form of Christianity built on General Revelation plus Speculation .
ie:  doesn't openly, explicitly, verbally reject the Bible, simply doesn't use the Bible!!!

"I believe in God and it seems to me...  I think, etc...

Question:  if = General Revelation plus My Notion, how is this different from ancient paganism and idolatry.
Answer:  we don't make a physical idol!!!

When we reject Special Revelation and substitute Speculation, have made god of own design.  "Neo-Paganism" - new world pagan.

When we come to the conclusion that all the prophets, apostles, Jesus Christ, had it wrong, and WE are right, it is the height of arrogance!!!!

Building Our Faith from the Ground Up

Review:
#1.  Can we know God exists .... apart from Scripture?   Yes.

Example - Argument from design ==> Belief = reasonable.  If not, at least compelling!!

#2.  IF He Exists ... what can we know about Him?  (also apart from Scripture?
We can know that He is:  (by necessity)   Powerful, Intelligent, Creative, Transcendent (far beyond us)

All of this can be gleaned from General Revelation - fingerprints of God are all over natural theology and design.   End up at Gen. 1:1

BUT, Christianity is based on Special Revelation.  Definition:  knowledge and information from God that is not generally available;  ie. it can't be gleaned from nature or our surroundings.  Example:  the Gospel
Learn things that cannot be learned otherwise.  No amount of study, contemplation, or natural things can reveal that Jesus is God's Son, died for sins, we're separated from God due to sin, etc.

#3.  Is it reasonable to believe in Special Revelation?
YES!!  in light of:  fulfilled prophecy - thousands fulfilled
                           accompanying miracles
                           unity of content - 66 books written over 1500 years
                           universal relevance
                           social impact
                         *the endorsement of Jesus - He said repeatedly that s Word of God.

Since Special Revelation is so crucial to the Christian faith, will be giving it extra attention.

The means of Special Revelation - Heb. 1:1 "various ways"

           Dreams - Daniel
           visions - Peter & sheet
           signs - Gideon's fleece
           angels - Daniel, Mary, Joseph
          audible voice - Adam & Eve, Samuel
          inner voice
          theophanies = visible manifestations - example:  burning bush, cloud by day, pillar of fire
          incarnation - Heb. 1:1-2

The Record of Special Revelation - the Bible - the "written down" record of these special revelations - not all by any means, but LOTS!!

The Message of Special Revelation  "Thus sayeth the LORD"
many subjects, BUT point always = "this what LORD God says!!"

God speaks to us - in our language at our level.

The Purpose of Special Revelation
Same as General Revelation... ie:
    (A)  to Reveal God - He is there.  He is God - John 1:18
    (B)  to Reconcile Man - John 10:10    Luke 19:10

QUESTION:  Is Special Revelation still occurring?
Answer depends on definition and understanding of "revelation".

YES -- He is still Revealing Himself to individuals.
NO -- He is not imparting new information  (additional information)

Illustration:  Does God still speak through nature?  creation?
                  Is God producing additional information?

Compare:  does God still teach, enlighten, further knowledge and understanding of individuals through the Word?
Is He adding TO the Word??

Question:  Could He not reveal Himself more clearly?                                           

Matt.  13:13-15    a couple Latin terms:   Deus Absconditus & Deus Revelatus - Deut. 4:29
He gives free will - don't have to see and hear if don't want to.

Point:  Proof does NOT lead to Persuasion - example:  how many Egyptians saw all the miracles before the exodus?  How many believed in God after seeing them?
          Clarity does NOT lead to Belief    John 11:45-46   Luke 16: 27-31

Yes, He can reveal Himself more clearly, and, when Christ returns, HE WILL!!!
           
Application:  goes far beyond the non-Christian/ the unbeliever.
ie:  when WE (believers) ..
on one hand, accept Christ, accept the Revelation of Redemption,
BUT, refuse to accept, embrace other Special Revelations - give, forgive, offer soft answer, turn other cheek, seek first Kingdom of God, be baptized, etc. etc. etc.

What makes us any better than the non-Christian/unbeliever???


                                                 

Special Revelation

I.  Can We Know God Exists - apart from Scripture?  - covered 2 weeks ago
         Natural Theology
          Argument from Design

II.  What Can we Know About God apart from Scripture?  - last week

He is (must be)    powerful   }
                           intelligent  }      
                           creative    }
These three = must be Personal!!  (a "force" has no personality.  Chance has no power)
                           transcendent  =  beyond His creation to create it

Paul's words - Rom. 1:20 - "eternal power/divine nature"

This is called general Revelation (imprinted into His creation ) =  some knowledge

BUT, we need Special Revelation (specific) for more....   (God chose to reveal after creation)

Christian View (in summary) - Heb. 1:1-2
                                             2 Pet. 1:20-21
                                             2 Tim. 3:16 - God-breathed

Christian faith claims many more things than what can be discovered through General Revelation.

Question?  Is this possible?? - Answer:  Of course it's possible.  Quote from Anthony Flew (renowned atheist who changed his mind regarding existence of God)
"You cannot limit the possibilities of omnipotence except to produce the logically impossible."

Question?  Is this reasonable?  ie:  have we any reason to believe in Special Revelation ... aside from our desire for it to be true???   .... Aside from subjective experience(s)??

Reasons to believe the Bible is Divinely Inspired:

1)  fulfilled prophecy - D. James Kennedy study = 333 Old Testament texts fulfilled in Jesus - all written more than 400 years before His birth.  This doesn't include those prophecies covering other peoples, places, events, etc.

2)  accompanying miracles -  John 3:1-2  (typical of prophets/apostles)

3)  unity of content - 66 books -40+ authors - over 1500 years - 3 continents, 3 languages, various situations, cultures, etc.
YET - A) agree on life's controversial issues, and, B)  all focus on God's redemption of man

4)  universal relevancy - speaks to all people, all cultures, all ages,  all life situations ...(it fits)

5)  social impact - on individuals ==> on Society(s)

6)  the endorsement of Jesus - repeatedly upheld the Old Testament, predicted the New Testament  (John 14)
Contrast the scholar who says "Bible not reliable" with Jesus who says Matt. 5:18  - Who do you believe??

Above = objective (external) tests

Add subjective (internal) test   ie:  We see ourselves & meet our God in Scripture!!!

Most come to believe without any knowledge of above reasons.  However, is good in the aftermath to know there are good, solid Reasons!!

This brings us to a very critical and decisive point in the Christian faith --- because:

IF GOD EXISTS

and

IF THE BIBLE IS HIS WORD   (self-revelation)

THEN ALL THAT REMAINS IS...........
                                        INTERPRETATION  of text
                          and        APPLICATION  to life

Back to:  2 Tim. 3:16-17

Scripture = from  God,  practical and useful ... FOR:  Teaching
                                                                                  Rebuking
                                                                                  Correcting
                                                                                  Training

"So that...."
YOU might be trained and equipped to live your life as GOD intends, and, respond to life as GOD intends.

AND

Assist others as GOD intends and
Instruct others as GOD intends.

If God exists and the Bible is His Word, then the rest is just Exegesis (drawing out (digging out) what He has breathed in)

IF He has given us what we need, He's spoken and You are obligated!!  If you reject the Bible, then you are saying there is NO Special Revelation or No God.

Since we have reasonably concluded God IS and the Bible IS, we will go on to "What Does It Say".

IF God exists, what Can We Know About Him?

Last week:  Gen. 1:1 - "Can we know God exists apart from Scripture?"

Answered with:  1)  Natural Theology (based on nature)  - (argument from being, design, desire, morality, etc)
                         2)  Paul's address - Rom. 1:18-20

TODAY:  IF God exists, what can we know about Him?  apart from Scripture?

Appeal to :Argument from Design (meaning not naturally happening) - Examples:  watch, smartphone
Because:  1)  easy to understand   "laws of nature and of nature's God"
                 2)  difficult to refute

We know difference between something intentionally designed and something that just happened.  Very evident to those who want evidence.

Remember:  only 2 options/possibilities for the universe (everything material that is made)
#1.  The Universe is eternal and self-existent
#2.  The Universe was created by an eternal and self-existent Something.

One of prominent theories today is:  universe is not eternal, but there was a time when the universe was not and then was.  ie:  created itself.  THIS doesn't work.  Something cannot be and not be at the same time.

IF the Universe is eternal, THEN we need no Creator, BUT, must still account for:
1)  Material Design/ material complexity, material harmony, LIFE
AND,
2)  Immaterial Things - information, intelligence, thoughts, dreams, longings, desires, ambitions, passions, expectations, sense of right & wrong, justice

OR,
IF Material World is all there is, is it possible for unintelligence to create intelligence??

So, Option #1.  The Universe is eternal and self-existent.

BUT, IF the Universe is NOT eternal, THEN it had a beginning.

IF the Universe had a beginning, it had a Creator  (note:  self-creating Universe)

IF the Universe had a Creator, that Creator must be:

#1.  Powerful

#2.  Intelligent (complexity, intricacy, harmony)

#3.  Transcendent ie: far, far beyond us!!

#4.  Intentional - having a will, acting on purpose, (non-living objects don't intend to do anything) which adds up to..

#5.  Personal - having personhood, personality - Contrast "FORCE" of Star Wars - no personality

Question:  This description remind you of anyone???  D
All this fits perfectly with Gen. 1:1-3  Don't have to have the Bible to conclude this stuff. 

Powerful?  Omnipotent - spoke --> ex nihilo (out of nothing)  In the beginning GOD was there.
Intelligent?  Omniscient
Transcendent?  Spatially, in His Nature
Intentional?  acts ON Purpose with WITH purpose
Personal?  "our Father"  "hairs numbered"

POINT:  if you seek God through nature and Reason, you find the same God that's portrayed in Scripture!!

1)  If you seek God through Nature and Reason,  you wind up at Gen. 1:1-3  (ie:  God exists as a Personal Creator.
So,
2)  if you believe in God, you stand on solid ground.  (you're not foolish, old fashioned, irrational, empty headed)

Next Week - we go from General Revelation - revelation around us for all to see - available to all - to
Special/Specific Revelation (God has chosen to give us many things about Him)

There we'll find confirmation for something else you already know (apart from Scripture)

ie:  the testimony/witness of God (external and internal) is not designed to bring you to belief in God!!

Rather = designed to bring you to FAITH in God!!! ie:  trusting God.  There is a world of difference between the two.

Don't think you've arrived because you believe in God, or even believe that Jesus Christ is the bridge to God. 

Can We Know God Exists Apart from the Bible?

Gen. 1:1 (a) - "In the beginning ...... God."

It's natural for the Bible to start here.  (declaration of God - Who He is, etc.)
BUT, many reject Bible's witness.

So, can we know God exists apart from the Bible?

Will explore 3 answers:
1)  Yes
2)  No
3)  Possibly - Probably - beyond a reasonable doubt.  "Yeah, I think so."

#1.  Possibly - Probably

Early Christians developed natural theology, rational approach to knowledge of God - apart from Scriptures

Examples = the Argument from...
1) stuff -  things/ being/ existence  (Cosmological argument)

Only 2 possibilities - 1) stuff = eternal   or 2) stuff created by an eternal

2)  Design - (teleological argument) - examples:  watchmaker, smartphone.
(Smartphone requires intelligence.   AND 2- includes intelligence!!)

3)  Movement - change, causality - examples:  Big Bang - Law of Inertia.  (an object at rest stays at rest until acted upon by some external force)

4)  Morality - conscience, right, wrong, oughtness - if is a moral law, then must be moral lawgiver

5)  desire - a desire that can't be satisfied in this world. 

6)  Common consent - ie.  belief in God = universal
on one hand, doesn't prove that God exists, BUT, must be factored in.

Summary:  These arguments cannot PROVE God, BUT taken together provide beyond Reasonable Doubt.

Enter:  Immanuel Kant (an agnostic) - 18th. century German philosopher (in wake of David Hume -  "roused from my dogmatic slumbers" of rationalism)

in "The Critique of Pure Reason", he concludes:

#2.  NO - we cannot know God exists.  Because--
A)  although rational arguments are valued here, don't know if they would work in a metaphysical world.
(ie:  laws of causation inertia, etc. don't necessarily work in metaphysical world.)

B)  IF God exists -- He's so "wholly other" (transcendent) that our best reasoning wouldn't necessarily apply to Him, describe Him, reveal Him

Anyway,
C)  All our speculations and conclusions of he metaphysical world are clouded by our experiences here.  (physical world tinted glasses)

THEREFORE:  we Cannot know God exists (even if He does)!
Also said... 1) "can't deny starry host above or moral law within"
                  2)  should keep looking and asking (but recognize  limits of reasoning)
                  3)  should ACT like there's a God ... even if there's not!!! - because what would it mean to society if we say there's no meaning to this life!

So, we have - fideism - I just believe and that's it.
                      atheism
                      rationalism
                      agnosticism

Can we know??  Who should we believe???

Enter one more philosopher - one you know and have read - who says:
#3.  Yes, we can know God exists .... even apart from Scripture   ie:  The Apostle Paul -
Rom. 1:18-22

His conclusion??
1)  God has revealed Himself - contrasted to Kant's gulf
not fully - but sufficiently

Therefore:
2)  You can know Him
not fully ... but enough to make the next steps

AND...
3)  You DO Know Him!!!
The knowledge is not just available (around you) BUT - is within you!!!

Therefore:
4)  You are responsible and accountable - "without excuse"
doesn't mean you know everything about God, but know enough to live right life

Application: -- for non-believer = pretty clear!!
BUT, application for the believer??? - Rom. 2:1

1)  God has revealed Himself and some of His Will for you!!

2) You know it  (without excuse)

3.  You are responsible -- to respond to, act on it

IF NOT,  HOW ARE YOU DIFFERENT FROM THE NON-BELIEVER?

Again, doesn't mean always know everything, but is a whole bunch we do know.

Purpose and Function of the Church

Matt. 16:13-18 - Church = called-out gathering of people - not necessarily a religious term at this time.

Peter's confession - Christ's church -
On one hand = 1 church - Eph. 4:4-6
On the other hand are many local congregations, ie. churches.

BUT, point today is NOT church's size, growth, numbers
         Point is church's purpose and function.

PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH = to glorify God.
Definition of glorify = to make Him known, declare His glory, show forth His character, etc.
Example:
Psm. 19:1-4 - nature, the creation

AS nature does generally, the church can do Specifically!!   Ex.  Eph. 3:10
Nature can tell us God is incredibly wise, organized, powerful, etc., but will never be able to convey the Jesus Christ is His Son, sent to earth to die for our sins, that we might be saved and live with Him in Heaven for all eternity.

Question???  WHY?? - (ie:  why make Him known)
Answer:  when God's person, character, nature - purpose, intent, will - is make known - MAN BENEFITS - socially and individually, temporally (here and now) and eternally!

So, How  is this accomplished??  What is The Function of the Church
          EVANGELISM
          NURTURE
          MINISTRY
          WORSHIP

Note:  IF these = the function of the church,  THEN = function of individual members and will only be accomplished as individual members do it!!

A ___________ church is made of ___________ people.  (fill in the blanks with same word:  ie:  warm, cold, friendly, happy, growing, etc.)

4 functions of the (NT) Church

I.  Evangelism - ie:  connecting people to God
         2 Cor. 5:17-20 - lays ministry in our laps.
On one hand - beyond our ability - John 6:65
However - clearly called to partner in this  (Not just as corporate body, BUT as individual members!!)

II.  Nurture - feed, nourish, provide for, care for
Christian sense - promote spiritual growth and well being - to assist on journey to maturity.
Matt. 28:19-20 - this is more than an introduction to Messiah - means to "disciple"
Col. 1:28 - perfect meaning complete, grown up, etc.

III.  Ministry - help, aid, assist Any/All people - may be physical need, emotional need, spiritual need, relational need, financial need, etc.
Acts 10:37-38   Gal. 6:10  - We are called to do good for people - all people
Do it ... 1)  in God's name
             2) in hope of eternal results

IV.  Worship - ascribe worth to, declare value of ...
Examples:  sing/praise/thanks/prayer/give time, money, attendance ...

Worship is more about giving that receiving - Deut. 16:16-17
The Irony  = in so giving, you receive and others receive also!!

In all the above,  IF = function of the church, THEN must = function of individual members!

Question/Challenge directed toward -
A.  Your understanding of this

B.  Your commitment to this.   Commitment meaningless without participation.

C.  Your participation  (involvement) in this.  (Hands and feet)

God has blessed us beyond description, and He calls us to worship and declare Him.