Online Bible Course
This course consists of 10 lessons. You can take the course online (the
first lesson is below). If you prefer to receive the lessons by e-mail, not
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Our God Is Alive - Lesson 1
[Bible Text - English Standard Version]
INSTRUCTIONS
These lessons are designed to give you an overview of the Biblical
message. Please read the lesson and the passages of scripture given as
you read through. Then answer the questions at the end of the lesson
using these scriptures. We hope that you have a rewarding study.
Knowing God is necessary if one is to do more than stumble through
life from one ordeal to another. One needs purpose and direction. God
gives us reason to live and reachable goals to attain.
GOD EXISTS
Everything has a cause. Science calls this the "law of cause and
effect". Nothing in our universe can be the cause of its own existence,
therefore we must look beyond this physical realm to find the Ultimate
Cause of all things. The universe is like a huge clock that is winding
down. The question is WHO "wound up the clock" in the beginning?
(Genesis 1:1) In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
(Revelation 4:11) Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and
honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy
pleasure they are and were created.
When we buy a watch we recognize there must have been a
watchmaker. If we admire a painting we understand there must have
been an artist. Likewise, the universe tells us of its Maker. We see
design all around us. The human eye is much more effective than the
finest camera and no one would seriously suggest that a camera came
into existence by accident instead of by plan. It makes even less sense
to deny the existence of the Designer and Creator of the eye!
(Psalms 19:1-2) The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
[Psalms 139:14] I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
Also, the nature of man tells us much about his origin. Human beings
are moral, rational and spiritual creatures. We ponder our existence
asking "how" and "why"; and these very questions point us in God's
direction! It is foolish to deny His existence.
[Psalms 14:1] The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."
They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds,
there is none who does good.
CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD
How does one describe God? Words are inadequate and yet they are all we
have. The best approach is to see how God has revealed Himself to us.
Our God is majestic. He is large and impressive in size, scope, and extent. He
is all powerful. He is always near. His glory surpasses anything else in human
experience.
(1 Timothy 6:15-16) Which he will display at the proper time -- he who is
the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, [16]
who alone has
immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or
can see.
To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
Our God is wise. He knows His universe down to the smallest detail. He knows
the heart. He knows what is best for us.
(Psalms 33:13-15) The LORD looks down from heaven;
he sees all the children of man; [14] from where he sits enthroned he looks
out on all the inhabitants of the earth, [15] he who fashions the hearts of
them all and observes all their deeds.
(Romans 11:33-34) Oh, the depth of the riches and
wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how
inscrutable his ways! [34] "For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?"
Our God is jealous. This is not to be confused with anything like the petty
jealousies of man. It simply means God demands loyalty from those He loves and
redeems.
(Exodus 20:5) You shall not bow down to them or serve them,
for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers
on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,
Our God is love. Our wellbeing is His concern and He
has acted in our behalf.
(John 3:16) "For God so loved the world, that he
gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have
eternal life.
(Hebrews 4:16) Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of
grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Our God is also capable of wrath. He is the righteous judge of a
wicked world. His wrath is perfectly dispensed; none will pay an unjust
penalty. Also, it must be noted Divine wrath is what men choose
for themselves when they retreat from the light God has provided.
(2 Thessalonians 1:8) In flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not
know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
(John 3:18) Whoever believes in
him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already,
because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
NAMES OF GOD
There are several names that God uses in
identifying Himself. They also tell us something of His nature. We will
look at two of these names.
"Jehovah" is the name by which God revealed Himself to Moses from
the burning bush. This name continued to be used by God's people
throughout history. A shortened form of the name is used in the word
"hallelujah" which means "praise to Jehovah". The name "Jehovah" is
from the Hebrew language and means "I AM". It shows God's eternal
nature; that He has no beginning or end.
(Exodus 3:14) God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say
this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.' "
"Elohim" is a name which signifies might and power. It is this
Hebrew word that is translated "God" in the very first verse of the
Bible.
(Genesis 1:1) I In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
GODHEAD
Most are familiar with the concept of three persons in
one God. Some refer to this as "the Trinity." But what does the Bible
teach?
There is one God. There are not two, three or more. However, we
have already noticed the use of the word "Elohim" as one of the names
used by God. The interesting thing is that "Elohim" is plural! This
certainly helps to explain Genesis 1:26 Then God said, "Let us
make man in our image," The one God of the Bible is revealed to be a unity of
three Persons. All three are mentioned together several times in the
scriptures.
(Matthew 3:13-17) Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be
baptized by
him. [14] John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by
you, and do you come to me?" [15] But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so
now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he
consented. [16] And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the
water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit
of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; [17] and behold, a
voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son,[3] with whom I am well
pleased."
(Matthew 28:18-20) And Jesus came and said to
them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[2] the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to
observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to
the end of the age."
(2 Corinthians 13:14) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of
God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
God, the Father, is separate and distinct from the Son and the Spirit, and yet
one with them.
(1 Peter 1:1-2] Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who
are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia,
and Bithynia, [2] according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the
sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling
with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Jesus, the Son, is referred to in the scripture as God. He also
accepted being addressed as God. He was also willing to be worshiped
after saying that it was only proper to worship God and no other!
(Please compare)
(Matthew 4:10) Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it
is written, " 'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you
serve.' "
(Matthew 28:9) And behold, Jesus met them and said,
"Greetings!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.
Also notice...
(Matthew 1:23) "Behold, the virgin shall conceive
and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel"(which means, God with us).
(John 1:1-3) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3]
All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that
was made.
(John 1:14) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among
us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father,
full of grace and truth.
(John 1:17) For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came
through Jesus Christ.
(John 20:26-29) Eight days later, his disciples were inside again,
and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and
stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." [27] Then he said to
Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand,
and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." [28] Thomas
answered him, "My Lord and my God!" [29] Jesus said to him, "Have you
believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet
have believed."
(Titus 2:13) Waiting for our blessed
hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
The Holy Spirit is revealed in the Bible as being both a living
being and Deity. The personal pronoun "He" is used to refer to Him. He
is said to love, speak and grieve. He has a mind. If one lies to the
Spirit, he has lied unto God!
(John 14:16-18) And I will ask the Father, and he will give you
another Helper,[5] to be with you forever, [17] even the Spirit of truth,
whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You
know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. [18] "I will not leave
you as orphans; I will come to you.
(Acts 5:3-4) But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to
lie to the Holy
Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? [4]
While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold,
was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in
your heart? You have not lied to men but to God."
(Romans 8:27) And he who searches hearts knows
what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the
saints according to the will of God.
(Ephesians 4:30) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit
of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
We find examples of the Lord God making statements in the Old
Testament and then discover that the New Testament quotes those same
statements and attributes them specifically to the Holy Spirit. This
certainly shows the Holy Spirit is one of the Godhead. Compare the
following...
(Isaiah 6:8-10) And I heard the voice
of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I
said, "Here am I! Send me." [9] And he said, "Go, and say to this people:
" 'Keep on hearing,[3] but do not understand; keep on seeing,[4] but do not
perceive.' [10] Make the heart of this people dull,[5] and their ears heavy,
and blind their eyes; lest they see with their
eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and
be healed."
(Acts 28:25-27) And disagreeing among themselves, they
departed after Paul had made one statement: "The Holy Spirit was right in
saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: [26] " 'Go to this people,
and say,
You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive. [27] For this people's heart has
grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.'
CONCLUSION
It is important to know our God. Not just to know
about Him but to know Him as God. In this universe and in eternity,
when all has been said and done, man cannot fail more seriously than to
live out his life estranged from his Creator. On the other hand, there
cannot be a brighter success story than that of a man or woman who
walks with God.
Lesson #2 is entitled "GOD HAS SPOKEN" and shows the Bible itself
is God's word. How do we know that the Bible is God's word? What does
"inspiration" mean? What is the difference between the Old and New
Testaments? Can one really understand the Bible? These and other
questions will be dealt with in Lesson #2. (Submit answers to the
following questions in order to receive the next lesson)
QUESTIONS FOR LESSON ONE