Theology

Posted : 19 Jan, 2012 01:35 PM

I would like to introduce you to someone. But I'm not sure how to word it so I'll let Dr. James McKeever do it. "I would like to share with you about an individual I was just reading about the other day. He had some characteristics that most people would consider highly undesirable. He has given some people poisoned water to drink and it killed a number of them. He had a couple of guys working for him and he forced one of them to kill a bunch of his neighbors. He forced another one to murder a high government official. (This is not very well known.) He was evidently involved with evil spirits and had the power to order them about. There is evidence that he sent an evil spirit to a particular guy and caused him to go crazy. Some people say that the reason he did all these "terrible things" was because he was vengeful. If someone did something against him that offended him, he would punish that person severely in return. Would you like to get to know such a person? What would you say if your children wanted to become friends with an individual like him? Would you discourage them from getting to know him? What would you say to them? You might pause here for a moment and think through what your answers to these questions would be. Many Christians would say that we should get to know GOD and certainly not an individual such as the one described above. Yet what many Christians do not realize is that the individual just described who did all these things, was GOD." That's from Dr. James McKeever's book Believe it or not... Its in the Bible pages 25 and 26. Now I wish I could see the look on your face. But yes GOD did those things. I think He oughta introduce Himself though don't you?? Exodus 34: 6-7 'And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious GOD, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished; He punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation." In this blog were gonna study theology. Well whats theology?? You might ask and that's a fair question. The comedians guides to theology by Thor Ramsey on preface #2 says "Explaining the nuances of what Christians believe about GOD is known as theology." But its hard to get to know GOD because He is infinite He never ends. A comedians guide to theology by Thor Ramsey page 73 says "On the question of knowing GOD, there is a trend in the Emergent Church to look at GOD as a mysterious fuzz bomb." I will try very hard to not look at GOD in this blog as a fuzz bomb or a bomb fuzz. Now I can't reveal GOD in His fullness to you in this blog. That's just impossible cause I can't know Him in His fullness. A comedians guide to theology by Thor Ramsey page 74 says "We cannot comprehend all that GOD is in Himself, but we can get a glimpse of what GOD is like." The knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 56 says "GOD is self - existent and self - contained and knows what no creature can ever know - Himself, perfectly." Sometimes in order to understand GOD better we compare our relationship with Him to different things and marriage is the popular one. A comedians guide to theology by Thor Ramsey page 75 says 'Our relationship with GOD is often compared to a marriage relationship; but GOD is not your spouse. We just have to keep reminding ourselves, "Theology is better then sex." We also have to remember when trying to get to know GOD that He is not like us. We do sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that He is like us. GOD says in Psalm 50:21 "You thought I was altogether like you." Well He's nothing like us so quit thinking He is. A comedians guide to theology by Thor Ramsey page 74 says "GOD is beyond us, and certainly incomprehensible to our minds." The knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 6 says "GOD is not like anything; that is, He is not exactly like anything or anybody." So now we know GOD is not like us and can't know Him in His fullness but lets look at His characteristics and see what we can learn. First we will look at His self - existence. GOD never began. GOD was never born. GOD doesn't come from anywhere. The knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 25 says "GOD is self - existent, while all created things necessarily originated somewhere at sometime. Aside from GOD, nothing is self - caused." GOD was not created. Nobody made GOD. GOD also will not die. GOD has no ending He is everlasting. The knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 39 says "Because GOD lives in an everlasting now, He has no past and no future." And again in the knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 39 says "Time marks the beginning of created existence, and because GOD never began to exist it can have no application to Him." There are no days, weeks, months, years, hours, minutes or seconds to GOD. GOD does not age. GOD has no age at all. The knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 39 says "GOD dwells in eternity but time dwells with GOD." Now we'll look at GOD as self - sufficient. He doesn't need your help. The knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 34 says "Almighty GOD, just because He is almighty, needs no support. The picture of a nervous, ingratiating GOD fawning over men to win their favor is not a pleasant one; yet if we look at the popular conception of GOD that is precisely what we see. Twentieth - century Christianity has put GOD on charity." And I couldn't agree more. More and more people seem to think that GOD needs their support. Dude how arrogant are you to really believe that the GOD who created everything needs your help?? The GOD of the universe got along just fine before you were born and will continue to do just fine after you die. Next we will look at GOD's omnipotence. Omnipotence means GOD is all powerful. Nothing and no one is more powerful then GOD. Nothing is impossible for GOD cause He can do everything and anything. The knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 65 says "Sovereignty and omnipotence must go together. One cannot exist without the other. To reign, GOD must have power, and to reign sovereignly, He must have all power. And that is what omnipotent means, having all power." GOD is not limited in anyway shape or form. The knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 65 says "since GOD is also infinite, whatever He has must be without limit; therefore GOD has limitless power, He is omnipotent." He has power without limit or end. With GOD anything is possible. The knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 65 says "GOD posses what no creature can: an incomprehensible plenitude of power, a potency that is absolute." No other being has the power GOD has. GOD spoke and things came to be from nothing. GOD made everything we know of and don't know of from nothing. The knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 65 says "Grant that GOD is infinite and self - existent and we see at once that He must be all - powerful as well, and reason kneels to worship before the divine omnipotence." And everything GOD does is easy for Him. Nothing He does is difficult for Him. The knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 67 says "since He has at His command all the power in the universe, the Lord GOD omnipotent can so anything as easily as anything else. All His acts are done without effort." And again in the knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 33 says "since He is the Being supreme over all, it follows that GOD cannot be elevated. Nothing is above Him, nothing beyond Him." Next we'll look at GOD and how He is omnipresent. This means that He is everywhere all the time. Psalm 139: 7-12 'Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to You.' GOD is all around us. You cannot go anywhere without GOD. But yet as He is everywhere it does seem as if He is distant sometimes. The knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 26 says 'Yet how He eludes us! For He is everywhere while He is nowhere, for "where" has to do with matter and space, and GOD is independent of both. He is unaffected by time or motion, is wholly self - dependent and owes nothing to the worlds His hands have made." So take comfort in the knowledge that the GOD of the universe is always around no matter what. Next we'll look at how GOD is faithful. We are not faithful. Every time we sin we're being unfaithful to the almighty GOD. 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." So if we confess our sins He will forgive us even though we don't deserve it. And His faithfulness will never end cause He is infinite. Psalm 89:2 "Your unfailing love will last forever and Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens." His faithfulness is proof the He is omnipresent and His omnipresence is proof of His faithfulness. Next we'll look at that GOD is good. The knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 89 says "The goodness of GOD is that which disposes Him to be kind, cordial, benevolent, and full of good will toward men. He is tenderhearted and quick of sympathy, and His unfailing attitude toward all moral beings is open, frank, and friendly. By His nature He is inclined to bestow blessedness and He takes holy pleasure in the happiness of His people." He is not some big meanie waiting for you to make a mistake just so He can throw a lightning bolt at you. He is not a mean GOD. GOD is good infinitely good. I;m at a loss to explain the goodness of GOD and just how good He is. So I'll just go on to looking at how GOD is just. GOD is not unfair it is we who are unfair. GOD's greatest act of justice is what Jesus did for us on the cross. Romans 3:25 - 26 "GOD presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith and His blood. He did this to demonstrate His justice, because in His forbearance He had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished - He did it to demonstrate His justice at the present time, so as to be just and the One who justifies those who have faith in Jesus." Now that's a justice system I can get behind. GOD always deals fairly with His people and will never give them more then they can handle. Next we will look at how GOD is merciful. Mercy is basically GOD giving us what we don't deserve. The knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 90 says "mercy is an attribute of GOD, an infinite and inexhaustible energy within the divine nature which disposes GOD to be actively compassionate." I wish I had more words to explain His mercy but I don't. So next we'll look at how GOD is love. GOD loves us more then of a human can explain. 1 John 4:8 "Whoever does not love does not know GOD, because GOD is love." The knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 16 says "His love is the way GOD is, and when He loves He is simply being Himself." This does not mean though that love is GOD. Love is just another characteristic of GOD. The biggest demonstration of GOD's love was what Jesus did on the cross. (Boy that moment has many levels doesn't it??) John 3:16 "GOD so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him mat not perish but have eternal life." He love is a grand and wonderful thing! Psalm 36:7 "How priceless is Your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of Your wings." So know that GOD loves You and more then that He is proud of you. Next we'll look at how GOD is holy. GOD is pure. There is no sin in Him. A comedians guide to theology by Thor Ramsey page 77 says "GOD is holy, He is other then we are, separate from us, unique to the point of evoking worship and inspiring three chord praise songs." GOD is perfect in every way. What is the Father like? by W. Phillip Keller page 164 says "To be holy is to be whole, complete, wholesome, healthy, perfect, pure." GOD is without defect or blemish. GOD makes no mistakes. GOD never says "oops!" Next we'll look at the Trinity. Three in One Father Son and Spirit. A comedians guide to theology by Thor Ramsey page 77 says "The Trinity is one of the doctrines that elevates the Christian concept of GOD above your average deity, because it makes GOD Himself a family." Yes GOD is family yay! But family is not GOD. The Trinity though is a rather hard concept. The knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 17 says "To meditate on the three Persons of the GODhead is to walk in thought through the garden eastward in Eden and to tread on holy ground." So we're treading holy ground at the moment. Comfy?? You might wanna remove your shoes. The GODhead though is never arguing. The GODhead does not fight with Himself. The knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 22 says "The Persons of the GODhead, being One, have one will. They work always together, and never one smallest act is done by one without the instant acquiescence of the other two. Every act of GOD is accomplished by the Trinity in unity." The way the Trinity was explained to me was apple pie. My Mom told me that apple pie has three parts. Crust on top, gushy apple stuff in the middle and then crust on the bottom. Three separate things but come together as one. GOD is so much bigger though then apple pie. Every comparison that can be made about what GOD is like and who He is sooner or later fails because He is not of this world. So next we'll look at how GOD is understanding. GOD understands the struggles we go through when we are tempted to sin. Jesus was also tempted. GOD also understands when we are hurt, upset, angry, frustrated and every feeling you can think of. GOD understands you and accepts you. But He does not accept your sin. So next we will look at how He is a jealous GOD. The Sunday before last my interim Pastor Thor Ramsey said sin is anything that takes the place of GOD. If all you think about is your next paycheck your sinning. GOD must always be first no matter what. Don't fall for the fantasies you see on tv or read about in books or hear on the radio. Don't obsess over Hollywood stars cause obsession is just another word for idolatry. Anything you obsess about is an idol and you are sinning. If you must obsess then obsess about GOD. Exodus 20: 5 - 6 "You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your GOD, am a jealous GOD, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations for those who love Me and keep My commandments." Now we'll look at how GOD is gracious. Grace is not just something you pray at the dinner table. Websters Dictionary defines grace as the free, unmerited love and favor of GOD. So basically GOD's grace is GOD's mercy in action. GOD in His mercy has compassion for the world therefore GOD in His grace sent His only begotten Son so that all may be saved through Him. Now we'll see how GOD is patient. GOD has no deadlines to meet. GOD is very patient with us. GOD is never rushed around. He waited till the proper time to send His Son to save people from their sins. GOD's timing is different from out timing. But GOD does not wait forever. Remember that patience is a virtue so don't tax one of GOD's many virtues. Now we'll look at how GOD is forgiving. GOD would have to be forgiving or He wouldn't have anyone to talk to. GOD is always willing to forgive, cleanse and purify. He even forgives us for our secret sins. We have sins we don't know about. Psalms 19:12 "People cannot see their own mistakes. Forgive me for my secret sins." And 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." Next we will look at how GOD is all knowing. GOD knows everything. There is nothing beyond His knowledge. The knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 56 says "GOD knows instantly and effortlessly all matter and all matters, all mind and every mind, all spirit and all spirits, all being and every being, all creature hood and all creatures, every plurality and all pluralities, all law and every law, all relations, all causes, all thoughts, all mysteries, all enigmas, all feeling, all desires, every unuttered secret, all thrones and dominions, all personalities, all things visible and invisible in heaven and in earth, motion, space, time, life, death, good, evil, heaven, and hell." GOD does not learn. Nothing is new to GOD. GOD has no need to learn since He knows all. The knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 55 says "To say GOD is omniscient is to say that He posses perfect knowledge and therefore has no need to learn. But it is more: it is to say that GOD has never learned and cannot learn." And so all of GOD's decisions are made in perfect wisdom. Remember that GOD makes no mistakes. The knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 60 says "All of GOD's acts are done in perfect wisdom, first for His own glory, and then for the highest good of the greatest number for the longest time." His every decision is pure, wise and holy. The knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 60 says "And all His acts are as pure as they are wise, and as good as they are wise ans pure." Still we some of what He does and we cannot understand why He does or doesn't do something. His ways are not our ways. The knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 44 says "O, the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of GOD! How unsearchable are His judgements, and His ways past finding out!" Next we'll look at how GOD has feelings. Not many Christians seem to realize that indeed GOD has feelings. We see His anger in what He with Sodom and Gomorrah. Or when Jesus toppled the tables in the temple. We see Him being sad when Jesus wept. We see Him when He says He laughs at our calamities. C'mon its hilarious when people slide on the ice or fall in the mud or trip on the sidewalk. GOD does have feelings but doesn't express them the way we do. His feelings are holy. Now feelings are not GOD but GOD does have feelings. Now we will look at how GOD is unchanging. GOD is the same yesterday, today and forever. The knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer page 79 says "GOD, being who He is, cannot cease to be what He is, and being what He is, He cannot act out of character with Himself." GOD will always be who He is. Next we will look at how GOD is trustworthy. You can trust GOD. Proverbs 3:5 - 6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." GOD can be trusted. He won't leave you or forsake you. Psalm 9:10 "Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O LORD, have never abandoned anyone who searches for You." Now we'll look at how GOD is personal since He is a Person. Yes GOD is a Person. The Bible never refers to GOD as an it. A comedians guide to theology by Thor Ramsey page 76 says "Though GOD is a person, He's beyond what personhood is to you and me." GOD wants a personal intimate one on one relationship with you and me. He is not a distant uncaring GOD. He is a close and loving GOD and wants you to get to know Him. He wants to be your Saviour, Friend, Brother, Father, Pal, Buddy and so much more. GOD loves you and is proud of you and wants a relationship with you. He wants you to spend time with Him. There is so much more to Him then I can tell you or anyone else but Himself can tell you. This blog just barely scratches the surface of who He is if that. A comedians guide to theology by Thor Ramsey page 79 says "GOD is always more, never less." I wanna encourage you to please read the Bible and get to know Him... Well I hope you enjoyed this. I have enjoyed it. And since Thor Ramsey said theology is better then sex I'm just gonna ask you was that as good for you as it was for me?? Excuse me while I go have a cigarette...

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