PULPIT TODAY SERMONS
Robert D. Pace
At the heart of systematic theology is the study of God’s holy and just attributes. Moreover, understanding God emerges in three ways: by Creation, by Revelation, and by His Written Word. Why is it important to study God’s wondrous attributes? There are several answers to this question:
1. First, studying God’s immutable attributes help Christians understand the holy perfection of the Creator’s majesty.
2. Second, studying God’s attributes results in (a) anchoring the Believer’s faith in God and (b) increasing one’s trust in His management of our lives. Such faith and trust is indispensable to mankind!
3. Studying God’s attributes brings man joy. The Psalmist said: “In His presence is fullness of joy.”
4. Acquainting yourself with God can result in transforming your life. (This will be discussed in the final point of this outline.)
The Bible never provides an exhaustive list of God’s attributes. Notice what Job admitted after he encountered God: “Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him!” (26:14)
As the incomprehensible God, He especially invites humanity to learn of Him and discover His nature. In fact, Jeremiah 9:23 says, “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom or the strong man glory in his might, let not the wealthy boast in his riches (24) but let he that boasts boast in this: that he understands and knows Me.”
(Transition) Now let’s proceed by investigating three classifications of God’s Attributes:
Classifications of God’s Attributes:
A. God’s Moral Attributes
The holiness of (EXO 15:11)
The love of God (John 3:35; 17:24)
The righteous of God (Psalm 145:7)
The perfection of God (Psalm 50:10; HEB:6:18)
The faithfulness of God (1 Corinthians 10:13)
The goodness of God (Mark 10:18)
The truthfulness of God (John 14:6)
Merciful (1CH 16:34)
Gracious (EPH 2:7)
The forgiveness of God
The kindness of God
The compassion of God
The patience (long-suffering) of God
The justness of God
B. God’s Intellectual Attributes
The omniscience of God (Job 37:16)
The wisdom of God (1 Timothy 1:16-17)
The incomprehensibility of God (Job 11:7-9)
The impassable nature of God. (He is not overwhelmed by emotion or grief. Though He passionately loves those created in His image and He laments over man’s rebellion, He is never overcome by His passions. He is always self-controlled.)
The fellowshipping God (He communes with His creation.)
C. God’s Sovereign Attributes
God is Sovereign and answers to no one. “He does whatever He pleases” (Psalm 115:3)
God is omnipotent (Matthew 19:6)
God is omnipresent (Jeremiah 23:23-24)
God is immutable (James 1:17)
God is eternal (1 Timothy 1:17)
God is self-sufficient/existent (John 5:26)
God is infinite (Job 11:7-9)
God is the Creator (Genesis 1 & 2)
God is the Sustainer (Hebrew 1:3)
God is the Consummator (Revelator 21:12-15)
God decrees (Psalm 2:7; Acts 17:26-31)
God is invisible (John 4:23-24)
God is free
God is One
God is transcendent
(Insight) Despite this partial list of 34 characteristics of God, Job 26:14 says: “Behold, these are the fringes of His ways; and how faint a word we hear of Him!” Throughout eternity, men and angels will continue to discover the wonder of God’s character!
(Transition) Our final point illustrates how God can transform those that dare to draw near Him and investigate His glory:
“Knowing God” Can Transform Man
Though God is infinite and incomprehensible, Paul urged Christians to acquaint themselves with God in ways He has revealed Himself. This was Paul’s driving quest and it’s why he wrote in Philippians 3:10, “That I may know Him.”
Notice those that “drew near” God and the transformation it brought them:
1. Moses at the “Burning bush” discovered God: “I Am Who I Am.”
2. Abraham at Mount Moriah discovered God, Jehovah-Jireh, as his Provider.
3. Jacob at Bethel discovered the God who blesses.
4. Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego, thrown into the fiery furnace, discovered God’s ability to miraculously deliver.
5. Jonah, discovered the God of forgiveness.
6. Gideon, hiding in a winepress, discovered God as the Captain of our Salvation.
7. The 12 Apostles, intimately acquainted with God through Christ, discovered the saving, healing, forgiving, loving, all-wise, (etc.) nature of God.
Conclusion
These are but several reasons that God urges mankind to learn of Him. Seek Him today. The beauty of his nature can transform you!