Tag Archives: Attributes of God

Roots of the Faith – “The Attributes of God: Omnipotence”

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Over the next few months, our men’s small group will study key biblical truths that are foundational to our Christian faith. My goal is not just to give information, but rather information that will change the way we live our life. I am calling these truths the Roots of the Faith.

What we believe about God determines how we live for God.

“The foundation of all true knowledge of God must be a clear mental apprehension of His perfections as revealed in Holy Scripture. An unknown God can neither be trusted, served, nor worshipped.”  A.W. Pink

Resources for this Study

50 Core Truths of the Christian Faith – Gregg R. Allision

Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine – Wayne Grudem

Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth – John MacArthur & Richard Mayhue

Omnipotence

Omni – All

Potent – Powerful

Genesis 17:1, Jeremiah 32:17, Romans 8:28

God’s omnipotence describes his ability to do anything consistent with his nature.

John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue, eds., page, 177.

Power refers to the divine attribute of being all-powerful (omnipotence). God can do everything that is proper for him as God to do. Examples include the creation out of nothing, the exodus, and the incarnation of the Son of God. Importantly, God cannot do certain things, such as sin, lie, do the logically absurd, die, break a promise, or be thwarted in his plans. Such “inabilities” are part of the perfection of God.

Gregg R. Allison, page, 84.

Power and control over everything “All mighty”

  • 2 Corinthians 6:18, Revelation 1:8

Nothing is too hard or impossible

  • Genesis 18:14, Luke 1:37, Matthew 19:26, Ephesians 3:20

God does what He pleases

  • Psalm 115:3

Closing thoughts

Therefore do not be anxious about your life… Matthew 6:25-30

Further Reading

The Omnipotence, Omniscience, and Omnipresence of God – John Frame

Omnipotence – Table Talk Magazine. Ligonier Ministries

Roots of the Faith – The Attributes of God (Incommunicable): Independence and Immutability

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Over the next few months we will be digging deep into God’s Word to learn more about key biblical truths that are foundational to our Christian faith. My goal is not just to give information, but rather information that will change the way we live our life. I am calling these truths the Roots of the Faith.

Resources for this Study

50 Core Truths of the Christian Faith – Gregg R. Allision

Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine – Wayne Grudem

Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth – John MacArthur & Richard Mayhue

INTRO

  • “The incommunicable attributes are God’s characteristics or perfections, as revealed by Scripture, that God does not communicate, or share, with human beings.” (Gregg R. Allison, page 73)
  • “The foundation of all true knowledge of God must be a clear mental apprehension of His perfections as revealed in Holy Scripture. An unknown God can neither be trusted, served, nor worshipped.”  A.W. Pink
  • When we get our view of God right… then we can get our life right.
    • Right Belief – Right Living

Independence

THOUGHTS

  • God is independent and self-sufficient.
  • Creation is dependent upon Him.
    • Wrong – God needs you
    • Right – God needs nothing

God does not need us or the rest of creation for anything, yet we and the rest of creation can glorify him and bring him joy.

Wayne Grudem, page 190.

God is independent of all things. He is perfectly self-sufficient, not depending on anything outside himself for anything, and is therefore the eternal, foundational being, the source of life and sustenance for all other beings.

John MacArthur, page 168.

A Deeper Look – (John MacArthur, page 169)

  1. As Yahweh, God is self-existent, having life in and of himself
    • Ex. 3:14; John 5:26
  2. God existed before all things, and through him alone all things exist.
    • Ps. 90:2; 1 Cor. 8:6; Rev. 4:11
  3. God is Lord of all.
    • Deut. 10:17; Josh. 3:13
  4. He depends on nothing; all things depend on him.
    • Rom. 11:36
  5. He is the source of everything.
    • Deut. 32:39; Isa. 45:5–7; 54:16; John 5:26; 1 Cor. 8:6
  6. He does as He wills.
    • Ps. 115:3; Isa. 46:10–11; 64:8; Jer. 18:6; Dan. 4:35; Rom. 9:19–21; Eph. 1:5; Rev. 4:11
  7. His counsel is the basis of everything.
    • Ps. 33:10–11; Prov. 19:21; Isa. 46:10; Matt. 11:25–26; Acts 2:23; 4:27–28; Eph. 1:5, 9, 11
  8. He does everything for His own sake.
    • Josh. 7:9; 1 Sam. 12:22; Pss. 25:11; 31:3; 79:9; 106:8; 109:21; 143:11; Prov. 16:4; Isa. 48:9; Jer. 14:7, 21; Ezek. 20:9, 14, 22, 44; Dan. 9:19
  9. He needs nothing, being all-sufficient.
    • Job 22:2–3; Acts 17:25
  10. He is the first and the last.
    • Isa. 41:4; 44:6; 48:12; Rev. 1:8; 21:6; 22:13
  11. He is independent in His mind (Rom. 11:33–35), his will (Dan. 4:35; Rom. 9:19; Eph. 1:5; Rev. 4:11), his counsel (Ps. 33:11; Isa. 46:10), his love (Hos. 14:4), and his power (Ps. 115:3)

Immutability

God’s immutability is his perfect unchangeability in his essence, character, purpose, and promises.[1]

God is unchanging in his being, perfections, purposes, and promises, yet God does act and feel emotions, and he acts and feels differently in response to different situations. This attribute of God is also called God’s immutability.[2]

He does not change

  • Malachi 3:6
  • James 1:17

He is the first and last

  • Isaiah 43:14
  • Isaiah 44:6-8

He brings all things to completion

  • Philippians 1:3-6
  • Psalm 33:11

Does the Bible Contradict this?

  • Genesis 6:6–7; Exodus 32:14; 2 Samuel 24:16; Jeremiah 18:8; Jonah 3:10
  • Does God change His mind?
  • 1 Samuel 15:29 – NO

A good way to understand God’s apparent changes in Scripture is to consider that God reveals himself in his relations to people. They perceive only one aspect of God at a time. God never changes, but creatures do change, and they perceive God’s perfections and actions according to their current state. Thus, God’s actions do not imply a change of essence or purpose.[3]

[1] John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue, eds., Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2017), 169.

[2] Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, Second Edition. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020), 192–193.

[3] John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue, eds., Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2017), 170.

Q & A with Pastor Jon- “What is God like?” The Attributes of God part 2

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Q & A with Pastor Jon is a teaching time utilized to answer questions that have been asked over the course of my ministry. Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon. They are provided as an outline each week for our Tabernacle Church family. The church provides a live stream of the service each Wednesday at 6:30 on Facebook. We also provide the services through YouTube. You can find Sermon Notes, Family Devotional Guides, Prayer List, and other resources at our Church Website.

“The foundation of all true knowledge of God must be a clear mental apprehension of His perfections as revealed in Holy Scripture. An unknown God can neither be trusted, served, nor worshipped.”

A. W. Pink

God is a Consuming Fire

Heb. 12:29

  • A warning against idolatry Deut 4:23-25
  • Wrath and Judgment
  • Holiness and Power
  • His judgment in relation to His Holiness…THIS IS KEY

God is Omnipotent

Gen. 17:1, Jer. 32:17, Is. 43:13, Amos 9:2-3, Rom. 8:28

  • Perfect power
  • Perfect control
  • Power and control over everything Matt 6:26-30

God is Omniscient

Ps. 139:1-6, Rom. 11:33-36

  • God knows everything
  • God knows the details of life
  • Present and Future
  • His knowledge and His authority…He is the ultimate judge

The omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence of God. (The Gospel Coalition)

Truths to consider:

What we believe about God will be demonstrated by the way we live our life.

  • How we handle circumstances, adversity, & day to day trials.
  • How we handle and cultivate relationships inside and outside the body of Christ.

What we believe about God will be demonstrated by the way the Church…

  • Reaches out with the Gospel
  • Disciples and encourages within the body
  • Assembles for worship

Our life should point people to the greatness of God.  We must point people to the God of the Bible.