Theme: God is both transcendent and immanent - wholly separate from human beings yet choosing to be in relationship with them. He is three persons, yet one God. He is the creator and sustainer of all things. He is both all good and all powerful. While these things can be mysterious and difficult to understand, they are powerful truths that should build our confidence in God.
Outline:
1. The Trinity: The Three-In-Oneness of God
A. Biblical evidence for the Trinity
There is one God - Deuteronomy 6:4, Mark 12:32, 1 Timothy 2:5
Jesus is fully God - John 1:1-3, Hebrews 1:2-3, Colossians 1:15-17
The Holy Spirit is fully God and is a person (not a force) - Matthew 28:19, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19. Temple of God = temple of the Holy Spirit. He counsels - John 14:16-17. Can be lied to - Acts 7:51
B. Analogies for the Trinity - no perfect analogy
Egg: yolk, white, shell - problem: the shell is not fully egg.
H2O: water, ice, steam - problem is modalism, one form at a time
Family: one family made up of different persons. Problem is that no individual is fully the family
C. Roles of the Trinity: All three active in creation. The Father - Acts 17:24-31, Titus 3:4-7. Distinct roles: Father sends the Son - John 3:16. Son submits to the Father - John 6:38. The Father and Son send the Spirit - John 14:25, 15:26. The Spirit fills, teaches, empowers, guides the church - John 14:26, Acts 1:8. Sustainer of creation - Colossians 1:16-17
2. The Transcendence and Immanence of God
Transcendence of God - wholly other. Unfathomable
Immanence of God - He draws near to us. He’s chosen to reveal Himself to us. He chooses to save us. If God were only immanent He wouldn’t have the power to save us. If He were only transcendent, He wouldn’t have the will to save us.
3. Creation and Providence
The nature of creation: Ex Nihilo - out of nothing. Hebrews 11;3
The purpose of creation: To bring glory to God. Psalm 19:1
The meaning of creation: God speaks. Genesis 1:3, Psalm 33:6-9
The order of creation: The Genesis account is primarily theological, not chronological. Humanity was the pinnacle. Psalm 8 - Created in God’s image to rule over the world (stewardship) - Genesis 1:27, 28.
The chronology of creation - Different views: literal 24-hour day; Gap Theory, Day-Age Theory, Progressive Revelation, etc.
4. The Problem of Evil - God is great and all-powerful. God is good; He always does what is right. Why is there evil in the world? Natural disasters, disease, human evil, Satan and demons. What causes evil?
Consequence of sin - Galatians 6:7-8
Consequence of a fallen creation - Genesis 3:17
Human beings are free will agents
Satan’s opposition to God - Ephesians 6:2, 2 Peter 5:8
Why doesn’t God stop it? What looks like evil may have a greater good. Isaiah 55:8-9. Life is a testing ground, shaping souls for eternity. What would be the best kind of world to shape Christian character in? A place to learn hope, faith, love, endurance, courage. Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:17. God will ultimately right every wrong. Romans 2:5-6. Romans 8:28-39