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God: The Foundation of Good News Various Passages Introduction: ​“What comes into our minds when we think about ​God​ is the most important thing about us.” ​These words were penned by the famous work of A.W Tozer called “The Knowledge of the Holy”, a book that had a profound impact on my life during my college years. What was profound at the time is just as relevant today. The answer to this question has impact on our life today and extends into eternity itself. ​Who is God? What authority does He have? Does He exist? I​ s He some sort of curmudgeon who is angry, distant, and vindictive? Is He sort of powerful yet kind of whiney, hoping people acknowledge Him. Did He get things started but then take His hands off the wheel? Can we trust Him, and if He is real, why would He allow bad things to happen like pain, death, and loss? ​What role does He play in my life and what is His plan for it? The reality, we cannot understand the ​gospel itself​ without first coming to grips with who God is, and more importantly, how God presents Himself to us in Scripture. There is definitely a growing group of people in our country that consider themselves “non-religious”, but there are also those that are religious yet do not believe the Bible has final authority. Philosopher Charles Taylor observed and identified 3 time frames of Western religious thought in his book ​A Secular Age​: ​pre-Enlightenment – impossibility of unbelief; ​post-Enlightenment – ​possibility of unbelief; and ​late-modern – ​impossibility of 1 belief. In other words, we cannot assume that those in our culture know that God exists, and if He does, if He has any bearing on our life. We know that God has made Himself known in creation (Rom. 1:19-20), in our own conscience (Rom. 2:15-16), and the special revelation of His Word. Not only that, but in order to understand our ​sin and need of salvation​, thus a Savior, we need to first come to grips with who we are accountable to. Our culture has ​no problem ​highlighting “sin” or wrongs done, we just miss the object of Who is sinned against. We focus on the wrongs done against man in injustice, to society in general, and to nature itself in environmentalism. Now, there is reality and truth behind the way man treats each other that is wrong AND sinful, but the point is that we miss the greater object, and when we ​miss the greater object, we miss the BETTER SOLUTION! ​Let me give you a ‘for instance.’ You’ll remember when David sinned in 2 Samuel 11 with Bathsheba, committing adultery, lying to cover his tracks, and murder of the innocent to cover it all up, the list of who he sinned against was long and distinguished. He sinned against Bathsheba, her husband Uriah, his soldiers, commanders, and the people of Israel under his care and command. Yet in his ultimate catharsis over this sin, he realized the object that he sinned against: “​For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned​ and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.” (​ Psalm 51:3-4). This admission DID NOT negate the fact that he absolutely sinned against the rest, but the ultimate offense was before a ​holy and righteous God and judge, ​and he deserved punishment because of that. It was this admission that allowed David to move to a path of repentance, reconciliation and restoration. So this morning in our desire to clarify the gospel, with the hope that clarity will lead to confidence and confidence lead to boldness, we want to look at what God’s Word says about ​God Himself​. When we understand who He is, what His purpose is, and what He expects, we will not only be able to see the massive plight we find ourselves because of our sin, but also see the glorious love and grace that God gave to us in Jesus Christ. We will look at ​two grand aspects of God: ​God as Creator and God as Supreme over all. 1

Albert Mohler, “The Gathering Storm.” p. 9

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GOD AS CREATOR: DISPLAYING GLORY IN RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS CREATION When people do come to grips that there is a God, there are a couple of natural questions that come up: 1) what is all of this for? ​If someone looks at life only through their perspective, life seems ​pretty frustrating​, not going anywhere, and without purpose or meaning. ​2) If there is a God, why do these bad things happen around us? ​Why do we have to deal with pain and loss if He is so powerful and ultimately in charge of creation itself. The answer to both of these questions is linked in the fact that God is Creator, and He created this world to display His glory throughout all the earth, and to share that glory in an intimate relationship with those He created. There is a fascinating passage in ​Romans 9:20-24​, where Paul was wrestling with the idea that some would be under God's wrath and some would be saved. His short answer: "But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to the molder, 'why did you make me like this?' Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known His power, has endured with patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, ​in order to make known the riches of His glory for vessels of mercy, which He has prepared beforehand for glory ---- even us whom He has called not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?" In other words, by nature of being ​creator​ God has ultimate decision making capacity for His creation, and we can shake our fists at Him, but it's like a Play-doh lump shaking a fist at the hands that formed its lumpy existence. But as creator, He also does all things to ​display His glory​ in showing both wrath and mercy, which both uphold His righteousness and holiness. Now, this may seem a bit of a short-sighted and negative type of argument (I'm God....you're Play-doh....be quiet) which does not leave us hopeful or happy, but if we step back and look in Scripture as to how these realties play out, ​we see the immense beauty of God's creative purposes and the love and affection He has for all the nations​. CREATION: ​The Display of God's Glory If we trace the question of "why God created the world", it is abundantly clear that God has His glory as the central focus and reason for all things. This is good news for us, since His glory rolls down to us as recipients of His grace and love. ●

God's glory existed BEFORE the world began - ​"And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the ​glory that I had with you before the world existed." (​ John 17:5). God did not become glorious when He created the universe by a word, but the world was created OUT OF a display of His glory. There were eternal riches (2 Cor. 8:9) unity in the Godhead (Phil. 2:6-7), and relationship between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit before the world began (John 17:1-5)



God's glory was designed to FILL THE EARTH - ​"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the ​whole earth is full of his glory." ​(Isa. 6:3; Numbers 14:21; Psalm 72:19). The creation itself is designed to be a ​megaphone​ of declaring His glory and proclaiming His handiwork (Ps. 19:1). Look around you this morning, and note the majesty, beauty, and immensity o f what we see and observe. It is all pointing to the fact that the existence of God is clearly perceived, that there is One above us who has the power and nature to create and sustain (Rom. 1:18-20) 2



God's creation is designed to BRING HIM GLORY - ​"Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and faithfulness!" (Psalm 115:1). His glory was to be displayed to ALL NATIONS (Psalm 96:3) who would reflect back His praise. God's glory is not only seen globally, but is to be seen by all nations who would in turn ​fear Him, praise Him, and see His greatness above all things.



God will not SHARE HIS GLORY with another - ​"For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? ​My glory I will not give another​." (Isa. 48:11) God will not compete for our affection, but displays who He is and expects the creation to recognize His greatness. He is NOT a wimpy God groveling for our loyalty, but One who makes it abundantly clear what is expected of every aspect of creation



God's glory is seen and understood ONLY IN JESUS CHRIST - ​When the angels declared that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, you'll remember they declared, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased." (Luke 2:14). They sang of God's glory since Christ not only displayed God's glory but also was the ​conduit ​by which mankind could glorify God once again. Listen to the words of ​2 Corinthians 4:6, ​"​For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give t​ he light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ"​ ​(2 Cor. 4:6). Jesus not only came to bring salvation, but came ​to bring us to a place where we could have a knowledge of the glory of God!!! ​That is significant when we talk of the gospel, who it is about, and what the objective of salvation is all about.



God is preparing us for a GLORY TO COME - ​What hope do we have in this world that is torn apart by sin, that continues down a path of depravity, disappointment, and pain? "​So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an ​eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison​ (2 Cor. 4:16-17). In other words, there will be a time to come where all of the pain we've experienced here, the scars, tears, and loss will be ​exchanged​ for a glory, a light, a beauty that will be with the God of glory forever. He is doing something in all of this. He is preparing us. He is moving history toward an end, where He will wipe away every tear, where death will be no more, with no mourning, crying, or pain anymore. Instead we will live in a city, and "​the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, ​for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. B ​ y its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.​ (Revelation 21:23-24)

Any explanation of the gospel that does NOT start with God and embrace the fact that the whole of creation and salvation is actually about HIM misses the point. We are glad, joyful, and humbled recipients of His glorious work, but the whole purpose of life and salvation is to reflect the knowledge of His glory back to Him in Jesus Christ. In other words, the ​purpose of our life ​is to glorify God, and as John Piper has said, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him", and the Westminster shorter catechism has said, "​What is the chief end of man​? ​Answer: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever!!! How did God's glory come particularly to mankind through creation? To truly understand the gospel, it's important for us to understand the ​grand narrative of Scripture​, how all of Scripture tells of God's redemptive plan to glorify Himself in His creation. One of the reasons we become self-focused or absorbed in life is because we lose the high visual horizon of God's entire plan, focusing on one small aspect and being absorbed in how it all ​affects us​, easily drifting into ​feline theology. 3

CREATION​: D ​ ESIGNED FOR INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP One way to think through the entire story of Scripture is this: ​Creation ---- Fall ----Redemption ----Restoration. ​The reason I like to frame Scripture this way is to get my arms around the entire story so that we can see the link between Genesis and Revelation. All of Redemptive history is a display of God's glory so that all peoples will know God and glorify Him forever. Let's take a few minutes to see how this played out in Scripture: ●

God created mankind IN HIS IMAGE distinctly​ - Genesis 1:26-28 tells us that God created mankind both male and female in His image, and these were differentiated from the rest of creation. Stars, animals, and plants declare God's glory, but humans were created to have an intimate, ongoing, ​knowledgeable relationship with God Himself​. Adam would walk with God in the Garden, and there was no separation of sin or death. However, all of this came crashing down when sin entered into creation and mankind, separating us from God and prohibiting us from actually giving Him glory as we were designed (Rom. 3:23). However, there was already imbedded in the midst of the curse of sin a ​promise of redemption​, which would come through the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15).



God promised that through Abraham all nations would be blessed through faith - ​God chose Abraham as His particular agent through which God would make a ​great nation, in a specific land, ​that would bless all the families of the earth (Gen. 12:1-3). Abraham believed this promise by faith and it was counted to him as righteousness (Gen. 15:6). In this we have a thread through which redemption would come.



Israel was God's nation because He freely chose them by His love - ​Deuteronomy 7 :6-8 tells us that God chose Israel NOT because they were mighty, large, or better than anyone else, but simply because He chose to ​set His love on them​. This is good news, since a study of Israel leaves us wondering how they could be God's special people as their history is littered with sin and immorality. But God was very clear: it was up to Him to choose, redeem, and keep them.



God chose a kingly line for Messiah - ​ 2 Samuel 7 tells us that after God brought the nation of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, He established them in the land we know as Israel today. The kingdom was given to David, a man after God's own heart, through which God would establish his throne forever (2 Sam. 7:13). Even though the kings of Israel and Judah broke their end of the bargain, God would uphold His end and bring a Messiah King to save His people.



God promised a New Covenant, which we enjoy today​ - When we celebrate communion as a church, we celebrate a ​new covenant in the blood of Jesus​. Do you know what that means? It means that God not only saved His people in Israel but ​grafted in those who were outside of the Jewish nation​. ​He did this so we would know Him and that He'd be our God. That is why God moved heaven and earth in the gospel, so we once again know the joy of knowing God.​

"​For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. ​And I will be their God, and they shall be my people​. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying ,'Know the Lord", for ​they shall all know me​, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. ​For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." J​ eremiah 31:33-34 4

This promise given to Israel particularly was given by extension to those in a new covenant reality through Jesus Christ (see Hebrews 8:11-12; Romans 11:16-27). God desired to have a people for Himself that would know Him, glorify and enjoy Him. The only way to make that possible was to forgive our sin and change our heart, and the only way to do that was through Jesus Christ! But we know that this was not only His purpose, it is exactly what will come about at the end of time. ​Revelation 21:3 says ​"​And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God." This is the culmination of redemption, that God would restore a people for His own possession, to dwell with them and be their God! This is God's purpose in the gospel. I leave you this morning with one of the most amazing verses in Scripture. The more I reflect on this verse, the deeper my amazement. It is what was read this morning from ​John 17:3

GOD AS SUPREME:

God desires to have an intimate relationship with us, both now AND forever. He created us for it, planned out redemption to overcome our sin, and restores us to know, delight, and obey Him. This is good news! This is what every nation, tribe, tongue, and person needs to know, and they CAN know it. "​The g ​ ood news is that the one and only God, who is holy, made us in his image to know him​. But we sinned and cut ourselves off from him. In his great love, God became a man in Jesus, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross, thus fulfilling the law himself and taking on himself the punishment for the sins of all those who would ever turn and trust him. He rose again from the dead, showing that God accepted Christ's sacrifice and that God's wrath against us had been exhausted. He now calls us to repent of our sins and to trust in Christ alone for forgiveness. If we repent of our sins and trust in Christ, we are born again into new life, and eternal life with God." Digging deeper for further reading: "​The Gospel's Power and Message" ​by Paul Washer explains the gospel in a thorough and Biblical perspective, including the person of God and work of Jesus Christ. Digging deeper in personal evaluation: ● ● ● ● ●

What do you think of when you think of God? How does it differ from how the Bible describes Him? What wrong views of God do you think the world has of Him? What changes about your thinking and living when you understand God's glory and His desire to be known by you? How does your enjoyment of Scripture, particularly the hard parts to read, change when you see all of Scripture through the lens of ​God's redeeming mankind? What hope and comfort do you receive from the promises of Revelation 21:1-5?

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