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Aug 04, 2024

Encountering God: Existence and Knowability

Encountering God: Existence and Knowability

Passage: Hebrews 11:6

Speaker: Chip Dean

Series: Encountering God

Watch Choir & Orchestra Led Service   Watch Worship Band Led Service

 

 

Encountering God

Existence and Knowability: For Those Who are Doubting

 

1. The Existence of God

Genesis 1:1  

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

What does the Bible say about God’s existence?

Hebrews 11:6

Whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

1 Corinthians 8:6

Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

What are evidences of God’s existence?

Romans 1:19-20

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Infinity: Look at the universe.
Intricacy: Look at the human body.
Intimacy: Look at human relationships.

Why don’t people believe God’s existence?

Romans 1:18, 21, 25

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 25 Because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

2 Corinthians 4:4

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

1 Corinthians 2:14

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

How can we help people to see God’s existence?

1 Corinthians 2:2-5

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

2. The Knowability of God

How do you come to come know God?

John 17:3

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

How do you know that you know God?

Romans 8:15-16

You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

What happens when you know God?

Ephesians 1:17

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better."

How important is it to know God?

Philippians 3:8,10-11

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ, 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Can you know God if you’ve never seen Him?

1 Peter 1:8 

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

What happens if someone don’t know God?

2 Thessalonians 1:7-8

When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

Matthew 7:22-23

On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Do you know about God, or do you know God?