Downloadable Files:
Text:
Firm Foundations Of Faith
Foundation #1: God
Before you can build anything successfully, you must lay the proper foundation. So it is with your faith. Certain foundations are essential for building a faith that pleases God. The purpose of this series is to help you (no matter your background) build that firm foundation. Carefully evaluate if you have truly believed and obeyed what is involved in each foundation. The first foundation to be built is God. For you will not be able to truly understand anything about life without an accurate knowledge of the One who created it. Understanding this essential foundation will help you recognize how to know about God, the characteristics of God, and why humbly trusting in God is the only path to true success.
Psalm 19:1-11
How can you know anything about God? This passage demonstrates two ways. First, you can know about God through God’s creation (vv. 1-6). For God has revealed Himself to His creation through His creation so that we are without excuse if we reject His existence (Romans 1:18-21). A watch demonstrates there was a watchmaker, a painting demonstrates there was a painter, a building demonstrates there was an architect and builder, and a baby demonstrates there were parents. So, it is unreasonable to conclude that this grand universe exists without a Designer. The laws of science (i.e., laws of thermodynamics, biogenesis, cause and effect, etc.) plainly demonstrate that this universe and life in it cannot come from nothing or have happened by accident. Therefore, God’s fingerprints are all over this universe! Second, you can know about God through His words (in the pages of the Bible, vv. 7-11).Although you can only learn so much about God from looking at what He has made (e.g., He exists, His power, His knowledge), His word teaches you more about God’s character and what God desires from you. Furthermore, the Bible also contains much evidence for God’s existence (e.g., prophecy, scientific information). Therefore, if you desire to learn about God, you must observe God’s creation and commit to learning what He has said through a study of His word.
Genesis 1:1-2:3
God created this universe and everything in it in six 24-hour days. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, though it was formless and empty, with darkness covering its watery depths (1:1-2). On day 1, God created light (1:3-5). On day 2, God created a separation between the waters above and below, calling it “sky” (1:6-8). On day 3, God created dry land, seas, and vegetation on the earth (1:9-13). On day 4, God created the sun, moon, and stars (1:14-19). On day 5, God created birds and sea creatures (1:20-23). On day 6, God created land creatures and the first man and woman (1:24-31), making them in His image (as spiritual beings, John 4:24). On day 7, God rested after completing His creation (2:1-3).
Through this passage, we also learn four characteristics only God possesses. First, God is eternal (having no beginning or end; demonstrated by His presence before creation; Psalm 90:2; Revelation 4:8). Second, God is all-powerful (having no limits to His power; demonstrated by creating the universe and everything in it; Jeremiah 32:17; Luke 1:37). Third, God is all-knowing (having perfect knowledge of all things; demonstrated by His complete knowledge to create everything in the universe to work properly; Isaiah 46:9-10; Romans 11:33-36). Fourth, God is ever-present (having His presence everywhere at all times so nothing escapes His attention; demonstrated by His presence throughout the universe to create everything everywhere; Psalm 139:7-12; Proverbs 15:3). Then, this text also shows there was more than one Being possessing the nature of God (notice “us” and “our” in v. 26). This is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19-20). Although there is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4), these three Beings all possess the nature of being God (Deity, Godhood) and are perfectly united as One (John 1:1; Acts 5:3-4; John 10:30; i.e., consider how two married people must function as one).
Psalm 145:1-21
Consider three ways God is identified in this text. First, He is “God” (v. 1; identifying His authority, power, ability to rule, and supremacy). Second, He is “King” (v. 1; completely sovereign in that He has the power and right to control all things and deserves honor and devotion). Third, He is “Lord” (v. 3; Psalm 83:18; Hebrew “YHWH,” the name of God typically rendered “Yahweh” or “Jehovah,” showing God as self-existent and eternal). Furthermore, take note of the many characteristics of God depicted in this passage: Great, praiseworthy, righteous, gracious, compassionate/merciful, slow to anger, loving, good, faithful, severe, near, holy, etc. To have a proper understanding of God, you must accept every aspect of who God is and must not change any of His characteristics. For example, God is good and wants to save everyone (1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9) but will also destroy the wicked (Romans 11:22; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10). For He is completely devoted to everything that is good and right and separated from evil (1 John 1:5-7)!
Isaiah 40:12-31
This passage demonstrates how superior God is to idols, to nations, and to anything/anyone else people may be tempted to trust in, urging people to trust in God above all! Nothing and no one else can come close to comparing with the greatness of Jehovah God! God is pictured in this passage as the King who is enthroned above the earth, who knows all, sees all, and does anything He desires – even doing things that are unfathomable for mankind. God is seen measuring the waters in the hollow of His hand, marking off the heavens with His hand, gathering all the dust of the earth in a measure, weighing the mountains, stretching out the heavens like a cloth, blowing away earthly leaders, etc. Nothing and no one else can even begin to compare to the wisdom and power of God! Even powerful nations of the earth are like a speck of dust to Him, and all people are like grasshoppers before Him. Therefore, trusting in anyone or anything else will always fail you, but trusting in this God will never fail and is the only path worth taking in your life!
Conclusion
Through all the things God has made, you can be assured that God exists. Then, through a study of the Scriptures, you can learn even more about the character of God. In this, you should recognize God (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) as possessing the characteristics of being eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present. Furthermore, Jehovah God has many characteristics that are critical for you to understand and accept. Ultimately, knowing who this God is should lead you to trust in Him above everyone and everything else. Then, as you embrace these foundational Bible truths, you must determine to humble yourself before God in recognition of how much greater God is than you (Proverbs 18:12; Luke 14:7-11; James 4:6-7, 13-17; Proverbs 3:5-7; Daniel 4:28-37).
Discipleship Questions
How can you know anything about God?
What can you learn about God through the things God has made?
What does the Bible help you learn about God?
What did God make on each day of creation?
What characteristics are unique to God?
What does it mean for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to all be God?
What are some other characteristics of God?
Why is God worthy of humbly trusting above all other things and people?