Week 1 – The God Who Is Real

Nov 30, 2010 Gary Henry A - God's Existence

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

“By faith,” the Hebrew writer says, “we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible”(Hebrews 11:3). We believe that God is our Creator because His word tells us so, of course. But even if we had never heard of Genesis 1:1, there is no other reasonable explanation for the world. It must have been created by a Being wise and powerful enough to do so. So Paul says that God’s existence is not just seen in His creation, but it is clearly seen: “Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:19,20).

The existence of God should be more than a “theory” we think about now and then. We need to believe that God is real. His actual presence needs to be something we’re conscious of many times throughout the day. Sadly, many who say they believe in God don’t live their daily lives as if He were real. For many others, God seems real only on certain special occasions. For all of us, it’s important to grow in our daily recognition of God.

If we want God to be more real to us, here are some lines of thought that can help. First, our own “nature” can tell us a good deal about God. If we are persons, then the God who created us can’t be anything less than a personal Being. Second, we need to spend more time with God’s world. The more we know of the creative works that God has done, the more real He will be to us. Third, we need to spend more time with God’s word. The more seriously we deal with what God has said, the more we will be sure that He is present in the world. Fourth, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the ultimate proof that God is real. If it is a historical fact that Jesus was raised from the dead, then there can be no doubt about God’s reality.

We should meditate on these points. And, even more important, we should pray about these things as we are meditating on them. If we are to learn that God is real, prayer is absolutely essential. This week, let’s deepen our faith in the God who created us. As we grow in reverence, we’ll also be growing in wisdom.

“For I know that the Lord is great, and our Lord is above all gods” (Psalm 135:5).

Monday: Psalm 111:10

Key Idea: The door to true wisdom is opened by reverence and respect for the reality of God.

1. What is the “fear of the Lord”? There are many kinds of fear, and not all of them are bad. How is the fear of the Lord different from the bad fears we may sometimes have?
2. What are some different ways the fear of the Lord might be the beginning of wisdom?
3. How is the person who has no fear of God described in Psalm 36:1-4?
4. In Ecclesiastes 12:1, what did Solomon say we should do in the days of our youth? What does it mean to “remember” God? In real day-to-day living, how do we do this?
5. In Ecclesiastes 12:13,14, what did Solomon say was the “conclusion of the whole matter”?

Tuesday: Psalm 95:6,7

Key Idea: What we know about our own nature leads us to the truth about God.

1. What are some ways a “personal” being is different from an “impersonal” being, such as a rock, an apple, or a horse?
2. Which is the best explanation for the fact that we exist as persons: (1) simply the natural processes of the universe, or (2) supernatural creation by a Being higher than nature, as in Gen. 1:27? Which is the most reasonable?
3. If we know ourselves to be personal beings, what must be true about the Being who created us? Consider Paul’s line of thought in Acts 17:24-29.
4. What concepts of the nature of God are prevalent in the Eastern religions and in the New Age movement? How are these different from the Christian concept of a personal God?
5. Consider the subject of “worship.” How would the worship of a personal God be different from the worship of an impersonal entity?

Wednesday: Psalm 145:4-7

Key Idea: We know that God is real because of the works that He has done in history.

1. Consider that God’s works fall into three groups: (1) works of creation (Hebrews 11:3), (2) works of providence (Acts 14:15-18), and (3) works of salvation or redemption (Psalm 98:1-3). Can you give examples of deeds God has actually done in each area? Think of observable events that could be recorded by a historian.
2. Are the records of God’s actions just imaginary “myths” or “legends,” or did these events take place in the real world?
3. When we “worship” God, should we not praise Him for the real deeds He has done? Consider Psalm 86:10 and 105:2.
4. Some people suppose that having created the world, God withdrew from it and is no longer actively present or involved with His creation. But what does the Bible teach in passages like Colossians 1:17 and Hebrews 1:3? If God “upholds” all things by the word of His power, doesn’t that mean He is very near us at all times?
5. What do you think David meant in Psalm 75:1: “Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near”? How does God become more “near” to us when we thoughtfully consider His works?
6. Give some thought to Psalm 78:4. What good things result when each generation tells the next about the wonderful things God has done in history?

Thursday: Psalm 119:151,152

Key Idea: We know that God is real because of the word that He has revealed to mankind.

1. Think carefully about this: what is the most important reason for studying the Bible? To get started, it may be helpful to imagine receiving a letter from someone you dearly love. Why would you “study” the letter: to learn about the letter itself, or to learn about the person who wrote the letter?
2. If we spend considerable time delving into the treasures of God’s word, doesn’t it stand to reason that God will be more real to us? According to Psalm 1:3, what happens in the life of the person whose “delight is in the law of the Lord”?
3. In Psalm 19:7-9, what good results did David experience from dealing with God’s word?
4. Can God’s word convince us that He is real if we don’t give it a serious try? What might David have meant when he said, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8)?
5. What are some of the “wondrous things” (Psalm 119:18) that can be seen if our eyes are open to God’s word?

Friday: Psalm 16:9-11

Key Idea: The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest proof that God is real.

1. Who was David talking about in v.10 when he said, “You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption”? What did Peter say about this statement in Acts 2:25-32?
2. How does the resurrection of Jesus Christ prove God’s existence? What did Peter say in 1 Peter 1:20,21?
3. In Acts 17:31, what did Paul say the resurrection gives “assurance” of to all mankind?

Putting It All Together

God is real. But how real He seems to each of us personally depends on how much attention we pay to Him. We need to think about God, and study His word, and pray to Him daily. We need to desire God and seek Him with all our hearts. And most important of all, we need to love God — the God who is really there!

Gary Henry – WordPoints.com