WHAT IS GOD LIKE?

ISAIAH 40:1

A. TO WHOM THEN WILL YE LIKEN GOD? OR WHAT LIKENESS WILL YE COMPARE UNTO HIM?"
  1. The answer to the above questions depends upon the concept of man about God:
    1. Some picture inflexible Despot, sitting in the high heavens to punish all who do not submit to His will - Matt. 25:25-26 Example - Cain - Gen. 4:13
    2. Others think of God being like unto themselves - Ps. 50:21
  2. Man, born in sin. is incapable to get the true concept of God without the Heaven provided aid:
    1. This is clear from what Paul wrote to the Romans - Rom. 1:19-32
    2. The image of God by man is contrary to the truth of the word of God - Is. 53:1-6; Rom. 3:9-17. B. WHAT IS GOD LIKE? This writer can think of four channels through which we can know what God is like:
  3. Creation is one of the four primary sources of the revelation of God:
    1. That is what Paul wrote - Rom. 1:19-20
    2. Said the Psalmist, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handy work." - Ps. 19:1
    3. Innumerable stars in the heavens, too, reveal the wisdom and might of God - Is. 40:26 2. H reveals God:
  4. History reveals God:
    1. It points to Him who ruleth in the kingdom of men - Dan. 4:25
    2. For He is governor among the nations Ps. 22:28; Jer. 18:7
    3. He dispenses mercy to them that repent of their evil ways - Jonah 3:10; Jer. 18:1-6
  5. Jesus Christ, the Son of God is the absolute and Perfect revelation of God:
    1. "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father" - John 14:9
    2. Said Jesus to the woman of Samaria, "God is a Spirit; and they that worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth." - John 4:24
    3. The life and teaching of Jesus Christ focus upon God, because He is the express image of His Father - Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:15 3
    4. "No man hath soon God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him." - John 1:18; Matt. 11:27
  6. The Bible is another divine revelation of God:
    1. "Search the scriptures...they are they which testify of Me." - John 5:39
    2. "All scripture is given by the inspiration of God" - 2 Tim. 3:16
  7. The Holy Spirit is still another channel by whom we may know God:
    1. "He will guide you into all truth" - John 16:13
    2. "Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." - I Cor. 2:11-16 C. WHAT IS GOD LIKE?
  8. Creation reveals Him that He is a God of wisdom and discretion - Jer. 10:12
    1. His wonderful works declare His Majesty and glory - Ps. 19:1-6; 111:1-9
    2. Even His eternal power and Godhead - Rom 1:20
  9. History testifies:
    1. That He ruleth among the nations - Ps. 22:28
    2. That He controls man's destiny - Dan. 5:23
    3. That He knows the end from the beginning - Dan. 2:1-44. Example - The birth, the suffering and death, and the resurrection of the Son of God is a vivid illustration - Is. 53:1-12; Acts 2:26-32
  10. The Life and Teaching of Jesus Christ:
    1. Reveals God as our heavenly Father - Matt. 6:9
    2. Reveals that He is a Spirit and all who worship must worship in spirit and in truth John 4:23-24
  11. Finally, the Experience of Life testifies:
    1. That God is and that He is a rewarder to all who seek Him sincerely and diligently Heb. 11:6; Jer. 33;3
    2. That He is patient and longsuffering, not willing that any should perish, but all should come to the knowledge of truth - 2 Pet. 3:9 Examples of those who learned from experience that God is: Nebuchadnezzar learned to know that God is - Dan. 2:47-49; 3:28-30; 4:37; Pharaoh, too, learned that there is a God in heaven that ruleth over the nations!


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