Basic Christianity 1 -- "In the Beginning... God".

Basic Christianity 1 -- "In the Beginning... God".

A sermon preached on 9th September, 2018, as part of our Basic Christianity. series.

Isaiah 40:18-31

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Details

In this extended sermon, Phil introduces his series on Basic Christianity for autumn 2018. Reading (about half-way through) is Isaiah 40:18-31 (NIV), with various references. (The service was followed by Communion.)

About the Speaker

Phil Marsden

Phil received his call to full-time ministry as a child and since the age of 19 has served with Youth For Christ, the Baptist Missionary Society and several large churches before taking up his present role as Ministry Team Leader at Central Baptist Church. Phil’s a visionary leader with a heart to share the good news of Jesus and to see the church grow.

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View all sermons by Phil Marsden.

Basic Christianity.

• 1

  Basic Christianity 1 -- "In the Beginning... God".

  Phil Marsden

  9th September 2018
• 2

  Basic Christianity 2 -- The Truth About Jesus.

  Phil Marsden

  16th September 2018
• 3

  Basic Christianity 3 -- What Is A Real Christian?

  Phil Marsden

  30th September 2018
• 4

  Basic Christianity 4 -- Why Bother With Baptism?

  Phil Marsden

  7th October 2018
• 5

  Basic Christianity 5 -- Learning How To Pray.

  Phil Marsden

  21st October 2018
• 6

  Basic Christianity 6 -- Understanding the Bible.

  All-age Team

  28th October 2018
• 7

  Basic Christianity Extra -- Why So Much Suffering?

  Phil Marsden

  4th November 2018
• 8

  Basic Christianity 7 -- Living the Christian Life.

  Phil Marsden

  18th November 2018
• 9

  Basic Christianity 8 -- The Holy Spirit and Me.

  Phil Marsden

  25th November 2018
• 10

  Basic Christianity 9 -- Sharing Faith With Others.

  Phil Marsden

  2nd December 2018
• 11

  Basic Christianity 10 -- Being Part of the Church.

  Phil Marsden

  9th December 2018

IN THE BEGINNING…GOD

Play a game of ‘Who am I?’…then think of three questions for ‘Who is God?

Commonly held views:

• Atheism - God doesn’t exist (The fool says in his heart ‘there is no God’ Ps14 & 53)
• Deism – God created the universe, but isn’t actively involved in sustaining it now
• Dualism – God and Satan are two completely equal, but opposing forces in battle
• Pantheism – God is everything and everything is God!
• Polytheism – God is just one of many gods
• Star-wars ism! – God’s an impersonal, powerful force (lightening/can’t be known)

Dictionary: Supernatural & immortal being; deity; creator & ruler of universe

• Where did he come from? In the beginning…God (Genesis 1:1)
• What does he look like? Spirit…can’t draw or make image (John 4:24)
• What’s he like? Relational (Personal & Trinity) and Revealed in Jesus (John14:8-10)
• What characteristics? (Feedback ideas)

Some scriptures on the characteristics of God:

• Genesis 1:1 God is creator (immanent, transcendent, sustainer)
• Deuter: 6:4-5 God is One (monotheistic, ‘I am who I am’)
• Psalm 90:2 God is everlasting (eternal, immortal)
• Psalm 139:1-6 God is all knowing (omniscient)
• Psalm 139:7-12 God is everywhere, all the time (omnipresent)
• Psalm 115:3 God is all powerful (omnipotent)
• Various God is holy, good, love, forgiving, just, faithful

Read: Isa 40:18-31
…How can our tiny brains ever understand God fully!?!

Which characteristic on white board do you most relate to when thinking of God?
…Distant, Loving, Boss, Uncaring, Friend, Kind, Powerful, Holy, Forgiving, Scary, Judge, Almighty, Unfair

How can we relate to God as ‘Our Father’ God?
…Testimony: Relating to God as Father, Friend and Almighty God

If God’s a loving Father, what went wrong?
He created, we destroyed, He loved, we rejected
The story of the Prodigal son

Why should I believe in God? * Evidence found in Conscience (corresponding fulfilment: hunger, thirst, tired, cold, need to worship) * Evidence from Creation (Romans 1:20; Psalm 19:1-4) * Evidence found in Christ (Immanuel: life, death, resurrection) (so ‘Communion’ with God) * Evidence from Relationship / personal experience (accept, believe, confession, receive)

Ultimately: …‘God is’ (an affirmation of faith…childlike faith) * ‘God may be known’ (affirmation of experience) * The Bible wasn’t written to prove ‘God is’, but so that he ‘may be known’

Do you know him…how well…he wants to be close…amazing!…he’s nearer than we think!