There is a story of a
Scottish woman who earned a modest living by peddling her wares along the roads
of her country. Each day she would travel about, and when she came to an
intersection, she would toss a stick in the air. Whichever way the stick
was pointed was the way she went. On one occasion an old man stood across the
road from her as she tossed the stick into the air once, twice, three times.
Finally the old man asked, “Why are you throwing that stick like that?”
I’m letting God show
me which way to go by using this stick,” She said.
“Then why did you
throw it three times?” the old man asked.
“Because the first
two times, He was pointing me in the wrong direction,” was her reply}
So what is God like? Can we somehow manipulate him into
doing what we want?
2
Misconceptions:
(1) God “cosmic-kill-joy”
(2) God “sweet docile grandfather that’s indulgent”
(I’m trying to avoid an academic study of God & his
attributes. This is not for knowledge only but to know HIM.)
Before we talk
Personality let’s talk to SPIRITUALITY (John 4:21-24)
God is spirit
·
No limit by a body (we struggle with body image
and issues)
·
No limit by geographical location (4:21, Acts
17: 24 “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of
heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.”)
o Cannot
box in the power of God
o He
is indestructible
Personality of
our God
Ex: Hold personality because he is personal
(Consider the world religions – Hinduism (polytheistic)
yet part of the Brahma – seeking Nirvana: place to cease striving & rest.)
Jesus said – “come to me and find rest”
God is personal
·
Individual being –Exodus 3:14 And God said to
Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.
o Hold
a self consciousness
o Holds
a will (the will)
·
Capable Being
o Feeling
(Jealous
God)
o Choosing
(Jacob
I have chosen)
o Social
Relationships (reciprocal)
§ Spoke
with Moses face to face as a friend speaks
§ Incarnation:
Jesus lived this out – consider the wedding party
·
Holds a Name – Exodus 3:14
o Psalm
20: 7, Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
o Communicates
his name
o Characterized
by his name
§ Elohim,
El Elyon, Jehovah, Jehovah Rapha
·
He
is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End!
·
He
is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
·
He
is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times
Bring to us: (1) You
can approach God
·
He is not a machine, Gov’t agency, or genie in a
bottle
·
He holds deep affection & relationships
·
Hymn: He walks with me and talks with me
(2) You can love
him for what he is, not for what he can do for you
{Country Road running
yesterday with the old dogs chasing me…}
For you shall not go
out with haste, Nor go by flight; For the LORD will go before you, And
the God of Israel will be your rear guard. Isaiah 52:12
He always was,
He always is, and He always will be…
Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!
He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!
Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!
He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!
