“The Attributes of God”
Pastor David Moore
New Testament reading: Luke 15:11‐24
Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
Old Testament reading: Jeremiah 31:31‐34
“The time is coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Without a foundational understanding of God, little makes sense in Christianity. ~D. Moore
People in churches sing hymns and praise songs on Sunday; some are singing words and some are singing to someone they know. ~D. Moore
The attributes of God is the theme today. (Knowledge of God.)
Psalm 19:1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. (NASB)
When there is no understanding of God, the Ten Commandments are ignored. ~D. Moore
God is knowable. He has revealed Himself to us. A Christian is someone who knows God. God wants to be with His people. The attribute of a Christian is one who is humble and has a contrite heart.
The nature of knowing God means a personal relationship with God—a mutual sharing of truth and love. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.”
Hebrews 8:9‐12 “No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Listening to God. Occurs only when He reveals Himself and He speaks first to us. God’s Word has been given to us in the Bible. We need to listen, be patient and discern God’s message through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Exodus 15:26 “He said, ‘If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in His eyes, if you pay attention to His commands and keep all His decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.’”
Receiving Love. Means you know God. God loves us first, then we respond to His love. Knowing God. Means loving God.
Psalm 34:17 [God hears our prayers.] “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.” (NIV)
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Ways to love God:
Be still
Help others
Put God first
Read the Bible
Worship & praise
Recognize our flaws
Pray
Extend friendship to others
This week: As we have begun a series on the Attributes of God. During the week please think, pray, and listen to God in the Scriptures. Love God through your thoughts, actions, and your walk.
God bless.