Hope - God's Existence - Pslams 19, Acts 17 and Hebrews 1 - September 12, 2010

Bible Study – Hope – God’s Existence – September 12, 2010

This is lesson two (2) in our series “Apologetics – Hope.”
Our scripture is Psalm 19:1-6; Acts 17:22-34; Hebrews 1:1-2.

We will explore an interesting subject, the existence of GOD. Years ago, although raised in the church, I went through a period of time that I questioned the existence of GOD. What helped bring me around was the birth of our children. As I pondered how wonderfully made the human body is, how the parts of the body function and the fact that babies breathe embryonic fluid for nine (9) months up to seconds before they are born and they switch to breathing air made me think there must be a Master Designer. Then the universe caught my attention. Because of the existence and order of the universe, I concluded there had to be a Master Designer, GOD. I struggled with CHRIST and what being a Christian was all about for many years. Until one day on my way to work, I asked the LORD to take my life as it was the good and the bad, and to give me the strength to live the Christian life. In the twinkling of the eye HE took my life and it has been a building process ever sense. Most has been good but there has been some bad and through it all CHRIST has walked every step of the way with me. It has and still is an awesome journey.


Mankind desires an intimate relationship with GOD and tries many ways to connect with GOD. Many may not understand that it is GOD for whom they are seeking as they search. You can study the various religions of the world and see the many ways man tries to find GOD. Are they seeking GOD or a god to worship? We often ignore the fact that GOD reached down to mankind through HIS ONLY SON JESUS. HIS message is often viewed as too easy or simple. Just believe that CHRIST came to earth, was tempted in all ways as any human is tempted, yet HE lived a sinless life, gave HIS life on the cross as evidenced by the shedding of HIS blood for the remission of our sins, died, was buried. But the Good News is that GOD resurrected HIM from the dead as proof that HE conquered sin and death. HE ascended to heaven where HE sits at the right hand of GOD, HIS FATHER, interceding for all who believe in HIM. Our part is to believe or not believe that HE gave HIS life for us. How do we know that GOD exists? Let’s explore.


There is the general revelation of GOD through HIS handiwork in the heavens above us, the world around us and people of faith around us. There is a special revelation within us, evidenced by the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT, when we take that step of faith to ask CHRIST to forgive us of our sins and to come into our lives. As we obediently serve GOD, there are many other confirmations that HE is very present and active in our lives.


Moses spoke with GOD and saw HIS presence. He wanted to see GOD’S face but GOD told him that no one could look upon HIS face and live. Exodus 33:18-23:


18 Then Moses said, “Please, let me see Your glory.” 19 He said, “I will cause all My goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim the name • Yahweh before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”[3] 20 But He answered, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.” 21 The LORD said, “Here is a place near Me. You are to stand on the rock, 22 and when My glory passes by, I will put you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take My hand away, and you will see My back, but My face will not be seen.”[4]


How can we see GOD? Through all of nature which surrounds us - The microscopic world as well as the visible world. We see the handiwork of GOD and we live in a miracle of GOD, our human bodies. Some may question, “Why all the tragedy in the world if GOD is real? The answer is sin and the results of sin. Satan is the one we need to blame for all the heartache, disease, suffering and tragedy that happens in our lives and the lives of those we love. Our first thoughts are to blame GOD. GOD is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient. I questioned GOD about this years ago and HE gave me an answer. In fact, I told GOD that I was better to my children than HE was to HIS children. That if I had HIS power I would ZAP anyone who harmed a hair on one of my children’s head, yet Christians suffered and were tortured for HIM and HE did nothing about it. What was HIS reply? “Suppose I did ZAP anyone who harmed the hair of one of my children, why would people come to ME? Would it be because they see their need for ME or would it be because of the protection they would get?” What do you think? My reply was “Because of the protection they would get.” Yes, GOD does watch over us all, even those who are to receive salvation. I know HE has sent HIS angels to watch over us and our family. Only eternity will reveal the number of times HE has prevented us from harm.


So what does seeing all of the handiwork of GOD have to do with confirming HIS existence? If you found a beautiful watch lying on a stump in the woods, would you think that somehow it just came together on its own and chose to perch itself on that stump? Or would you think that there must be a master watchmaker somewhere who placed it there? Even if you had all the parts of a watch unassembled in a bag and shook the bag or waited for thousands of years would the parts assemble themselves into a fine watch? No! Some may say, well if the parts were living parts then they might grow together into something.


Some may ask, “Where did GOD come from?” To me that question is no harder to answer than, “Where did you come from?” Well, we could say, “We all know that we came from our mothers.” Okay. Where did your mother come from? Well, her mother and you keep going back to a beginning mother. So where did the original mother come from? Did she come from a tadpole or an ameba? It is a mystery and so is the origin of GOD. The Bible tells us that GOD created Adam and breathed life into him and he became a living being. Then GOD formed Eve using a body part from Adam. Does that prove the existence of GOD? No! But when we look at the universe, the earth, life and the order of all that we know about, both in the visible and invisible universe, it does lead us to consider the existence of a Master Designer. But does that prove the existence of GOD? No.


We need to compile the evidence and examine it. But all the physical evidence is not enough. There comes a point when a human must take a step of faith. It is like crossing a bridge. Will the bridge hold you? You trust the bridge designers, the construction team and those who maintain the bridge. Then you cross it. We cross bridges most every day in life’s journey.


The Spirit of GOD is the ONE WHO leads you to all truth when you search for truth. HE reveals truth to you as you read and study HIS Word, the Bible. HE is the ONE WHO manifests Himself in your life through CHRIST when you take that step of faith and obediently serve HIM. HE confirms the existence and reality of GOD.


GOD has a plan for every human. However, GOD gives us the freedom to choose to follow HIM or to follow the flesh, which is led by Satan.


In Ephesians 1:4 we read - 4 for He chose[3] us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.[4] In love[5]


Where does a person encounter GOD? I believe it is in the “eyes of the heart,” the innermost place of a person’s existence. It is the most secret place where only the person and GOD can commune with each other. GOD has chosen that those who know the truth can present the truth but GOD brings salvation. HIS place of work, I believe is in the eyes of our hearts, not only to bring salvation but to confirm Himself, to reveal HIS Glory, to reveal truth and enlightenment as we read HIS Word, behold HIS handiwork, as we talk to HIM and so much more. All is through the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT of each born-again Christian.


In Ephesians 1:18 we read - 18 [I pray]* that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints,


When we study GOD’S Word from the Old Testament to the New Testament we see the revelation of GOD to mankind on an ever ascending scale culminating with the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of GOD’S ONLY SON, JESUS. When we realize that the Bible was written by different men called by GOD over hundreds of years with a common revelation of GOD’S SON, we see that CHRIST is the Promised Messiah, which is evidence of the existence of GOD.


When you search for GOD and discover that CHRIST gave HIS life for every human who has lived or will ever live, each person must make a decision to accept the fact that CHRIST died for him or her. HIS shed blood has paid the penalty GOD required to satisfy the sin debt. But it takes a step of faith for each person to receive forgiveness for his/her sins. Do you believe that CHRIST died on the cross for your sins? If the answer is “YES”, then ask HIM to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life. In that instant, you are born into the family of GOD through the miracle of rebirth in your Spirit. The HOLY SPIRIT indwells your body and confirms your salvation. Salvation is the beginning of your Spiritual growth and maturity as you build a relationship with GOD through CHRIST. The confirmation of the existence of GOD is within each Christian. The physical evidence is manifested within each Christian by GOD working in his/her life as he/she obediently serves HIM.


Roman 8:16:


16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,


The HOLY SPIRIT is a person, the third part of the Trinity. HE gives Christians assurance of their salvation –


2 Corinthians 5:5:


5 And the One who prepared us for this very thing is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.


2 Corinthians 1:22:


22 He has also sealed us and given us the Spirit as a down payment in our hearts.


Ephesians 1:13-14:


13 In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation—in Him when you believed—were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. 14 He is the down payment[12] of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession,[13] to the praise of His glory.


1 Corinthians 2:6-16: Spiritual Wisdom


6 However, among the mature we do speak a wisdom, but not a wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a • mystery, which God predestined before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age knew it, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.[3] 9 But as it is written: What no eye has seen and no ear has heard, and what has never come into a man’s heart, is what God has prepared for those who love Him.[4]10 Now God has revealed them to us by the Spirit, for the Spirit searches everything, even the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the concerns[5] of a man except the spirit of the man that is in him? In the same way, no one knows the concerns[6] of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, in order to know what has been freely given to us by God. 13 We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people.[7] 14 But the natural man does not welcome what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to know it since it is evaluated[8] spiritually. 15 The spiritual person, however, can evaluate[9] everything, yet he himself cannot be evaluated[10] by anyone. 16 For: who has known the Lord’s mind, that he may instruct Him?[11]But we have the mind of Christ.

Does GOD exist? When you encounter the Living CHRIST personally, you know that GOD exists because as CHRIST said to the Apostle Philip in John 14:9:


9 Jesus said to him (Philip), “Have I been among you all this time without your knowing Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me?[5]The words I speak to you I do not speak on My own. The Father who lives in Me does His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. Otherwise, believe[6]because of the works themselves.


When people become true Christian’s their evidence of GOD’S existence is their changed lives which is done by the power of GOD and the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT. It is a knowing confirmed by the HOLY SPIRIT as we read in Romans 8:16.


Our scriptures in today’s study will reveal how David the author of Psalm 19, the writer of Hebrews 1 and the Apostle Paul in Acts 17 tried to present evidence of the existence of GOD. It is much like trying to explain to someone a beautiful moment you have encountered.


Let’s read Psalm 19:1-6:


The Witness of Creation and Scripture


For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.


1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky[1] [2] proclaims the work of His hands. 2 Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge.[3]3 There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard. 4 Their message[4] has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the inhabited world.[5]In the heavens[6] He has pitched a tent for the sun. 5 It is like a groom coming from the[7] bridal chamber; it rejoices like an athlete running a course. 6 It rises from one end of the heavens and circles[8] to their other end; nothing is hidden from its heat.


David wrote this Psalm. We are not sure when he wrote it but it expresses thoughts from the eyes of his heart, his innermost being, as he pondered the universe, nature and GOD’S handiwork all around him. GOD’S handiwork is all around every human being and it sends a message to every person’s heart. The message is to draw all humans to HIM. It is HIS job to reveal Himself to all and then each person is faced with a decision – believe or not believe.


Let’s read Hebrews 1:1-2: The Nature of the Son


1 Long ago God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at different times and in different ways. 2 In these last days, He has spoken to us by [His]* Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things and through whom He made the universe.[1] 3 He is the radiance[2] of His glory, the exact expression[3] of His nature, and He sustains all things by His powerful word. After making purification for sins,[4] He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.[5] 4 So He became higher in rank than the angels, just as the name He inherited is superior to theirs.


We are not sure who wrote Hebrews but whoever it was referred to Timothy as his brother. The writer began with the Old Testament regarding prophesies foretelling the coming of the Messiah to the fulfillment of those prophesies with the coming of CHRIST, HIS life, death, resurrection and ascension. GOD has spoken to mankind through the prophets and through JESUS. CHRIST has been with GOD since the beginning. In fact, HE made the universe. CHRIST has always been present with GOD but HE chose to leave HIS home in Glory/heaven to come to earth to give HIS life for the salvation of all who would believe in HIM. HE made a choice because HE loved you even before you were born.


GOD’S Word reveals GOD. HE reveals truth and guidance through HIS Word and the HOLY SPIRIT. That is why it is so vital that all Christians read and study HIS Word, the Bible and have and maintain an intimate relationship with CHRIST.


GOD speaks to mankind through HIS written Word, the Bible and the Living Word, CHRIST. GOD’S desire is that no person is lost and HE seeks salvation for all but the choice is theirs.


Let’s read Acts 17:22-29: The Areopagus (air ee OP ah gus) Address – (Areopagus refers to the hill of the god Ares, the Greek god of war. The Romans called this god Mars, thus it is also referred to as Mars Hill.)


22 Then Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect. 23 For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it—He is Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in shrines made by hands. 25 Neither is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives everyone life and breath and all things. 26 From one man[6] He has made every nation of men to live all over the earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live, 27 so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. 28 For in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’[7] 29 Being God’s offspring, then, we shouldn’t think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and imagination.


The Areopagus was a hill where trials were conducted but also where people could debate issues. Paul was not on trial but used the opportunity to speak. Those present were philosophers and townspeople. Notice that Paul began his dissertation by telling them that as he walked around the city he noticed how religious they were evidenced by the numerous idols he had seen. He then explained that he had seen an inscription “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD” and this was the GOD he wanted to discuss with them. This must have piqued their interest. He told them that this unknown GOD was the ONE, WHO they did not know, but HE made the world, including the universe and all that was in the world including all people. HE not only made all things but HE was LORD over all things. HE does not need a temple made with human hands to dwell in. HE was the creator and giver of life. HE did not need images made from dead wood, stone, gold or silver crafted by man. HE is the creator of all life and sustainer of all aspects of life – HE orchestrated when, where and to whom a person was born. HE orchestrated the boundaries of a person’s existence. Since we are all HIS offspring, we owe our very existence to HIM and we should never make or worship some image which represents HIM. This unknown GOD was a living GOD.


Paul quoted from ancient poets in verse 28 who penned words to Greek gods. (Epimenides, 600 BC, in Cretica and Aratur, 315-240 BC, in Phaenomena and Cleanthes, 331-233 BC in Hymn to Zeus) He tied their reference to the unknown GOD he was discussing. He used a secular reference to relate to what he was saying.


All seemed to be going well until we read verses 30-34:


30 “Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because He has set a day on which He is going to judge the world in righteousness by the Man He has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.” 32 When they heard about resurrection of the dead, some began to ridicule him. But others said, “We will hear you about this again.” 33 So Paul went out from their presence. 34 However, some men joined him and believed, among whom were Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.


When Paul mentioned the resurrection, some began to ridicule him. Some did say that they wanted to hear more about this resurrection and some believed and joined him.


The worship of images raises an important point for Christians to consider today. Do we have our graven images? How many have their lucky shirt, shoes, hats, rabbit’s foot, four leaf clover, color, lucky numbers or get their guidance from horoscopes, read their horoscope most every day or go to fortune tellers. Who is greater than all? CHRIST WHO is in you or Satan who rules the world? GOD orchestrates the steps of the righteous, when you let HIM.


Does GOD exist in your life through CHRIST? If not, ask CHRIST to reveal to you what is keeping you from knowing HIM in an intimate, loving way. Then take action on what HE reveals to you. The choice is yours.