The Unknown God
Intro:
Sticky question;
“Is it possible to know God?”
Really know;
· Character?
· Habits?
· Likes/dislikes?
· Reacts situation?
We are created in His image.
Slide;
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
ESV
We can know a little about God because we are like Him.
He being creative/created us in His image.
We’ve been trying to create Him back into our image.
George Burns.
“Oh God” practical joking God.
“Joan of Arcadia”
God was this everyday person/bus.
“Touched by an Angle”
Invisible God. Always a happy ending.
“Bruce Almight”
Takes a few days off.
“Evan Almight”
All this in a effort to know God.
Question again;
“ Is it possible to know God”
Like you’d know another person.
On going relationship.
Slide:
Title today’s message; “The Unknown God”
Find out;
“ Is it possible to know God.”
Help you build a relationship with the God.”
Like all relationships we need to begin with the introduction.
Slide:
Acts 17: 22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.
23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.
ESV
Paul in midst Areopagus introduces them to God.
Greek word of Areopaus is “Mars Hill”
court/location also “Rocky Hillside”
Paul saying, “Let me tell you about this “Unknown God” that you worship.
Today I want to do the same thing;
I want to introduce you to God/get to know Him.
Not some far away power call on times of trouble.
Someone you can know.
Illustration;
Setting w/Jim in church.
Linda looks at me smiles.
Today we’re talking about a deeper relationship.
Life changing relationship. ( Wedding Counseling / Five W’s)
1. Who is God?
Slide:
Acts 17:24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,
God who made the world and everything in it.
Gen 1:1 In the beginning God…
Creator of…
· Heavens/Earth
· Land/Sea
Everything you see today/He created. (He created all)
Those Epicureans/Stoic philosophers
Spent their time telling or hearing
Paul telling them this unknown God created everything.
He made everything. All things work together.
Illustration;
Sir Issac Newton had a replica of solar system made in minature.
Center was sun/all the planets revolving around it.
Scientist entered His study “What a magnificent model! Who made this?”
“Nobody” said Newton to the unbeliever.
Of course someone made it/and he’s a genius.
Newton replied, “Small imitation much grander system”
If it’s obvious small imitation / designer.
More obvious universe/grander/designer.
Who is God ?
He is the Lord of Heaven and earth and does not dwell in temples made with hands.
Slide:
Acts 17:25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
ESV
You are created for Gods pleasure not His purpose.
Nor is he served/worshipped
You worship God with your heart/not hands.
Not by making replica’s.
By making relationship.
He is the giver of life/breath and everything.
God is the source of all perfect gifts.
He gives life/sustains life.
As men instead of worshiping the Creator/creation.
Now that you’ve been introduced. And can see who God is.
Relationship grows stonger.
2. What does He do?
Slide:
Acts 17:26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,
ESV
Besides being the creator / commander
He determined
When you’ll be born.
· Who your parents are.
· What color of hair.
· Male of female
“from one man (Adam) every nation came. (All equal)
Determined allotted periods/boundaries of dwelling place.
(When and where you’ll live)
God not impersonal “force”
Personal friend. (Wants to be involved in your life)
Slide:
Acts 17:27 that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,
28 for “ ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “ ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’
ESV
That they should seek God
3. When is He available? (today/right now/this moment)
God is like a catcher.
Made Himself known to you.
· Creation.
· Word.
· Drawing Holy Spirit.
That’s why you’re here today. God is calling out to you/closer that you think.
Later opportunity new life.
v. 28 In Him we live and move and have our being.
Quote from movie; “The Fastest Indian”
Ask Anthony Hopkins, “Have you lived here your whole life?” He responds “Not Yet!”
“Many of you aren’t living your whole life.”
God want’s more for you than you can imagine.
Not more from you, more for you. (His offspring.)
Slide:
Acts 17:29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.
30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
ESV
1. Who He is.
2. What He does.
3. When He’s available.
4. Where He stands?
Illustration;
One question I ask newly weds.
Where do you stand on serving the other person for the rest of their life?
Many times they respond 50/50
Illustration;
Old couple at McDonalds
Split hamburger/fries/pop
Young man offered to by another meal (Explained they shared everything. Been that way 50 yrs.)
That’s where God stands with you. Share everything.
Joys.
Fears.
Heartaches.
Burdens.
Everything but your sin!
People everywhere repent
Turn around.
Go the other way.
Stop it!
If it’s not clear enough.
Going out getting drunk.
Smoking pot behind the bleachers.
If your flirting with the person at work.
Cheating your boss out of money.
Paul even tells them why?
5. Why should I?
Slide:
Acts 17:31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.”
33 So Paul went out from their midst.
ESV
Conclusion;
Why should you repent?
God will judge the world according to the righteousness of the one He appointed.
There’s a lot of good people out there.
Jesus sets the mark.
How do you stand up next to Him? (I can’t compare)
Slide:
Acts 17:34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
ESV
Some men joined and believed.
If I’m so bad, why would God send His Son to die form me?
That’s the answer to today’s question.
“Is it really possible to know God?”
He already knows you!
He wants you to know Him.