GOD TELLS US ABOUT HIMSELF
What God Is Like
Christianity 101 – Lesson 2
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Clayton Township, Neenah, Wisconsin
Last Week’s Memory Treasure
The heavens declare …
Psalm 19:1
Last Week’s Memory Treasure
The heavens declare the glory of God; the
skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Psalm 19:1
New Testament Books – First Half
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 & 2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
Opening Discussion
How do I answer someone who is challenging
the Christian faith, who is trying to prove that
God doesn’t exist by asking, "If God is truly
omniscient (all-knowing) and omnipotent
(all-powerful) and loving, how could He allow
suffering and evil?"
What the True God Is Like
And He passed in front of Moses,
proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the
compassionate and gracious God, slow to
anger, abounding in love and faithfulness…”
Exodus 34:6
What the True God Is Like
And He passed in front of Moses,
proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the
compassionate and gracious God, slow to
anger, abounding in love and faithfulness…”
Exodus 34:6
God is…
gracious and merciful
What the True God Is Like
“Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am
holy.”
Leviticus 19:2
What the True God Is Like
“Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am
holy.”
Leviticus 19:2
God is…
holy
What the True God Is Like
Lord, You have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations. Before the
mountains were born or You brought forth
the earth and the world, from everlasting to
everlasting You are God.
Psalm 90:1-2
What the True God Is Like
Lord, You have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations. Before the
mountains were born or You brought forth
the earth and the world, from everlasting to
everlasting You are God.
Psalm 90:1-2
God is…
eternal
What the True God Is Like
“Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD,
“and not a God far away? Can anyone hide in
secret places so that I cannot see him?”
declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and
earth?” declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:23-24
What the True God Is Like
“Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD,
“and not a God far away? Can anyone hide in
secret places so that I cannot see him?”
declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and
earth?” declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:23-24
God is…
omnipresent
(present everywhere at the same time)
What the True God Is Like
“I the LORD do not change.”
Malachi 3:6
What the True God Is Like
“I the LORD do not change.”
Malachi 3:6
God is…
unchangeable
What the True God Is Like
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man
this is impossible, but with God all things are
possible.”
Matthew 19:26
What the True God Is Like
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man
this is impossible, but with God all things are
possible.”
Matthew 19:26
God is…
omnipotent
(all-powerful or almighty)
What the True God Is Like
The third time He said to him, “Simon son of
John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt
because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do
you love me?” He said, “Lord, You know all
things; You know that I love You.”
John 21:17
What the True God Is Like
The third time He said to him, “Simon son of
John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt
because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do
you love me?” He said, “Lord, You know all
things; You know that I love You.”
John 21:17
God is…
omniscient
(all-knowing)
What the True God Is Like
Whoever does not love does not know God,
because God is love.
1 John 4:8
What the True God Is Like
Whoever does not love does not know God,
because God is love.
1 John 4:8
God is…
love
The God of the Bible Is Triune
Tri =
3
The God of the Bible Is Triune
une =
1
The God of the Bible Is Triune
Tri = 3
une = 1
Triune =
3 Persons in 1 Godhead
The God of the Bible Is Triune
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is
one.
Deuteronomy 6:4
The God of the Bible Is Triune
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is
one.
Deuteronomy 6:4
The God of the Bible Is Triune
Then God said, “Let us make man in our
image, in our likeness…”
Genesis 1:26
The God of the Bible Is Triune
Then God said, “Let us make man in our
image, in our likeness…”
Genesis 1:26
The God of the Bible Is Triune
“Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you. And surely I am with you
always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20
The God of the Bible Is Triune
“Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you. And surely I am with you
always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20
The God of the Bible Is Triune
“‘The LORD bless you and keep you; the
LORD make His face shine upon you and be
gracious to you; the LORD turn His face
toward you and give you peace.’”
Numbers 6:24-26
The God of the Bible Is Triune
“‘The LORD bless you and keep you; the
LORD make His face shine upon you and be
gracious to you; the LORD turn His face
toward you and give you peace.’”
Numbers 6:24-26
The God of the Bible Is Triune
Above Him were seraphs, each with six
wings: With two wings they covered their
faces, with two they covered their feet, and
with two they were flying. And they were
calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the
LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of His
glory.”
Isaiah 6:3
The God of the Bible Is Triune
Above Him were seraphs, each with six
wings: With two wings they covered their
faces, with two they covered their feet, and
with two they were flying. And they were
calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the
LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of His
glory.”
Isaiah 6:3
The God of the Bible Is Triune
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and
the love of God, and the fellowship of the
Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 Corinthians 13:4
The God of the Bible Is Triune
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and
the love of God, and the fellowship of the
Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 Corinthians 13:4
The Persons of the Godhead
The Father,
who is the…
Creator
(He makes something
out of nothing)
The Persons of the Godhead
The Son,
who is the…
Redeemer
(He buys back)
The Persons of the Godhead
The Holy Spirit,
who is the…
Sanctifier
(He makes holy)
The Persons of the Godhead
All 3 Persons are
explicitly called God,
described as God and
act like God.
All of the previously
listed characteristics
of God— “holy,
eternal, etc.”—apply
equally to each
Person of the Trinity.
Agree or Disagree?
1. Jesus Christ is just as eternal and as
powerful as God the Father.
2. The Holy Spirit is equal to the Father and the
Son in power and knowledge.
3. God is able to do all things; nothing is
impossible for Him.
4. God knows each one of us personally and
cares about us personally.
Discussion Question #1
Recently while I was getting my car fixed,
someone started talking to me about religion
and said the trinity is a man-made thing.
What biblical passages can dispel this view?
I want to be better prepared the next time I
am asked this question.
Discussion Question #2
How can we explain the Trinity as three
persons and yet one God in a way that makes
sense?
Discussion Question #3
Are we unloving or intolerant when we
proclaim that everyone who does not
worship the triune God is actually worshiping
a false god or a god who does not exist?
Memory Treasure
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and
the love of God, and the fellowship of the
Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 Corinthians 13:14
New Testament Books – Second Half
1 & 2 Thessalonians
1 & 2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 & 2 Peter
1, 2, 3 John
Jude
Revelation
Closing Prayer
Almighty God and Father, dwelling in majesty
and mystery, filling and renewing all creation
by Your eternal Spirit, and manifesting Your
saving grace through our Lord Jesus Christ:
in mercy cleanse our hearts and lips that,
free from doubt and fear, we may ever
worship You, one true immortal God,
with Your Son and the Holy Spirit,
living and reigning, now and forever. Amen.