Does God Exist? Introduction

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Oswald Lindsey
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1 1 Does God Exist? Introduction African life is rich with an awareness of the Supreme Being. Someone has observed that there is probably no native-born African who is not aware of the existence of God. In some countries, lorries and taxis display a motto on the front of the vehicle which not only mentions God but also reflects some basic truth about God. In some cultures, the personal names of people include a name for God or a reference to God. If there is any continent in the world where God is known and acknowledged it is Africa. God is known to be the Creator and Sustainer of life. He is respected and honored as the Exalted One, high above all His creation, and high above all other divinities, all spirits and all men. Wilbur O Donovan, Biblical Christianity in African Perspective This is pretty clear to most of us gathered here today. Like the Israelites, we do not need 1000 page thesis to prove that God exists. In Genesis 1:1 the Bible says, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. It does not attempt to first introduce Him but presents Him as God, the Creator. In fact, Psalm 53:1 says, The fool says in his heart, There is no God. What a word to describe those who deny the existence of God! Why some readily accept the existence of God (but may differ on who He really is), there are others who readily deny His existence. They may not verbalize their opinion, but their actions speaker louder than their words. By denying God, they deny the need for a Savior. By denying the need of Savior, they contemplate a world without sin only preferences but no sin as such. If no sin, no existence of heaven or hell hence live, drink, and make merry for tomorrow we die. The greatest test for a human being in trying to describe and understand God is to: Created cannot properly describe the Creator Finite can only attempt to describe the Infinite Mortal cannot understand Immortal

2 2 Temporary cannot describe Eternal Limited knowledge cannot comprehend Omniscience (allknowing) The best man can do is to attempt. Knowing God has this personal perspective. I know I know Him but I may not have the words. It is like love you know you love someone but may not exactly explain what is that you are talking about. Does God really exist? Illustration The professor who dared God An atheist professor was teaching a college class and he told the class that he was going to prove that there was not a God. He said, "God if you are real, then I dare you to knock me off this platform. I'll give you 15 minutes!" Ten minutes went by He kept taunting God, saying, "Here I am God, I'm still waiting" He got down to the last couple of minutes and a BIG 110kg rugby player happened to walk by the door and heard what the professor said. The football player walked in the class room and in the last minute, he walked up, hit the professor full force, and sent him flying off the platform. The professor got up, obviously shaken and said, "Wow, where did you come from and why did you do that?" The football player replied, "God was busy, so He sent me!" By: Author Unknown Does God exist? This is one of the most important questions a person can ever consider. Your belief in the existence of God has enormous implications on your views of life, humanity, morality, and destiny.

3 3 Does God exist? C. S. Lewis once remarked that God is not the sort of thing one can be moderately interested in. After all, if God does not exist, there's no reason to be interested in God at all. On the other hand, if God does exist, then this is of paramount interest, and our ultimate concern ought to be how to be properly related to this being upon whom we depend moment by moment for our very existence. 1. If God does not exist, life is ultimately meaningless. If your life is doomed to end in death, then ultimately it does not matter how you live. In the end it makes no ultimate difference whether you existed or not. 2. If God does not exist, then we must ultimately live without hope. If there is no God, then there is ultimately no hope for deliverance from the shortcomings of our finite existence. For example, there is no hope for deliverance from evil. Although many people ask how God could create a world involving so much evil, by far most of the suffering in the world is due to man's own inhumanity to man. Or again, if there is no God, there is no hope of deliverance from aging, disease, and death. There is no afterlife beyond the grave. 3. On the other hand, if God does exist, then not only is there meaning and hope, but there is also the possibility of coming to know God and His love personally. Think of it! That the infinite God should love you and want to be your personal friend! Why is knowing and relating to God a big challenge for today s modern person? Knowing here refers to deep intimacy like the sexual intimacy between a man and his wife. It is demonstrable. If God can be known, what then happens such that those who know Him do not always demonstrate His love? God is so removed from everyday life. He is beyond knowledge (agnosticism)

4 4 Wrong picture of God due to a disturbed relationship with an earthly father abusive, absent, and unconcerned Spread of evil and suffering. If God exists, why does He allow evil in the world? Why does a good God allow people to suffer? Misunderstanding that Science proves that God does not exist New forms of religious expressions e.g. yoga, personalized experience with God, and materialistic. Intellectual idolatry the more you know and have, the less you need God in your life Secularism obsession with the material world as the highest good Pursuit of pleasure Sin = pleasure. If God will stop the pleasure, then He has to be stopped Spiritual blindness Godless society with people that are gods to themselves We must ask ourselves these fundamental questions: 1. Does God really exist? 2. If he does exist, Who is He? 3. If so, do we know about Him or do we know him? 4. If indeed God exists, How can I personally have a relationship with him? Evidences for God s existence 1. The Evidence of Biological Information Duplicate copies of DNA are coiled up in each of the 100,000,000,000,000 (100 trillion) cells in your body. You have 46 segments of DNA in most of your cells. You received 23 segments from your mother and 23 from your father. DNA contains the unique information that determines what you look like, much of your personality, and how every cell in your body is to function throughout your life.

5 5 If the DNA (46 segments) in one of your cells was uncoiled, connected, and stretched out, it would be about 7 feet long. It would be so thin its details could not be seen even under an electronic microscope. If all these very densely coded information from one cell of one person were written in books, it would fill a library of about 4000 books. If all the DNA in your body were placed end-to-end, it would stretch from here to the Moon more than 500,000 times! Walter Brown, In the Beginning: Compelling Evidence for Creation and the Flood You are so unique that there is only one you Your fingerprints are not like your friends 2. The Evidence of Biochemistry The entire cell can be viewed as a factory that contains an elaborate network of interlocking assembly lines, each of which is composed of a set of large protein machines. Lee Strobel, The Case for a Creator Chemicals in your body Conduct electricity 3. The Evidence of Astronomy Our galaxy has approximately 250 billion stars, and it is estimated that there are 100 billion other galaxies in the universe, each with hundreds of billions of stars. And He s named each one. (Psalm 147:4 He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.) The universe is so vast in relation to the matter it contains that it can be compared in this way: A building 32km long, 32km wide, and 32km high that contains 1 grain of sand. And He s holding it all in the expanse of His hands. The largest star to date, Canis Majoris, is so large that if Earth s Sun were replaced by it, its radius would extend beyond the orbit of Saturn. And He merely spoke it into existence. We barely understand the universe More is yet to be discovered about the universe

6 6 4. The Evidence of Consciousness Many scientists are concluding that the laws of chemistry and physics cannot explain our experience of consciousness. Professor J. P. Moreland defined consciousness as our introspection, sensations, thoughts, emotions, desires, beliefs, and free choices that make us alive and aware. The soul contains our consciousness and animates our body. Lee Strobel, The Case for a Creator We have feelings as human beings love, hate We have an idea of how we should be treated Do you know you have a soul? 5. The Evidence Morality This begins from man s sense of right and wrong, and of the need for justice to be done, and argues that there must be a God who is the source of right and wrong and who will someday mete justice to all people. Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine Inbuilt sense of right and wrong Morals based on someone beyond us Relativism is there but there are some absolutes e.g. murder and stealing are abhorred all over the world The constitutions have to be based on a power that is above its authors otherwise anyone can challenge its limitations and freedoms 6. The Evidence of Cosmology Every known thing in the universe has a cause. Therefore, it reasons, that the universe itself must also have a cause, and the cause of such a great universe can only be God. Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine Things don t just appear from the blues Even if we were to believe that we came from tiny particles, they must have come from somewhere that somewhere is God

7 7 Cloning does not cause anything they should start with their own cells How do you take someone who claims a certain gadget just appeared? 7. The Evidence of Teleology This focuses on the evidence of harmony, order, and design in the universe, and argues that its design gives evidence of intelligent purpose. Since the universe appears to be designed with a purpose, there must be an intelligent and purposeful God who created it to function that way. Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine Earth and moon work in harmony Different body systems reproductive, nervous, circulatory, respiratory, excretory, endocrine, musco-skeletal all work in harmony People are designed as male and female men designed to have sex with women and women with men. Seasons come in their time 8. The Evidence of Physics One of the most striking discoveries of modern science has been that the laws and constants of physics unexpectedly conspire in an extraordinary way to make the universe habitable for life. Lee Strobel, The Case for a Creator Conditions just right for human habitation and support of life Laws must have a Giver who gave the law of gravity Why doesn t the earth, moon, and sun collide? In conclusion, the value of these evidences, then, lies chiefly in overcoming some of the intellectual objections of unbelievers. They cannot bring unbelievers to saving faith, for that comes about through belief in the testimony of Scripture. But they can help overcome

8 8 objections from unbelievers, and, for believers they can provide further intellectual evidence for something they have already been persuaded of from their own inner sense of God and from the testimony of Scripture. Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine God has revealed Himself Creation Romans 1:18-20 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God s invisible qualities his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Psalm 19:1-2 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. Acts 17:26, 27 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. Just look around carefully. You are likely to see God in the creation. Think about all that has been created, and you will see the fingerprint of God everywhere. The beauty that you see should draw you to God. Ask yourself, if a human being can make such great advancement in science, medicine and technology, how much more can God do? Nature borrows

9 9 from the created. Choppers like birds. Computers like brains. Robots like people. Human s Inner sense of God Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. We intuitively know there is a God. Even birds know the One who provides food for them as Luke 12:24 says, Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! We may not always agree on how God looks and how He should be worshipped, but many of us have an inner sense of God. We always look out to something bigger than us a Supreme Being. Bible Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him and without him was not anything made that was made The Bible does not contradict itself. Written by 40 authors over 1500 years, it points to the redemption of man by Jesus Christ and the eventual consummation of the Church in heaven. The Bible is not a scientific manual yet there is no discovery that has contradicted its contents. It is the very voice of God to man. Jesus Christ

10 10 Colossians 1:15-17 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Hebrews 1:1-3 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Apart from Him there is no other way to God. Acts 4:12 says, Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. People who reject God essentially have a problem with Jesus Christ. To reject God is to reject Jesus Christ a license to a wicked life. Some people claim to love God but want nothing to do with Jesus Christ. This is ridiculous for there is no other way to know God apart from Christ. Acts 4:12 affirms this by saying Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. What them makes people struggle with the Christ? He reminds them they are sinners who must repent He demands total surrender He has to be Lord of all How can we know Him? 1. We KNOW God by putting our FAITH in Him

11 11 Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Rom 10:17 Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the Word of Christ". Faith in God and in His Word comes by hearing the Word of God. Why is faith important? The enemies of faith are DOUBT, FORGETFULNESS; and REASON. These must be overcome or subdued. God is not an experiment to be studied in a lab. Neither is He a hypothesis to be supported by a doctoral thesis. He is not even a clutch for the poor. He is not the opium of the masses to make us high so that we can escape from reality. He is real. Faith is the key thing that is needed. Your intellect and academics might tell you otherwise but God resonates with the heart more even when the mind is screaming no. 2. We KNOW God through His WORD Lack of knowledge of the Word keeps us ignorant of God. This causes us to limit God in every situation of our lives and we end up doing things our way and go out of His plan. Jesus revealed Himself through the Word - "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life" (Jn14:6). God made it possible for us to know Him through Jesus and Jesus is revealed to us through His Word. John 14:7,9 Jesus says "If you really knew Me, you would know my Father as well." 1 John 1:1 We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life.

12 12 Read the Word. 3. We KNOW God through experiences Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Each of us can remember a moment that if it was not for God, terrible things would have happened. It could be a death, an accident, a fight, or a financial issue. We have this notion that God must have been there. We also know God through the experience of others. Sometimes when you are discouraged, you need to listen to others. Listen to what God has done in others lives. Effects of Failing to Know Him Failure to know Him results in sin Romans 1: The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. Why is knowing God made difficult? Our desire for personal knowledge of God is generally strong, but we usually fail to recognize that desire for what it is. We soon start a chase to fill that void with other things and soon find out that nothing delivers the joy it seemed to promise. Many people hunger for God but are looking for Him in sex, booze, drugs, porn and crime. "Our Hearts are Restless Until They Rest in You" Saint Augustine of Hippo. We run after many things and forget the One who can meet our deepest hunger. If you really need joy and happiness,

13 13 keep looking for him in men, women, pubs, and internet adult sites. Run to Him. God created us and built us for a relationship with Him. We were created to know Him and worship Him. When we don't, we negate the very purpose we were created for. Therefore, to live for anything else but God, leads to spiritual decay because: a. Sin POLLUTES our KNOWLEDGE of God b. Sin CORRUPTS our God given IMAGE c. Sin LEADS to a REBELLIOUS WALK d. Rebellion DENIES us FELLOWSHIP with God Failure to know Him exposes us to the schemes of Satan 2 Cor. 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. The devil likes it when people have no relationship with God. They are an easy target. They have no means of external support. They get blinded by the devil and consider God as an enemy. To such people, slavery believes in God. They call themselves free from hang ups with God. They think they own the world and all other people are tenants. As I have said, the devil loves such people since they have enough influence and power to marinate the schemes of hell. Failure to know Him leads to hopelessness Psalm 91:1, 2 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."

14 14 Hopelessness is one of the causes of suicide. When people have nothing to live for, then they lose the interest to live. They may drink and do drugs to get some punch but in the end they live empty lives. We all need to God so that we have a reason to live. If a marriages breaks, what do you do? If the economy breaks down, where will you run to? If government takes your land to build a road, where will you run to? We can expect challenges in this life but if we don t know God, we shall be in trouble. Failure to know Him leads to death Rev. 20:15 If anyone s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. We can keep fighting and debating whether God exists or not. However, when death comes it does not matter whether you believe in God or not you die. Period! Without God, the Bible tells us that people end in hell. Knowing about Him is not enough. Our knowledge of God must be seen in our actions. Ask yourself: If you died today, would you go in heaven? If you died today, why would God let you in? John 14:6 I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Beyond the physical death, there is the challenge of living an empty life i.e. to merely exist other than living. Jesus said in John 10:10, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. In John 15:5 He added and said that apart from me you can do nothing. Clearly, a life away from an intimate relationship with God might look fine from a world s viewpoint but falls short of the kind of life espoused

15 15 in the Scriptures. Abundant life is only possible when Jesus Christ, the Son of God is lord over our lives. Conclusion There is enough evidence that points to God s existence God has revealed Himself to man in many ways It is possible to know God intimately God has especially revealed Himself in Jesus Christ A denial of God s existence is an invitation to sin and Satan s schemes Reflection If you died today, would you go to heaven? Are you fulfilled in your life? Do you know God intimately? Is Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior?

Lesson 6: The Doctrine of God: The Existence of God

Lesson 6: The Doctrine of God: The Existence of God How do we know that God exists? The existence of God is the foundation of true religion. If we do not have a right understanding of the existence of