Bible Basics, "Defining God"

DEFINING GOD

Can you adequately define God?

Can you tell me who God is to you based on your experience?

Everyone has had an encounter with God. Do you recognize all that
He does for you?

All of us know God personally in different degrees.
Can you really know all there is to know about God?
I don’t think so. We know what God has said about Himself.

1 John 4:8 states:
 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

  Do we know what love He is taking about?

Jesus asked His disciples, two questions. Matthew 16:13-14
"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"  14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.
The second question was Matthew 16:15-16
"But who do you say that I am?"  16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

It is not important what other people say God is. It what you say God is ,that is
important to you.

What God is to you may be different from what God is to others? It is ok to have
a appreciation of God because we all have unique experiences. He is the same
God, but we view Him differently.

Back to my original question, can you completely define God?

Look at what God told Moses when he was sent on the mission to free the
Israelites from captivity in Egypt. Exodus 3:14

14 God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

Thought out the Bible God uses events and personal situations to describe who
He is. We can get a better picture of who God is when we compare notes.

Genesis 15:1
Lord came to Abram in a vision:

"Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward."

Exodus 20:2-4
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 "You shall have no other gods before me.
He is the God of freedom.

Isaiah 44:6-7
6 "This is what the Lord says —
Israel's King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty:
I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.

Malachi 1:14
For I am a great king," says the Lord Almighty, "and my name is to be feared among the nations.


There are number of names of God that are describes with personal situation
        1. Abba: Father , The God who is our daddy.  Mark 14:36, Gal 4:6, Roman 8:15

         2. Adonai   The God who is in Charge.     Malachi  1:6

         3. El Elyon  The Most High God  Isa 14:14, Ps 7:17

         4. El Olam    The Everlasting God   Ps 90:2

          5. El Roi       The God Who Sees   Gen 16:13, Ps 91:1

          6. El Shaddai   The Almighty God   Gen 17:1-2

         7. Elohim          The creator God   Gen 1:1, Ps 19:1   

         8. Yahweh         The God who is always there Gen 2:4, Ex 30:7,
                                    Ex 3:13-14 (The I Am God)
         9. Yahweh Yireh  The Lord Will Provide    Gen 22:14

         10. Yahweh Nissi     The Lord My Banner: His protection, leadership,
                                           deliverance      Ex 17:15         
         11. Jehovah Rapha    The Lord Who Heals You     Ex 15:26

         12. Yahweh Shalom      The Lord Of Peace    Judges 6:24

          13. Jehovah Tisdkenu    The Lord Our Righteousness  Jer 23:6

              14. Jehovah Shammah     The Lord Is Present  Ezekiel 48:55

              15. Jehovah Rohi              The Lord is my Shepherd    Ps 23:1

              16. Jehovah Sabbath          The Lord Of Host      Isa  6:1-3

              17,  Jehovah Gmolah         The God Of Recompense    Jer 51:6

What is single greatest act of God’s Love?

How do we receive God’s Love on a daily basis?
      1. Life
      2. Provisions
      3. Protection
      4. Forgiveness
      5. Tolerance
      6. Guidance
      7. Answering our prayers