Scripture: Romans 10:12-15

C.I.: God: A Father We Can Know and Love

Today we are going to begin a new series of lessons. – These will be “Christianity 101” lessons.
Often when Christians are trying to help people come to know God – we immediately go to His word, but…!
Today we’ll present evidence before the jury – asking them to consider – which is more reasonable – God/not?

I. Evidences All Can Accept; Knowledge Too Wonderful Not to!

A. Extra-Biblical Evidences for the Existence of God:

1. The Ontological Argument for the Existence of God (All Mankind has a Desire to Worship)
a. Anthropologists would tell us - mankind in every era & in every culture is incurably religious.
1) (Eccl. 3:11), “…God has placed eternity in our hearts.” – Takes infinity to fill eternity!
b. To those who try to reject what God has placed within them – He says,
1) (Rom. 1:18-19), “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven – against all ungodliness & unrighteousness of men, - who suppress the truth in unrighteousness - because that which is known about God is evident within them; - for God made it evident to them.”
2) No wonder God says of those who deny this inner truth - (Psa. 14:1), “The fool has said...’”

2. The Cosmological Argument for the Existence of God (Existing cosmos is undeniable evidence…)
a. Since nothing can come from nothing – then every material thing had to come from something!
1) ILLUST.: Explosion at the printing press … complete unabridged encyclopedia!!!
2) “Every effect must have a cause.” – Since the cosmos is an effect – what has the 1st cause?!
3) Things are in motion – but there’s no such thing as perpetual motion – what was the 1st mover
b. The only possibility that makes sense – is to find a spiritual, non-created, 1st Cause/Prime Mover.
1) (Rom. 1:20), “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal …”
2) (Heb. 3:4), “For every house is built by someone, but He who created all things is God.”

3. The Anthropological Argument for the Existence of God (Innate sense of Right/Wrong in all cultures)
a. Within every culture, nation, tribe, etc. – there is the innate, moral capacity to know right/wrong.
1) Why do individuals justify their conduct – or - seek the approval of their conscience?
2) The fact that their exists a recognized sense of right/wrong – that is beyond human origin – then something higher than mankind – created this moral law and put it in mankind!
b. The word of God acknowledges the validity of the - “Anthropological Argument”
1) (Rom. 2:14-15), “For when Gentiles who do not have the law – do instinctively the things of the law – these not having the law… they show the work of the law written in the hearts, their conscience bearing witness – their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them.”
2) This answers the, “What about the natives in Africa?” question – and demands that God’s people show them the “good news” – about a way out of their sinful predicament.
c. Since everyone has this sense of right/wrong – when we do that which we know to be wrong – even without knowing what God’s word says – we have violated our own conscience…
1) This is sin – (Rom. 14:23), “…whatever is not from faith is sin”
2) Fortunately, God has provided mankind with a way of escape - (quote Rom. 7:24-25), “Wretched man that I am! Who will…? – Thanks be to God thru our Lord Jesus Christ.”

B. “If I Admit there Must be a God . . . What Does He Want Me to Know about Him?!”

1. He is a God Who Sees Us
a. Most people find this a source of fear – “God is trying to catch us doing something wrong?”
1) These believe - God is an angry God, e.g., “Sinners in the hands of an angry God!”
2) But notice what He says - (II Chronicles 16:9), “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth – that He may strongly support those whose hearts are completely His.”
b. God desires to “catch us doing something right” – so that He may bless our lives!!!
1) (Matt. 6:6), “…your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

2. He is a God Who Knows Us
a. Not only does God see us – but He knows us in ways that only He can…
1) He knew us before our birth – (Jer. 1:5), “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.”
2) He is aware of the smallest details – (Lk. 12:7), “The very hairs of your head are numbered.”
3) He is aware of the innermost details – (Psa. 44:20-21), “If we had forgotten the name of our God, - or extended our hands to a strange god; - would not God find this out? – For He knows the secrets of the heart.”
b. He knows us so He can bless us…
1) (I Jn. 3:20-21), “…God is greater than our heart, - and knows all things. – Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God.”

3. He is a God Who Loves Us
a. And yet, in spite of all He knows about us – He still loves us – (quote John 3:16).
1) He loved us before we loved Him – (I Jn. 4:19), “We love, because He 1st loved us.”
2) He loved us even while we still sinned against Him (Rom. 5:8), “God demonstrates….”
b. As we saw in the case of God – seeing us & knowing us – the reason He loves us is so that He can bless us - (Eph. 1:3), “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ…”

4. He is a God Who Saves Us
a. He sees us, knows all about, loves us – but what good does that do us – if we’re lost?!
1) But He truly does want to save us!!!
2) (Titus 3:5) “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the H.S.”
(i) “Regeneration” = being remade
(ii) “Renewing” = made like new!
b. Being remade like new – is what occurs at the moment of our salvation…
1) (Jn. 3:5), “Truly, truly, I say to you – unless one is born of water & the Spirit….”
2) (Acts 2:38), “Repent, and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for….”