"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
John 17:3
Part 3
Previously:
– We can see that God is the “only true God.”
– We can see that there is no one else like God; He is unique.
Today: Our God is Both Far Away and Present with Us
– We can see that God transcends heaven and earth and time and space.
The God of the Bible is both transcendent and immanent.
God is transcendent
He transcends all in that He created everything and yet is above His creation and not a part of it.
“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things” (Acts 17:24-25).
Interestingly, according to this verse, God does not need us, or anything else for that matter. We can do nothing to make God better, nor is there anything we can do to diminish His glory of who He is. He is apart from and above all of His creation.
There is no question in the Scriptures that our Creator has made us and all things that exist.
“For every house is builded by some man, but He that built all things is God” (Hebrews 3:4).
Our God is exalted.
“Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth” (Psalm 57:5).
Our God is in heaven.
“Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2).
Our Creator is sovereign and controls everything material and immaterial, time and space.
“And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, And sware by Him that liveth forever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer” (Revelation 10:5-6).
God is also immanent.
Although He is above His creation, He takes an active part in caring for His creation, and especially His creatures whom He loves.
God promised Israel to enter His creation so that He could provide salvation for lost humanity.
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel [“God with us.”] ” (Isaiah 7:14).
700 years after this promise, Jesus was born, His promise fulfilled.
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matthew 123).
God is ever with His child.
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20).
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18).
“And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And He said unto me; It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son” (Revelation 21:5-7).
Please join us tomorrow in seeing how God is the only Savior from sin!
Quote: “For by Him [Jesus Christ] 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” (Colossians 1:16-17).