Basic Christianity 1 -- "In the Beginning... God".

9th September, 2018

Basic Christianity 1 -- "In the Beginning... God".

A sermon preached on 9th September, 2018, as part of our Basic Christianity. series.

Isaiah 40:18-31

Listen online Watch on YouTube

Read a transcript

Details

In this extended sermon, Phil introduces his series on Basic Christianity for autumn 2018. Reading (about half-way through) is Isaiah 40:18-31 (NIV), with various references. (The service was followed by Communion.)

About the Speaker

Phil Marsden

Phil Marsden

Phil received his call to full-time ministry as a child and since the age of 19 has served with Youth For Christ, the Baptist Missionary Society and several large churches before taking up his present role as Ministry Team Leader at Central Baptist Church. Phil’s a visionary leader with a heart to share the good news of Jesus and to see the church grow.


View all sermons by Phil Marsden.

Basic Christianity.

Transcript

IN THE BEGINNING…GOD

Play a game of ‘Who am I?’…then think of three questions for ‘Who is God?

Commonly held views:

Dictionary: Supernatural & immortal being; deity; creator & ruler of universe

Some scriptures on the characteristics of God:

Read: Isa 40:18-31
…How can our tiny brains ever understand God fully!?!

Which characteristic on white board do you most relate to when thinking of God?
…Distant, Loving, Boss, Uncaring, Friend, Kind, Powerful, Holy, Forgiving, Scary, Judge, Almighty, Unfair

How can we relate to God as ‘Our Father’ God?
…Testimony: Relating to God as Father, Friend and Almighty God

If God’s a loving Father, what went wrong?
He created, we destroyed, He loved, we rejected
The story of the Prodigal son

Why should I believe in God? * Evidence found in Conscience (corresponding fulfilment: hunger, thirst, tired, cold, need to worship) * Evidence from Creation (Romans 1:20; Psalm 19:1-4) * Evidence found in Christ (Immanuel: life, death, resurrection) (so ‘Communion’ with God) * Evidence from Relationship / personal experience (accept, believe, confession, receive)

Ultimately: …‘God is’ (an affirmation of faith…childlike faith) * ‘God may be known’ (affirmation of experience) * The Bible wasn’t written to prove ‘God is’, but so that he ‘may be known’

Do you know him…how well…he wants to be close…amazing!…he’s nearer than we think!