Lesson 8 Triune God (Trinity)

Lesson 8

Triune God Trinity 

Objective: God in one, and in Him the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are wonderfully collected together.

Bible Portion: John ch 14, 15, 16

Memory Verse: John 14:15,16

"If you love Me, keep My commandments, And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.

Introduction: We have learned the natural and moral attributes of God. This study will make us respect, love, and worship God in a real sense. We will be transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory. Let us approach to the feet of Christ to understand the glorious and wonderful fact that the God is triune. 

God is one

Man, who went away from God due to sin, failed to find the true God and he started worshipping nature and the deities made out of his concepts. During those days, Hebrews, the Descendents of Abraham developed monotheism. In the Old Testament and the New Testament, we see a number of verses show that God is one.

You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other. (Deuteronomy 4:35)

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4)

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. (Isaiah 44:6)

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.  (Mark 10:18)

Compound Oneness 

God's oneness is a compound one. This is the truth. Bible explains many times and we can see it in nature also. Let us consider some instances of depicting the compound oneness through which they have some limitations.

1. Though electricity is invisible, we can sense it in the form of light, heat, and sound. Each one of these is electric current. But light is not heat, heat is not light.

2. We are familiar with water. its chemical structure is H2O. It can be seen in different forms. It is gas sometimes. It takes the form of water and ice. Are they all one?

3. The physical body of a man consists of body, soul, and spirit. It is a compound oneness. Though body, spirit, and soul have separate identities, they are one. 

4. In geometry, we can learn about a rectangle. It has its own oneness and peculiarity. If it is 1cm length and 1 cm width, what should be its area? The answer is 1x1x1 = 1 it is an example for compound oneness 

5. You might have seen cube. Let us consider a cube that is 1 cm length, 1 cm height, and 

1 cm in width. Though its six sides are shaded in different colors, it is one. its diversity makes it colorful and does not destroy it. Its volume is not 1+1+1=3, it is 1x1x1=1 the teachings of trinity do not present three Gods.

6. Let us examine a triangle. It has three equal sides. Though each side has its own identity, It is a picture. The identities of sides do not harm the triangle. The whole triangle can be represented as God, and the sides show father, son, and the Holy Spirit. 

Trinity in the creation of God.

In the creation, we see not only the compound oneness, but also the reflection of the trinity. 

1. The physical body of man is triune, consists of the body, soul, and spirit. 

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (1 Thess. 5:23)

2. Atom, the smallest unit of matter consists of protons, neutrons, and electrons. 

3. The universe is formed out of space, time, and matter. 

4. Space consists of length, width, and height.

5. Time consists of past, present, and future.

6. Matter consists of energy, movement, and arrangement. 

Evidence from the Bible.

a. Old testament:

Though Jews do not believe in the trinity, the holy book of Christians and Jews has a number of pieces of evidence to establish the trinity. 

1. The Hebrew rout for absolute unity is 'yached', but the rout word for compound oneness is 'Echad!'. The term 'Echad is used in the Old Testament (Deut. 6:4) The verbs and adjectives used along with this word are in plural forms. 

2. The Hebrew words fro God are in the plural. For instance, in Gen 1:1 says, In the beginning God created heaven and earth; the term used for God is 'Elohim' here, and it is a plural word. Such terms are used in Deu. 4:32 and Is.45:18.

3. The pronouns that God himself used were plural. And now the sovereign Lord has sent me, with his spirit. 'I' refers in the verse is Messiah. So the father, son, and Holy Spirit are expressed in this verse. The angel of his present refers in Is.63:9 is Christ. 

In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them.In his love and mercy, he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old (Isaiah 63:9)

Thus, the reality of trinity is revealed here. We can see about the sun of God in Psalms 2: 7-12

 I will proclaim the LORD’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father. 8 Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You will break them with a rod of iron ; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” 10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. 12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. (Psalms 2: 7 -12)

Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Whose hands have gathered up the wind? Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is the name of his son? Surely you know!  (Proverbs 30:4)

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. (Daniel 7:13)

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (Genesis 1:2)

So the trinity is also described in the Old Testament. 

4. The angel of God appeared to Abraham, Hagar, Jacob, and Judges was God himself. He was God worthy to be worshipped. The angel of God is the son of God, Jesus Christ. 

b. The New Testament 

The teachings of the trinity, which was partially told in Old Testament, are clearly established in the New Testament. 

Luke's description of Jesus's birth clearly tells us the role of the father, son, and the Holy Spirit.

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.  (Luke 1:34,35)

2. At the time of Jesus's Baptism, the triune God was active.

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”  (Matthew 3:16,17)

3. Jesus in his teachings shows his unity with his father and the Holy Spirit. 

a. Natural unity: I and Father are one. (John 10:29)

b. Unity in Love (John 15:9-12)

c. Unity in aim and actions (John 14:10)

d. Jesus words about the dwelling of Holy Spirit in believers that we will come to him and  dwell with him. (John 14:16-18)

e. The names of triune God is referred to together.

f. Jesus was glorified with God before the incarnation (John 17:16)

4. 'Jesus' command about baptism is that the disciples should baptize in the name of the father, son, and Holy Spirit. The term 'name' is used instead of using 'names'. It refers to the compound unity of trinity. 

Lesson 7 Attributes of God - III

   Lesson 7

Attributes of God - III

Understand the importance of God's grace, companions, and faithfulness. Be thankful to God and reflect the divine qualities of God.

Bible Portion : Eph: 1: 1-2, 10

Memory verse: Ps: 103:8 The Lord is merciful and graces, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

Eph. 2:4-8: But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us live together with Christ (By grace you have been saved) ,  and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness towards in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God 

Introduction: What are the attributes of God we have learned in previous lessons? How do we live, for God holy? Where the love of God and his righteousness mostly related together? Can you say some other qualities of God which are significant to us? 

1. The grace of God 

God is gracious and merciful. What is grace? Suppose, and obedient son of a good father killed by a criminal. Father can take revenge by himself, or execute the justice through authorities. He can also forgive him, accept his to the family, and gives his all the properties of his som. This is called grace. The grace of God is the love and goodness that flows to unworthy, Grace is the blessing given to an ineligible person. I make ineligible to eligible, and the person with liability will be sent freely.

The works of God's grace 

1. Saves: It saves humankind who is under death and curse through sin. Justification is a free act by the redemption of God's grace. You have been saved by grace through faith. Choice, call, Justification, and glorification are the experiences related to salvation is given to us by the grace of God.

2. Strengthens:  It empowers us to lead a victorious life from opposite circumstances and Satan's temptations. 

3. Maintains and nourishes: The grace of God maintains us and also nourishes us

4. Enriches: Though he was rich, he became poor for our sake. How wonderful is God's grace!. He has blessed us with all heavenly blessings. By the grace of God, we receive all blessings in the world to live.

5. Gives us blessed hop: The grace gives us the revelation of the glory of Jesus Christ in the second coming. 

6. Blesses us with gifts: The people, who are saved by the grace, will be blessed with the Holy Spirit and its gifts. These gifts are given by grace. So they are called gifts of grace. Such gifts are the gift of knowledge of wisdom, of healing, of the prosthesis, of speaking in different tongues, of interpretation, etc. All these are given to the church by the grace of God. We must praise God for his grace manifested in various ways, and no one has to take his grace in an ordinary way. 

God's Compassion 

Though God's grace and compassion are more or less the same, that is different in meaning as we experience it. His compassion is God's dealing with our sin and misery. Compassion is God's divine quality. The divine quality of God as compassionate is described both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. In the Old Testament, God's compassion to Israelites is described 4 times that it is used in the New Testament; but Israelites, due to disbelief, unable to experience it. So the word of God was not useful to them. We cannot measure God's compassion, and it can be experienced through Jesus Christ. As we come nearer to the presence of God bravely, we can experience the test of his compassion.

God's compassion is a reality. 

3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. Psalm 103 3 -5

Who will be manifested with God's compassion?

1. Those who are afflicted.

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! Says the lord 

2. God shows his mercy to those who fear, depend, and walk wholeheartedly in his presence. 

And God spoke all these words: 2 “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. 4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments (Exodus 20 1-6)

3. Whoever confesses and denounces the sins will find God's mercy 

whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)

4. Whoever calls on him truly 

For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome. 5 The arrogant cannot stand in your presence. You hate all who do wrong; 6 you destroy those who tell lies. The bloodthirsty and deceitful you, LORD, detest. (Psalms 5 4 -6)

How God manifests His mercy? 

1. By forgiving the sins of those who confess and renounce their sins

2. By showing steadfast love to those who do not confess sins and continue in it 

3. By delivering the people from sickness, sadness.

4. Being a shade at the time of oppression from the enemy.

God's Faithfulness 

Like all other attributes of God, Faithfulness is also part of God's quality. All his qualities are one though we learn it differently; God is self-formed, eternal, and unchanging. He is faithful. The meaning of the root word for faithfulness is to uphold. So "faithful" means one who can uphold or one can be treated upon. God is not only omnipotent and omnipresent but also an unchanging one. The power and knowledge of men will change. No man can be trusted. But God is faithful. 

God's Faithfulness is a reality

The below mentioned Bible verses show God's faithfulness.

 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. (Deuteronomy 7:9)

God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:9)

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

The Greatness of God's faithfulness 

a. The compassion of God is fresh every morning and his faithfulness is great.

b. His faithfulness reaches to the skies

c. He establishes his faithfulness in heavens

d. All the deeds of God are faithful

e. His faithfulness continues through all generations. 

How God revealed His Faithfulness 

1. He reveals his faithfulness in maintaining his promises and laws. The promise given to David was fulfilled at the time of Solomen. Though the Israelites were unfaithful, God is faithful in his promises to their futures. The people of Israelites have been scattered into different parts of the world due to their sine. But they had established their own nation this century. God is faithful, and the promises about Jesus Christ were also revealed. Though we are unholy, he remains holy. 

2. God delivers his people from the hand of wicked. He also provides a way out at the time of temptation. 

3. God makes his people unblemished at the second coming of Jesus Christ.

4. God punishes the people when they go away from the ways of God and also forgive their sins as they confess.

We can trust in God at any time because He is compassionate, gracious, and faithful. Thus we will get our problems solved. All these qualities showed to be reflected in our lives. 

Lesson 6 - Attributes of God - II

Lesson 6 

Attributes of God - II 

Objective:   To be partakers of the divine nature by growing in God's wisdom.

Bible Portion: Rom 1: 18-32, Deut. 19:1-18.

Memory Verse: I Peter 1:14-16.

as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

Introduction 

Have we learnt the natural attributes of God?  Now we will study about the moral attributes of God. God has certain moral qualities and men should experience them. Some of such characteristics are holiness, love, Justice, compassion and faithfulness. It will be helpful for us to love God more and reflect the holy characteristics of God. 

I. Holiness: 

Whenever one is unable to receive the revelation of holiness, he cannot see the unholy element around him and may not get a solution. Isaiah, the prophet, when he had confronted with the revelation of holiness, it changed him fully. 

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;

The whole earth is full of His glory!”

4 And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.

5 So I said:

“Woe is me, for I am [a]undone!

Because I am a man of unclean lips,

And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;

For my eyes have seen the King,

The Lord of hosts.”

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth with it, and said:

“Behold, this has touched your lips;

Your iniquity is taken away,

And your sin [b]purged.”

8 Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:

“Whom shall I send,

And who will go for Us?”

Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

God's holiness is beyond all our thoughts. Isaiah mentions about God as 'holy one of Israel' in 30 times.

1. The holiness of God is a reality

But the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment,

And God who is holy shall be hallowed in righteousness. (Isaiah 5:16)

2. The meaning of holiness: The word 'holiness' is used in the Bible in the sense of separation. God himself is away from uncleanness. Washing with water (Lev.8:6), different parts of the tabernacle, the dedication of Levites and priests (Lev. 8), and the command of God is Israel that they do not come near the Senai mountain (Ex. 19.12) express the holiness of God. The children of God should lead a holy life and separate themselves from unholiness. 

3. How God's holiness has been revealed?

     a. God hates sin (Prov. 15:9, Deut. 25:16)

     b. God punishes the sinner (Ex. 14:7).

     c. Jesus bore the condemnation of sin in order to deliver the sinners from the punishment. Jesus had to become a sacrifice or ransom for many because God is holy and just. Yet is was the will of God to crush him (Isaiah. 53:10). The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us. (Isaiah. 53:6)

4. Being God is holy, what should we do?

  a. Go near to him with fear ( Heb. 12:28,29)

  b. We should receive the revelation of God's holiness, and also submit ourselves by confessing our sins. We should get cleansed by the holy sacrifice of Jesus Chris (I John. 1:7-9)

   c. We should maintain holiness in deeds, words and thoughts because God is holy and, he loves and saves us (I Pet. 1:14-16).

II. Love 

What is the meaning of the phrase 'God is love'? It is God's unchanging character. Men use the word 'Love' not in real sense. Love is real and it looks and acts for the goodness of the one whom we love. It does not have any selfish motives. This is called God's Love. The word used for God's Love in Greek is 'agape'. The love of men, many times, possesses selfishness. The root word for this is 'Eros'.

    1. The Love of God is a reality (John. 4:8-11)

God not only loves, he himself is love. The important thing behind all moral values is love. We understand the very love through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.

2. The Love of God has no limitation and boarder

God lives his son, Jesus Christ. Christ. is the subject of God's love always. God loves the world. God desires everyone to repent and have eternal life through Jesus Christ. He loves the sinners, ungodly, and the lost. God loves believers who come into a relationship with him. In order to understand the depth of the love of God, we must realize the love of Christ, which is beyond wisdom.

3. How the love of God has been revealed? 

It is very difficult to define love. I can be expressed through actions or deeds. God revealed and expressed his love to men through his dealings.

a. Jesus Christ came into this world and bore the death at the cross. It was because he had to save the world from the condemnation of sin, and also from the power and circumstances that Satan raises against the men. He wants us to become the children of God to call God Abba, Father. 

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4: 9 - 10 )

b.When a person acknowledges Christ's love at the cross and takes refuge in him, it will be delivered from all evils. He will be revealed the love of God and it makes him peaceful and happy and they will be satisfied spiritually and physically.

c. God has sent the Holy Spirit to us to dwell in us all the time. Thus, he revealed his love.

d. The love of God is also revealed in the punishment given to men for their purification. God punishes whom he loves. The punished will be blessed and they will bring the offering in the righteousness to the Lord.

e. God stays with his people and strengthens them at the time of suffering. Even if a mother forgets the baby. God will never forget his people.

III The righteousness of God

The righteousness is a quality that always connected to holiness, Righteousness refers to ' What is right?'

1. God's righteousness is a reality
    The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.

2. God reveals his righteousness through his actions.
   
     a. He loves righteousness and hates wickedness.

     b. God punishes the sinners for their wickedness

     c. He rewards everyone for their faithfulness

    d. He delivers the god-fearing ones from their suffering

    e. God fulfills his promises

The law of righteousness is that a sinner must be punished. So God sent his son to the world as a sin offering. He laid the condemnation of sin on Jesus. Those who believed in Jesus will be justified and delivered We can see the manifestation of God's righteousness on Calvary.

Lesson 5 - Attributes of God - 1

Attributes of God - 1

Objective:  Grow in the wisdom of God by leading a worthy life.

Bible Portion : Isaiah 40 : 12 - 31 

Memory Verse : Isaiah 40 : 25, 26

“To whom then will you liken Me,

Or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One.

26 Lift up your eyes on high,

And see who has created these things,

Who brings out their host by number;

He calls them all by name,

By the greatness of His might

And the strength of His power;

Not one is missing. (Isaiah 40 : 25,26)

Introduction 

  

What idea comes into your mind when you think of God? No religion has ever reached above the idea of deity it holds, and no people ever reached above the religion they follow. The spiritual and moral standard of the people depend on the religion they follow. The term 'God' is a powerful word followed by people in all languages. There is a need of self-examination of our understanding of the reality of God. It is very important in leading a sinless life. The wrong conception of God will lead the people into errors in the realness of teachings and life. So we should possess a clear and unique idea of God, and that it must be passed to coming generations. 

Can you discover everything about the almighty? 

Who is God? What kind of person he is? To whom can be compared to? These are the important questions that we face. The conscience of man thinks and form ideas based on the foreknowledge and experience. Moreover, it is liable to the limits of place. So, God formed out of men's thoughts may not be true  and complete. God is eternal, omnipotent, infinite and creator-sustainer-destroyer one. If we can limit God in human thoughts, is that God smaller that us? It is folly to define eternity with hours and omnipotence with human power! According to Paul, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, which no one has seen or can see. To him be honer and might forever, Amen (1 Tim. 6:16). How one can know such a God? The answer of the Bible is that it is possible 'through Christ' God revealed himself to man 'in Christ and by Christ'. Faith is the wherewithal of knowledge, love and experience, As we approach Christ Jesus with faith and love, the darkness will be removed and, we will be equipped to know God by the light of eternal son, Holy Spirit will lead us and guide us with instructions. So let us learn the invisible attributes of God with prayer. 

Invisible Attributes of God 

Holy Spirit reveals us the invisible attributes of God through Jesus Christ. We get this revelation through the wherewithal in the form of nature, conscience and the work of God. The word of God is the most important among them. Like a diamond has many sides, the revelation if God has many sides. They can be divided for easy access into two parts. They are Natural Attributes and Moral Attributes. First of all let us consider the natural attributes.


1. God is Spirit 

Jesus Christ revealed this truth when he spoke to the Samaritan woman at Sukhr. What shape comes to your mind when you hear the term spirit? It is difficult to understand 'the spirit'. It does not have a physical body. it has personality, knowledge, power, emotion and feelings. It cannot be limited in a specific form. That is why God strictly detained idolatry. God cannot be contained in a place or a temple.

 “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:

49 ‘Heaven is My throne,

And earth is My footstool.

What house will you build for Me? says the Lord,

Or what is the place of My rest?

50 Has My hand not made all these things?’ (Acts 7 :48,49) 

God is Spirit and invisible. He cannot be compared to anyone in the world. No one has ever seen God. If God is invisible, how could Moses and Israelites see Him? How can we explain the meeting of the angel of God to Abraham and Gideon. God, who is invisible, sometimes revealed himself visibly. They did not see the original form of God. It might be a shadow of God. God told Moses that he cannot see his face. The angel of God who had appeared to Gideon was Jesus Christ who came into the world to reveal God. He had appeared to them not in the full glory that He possesses He took the form of a man. At the end of the time, Jesus incarnated himself into the world as a man.

Though God is invisible, He has individuality. We read in the Bible that 'Gad speaks' and 'God loves'. The evidence of the personality is that it has wishes, emotions and activities. God, as spirit, is living and is source of life. We use the eyes of the heart to see the invisible and powerful God. The worshipers to truth must worship God in truth and spirit. No one limit God in physical circumstances and please God in external worship.


2. God is Omnipresent 

God's omnipresence proves that God is spirit. Psalms 139 is a meditation talk of God's omnipresence. Jeremiah 23:24 also says that no one will be able to hide from the sight of God and it is God who is filled in heaven and earth. In Hindu thought God is everywhere is right, but we cannot limit Him in a pillar or plant. Do not worship an idol. God works in the Universe independently. His presence is available to anyone at anytime. The risen Christ lives at the side of God. I will be in the midst of the one or two gather in my name. These promises show that Christ is with His people in the earth. God is omnipresent. God, the father and son Jesus are same. Moreover, the Holy Spirit transforms in the nature. He also makes the non-believers aware of sin, justice, and judgement. The prayer in the name of Jesus is being heard by God who is present everywhere. Let us submit ourselves in the presence of God to experience Him in the better way.



3. God is Omnipotent 

The most important thing for a successful life is the strong faith in the omnipresence of God.

a. Nature is under God

b. Man is under God. God made Nebuchadnezzar, the grate Babel king a grass eating ox. God reigns over the kingdom of men. Paul, the enemy of Christ was transformed at Damascus by God. So man is very weak.

c. Angels of God and Satan are under the will of God


God designs His omnipresence according to the goodness, will and perfection. Nothing is impossible to God, but he doesn't act anything which is contrary to eternal love, wisdom and holiness.


4. God is Omniscient: 

God knows everything and His wisdom do not end. God sees and knows everything. He knows the smallest and the largest in the nature in perfect way. He knows all men, their deeds and words. He understands men's sufferings and thoughts. God is wise to understand what happens from eternity and also the state of men there. God knows what is good for all men and what they will become. So, it is blessed to submit ourselves fully in the hands of God. God is the one who knows our secrecy and public matters. We should lead a holy life by submitting ourselves fully to the Lord who knows our sins, and the omnipresence of God help us to do so.


5. God is Eternal 

The subject 'eternity' is seen throughout the Bible. What do you mean by saying 'God is eternal'?  Do we get the awareness of the ages based on the events?

God is beyond times and ages. So, Moses tells in Psalms 90, 'Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Abraham also received this revelation. He worshiped in the name of Yahweh who is eternal. There are verses which talks of the eternity of God. God has not beginning and the end God is eternal and has no change in himself.


God is eternal. There is no need of talking about His beginning and sustaining. He is the life and the source of life.


We have learnt in this lesson, the natural attributes of God. He is omnipresent,omnipotent, omniscient and eternal. Let us learn the moral attributes of God in the next lesson. Let us praise God about His revelation to us.


Questions


1. Why is it necessary that one has to keep the right knowledge of God? 
2. How can once discover everything about the almighty God?
3. 'God is Spirit' Explain? 

Lesson 4 - How can find God?

Lesson 4 

How can find God?

Bible Portion: John 4:7-20, Job 23:1

Memory Verse: John 1:18

                            No one has seen God at any time. The only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

Introduction: God is above the reason and knowledge of man. No once can define him because he is eternal and omnipotent. No one can touch Him, and no media is sufficient to explain Him. We have learned that the evolution theory was the imagination of atheists. How can a man find great God? Is it possible through knowledge? Man's knowledge is limited. It remains as the fact that the Earth has gravitational force. Some men fail to understand God with their wisdom and become atheists. In order to fill their life's activities, they follow socialism, communism, nationalism, and evolution theory, but it does not give them ultimate peace and satisfaction. The question of how to find God remains unanswered. What will be the answer? 

God's Revelation: No one has ever seen God, but God the one and only, who is at the father's side, has made him known. (John 1:18). Men find and know the divinity through revelation. We experience the reveled God through faith and the reason fixes the spiritual experiences and consciousness of God. Men received revelations through various ways 

1. Nature 

 The heavens declare the glory of God, And the firmament shows His handiwork. 2 Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard.  Psalm 19:1-3

God is perfect and omniscient. His matchless authority is revealed through the wonderful creation. The glory of heavens full of stars. Montanans, vast seas, the colorfulness flowers, and life-death experience show it. The inventions of modern science reveal the creator and owner of the universe.

2. Conscience of Men

Conscience is the light of men's soul. It  reveals us the holiness and love of God, and also reminds us when committing sin against God 

The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, Searching all the inner depths of his heart. Prov. 20:27 

3. The Word of God 

The Bible is the written word of God. It took 1200 years for writing the Bible. There were 40 writers from different social backgrounds and they were inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Bible contains 66 books. Both rich and poor possess the Bible in their houses. It has been translated into major languages in the world and it is a bestselling book. The Bible had to undergo through the attacks of atheists, philosophers and rulers. Nero, the great Roman ruler burnt many hand written copies of Bible. The Bible was banned in communist countries like China, Russia and Yugoslavia and the people believed in the words of God were punished brutally. But the Bible is leading its way to victory. The world witnessed various changes in the history. Empires emerged and declined. Due to the scientific advancement, the life facilities get advanced. Developed countries gather destructive Atom bombs and neutron bombs. The Bible, in the midst of these elements, enlightens the World. Philosophies and scientific truths undergo through changes, God speaks to men through the word of God. So read the Bible with prayer in order to understand the eternal power and divinity of God. 

4. Jesus Christ 

God, who is invisible and abides in the great light, is revealed in the Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But God the one and only, who is at the father's side has made him know (John. 1:18 ). The revelation of God had been revealed to men through prophets in ancient days; but in was in parts. The revelation, comes to us, through Christ at the end time, is complete (Heb. 1 :12) 'God is Love' (  1 John 4:9)

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. ( 1 John 4:9)

The love of God is revealed to us by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Jesus died for us when we were sinners, weak, ungodly and enemies. Thus God revealed us the love.

For when we were still without strength, [d]in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.(Rom. 5: 6-10)

Jesus was the very nature of God's justice, holiness and compassion of God. Divine perfection is perfectly completed in Jesus Christ (Col. 2:9). The one who believes the Lordship if Jesus finds God and receives the manifold blessings.

The failure of God searches

 Many of the searchers of God fail in their attempt. What is the reason behind it?

1. Sin made man blind: He is unable to receive the light of the gospel of Jesus.


whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. (2 Cori. 4:4)

2. Sin made made deaf : The world man does not accept the teachings of the spirit of God. Many close their eyes before the gospel.

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us [d]diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. (1 Cori. 2:14)


3. Sin made man dead:  Through the sin of a man, sin entered into the world. Thus everyone become sinners and the sin has been spread everywhere in the world.

 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience (Eph. 2:1)


Man cannot accept God because they are blind, deaf and dead by sin. The broken radio, though may have decorated beautifully, cannot maintain the contract with the radio station. So men need a powerful savior to save them from sin. Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinners. One, who takes refuge in him, will be enlightened in heart, and they will open their ears to listen to the word of God. They will be owners of abundant life. Thus they will receive the divine revelation. Have you entered into such a blessed experience?


Questions

1. Why men cannot understand God through knowledge?
2. What are the main sources of God's revelation to men?
3. Explain the importance of the Bible?
4. Where or in whom do we find the perfect revelation of God?
5. Explain why do people fail to find God? What is the solution?

Lesson 3 - Theory of Evolution

    Theory of Evolution 

Objective :

                        Species in the universe including men, are not created from the species from lowest rank. We should understand that all species are created by God, not the result of the evolution process. 

Bible Portion: Genesis 1,2.

Memory Verse: Genesis 1:27-28

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God, He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

Bible very clearly describes that the universe and the species in it are created by God (Gen. 1,2). Not only atheists, but many Christian leaders also do not believe in the creation of narrated in the Bible. They prefer evolution theory formulated by Darwin. It is the only intuition that cannot be proved scientifically.

History of evolutionary thought 

Men in all ages try to deny the creator of the universe, and they hold the view of the creation of species from nature. Aristotle and the philosophers in ancient Greece were occupied with this view. Later, some scientists introduced the theory of spontaneous generation. They believed that species were formed from the decayed particles, worms, small fishes, frogs, and flies. Louie Pasteur asserted the fact with several experiments that the species are not created naturally or by its own. 

Louie Pasteur 

Charles Darwin published a book titled 'Origin of Species' in 1959. He described that evolution is a long term process, and the species seeing today are created from the single-celled amoeba. It took thousands of years. The way if its description is simple and attractive. But it does not contain convincing factors depending on his argument. It is only intuitions. The phrases like 'has some possibility' 'sound to believe,' and 'maybe so' are asserting the hollowness of the theory. Atheists and the people opposing the Bibleaccepted it as scientific truth and propagating it. In a short period, the theory has been spread almost everywhere and finds places in school books. But, Darwin himself had confessed in his last days that his findings were only mistakes. Lady Hopp, who visited him those days, testified so, It is notable that the scientists, who lived before and after, criticized his arguments.

Charles Darwin

A brief history of Evolution Theory 

Millions of years back, the single-celled creatures were created naturally. Evolution theorists have different views on it. Mutation and the handing over the behavior to the next generation helped the formation of single-celled species, hydra and then to the formation of birdes and animals and later to man. This is called the theory of evolution.

Laws of evolution

Let us examine some important laws put forward by evolution theorists.

1. Similarity in Anatomy  

The bones, veins, arteries, and fleshy structures are seen in a kind of animals are different slightly in other animals. To individual animals, that physical structure is more or less the same. The cat to dog and monkey to man is having the same physical structure. The species are graded according to this similarity and professed that there might be a common ancestor. 

This argument does not prove the evolution of thought. It reveals that all species are the creatures of the handiwork of great God. The houses built by the same engineer, are different from each other, but there is some common factor in the making. There is a need of commonness in necessary things. We have many high school buildings though they may be different in structures, run by the education department.

2. Gradation in classification:

We can classify the species according to the physical structures. The evolutionist arranges the species in a row. They range from single-celled Amoeba to the man with the concrete physical structure. In the lower row, we see paramecium, hydra, worm, and cockroach and in the upper range, there is dog, cat, goat, monkey, and man. Then the evolutionists raise their base of evidence in the form of the gradation takes place in these species. They assume that the gradation takes place from amoeba to paramecium and then to man. This view is utterly wrong and odd. 

a. In a library, the books are systematically ordered, and they are arranged according to the size and subject matter. Can anyone believe the false notion that the big books have been transformed from the small books? But the gradation in classification possibly considers the strength of evolution theory.

b. There finds a big gap or space between all kinds of species. For instance, the science is ignorant about the chains between species with and without spines. Dr. Alfred Roman, the zoologist form Harvard University admits it. Though there is certain common physical feature between man and monkey, there is a lot of difference in mental and moral areas. Where is the species that can be said as a link between man and monkey? Evolution theorists could not prove the existence such as animal.

2. Embryology 

Evolution theorists hold an argument over embryology. Embryo is undergone through some process. From the single celled species it becomes transformed into man. They hold the view that the embryo in mine months takes the form of protozoan, fish, amphibian and monkey; but the embryologists completely denies it. In the first phase of the growth of embryo, it does not have anything common to protozoan. Protozoan is an independent species, can eat and digest food as men. Embryo has no such peculiarities. Embryo has no gills like fish. The internal arrangements in man's body are unique. If man takes birth after millions of years, the embryo also will take some other forms. The fact is that the human embryo repeats again throughout these years. So, we can say undoubtedly that the evolutionistic arguments based on embryology are only an assumption without any basis.


3. Vestigial Organs 

The useless organs in human body are called vestigial organs.

Example: 1. Vermiform appendix in alimentary canal
 

2. Tonsils in throat

Evolution theorists believe that these organs were useful to ancestors and they became useless now. It also takes as an evidence for evolution theorists for their arguments. The modern anatomy denies their argument. It is useless to say that any organs in human body are of no use (E.S. Goodrich). Tonsils produce a hormone that is useful in absorbing poison from the food.

4. Mutation  

Mutation is a sudden departure from the parent type in one or more heritable characteristics, caused by a change in a gene. Different types of species are formed due to mutation. Evolution theorists uphold it as another proof for their arguments. Mutation was possible in medical lab in certain circumstances. Natural process of mutation is impossible. Evolution theory could not explain how mutation works from protozoan to man. Dr. H.J. Muller, the Nobel Prize winner, strongly denies the argument based on mutation.

1. In nature, mutation is rare.

2. Mutation is dangerous for species

3. The species will be destroyed gradually


5. Transmission of acquired characteristics 


Species change due to the pressure of environment. Such changes can be seen physically and also in behavior. These changes transfer to the predecessors and new species emerge. This is another argument of evolution theorists.Giraffe's forelegs and long neck is due to the transmission of acquired characteristics. The ancestors of Giraffes had to stretch their neck and forelegs to reach for the leaves. But it is not possible to transmit the physical changes and the acquired characteristics. Many scientists like Dr. Augustus Weismann, Dr. Paine and Dr. Kasin proved scientifically that the transmission acquired characteristic is a false notion.

6. Mendelism 

Mendal conducted experiments in plants for 62 years from 1882. He could discover that through cross breeding of animals and plants, new and better or them can be produced. Mendalism is not at all supporting evolution theory. Mendal took the species of same kind for the experiment, not between pulses and roots, hen and eagle. It was conducted with pulses and pulses. The process of reproduction is hereditary. New kind of species cannot be formed out of the same species. The Lord created living creatures according to their kinds.

7. Paleontological Evidence

Evolution theorists raised their base in the form of fossils of ancient creatures in layers of rocks. They hold the view that the fossils of the species of lower and higher kind can be seen in downside and upside. They imagine that the species of lower kind formed first and, from them the species with concrete physical structure. In the early stages of the theory, the evolution theorists had taken it as major evidence. They were unable to prove their view through experiments. The system of fossils up and down does indicate the places of species in a less number. There was no clarity of much species. In the lowest layer of rock, the fossils of big and small animals are found mixed. It shows the hollowness of their argument. It is clear that all creatures were living together. The later studies show that the scientists of evolution theory failed to analyze the time and age of species.


8. The Origin of Life 

Evolution theorists have nothing to say about the origin of life. There was a time men believed that wasps were formed out of manure and flies from decayed eggs and flesh. The science also had to believe the formation of bacteria through organic process. Many scientists like Louie Pasteur proved that life does not appear in not-living things. Some believe that the life was produced in American lab by Dr. Khorano, the Indian scientist. The fact is that he produced only proteins by putting together nucleotides. Life is the rendering of God. No one in the world could create the living cell of species. Those who argue the evolution of species was created. Moreover, they only discuss how different species are formed. It is acceptable and believable that the Lord created Living creatures according to their kinds








So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.(Gen. 1:21-24)