In this second message in our Creed series, Pastor Bill focused on the statement, “I believe in God.” How do we discover and examine the truths that give meaning and purpose to life? Adam Hamilton believes that some powerful answers are contained in the Apostles’ Creed, an early statement of foundational Christian beliefs.
CREED: I BELIEVE IN GOD
Message by Bill Johnston – February 18, 2018
“Your relationship with God right now reveals what you believe about Him. It is spiritually impossible for you to believe one way and practice another. What you believe about God will determine what you do and how you live. What you do reveals what you believe about God, regardless of what you say.” Henry Blackaby
WHAT DO CHRISTIANS BELIEVE ABOUT GOD?
1. HE EXISTS
Psalm 90:1-2 Lord, through all the generations you have been our home! Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.
2. HE IS A GOOD FATHER
Psalm 106:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
3. HE IS ALMIGHTY
Genesis 17:1-2 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.”
4. HE IS THE CREATOR
Isaiah 45:18 For the Lord is God, and he created the heavens and earth and put everything in place. He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty chaos. “I am the Lord,” he says, “and there is no other.”
5. HE REVEALS HIMSELF
Matthew 11:27 No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
WHY DO CHRISTIANS BELIEVE IN GOD?
1. BECAUSE OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
Romans 1:19-20 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
2. BECAUSE OF PRACTICAL EVIDENCE
Psalm 19:1-4 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.
3. BECAUSE OF PERSUASIVE EXPOSURE
Acts 4:13 The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Some examples:
- Changes your perspective of the world
- Changes how you see yourself
- Affects your values and priorities
- Enables you to discover what God wants to do with your life
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.
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