God

Who and What is God?

God is the only self existent, eternal, infinite, true and living supreme Deity, who is the creator and perservator of all beings and things in the universe.

Colossians 1:16-17
16 For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him.
17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Can we completely understand the concept of God?

The answer is revealed when we ask ourselves the following questions:

1. Do you think you have all the knowledge in the universe?
2. Do you think you have 1% of all the knowledge in this universe?
3. Let us presume that you have 1% of all knowledge of the universe, then do you think God can exist in the 99% of all the knowledge in this universe which you do not have?

5 main reasons why we know God exists

1. His consciousness/logical thinking
2. his conscience
3. It's a Universal belief
4. The complicated ways in which this universe has been designed
5. The Law of Cause and Effect

7 reasons why people choose to deny God

1. He may be a fool.
2. He may be unreasonable.
3. He may be self-decieved.
4. He may not want to be accountable.
5. He may be reduced to the level of a beast.
6. He may choose to be on Satan's side.
7. He may be developing his mind and body at the expense of his heart.

3 options regarding the existence of God

1. There is no God
2. Everything and everyone is or potentially is a god.
3. There is only one true, living and loving God.

Our concept of God determines how we relate to Him and how we live our life!

Nature, Character and Attributes of God

1. God is a spirit John 4:24
2. God is a person James 4:8
3. God is eternal Psalm 90:2
4. God is good Psalm 107:1
5. God is love 1 John 4:7-8
6. God is holy Isaiah 6:3
7. God is just Deuteronomy 32:4
8. God is infinitely great 1 King 8:27
9. God is omnipotent Genesis 17:1
10.God is omnipresent Jeremiah 23:23-24, Psalm 139:7-10
11.God is omniscient Psalm 139:1-4, Psalm 147:5
12.God is immutable Malachi 3:6

a. God's Word doesn't change.
b. God's covenant/promises doesn't change.
c. God's love doesn't change.
d. God's desire to bless us doesn't change.
e. Jesus Christ doesn't change.

The 10 broad stages of Christ's life

1. His Pre-existence
2. His Creation
3. His Incarnation
4. His Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension of Triumph
5. His Highest Position
6. His High Priestly Role
7. His Presence in Believers
8. His Return
9. His Judgement Day
10.His Ultimate Rulership

2 Promises Jesus gave to see us through eternity

1. Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that He which begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

2. Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the thone of God.

Think

You were walking down the street one day when you saw oranges on the floor, nicely arranged in a circle.

Do you think it was caused by an accident or was it created by someone else?

Same goes with the Big Bang Theory. Look at our universe. The planets are so neatly arranged! How can an accident ever create such a beautiful universe?! There must be a creator behind it - God!

Salvation Prayer

3 Vital Aspects in the Salvation Prayer

1. Recognised our sinful nature.

Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

2. Recognised our inability to save ourselves.

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -
9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

3. Recognised Christ's ability to redeem us.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

5 steps to Salvation

1. Come before God.
2. Believe that God loves you and He sent His Son to die for you.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

3. Repent from our sins.

Luke 13:3
But unless you repent, you too will all perish.

4. Confess with your mouth.

Romans 10:10
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

5. Recieve Jesus.

John 1:12
Yet to all who recieved Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.

Prayer

What is Prayer?

Prayer is communicaiton and fellowship with God.

God's Word = Spiritual Food
Prayer = Spiritual breathing and exercise

Common Misconception of Prayer:

1. Prayer is an emergency hotline.
2. Pray only when you are in trouble or dire needs.

Purpose of Prayer

1. Expresses and demonstrates our trust and dependence on God.
2. Deepens our relationship with God.
3. Strengthens our faith in God.
4. Brings answers and solutons.
5. Increases our joy.
6. A means of intercession for others.
7. A weapon of spiritual warfare to defeat the devil.

3 Basis for Prayer

1. God created us, so He will take care of us.

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

2. God lives up to His Word

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

3. God loves us, so He will not turn a deaf ear to our cries.

Psalm 116:1-2
1 I love the Lord for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.

Authority in Prayer - Jesus

Why do we pray in Jesus' name?

1. His name is above all names.

Philippians 2:10
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth...

2. Jesus is the name the demons recognised.

Acts 19:15
One day, the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?"

3. Jesus is the name in which our prayers are answered.

John 14:14
You may ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it.

Why Prayer when God already knows our needs?

1. Just like our earthly father, God loves to hear from us expressing our very desires and needs.

2. God wants to develop our dependence on Him.

10 Types of Prayer

1. Salvation
2. Confession
3. Promise
4. Intercessory
5. Warfare
6. Worship
7. Consecration
8. Mountain-moving
9. Scripture
10. Conversational

8 Hindrances to Prayer

1. Wrong kind of prayer
2. Out of God's will
3. Not specific
4. Harboring a sin

Psalm 66:18
If I cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

5. Lack of faith

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

6. Wrong motives

James 4:3
When you ask, you do not recieve, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

7. Unforgiveness

Mark 11:25
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

8. Lack of corresponding action

James 2:17
Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Results of Prayer

1. Yes - your request is beneficial to your physical/spiritual growth
2. No - your request is not beneficial to your physical/spiritual growth
3. Wait - you are not ready to handle it yet

Praying in Tongues

1. It is allowing the Holy Spirit to pray in and through us in a language known only to God.

2. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, by interceding for us.

3. He intercedes for us according to the will of God.

Romans 8:26-27
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance to God's will.

Art of Prayer

1. Set a regular time for prayer.
2. Prayer unceasingly, adopt a prayer attitude throughout the day.
3. Cultivate and maintain a 2-way communication.
4. Be still, wait and listen.
5. Adopt an attitude of gratitude.

The Bible

What is the Bible?

The Bible is God's special book written to His special people. It comprises of 66 books written by more than 40 writers from different walks of life (fishermen, doctor, prophets, kings...).
The bible has one consistent theme, that is, God's love and redemption plan.

1 Timothy 2:5-6
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Who is the author of the Bible?

GOD. Even though the bible is written by more than 40 writers, the contents are all given by God. God used these writers to record His Word.

2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

What is the purpose of the Bible?

The Bible reveals to us God's revelation, divine truth, the way to everlasting life and the way to live this life.

Matthew 4:4
Man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

Why are there so many versions of the Bible?

The different versions of the Bible cater to the different levels of understanding, individual preferences and there are different strengths and weaknesses of each versions.

Keys to effective Bible Study:

1. Read with understanding
2. Reflect on what you have read.
3. Apply what you have read.

3 Vital benefits from reading the Word of God:

1. Fruitful life
2. Enduring life
3. Prosperous life

Psalm 1:1-3
1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.