1. 2) God’s Being IV.Truth #4 – God is self-sufficient a.Definition: God does not need us or any aspect of creation for anything, yet we and the rest of creation have value and purpose.  This is also known as God’s aseity – This Latin word means “from oneself.”

2. 2) God’s Being b.Part 1 – GOD DOES NOT NEED US OR ANY ASPECT OF CREATION FOR ANYTHING Scriptural Support God Does Not Have Any Physical Needs Exodus 3:1-6 -The fact that the bush was not consumed suggests that God is life itself. Psalm 36:9 - For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. -Like a spring that brings forth a constant supply of water, God is the source of life God Does Not Have Any Relational Needs Job 41:11 -Who has preceded Me, that I should pay him? Everything under heaven is Mine. Acts 17:25 - Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. - God is not dependent on us.

3. 2) God’s Being c.Part 2 – YET WE AND THE REST OF CREATION HAVE VALUE AND PURPOSE Scriptural Support Humans Beings Have Value God created humans in His image (Genesis 1:26). God commissioned His Son to die for our sins (Romans 5:8, John 3:16). God rejoices over His people Isaiah 62:5 - And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So shall your God rejoice over you. Zeph. 3:17-18 - He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Humans Beings Have Purpose Humans have many purposes, but the ultimate purpose is to bring glory to God. 1 st Corinthians 10:31 - Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Jeremiah 9:24 – “But let him that glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight," says the LORD.

4. 2) God’s Being Discussion Questions Does God need us for fellowship? Is it possible to have worth if humans are not needed? If this is true, it would mean that He is not completely independent of creation. He would need to create persons in order to fulfill an incompleteness that exists within his nature. Trinity – evidence of God’s independence. Among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, there has always been perfect love, fellowship, and communication. John 17:24 - Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

5. 2) God’s Being Discussion Questions Is God selfish for demanding self-worship? The Compatibility of God’s Love and God’s Glory

6. 2) God’s Being d.Practical Applications i.God’s independence enhances our understanding of divine love; He chose to love us, even though we couldn’t benefit Him in return. This doctrine should strip us of insecurity. ii.God is perpetually self-sufficient; He does not run out of faithfulness or love; He remains stable throughout all generations. iii.We ought to be humble. God does not owe us anything, and He gave us everything. We owe God everything; every second of life is an unmerited blessing from our Creator.

7. 2) God’s Being "This [the aseity of God], of course, is simply a Latinate and inelegant expression for ‘self- existence,’ and at first sight it seems to offer little by way of pastoral application. But it does remind us of the self-sufficiency and inexhaustibleness of God. The bush burns and burns and is not consumed. Age after age God keeps on being and keeps on giving and keeps on loving. Care does not exhaust him, nor do the passing years render him irrelevant. For all other existences, there is a law of entropy - but not for God.“ “The Doctrine of God and Pastoral Care," in Engaging the Doctrine of God, ed. Bruce McCormack [Grand Rapids: Baker; Edinburgh: Rutherford House, 2008], 253)

8. 2) God’s Being “In theology, endless mistakes result from supposing that the conditions, bounds, and limits of our finite existence apply to God. The doctrine of His aseity stands as a bulwark against such mistakes. In our life of faith, we easily impoverish ourselves by embracing an idea of God that is too limited and small, and again the doctrine of God’s aseity stands as a bulwark to stop this happening. It is vital for spiritual health to believe that God is great (ps. 95:1-7), and grasping the truth of God’s aseity is the first step on the road to doing this.” - J.I. Packer

9. 2) God’s Being V.Truth #5– God is Immutable Definition - God is unchanging in his being, character, and purpose; having said this, God does act differently in various situations, and He applies different emotions to different circumstances. a. Scriptural Support i.Exodus 3:14 - I Am who I Am ii.Numbers 23:19 - God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? iii.God is referred to as a “Rock” –Deuteronomy 32: 4, 15, 18 –As the solid material of which mountains are formed, rock points to stability, unchangeableness, and faithfulness.

10. 2) God’s Being Scriptural Support iv.1 Samuel 15:29 - He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind. v.Malachi 3:6 - For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. vi.2 Timothy 2:13 - God “cannot disown himself” –Act in a way contrary to Himself vii.Romans 11:29 - God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable viii.James 1:17 - Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

11. 2) God’s Being b. Logical Support i.God’s Immutability and His Perfection If God could change for the better, what would this imply? If God could change for the worse, what would this imply? If God could change for the better, what would this imply? If God could change for the worse, what would this imply?

12. 2) God’s Being c. Practical Applications With one or two other people, answer the following question: The Bible affirms the immutability of God. How should this teaching affect the life of every believer? With one or two other people, answer the following question: The Bible affirms the immutability of God. How should this teaching affect the life of every believer? Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear What can man do to me?”