1 st Commandment What God Tells Us About Himself

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT You shall have no other gods. What does this mean? We should fear, love and trust in God above all things. #1

1 Corinthians 8:4 - So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and there is no God but one. a. The Bible teaches that there is only _____ God. AGAIN … HOW MANY? 1 Corinthians 8:4 - So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and there is no God but one.

“THE BIBLE teaches a strict monotheism”

b. The “PROBLEM” we have is that the Bible further reveals that this one God consists of three distinct persons.

John 17:3 - Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 1. The Father is referred to as God. John 17:3 - Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. According to this verse is it OK to “believe in God” in the abstract?

Colossians 2:9 - For in Christ all the fullness of the Diety lives in bodily form, 2. The Son is referred to as God. Colossians 2:9 - For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 3. The Holy Spirit referred to as God. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

c. The Bible further shows that they are distinct from each other.

Matthew 3:16-17 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 lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

d. The word the church has coined to express this truth is the “Trinity” or the “Triune” God. Since this is an important concept let’s make sure we define it carefully. The word “Triune” means … _______ in _____

REASON doesn’t work …

There is no diagram that TRULY fits though we sometimes “diagram” this way:

The Trinity is … __________ “persons” but only ______ essence.

“We worship one God in Trinity, Athanasian Creed and Trinity in unity; neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Substance.

e. The doctrine of the Trinity can give us much comfort; it need not frustrate us !!! Psalm 145:3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. If you/I could understand or fathom God … what would we be saying about: ourselves? Him? Psalm 145:3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

How does God want us to give him first place? God deserves glory above all because only he is God.

How does God want us to give him first place? We take glory away from God by respecting, loving, and trusting someone or something else more than God.

False God = Idol “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them. Exodus 20:4,5

We take glory away from God by not ____________ ___________ the Son honoring or worshipping

Failing to honor The Triune God = idolatry “No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” 1 John 2:23

Reverence, love or trust things or people

A CHRISTIAN WANTS TO Fear - to honor, respect “Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Ps. 86:11

A CHRISTIAN WANTS TO Love – to hold as our dearest treasure “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Mt. 22:37 Fear - to honor, respect

A CHRISTIAN WANTS TO Fear - to honor, respect Love – to hold as our dearest treasure Trust – to rely on, hold on to “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him…” Ps. 37:5

How does God want us to give him first place? We give God glory by respecting, loving and trusting in him more than anything or anyone else.

The Choice of False gods and the true God Protection vs. Problems

The Choice of False gods and the true God Comfort vs.Fear

The Choice of False gods and the true God Glory vs. Doom

The Choice of False gods and the true God Love vs. Coldness

How Does God help Me Keep This Commandment? Jesus saved us by keeping the first commandment perfectly “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matt 17:5

How Does God help Me Keep This Commandment? Jesus saved us by dying for our sins against this commandment. “Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” 1 Peter 3:18

How Does God help Me Keep This Commandment? Guides us in faithful living “Be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.” 1 Samuel 12:24