Transcription
Welcome to the reading of lesson two in our series of lessons growing in a relationship with God. The principal contributor is Nina Acherson. This lesson is entitled to know God and this lesson is for teaching on April 11, 2026. Your reader this week is Clive Nash. All texts are from the New King James Version of the Bible.
Before we get into the lesson, let us pray. Our loving father in heaven, we thank you that today we have the opportunity of studying this topic about knowing you and your character. And we pray that your holy spirit will guide us in this study. We pray too for some particular people. I'm thinking today of listeners in Guyana and I pray that you'll bring to them a rich blessing at this time. I'm also thinking of Gina Mendoza and her family who has asked for prayers to be heard for her and Daisy Mindy and her children. I pray that you'll be especially close to them at this time. And so we just commit our ways to you now as we open our study and we pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
We begin with Sabbath afternoon, April the 4th. And our memory text is from John 17:3, the New King James Version. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. That's John 17:3.
Having a clear understanding of God's character is foundational to having a strong relationship with him. That is why this week we will look carefully at what the Bible says about the character of God. Keep being in mind that it is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is enshrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of his character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted at this time. A message from God is to be proclaimed. A message illuminating in its influence and saving in its power. His character is to be made known. Into the darkness of the world is to be shed. The light of his glory, the light of his goodness, mercy and truth. The last message of mercy to be given to the world is revelation of his character of love. And that's by Ellen G. White, Christ object lessons, page 415.
It seems impossible to describe God adequately. And so the most we can do is point to what the Bible says about him. Although we will never know, especially now, everything there is to know about God's wonderful character, let's pray that as we learn more about him, our understanding of and love for him will deepen so that ultimately we will want to grow closer to him in order to reflect his love and character to others. And thank you, Pastor Clive. And now it's time for our author Nina Acherson to read our memory text once again for us today.
>> John 17:3 tells us, "And this is eternal life that they may know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."
Sunday, April 5. A clearer picture of God. The Bible gives the truest, clearest, and most consistent picture of God. The entire Bible seeks to peel back the unseen veil between our visible world and the invisible to show us where we've come from and where we're going and ultimately to show us who is in control and what God is like. From Genesis to Revelation, we read about the one true God who makes himself known to us through the Bible and through Jesus Christ, God incarnate. We can read about God's omnipotence. Job 1:12. And that verse says, "The Lord said to Satan, behold, all that he has is in your power. Only do not lay a hand on his person." So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. His omniscience, his all-knowing nature. Isaiah 46:9 and 10. And those verses say, "Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other. I am God and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things that are not yet done. Saying, "My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure." His justice. Isaiah 30:18. And that verse says, "Therefore the Lord will wait that he may be gracious to you and therefore he will be exalted that he may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for him. His mercy." Deuteronomy 7:9. And that verse says, "Therefore know that the Lord your God, he is God, the faithful God, who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love him and keep his commandments, his loving kindness and patience with us." Romans 2:4. And that verse says, "Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? His wisdom. 1 Corinthians 2:7. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory. His grace. 2 Corinthians 12:9. And that verse says, "And he said to me, my grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. His forgiveness. Matthew 6:14. And that verse says, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you." His will for our lives. Jeremiah 29:11. And that verse says, "For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope, his power to defeat death." John 11:25. And that verse says, "Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live." His kingship. Psalm 47:8, God reigns over the nations. God sits on his holy throne, his eternal nature. Deuteronomy 33:27. And that verse says, "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will thrust out the enemy from before you and will say destroy." And many other characteristics that give us abundant reasons to love and have an abiding relationship with him. The more we know about God and what he is like, the more we will love him and desire a close and abiding relationship with him.
It was Lucifer who first doubted God's character. His doubts about who God is ultimately led to the greatest battle in the history of our universe. Ever since that time, "It is Satan's constant study to keep the minds of men occupied with those things which will prevent them from obtaining the knowledge of God." That's by Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, page 740. Satan doesn't care what kind of picture of God we have. Pantheism, polytheism, deism, etc. as long as it is not an accurate one.
Read Genesis 3:1-5. Those verses say, "Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, you shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden, but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, "You shall not eat of it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die." Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you'll be like God, knowing good and evil." What was Satan's goal in his conversation with Eve? What lies did he tell Eve about God's character? Ultimately, Satan's message to Eve was this. God is keeping secrets from you. God does not want what is best for you. You can't trust him. Ellen White expands on this when she says, "From the opening of the great controversy, it has been Satan's purpose to misrepresent God's character and to excite rebellion against his law." And that's from Patriarchs and Prophets, page 338. How is God's character misrepresented in our world? More important, how might you at times have misrepresented his character to others? If you have, what can you do to change with the Holy Spirit's help? How can you show God's love to the people around you?
>> And thank you, Pastor Clive. And now it's time for our author, Nina Acherson, to read our memory text once again for us today. John 17:3 tells us, "And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."
Monday, April 6. God is holy. Holiness is not a word that most people use very often in their everyday language. Perhaps because there are so few holy things around us and about us. The Sabbath is a holy day in time and God is of course holy. Apart from God, our everyday lives lack holiness. If you do a study into the attributes most often associated with God's character, you'll discover that holiness is at the center of who God is. But what does that mean? Out of the following verses describe God. Leviticus 20:26. That verse says, "And you shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples that you should be mine." 1st Samuel 2:2, "No one is holy like the Lord, for there is none besides you, nor is there any rock like our God." Isaiah 57:15. That verse says, "For thus says the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is holy, I dwell in the high and holy place with him who has a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." and Ezekiel 38:23 which says, "Thus I will magnify myself and sanctify myself and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the Lord."
When the Bible describes God as the epitome of holiness, it means that he is completely void of and completely separated from evil and sin. God is 100% good from beginning to end. In this sense, God's holiness is central to all his other attributes. For example, God's love is a pure holy love. A love that is completely free from all selfishness and egotistic motives. His omniscience, all knowing is holy omniscience, meaning it is free from evil intentions. Would we trust an omniscient God if he weren't holy? Of course not. We would be afraid of him and rightly so. God's omnipotence being all powerful is holy omnipotence. Imagine a God who is omnipotent but not holy. He could be a powerful evil tyrant. Only God's holiness allows and enables us to really love him because he is good from beginning to end. This is why holiness is perhaps the most important characteristic to understand about God's character. Yet perhaps it is one of the most misunderstood as well.
Think about Bible characters such as Moses, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and John who came into God's presence. What was their first response? They removed their shoes, hid their faces, or fell down as though dead. As human beings, we are sinful and so unholy that we can't bear to stand in God's presence. Any human who looks at God's face will not live. Similarly, when G. White went into vision, she often cried, "Glory, glory, glory." because it was the one word that seemed to most capture what she saw. And of course, the four living creatures do not rest day or night without saying, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come." And that text in full says, "The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within, and they do not rest day or night, saying, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come."
>> Truly, God is pure holiness. And when we come to him, we must see him as such. How does knowing this inspire you? In what ways does this challenge you regarding your own character?
>> And thank you, Pastor Clive. And now it's time for our author, Nina Aerson, to read our memory text once again for us today. John 17:3 tells us, "And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."
Tuesday, April 7. God is love. Love is perhaps the most common word used by Christians to describe God's character. This could be because of the identity statement about God in 1 John 4:8 which says God is love. And that verse in full says he who does not love does not know God for God is love. John doesn't say God is loving but rather God is love. Love is his character, the very essence of who he is. For many people, their picture of God emerges from their human definition of love, which is always distorted and imperfect. Instead, our very definition of love should be shaped by who God is and what he reveals about himself in his inspired word.
What does 1 John 4:7-19 explain to us about love? And those verses read, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 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. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and his love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us because he has given us of his spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him and he in God. And we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this that we may have boldness in the day of judgment because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love him because he first loved us."
God's love is perfect, free, and deeply relational as revealed in the repeated invitation to abide in him in first John because "We have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God and God in him." 1 John 4:16. And that verse again reads, "And we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God and God in him."
God is love, and he created us in his image. Genesis 1:27, to love and to desire love. And Genesis 1:27 says, "For God created man in his own image. In the image of God he created him, male and female he created them." In Hebrew, one major word for love is hessed. That's h-e-s-e-d. Hessed. This describes God's covenant love for humanity which encompasses traits of loyalty, protectiveness, steadfastness, and tenderness. The ancient languages of Hebrew and Greek use many different names to refer to God. Names whose meanings capture and shed light on different aspects of God's beautiful character. Here are just two examples. Adonai, A-D-O-N-A-I, Adonai, the Lord of all who reigns forever in reference to the covenant. Genesis 15:2 and that verse says, "But Abram said, Lord God, what will you give me seeing I go childless and the heir of my house is Eleazar of Damascus." and Judges 6:15 which says, "So he said to him, Oh my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house." Malachi 1:6, which says, "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the father, where is my honor? If I am a master, where is my reverence, says the Lord of hosts, to you priests who despise my name? Yet you say, "In what way have we despised your name?" Psalm 97:5, which says, "The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth." Yahweh, Y-A-H-W-E-H, meaning the Lord will provide. Genesis 22:13 and 14. And those verses say, "Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. And Abraham called the name of the place, the Lord will provide. As it is said to this day, in the mount of the Lord, it shall be provided."
Ultimately, the greatest expression of God's love is revealed through the gift of his son to this earth. John 3:16, who died for sinners, Romans 5:8. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life." And Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates his own love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." God could have withheld this from humanity. Yet because of his magnanimous, radical, supremely altruistic love, God sent Jesus to earth so that we might freely choose to respond to his love revealed in his substitutionary death on our behalf. Not only did Jesus bridge the separation that sin had brought between us and God, Isaiah 59:1-2, he lived to show us God's perfect character of love. John 14:9 and Hebrews 1:3 and to draw all people to himself. John 12:32. Isaiah 59:1-2 says, "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save, nor his ear heavy that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." John 14:9 says, "Jesus said to him, Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. So how can you say, show us the Father?" And Hebrews 1:3 says, "For being the brightness of his glory and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high." And John 12:32 says, "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to myself."
Many of God's names capture his holiness and love at their core. Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. And in every case, replace the word love with God. And 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 says, "Love suffers long and is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up. Does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail. Whether there are tongues, they will cease. Whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away." How does this expand your understanding of God's character? If you were to place your name where it says love, how well would that fit you?
>> And thank you, Pastor Clive. And now it's time for our author, Nina Aerson, to read our memory text once again for us today. John 17:3 tells us, "And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."
Wednesday, April 8. God in creation. You probably know from memory the first words in the Bible. In the beginning, God. In Hebrew, the word for God here is Elohim. Although this word can be used when talking about false gods, when it refers to the one true God, it describes an almighty, all-powerful creator in connection with the whole of creation, the transcendent God who is beyond our understanding but in control of everything. He is so powerful that when he speaks something is created just from his voice. But in the next chapter, Genesis 2, there appears a different name for God, Yahweh. This name connects to Elohim. Yahweh Elohim, the same all-powerful, almighty God. But the name Yahweh is the more personal name of the one true God. Often used to emphasize that God is the covenant God in loving relation with his created people.
Compare the descriptions of God in Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 2:7. Genesis 1:1 says, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." And Genesis 2:7 says, "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being." What do you notice in Genesis 2:7? We can imagine God kneeling to form the first human being out of the ground with his own hands. "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being." This is a God who gets close. So close that he breathes into Adam's nostrils the breath of life. This name Yahweh presents a more intimate picture of God. But Moses uses both names in the first two chapters of the Bible to describe these two characteristics of God to us. How astonishing, we see here God's transcendence to us as Elohim and his imminence, his closeness to us as Yahweh. How good for us to think of both of these aspects of God's character, his overall control of everything, and his nearness to us. As Paul said to the Athenians on Mars Hill, "He is not far from each one of us, for in him we live and move and have our being." Acts 17:27-28. Those verses read, "So that they should seek the Lord in the hope that they might grope for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, for we are also his offspring."
It's important that we continue to seek a clear, balanced picture of God based on what the Bible tells us about God's character in order to grow in a relationship with him. This is why it's important to read all parts of the Bible rather than focusing on only one portion. Truly, the more we learn about the character of God, the more we will learn to love him.
Read as Elihu describes some of God's attributes in Job 36:24-33 and Job 37. Job 36:24-33. "Remember to magnify his work of which men have sung. Everyone has seen it. Man looks on it from afar. Behold, God is great, and we do not know him; nor can the number of his years be discovered. He draws up drops of water, which distill as rain from the mist, which the clouds drop down and pour abundantly on man. Indeed, can anyone understand the spreading of clouds, the thunder from his canopy? Look, he scatters his light upon it and covers the depths of the sea. For by these he judges the peoples. He gives food in abundance. He covers his hands with lightning and commands it to strike. His thunder declares it. The cattle also concerning the rising storm." Job 37 says, "At this also my heart trembles and leaps from its place. Hear attentively the thunder of his voice and the rumbling that comes from his mouth. He sends it forth under the whole heaven, his lightning to the ends of the earth. After it a voice roars. He thunders with his majestic voice, and he does not restrain them when his voice is heard. God thunders marvelously with his voice. He does great things which we cannot comprehend. For he says to the snow, "Fall on the earth." Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of his strength. He seals the hand of every man that all men may know his work. The beasts go into dens and remain in their layers. From the chamber of the south comes the whirlwind and cold from the scattering winds of the north. By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen. Also with moisture he saturates the thick clouds. He scatters his bright clouds and they swirl about, being turned by his guidance that they may do whatever he commands them on the face of the whole earth. He causes it to come, whether for correction or for his land or for mercy. Listen to this, oh Job. Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God. Do you know when God dispatches them and causes the light of his cloud to shine? Do you know how the clouds are balanced? Those wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge. Why are your garments hot when he quiets the earth by the south wind? With him have you spread out the skies, strong as a cast metal mirror. Teach us what we should say to him, for we can prepare nothing because of the darkness. Should he be told that I wish to speak? If a man were to speak, surely he would be swallowed up. Even now men cannot look at the light when it is as bright in the skies. When the wind has passed and cleared them, he comes from the north as golden splendor. With God is awesome majesty. As for the Almighty, we cannot find him. He is excellent in power, in judgment, and abundant justice. He does not oppress. Therefore, men fear him. He shows no partiality to any who are wise of heart."
Then read God's declaration of his omnipotence in Job 38 and 39. Job 38 says, "Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man. I will question you, and you shall answer me. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know, or who stretched the line upon it? What were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut in the sea with doors, when it burst forth and issued from the womb? When I made the clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band. When I fixed my limit for it, and set bars and doors. When I said, 'This far you may come, but no farther, and here your proud waves must stop.' Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, that it might take hold of the ends of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it? It takes on form like clay under a seal, and stands out like a garment. From the wicked, their light is withheld, and the upraised arm is broken. Have you entered the springs of the sea, or have you walked in search of the depths? Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death? Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth? Tell me if you know all this. Where is the way to the dwelling of light and darkness? Where is its place that you may take it to its territory, that you may know the paths to its home? Do you know it because you were born then? Or because the number of your days is great? Have you entered the treasury of snow? Or have you seen the treasury of hail, which I have reserved for the time of trouble, or the day of battle and war? By what way is light diffused, or the east wind scattered over the earth? Who has divided a channel for the overflowing water, or a path for the thunderbolt to cause it to rain on a land where there is no one? A wilderness in which there is no man, to satisfy the desolate waste and cause to spring forth the growth of tender grass? As the rain, a father. For who has begotten the drops of dew? From whose womb comes the ice? And the frost of heaven who gives it birth? The waters harden like stone, and the surface of the deep is frozen. Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, or loose the belt of Orion? Can you bring out Mazaroth in its season? Or can you guide the Great Bear with its cubs? Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you set their dominion over the earth? Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that an abundance of water may cover you? Can you send out lightnings that they may go and say to you, 'Here we are.' Who has put wisdom in the mind? Or who has given understanding to the heart? Who can number the clouds by wisdom? For who can pour out the bottles of heaven when the dust hardens in clumps and the clouds cling together? Can you hunt the prey for the lion? Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions when they crouch in their dens or lurk in their layers to lie and wait? Who provides food for the raven when its young ones cry to God, wander about lack of food?" And Job 39 says, "Do you know the time when the wild mountain goats bear young, or can you mark when the deer gives birth? Can you number the months that they fulfill? Do you know the time when they bear young? They bow down, they bring forth their young, they deliver their offspring. Their young ones are healthy. They grow strong with grain. They depart and do not return to them. Who set the wild donkey free? Who loosed the bonds of the onager? Whose home I have made the wilderness and the barren land his dwelling? He scorns the tumult of the city. He does not heed the shouts of the driver. The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searches after every green thing. Will the wild ox be willing to serve you? Will he bed by your manger? Can you bind the wild ox in the furrow with ropes? Or will he plow the valleys behind you? Will you trust him because his strength is great? Or will you leave your labor to him? Will you trust him to bring home your grain and gather it to your threshing floor? The wings of the ostrich wave proudly, but are her wings and pinions like the kindly stalks? For she leaves her eggs on the ground and warms them in the dust. She forgets that a foot may crush them or that a wild beast may break them. She treats her young harshly as though they were not hers. Her labor is in vain without concern. Because God deprived her of wisdom and did not endow her with understanding. When she lifts herself on high, she scorns the horse and its rider. Have you given the horse strength? Have you clothed his neck with thunder? Can you frighten him like a locust? His majestic snorting strikes terror. He pours in the valley and rejoices in his strength. He gallops into the clash of arms. He mocks at fear and is not frightened, nor does he turn back from the sword. The quiver rattles against him, the glittering spear and javelin. He devours the distance with fierceness and rage. Nor does he come to a halt because the trumpet has sounded. At the blast of the trumpet, he says, "Aha!" He smells the battle from afar, the thunder of captains and shouting. Does the hawk fly by your wisdom and spread its wings toward the south? Does the eagle mount up at your command and make its nest on high? On the rock it dwells and resides on the crag of the rock and the stronghold. From there it spies out the prey. Its eyes observe from afar. Its young ones suck up blood. Where the slain are, there it is."
What do these passages reveal to us about God?
>> And thank you, Pastor Clive. Now, it's time for the reading of our memory text again by the author, Nina Aerson. >> John 17:3 tells us, "And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."
Thursday, April 9. Emmanuel, God with us. If you were looking to share with a non-Christian a description from the Bible about God's character, where would you turn? The best answer, of course, would be to Jesus. The Bible says that Jesus not only reflects God, but reveals God. There are many Bible passages that explain this. But the one that does so most simply is John 14:9. Here Jesus says, "He who has seen me has seen the Father." New King James Version. And that text in full is, "Jesus said to him, Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. So how can you say, show us the Father?"
In order to know more about what God the Father is like, we should look to Jesus, his words, his actions, his manner, and his great love toward humanity as displayed in his death and resurrection. The love and care of the Father is most clearly expressed in his son Jesus. The beauty of the Bible is that God has given us four rich perspectives on the life of Jesus so that we can have a fuller picture of who he is. In Matthew, written by a Jew for Jews, we see Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah who fulfilled what was promised. In Mark, we see Jesus living an active life of service and sacrifice. He was always thinking of others and always responsive to the will of his Father. In Luke, we can read about how Jesus felt with his humanity and compassion. And we can read this account to have assurance that what we read is true. Luke 1:3-4. And those verses say, "It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed." In John, we see the incarnate Son of God and are invited to believe that Jesus is who he says he is so that our spiritual lives can be revived.
Although all four Gospels explore the same ground, "they do not represent things in just the same style. Each writer has an experience of his own, and this diversity broadens and deepens the knowledge that is brought out to meet the necessities of varied minds." End of quote. And that's from L.G. White, Manuscript 105, 1900.
Which gospel have you read most recently? In Matthew 1:23, a specific name is given to Jesus. Matthew 1:23 says, "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which is translated, God with us." Why is this so significant in understanding God's character? Read Matthew 28:20, focusing on the last part of the verse. Matthew 28:20 says, "Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you. And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen." Compare these two verses. What do you notice?
We've touched only the surface of this huge topic, the character of God. God is greater and more incredible than we can fathom, and we will forever be learning about him into eternity. God deserves our praise for who he is and what he has done and is doing in our lives. Take some time now to offer up a prayer of praise to God for who he is. Be specific about what the Bible tells you about God. For example, thank you God for being so-and-so as you tell me in such-and-such.
>> And thank you, Pastor Clive. Now, it's time for the reading of our memory text again by the author, Nenah Acherson. John 17:3 tells us, "And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."
Friday, April 10. Further thought. God calls his people to represent his character. But to do this, we need to know him for ourselves. The best way to see him clearly, despite our sinful human eyes that too often misunderstand his holy and perfect ways, is through searching his word, the Bible. "All the paternal love which has come down from generation to generation through the channel of human hearts, all the springs of tenderness which have opened in the souls of men are but as a tiny rill to the boundless ocean when compared with the infinite, exhaustless love of God. Tongue cannot utter it. N cannot portray it. You may meditate upon it every day of your life. You may search the scriptures diligently in order to understand it. You may summon every power and capability that God has given you in the endeavor to comprehend the love and compassion of the heavenly Father. And yet there is an infinity beyond. You may study that love for ages, yet you can never fully comprehend the length and the breadth, the depth and the height of the love of God in giving his son to die for the world. Eternity itself can never fully reveal it. Yet, as we study the Bible and meditate upon the life of Christ and the plan of redemption, these great themes will open to our understanding more and more." That's why Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, page 740.
Discussion questions.
Question one. As you consider the attributes of God that you've studied this week, which one has most impacted your understanding of God?
Question two. What other attributes of God could you study to deepen and strengthen your relationship with him?
Question three. Would a family member or friend read or listen to Steps to Christ chapter 1 and discuss it together? What new insights about God's character and Jesus as this chapter made you think about?
Question four. Many people have a distorted picture of God which Jesus came to correct. What can you do to share a clear, accurate picture of God's character with those in your sphere of influence?
And finally, question five. Consider again what you learned on Monday's reading. Although we're clearly sinful and not holy, the Bible also makes some clear statements about God's people living holy lives. Read 1st Peter 1:13-16, Romans 6:22, and Hebrews 12:14. And 1 Peter 1:13-16 says, "Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind. Be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 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." And Romans 6:22 says, "But now, having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life." And Hebrews 12:14, "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." God is holy and invites us to be holy. But what does it really mean to live a holy life?
Summary. From the beginning of creation, God has desired to be in close relationship with us. Although our understanding of his character is the target of Satan's attacks, God reveals himself to us most clearly through his word and through the life of his son Jesus. Ultimately, having a clear, beautiful picture of God is essential if we want to deepen our relationship with him.
And thank you, Pastor Clive. Now, it's time for the reading of our memory text again by the author, Nenah Acherson. John 17:3 tells us, "And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."
Refusing to fly on Sabbath, 7th Day Adventist entrepreneur Kasar Mangulu Kavati built a business empire in the Democratic Republic of Congo that included farming, fishing, clothing, and a cargo airline called Kavati Airlines. At one point, Kavati Airlines leased a Boeing 707 jet from a partner in Kenya. It was a complicated agreement involving the Kenya partner leasing the plane from a Dubai company, and the Dubai company in turn leasing the plane from the owner in Britain. Under the lease terms, Kavati Airlines was to share its profits with the entities in Kenya, Dubai, and Britain. The cargo transports went smoothly until bad weather cancelled a flight on a Friday. The Kenyan partner insisted that the flight take off on Saturday. But Casar refused. "There is no way that I can fly on Sabbath," he said. The partner called Dubai. "We gave this man our jet and he doesn't want to fly on Saturday," he said. "Try to convince him this is a business matter." The Dubai company appealed to Caserica, but he wouldn't waver. So, the Dubai company contacted the British owner, a white man who knew Swahili. He called Caserica and asked, "Why aren't you flying today?" "I'm a 7th Day Adventist," Casar said. "Is that a church?" "Yes, it's a church." Then the owner contacted other people who had leased aircraft to Kavati Airlines and asked about Caserica. They described him as a good man. "This is a matter of faith," they said. "The Sabbath is related to his faith." The owner instructed his partners in Dubai and Kenya to back off. "It's a matter of faith, so leave him alone," he said. During the fourth month lease, Casar flew the jet every day of the week except on Sabbath. Then he returned the aircraft. A year later, the British owner made a phone call to Caserica. "I'd like to meet you face to face," he said. "I want to come to your house and see where you live." The man flew to the Democratic Republic of Congo and stayed in Casar's guest house. "I came here with a purpose," he said. "I wanted to know if I would find a man still holding on to the faith that made him refuse to fly on Saturdays." And then he dropped a bombshell. "I have never made such a big profit as I did during those four months that we worked together." He said, "Because of your faith, I'm giving you a small aircraft for free." He presented Casar with an 18-seat private jet. Casar was humbled and amazed. "I am just serving the Lord," he replied.
Remember, God is always faithful.