Question 3: How do we know there is a God?

The light of nature in man, and the works of God, plainly declare that there is a God; but his word and Spirit only, do effectually reveal him unto us for our salvation.

Charles Spurgeon, preaching his sermon titled Aeneas said, “Mr. Whitfield used to say that he could wish to preach all day and all night long to those who really knew that they wanted Christ. We are bound to preach to everybody, for our Master said, “preach the gospel to every creature” under heaven; but, oh, when we get at a knot of hungry souls it is easy and pleasant work to feed them with the bread of heaven; and when hearts are thirsty it is sweet work to hand out the living water, for they are all eager to take it. You know, the great difficulty is that you can bring a horse to the water, but you cannot make him drink if he is not thirsty; and so you may set Jesus Christ before men, but if they do not feel their need of him they will not have him. You may preach in tones of thunder, or plead with accents of intense affection, but you cannot stir them to desire the grace which is in Christ Jesus, unless they feel their need of it.”

Spurgeon was considered the last of the Puritans and referred to as the Prince of Preachers. He was one who held high the sovereignty of God and was unwavering in the proclamation of the reformed faith. From this excerpt, we can see that He was one who spoke very clearly that people did not come to God for salvation out of manipulation or emotional appeal. He spoke of people only coming to Christ if they “feel their need”. How will they “feel their need”?

Our question this week asks, “How do we know there is a God”? As fathers we want to make clear to our families the difference between natural knowledge (the first part of the answer), and special revelation (the second part of the answer). Most people will agree that there is a god, but making him definite is another story. Our answer says that, the light of nature in man, which is the core of man’s being, tells him that there is a God. It also says the works of God, which is the creation around us, declares that there is a God. However, this kind of knowledge is only good enough to hold someone accountable and to damn them. It is not enough to save.

But the follow up to the question says that God must give special revelation (His word & His Spirit) in order for one to be saved and know the true living God. We cannot save others, even those of our own home, but we can make available to them that which does save: God’s word & prayer that His Spirit will bring forth fruit as He sees fit to produce it for His glory.

This is really a wonderful subject! Enjoy it this week and don’t be afraid to go deep with it. It should be very interesting.

DAY 1: Romans 1:18-20

This passage follows the definition of what has the power of God to save, which is the gospel (vs. 16). Notice that salvation is provided for both Jews and Greeks, which tells us that God does not discriminate according to ethnic background.

He also does not discriminate against people when it comes to natural revelation. Verse 18 says that God’s revelation of His wrath is revealed to all men as well.

What is God’s wrath against? Two words are used, ungodliness (asebeia) and unrighteousness (adikia). Asebeia means “a lacking of reverance toward God”. This refers to their lack of fear of God (cf. Rom. 3:10-18). Adikia means, “deeds violating law and justice”. This has to do with their conduct and way of life.

Ask those of your family if they believe that God’s wrath is against their ungodliness and unrighteousness. Let them know that just believing that will not save them, but that they are realizing what is evident about God, if they answer in the affirmative.

Men naturally suppress the truth about God that is revealed in nature. This means they hold it down or back. They revert to denial about the truth about God.

Verse 19 tells us that God has placed within us the reality of the existence of God. He has done this through our reasoning cabapilities (cf. Rom. 1:20-21) and the moral law of God within us (cf. Rom. 2:14-15)

Verse 20 tells us that at least 2 things have been revealed to the creation since its inception: God’s eternal power and His Godhead. These things are INVISIBLE, yet they are CLEARLY SEEN. The term “eternal power” is where we draw the concept of omnipotence. God is all powerful and that power is not relinquished under any circumstances. He has always been all powerful and will continue to be all powerful. His Godhead refers to His divine nature. This means that creation itself declares that God is not a part of creation, but rather that He is above the creation, indeed, divine.

What does God say about every man who rejects the truth of Himself and the gospel? Today, many, even in the church many do not realize that ALL men are without excuse. Dialogue with your family about the reality of judgment on those, even who have never heard the gospel.

DAY 2: Psalm 19:1-2

David uses the Hebrew word for glory, “kabowd”, which comes from a root word which, again, means weighty or heavy. We discussed the term glorify last week. Here it speaks of God’s glory, His weightiness, so to speak.

David speaks of the awe that should be inspired in the beholder of God’s creation. He says that the heavens declare God’s glory. Speak with your children about some of the planets, the stars and the universe and its wonderful design.

Verse one also refers to the firmament, which is another reference to heavens. Considered by the Hebrews to be the area holding up the waters in the air before the flood. What David indicates is that God’s handiwork, the results of His power is on display for all men to see.

Day unto day and night unto night speak of a continuous declaration of God’s glory and His handiwork.

Share some incredible invention and what it does and then compare that with the glorious creation of God.

DAY 3: 2 Timothy 3:15; 1 Corinthians 2:9,10

In the 2 Timothy passage, Paul commends Timothy and reminds him of his godly heritage. He reminds him how the Holy Scriptures were taught to him and how he received them from his mother and grandmother (1:5).

Paul says that the Scriptures are able to do what? It is not that the Scriptures CAN SAVE YOU. It is ONLY CHRIST WHO CAN SAVE.

The Scriptures only make you wise unto salvation. Apart from the Spirit applying His power to the Scriptures, there is no salvation. But when He does, The call from the Scriptures becomes effectual. ***Remind your family that it is not only the Scriptures from the New Testament, but that Timothy had only the Old Testament Scriptures that were given to him, which pointed to The coming Messiah.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul is speaking in this passage about hidden wisdom and ties it to the fact that if it had been revealed to the rulers of his day, the wouldn’t have crucified the Lord of glory.

What does God say has not been revealed to everyone? Who has it been revealed to? Who reveals it?

Share with your family that it is a mystery how the Spirit does His revealing, but that God has given us enough evidence in His word that we can believe that the Spirit is the One Who makes the Word of God effectual unto us for our salvation.

DAY 4: Matthew 11:27

The context of this passage is an invitation for those who were burdened by the demands placed upon them by the religious leaders. Jesus calls for the ones who feel burdened to come and take His yoke upon them (vs. 28-30). In making this invitation, He clearly defines who will come and why in verse 27.

What things have been given to Jesus by the Father?

Who is the only one who knows the Son?

Who knows the Father? Who reveals the Father to man??

Help your family understand the meaning of the term “know”, used in this passage. It means to be thoroughly acquainted with. It is used of the intimate knowledge between a man and his wife. This is how intimate the Father and Son are and how intimate the Father will be with those whom the Son reveals Him to.

Can man just determine there is a God from creation and then be intimately acquainted with the one true God?

DAY 5: James 2:19

Is it good to believe in one God? What about Muslims, who believe in one God?

Do the demons believe in the one true God?

James speaks of this belief in one God in the context of presenting evidence that gives validity to true saving faith. In doing so, he presents an illustration of someone who “says” that he believes, while he contrasts someone who believes and gives evidence to the claim.

The passive belief spoken of here by James does not constitute saving faith. Yet many who claim to be Christian speak of this kind of faith. The Bible says it is a dead faith (vss. 17, 20, 26) and that it cannot save (vs. 14)

Explain that even though demons are in another dimension and have even seen God and the Son, their belief does not save them from Hell and the wrath of God. Share with them that the same applies to man, apart from the work of the Spirit of God through the Word of God. Often, men do not even go as far as the demons…. They tremble (cf. Matt. 8:28-32)

Ask your family to evaluate their own faith. Is their faith a genuine saving faith produced by the Spirit and the Word? If so, take time to thank God for His gift of salvation.