GETTING TO KNOW YOU GOD 1 MIKE MAZZALONGO

GETTING TO KNOW YOU, GOD 1 MIKE MAZZALONGO Is God a He, She or It?

We need to have a better understanding of Who God really is and What He truly desires from us. Success brings: - Greater joy and peace - Greater confidence before death - Greater effectiveness in prayer

Is God a He or a She or an It? • God is neither male nor female • “God is Spirit…” – John 4: 24

The problem in knowing God is that His nature is different from ours. God reveals Himself in terms and images that are taken from our frame of reference – not just His.

God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. - Hebrews 1: 1 -2

God as a Thing • Exodus 3: 2 – A burning bush • Psalm 28: 7 – A shield • Deut. 32: 4 – A rock Some images help us know him from

God as a Woman What was your mother, a lioness among lions? – Eze. 19: 2 Before she goes into labor, she gives birth. – Isa. 66: 7 How often I wanted to gather your children together the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. – Matt. 23: 37

God as a Man The major image of God in the Old Testament is that of God as “Father. ” Out of Egypt I called my Son – Hosea 11: 1 Abba, Father… – Romans 8: 15 -17

I can call God my father because Jesus called God Father – not “mother” or “it”

Summary • In Jesus all the imagery of the Bible about God finds its perfect expression as a person.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. - Colossians 1: 15

Summary • When you pray to God you pray to one who can relate to human need even though He is not human but spiritual.

What Does This Mean for Me? 1. God can relate

What Does This Mean for Me? 1. God can relate 2. God does care

What Does This Mean for Me? 1. God can relate 2. God does care 3. God wants to help