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Proverbs 10:14 The wise store up knowledge Friday 11 February 2011

Evans, Our God is Awesome: God's Omnipresence

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Page 1: Evans, Our God is Awesome: God's Omnipresence

Proverbs 10:14The wise store up

knowledge

Friday 11 February 2011

Page 2: Evans, Our God is Awesome: God's Omnipresence

The Omnipresence

of God

Friday 11 February 2011

Page 3: Evans, Our God is Awesome: God's Omnipresence

Evans defines this as,

“God’s complete essence is fully present in all places at all times”

God’s omni attributes work together - e.g. he can do any thing he wants to anywhere he wants to - he knows all there is to know as everything happens somewhere and he was there at that time - etc.

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God being omnipresent is a problem - it means we are not in control, so resorting to idols can be easier as we are in control then.

We can create theologies which make us the control - pantheism states God is an impersonal force - like in Star Wars - often we call it nature and therefore depersonalise God and limit his power and effect

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In pantheism everything is part of God - trees, mountains, lakes, streams, and of course, people - so there is no sin and no one is separated from God - so no need for salvation.

God becomes a sum of all the elements, without any morality.

Deism is another option - we have seen God’s power but do not know him personally - God set the universe in motion and then left it alone to work out - laws are fixed but he then watches what goes on

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Friday 11 February 2011

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Definition of PANTHEISM

1: a doctrine that equates God with the forces and laws of the universe

2: the worship of all gods of different creeds, cults, or peoples indifferently; also : toleration of worship of all gods (as at certain periods of the Roman empire)

Definition of DEISM

: a movement or system of thought advocating natural religion, emphasizing morality, and in the 18th century denying the interference of the Creator with the laws of the universe

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Definition of PANTHEISM

1: a doctrine that equates God with the forces and laws of the universe

2: the worship of all gods of different creeds, cults, or peoples indifferently; also : toleration of worship of all gods (as at certain periods of the Roman empire)

Friday 11 February 2011

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Definition of PANTHEISM

1: a doctrine that equates God with the forces and laws of the universe

2: the worship of all gods of different creeds, cults, or peoples indifferently; also : toleration of worship of all gods (as at certain periods of the Roman empire)

Both pantheism and deism are heresy

The Omnipresence of God says he dwells intimately in history and yet exists totally outside of it. He is transcendent and imminent at the same time.

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1. God is set free of limitations

1 Kings 8:26-27 - the temple is built and at the dedication Solomon prays...

And now, God of Israel, let your word that you promised your servant David my father come true.

“But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!

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1.a. No Limitations of Space

God’s presence is in the sphere of immensity and infinitude:

Immensity refers to that which cannot be contained

Infinitude refers to infinity, that which is without limit

God fills everything - even that which we don’t know about - we put on weight and burst out, God so fills the universe that Solomon says he bursts out of it

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1.a. No Limitations of Space

God’s presence is in the sphere of immensity and infinitude:

Immensity refers to that which cannot be contained

Infinitude refers to infinity, that which is without limit

God fills everything - even that which we don’t know about - we put on weight and burst out, God so fills the universe that Solomon says he bursts out of it

Friday 11 February 2011

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Although God’s presence cannot be contained, the whole universe is full of it - still it is not weakened, it is the same all the way through

The good thing about Jesus leaving the earth is that he was limited by his physical human body and was thus in one place at one time - Holy spirit is not, so he can be with all Christians all the time

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John 14:16-17 - And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

The idea that God cannot be divided and therefore must be in every place in the same way is described by theologians as God’s simplicity - he cannot be divided up into parts - he cannot be broken down or decomposed into simpler parts for he is not composed of parts in any way.

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1.a. No Limitations of Flesh

God is spirit - he is an uncompounded being - therefore everything everywhere is surrounded by the being of God.

The fulness of God - omni whatever you like - is in all places at all times.

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1.a. No Limitations of Flesh

God is spirit - he is an uncompounded being - therefore everything everywhere is surrounded by the being of God.

The fulness of God - omni whatever you like - is in all places at all times.

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1.a. No Limitations of Flesh

God is spirit - he is an uncompounded being - therefore everything everywhere is surrounded by the being of God.

The fulness of God - omni whatever you like - is in all places at all times.

Friday 11 February 2011

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Evans suggests it is like one drop of water and the ocean - both contain the same components - the idea is that God is like this, in being fully with us all the time.

There is a problem in that sometimes you don’t feel God is around you - it doesnt mean that he isnt! You don’t see the wind or cold, but you know they are there.

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Evans suggests it is like one drop of water and the ocean - both contain the same components - the idea is that God is like this, in being fully with us all the time.

There is a problem in that sometimes you don’t feel God is around you - it doesnt mean that he isnt! You don’t see the wind or cold, but you know they are there.

Friday 11 February 2011

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Evans suggests it is like one drop of water and the ocean - both contain the same components - the idea is that God is like this, in being fully with us all the time.

There is a problem in that sometimes you don’t feel God is around you - it doesnt mean that he isnt! You don’t see the wind or cold, but you know they are there.

Friday 11 February 2011

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God is with us

In saying this we should realise that satan is no omnipresent - he commands demons under his rulership - Eph 2:2

1 Jn 4:4 -You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

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My God Is So Big

by Ruth Harms Calkin

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing that He cannot do

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing that He cannot do

The rivers are His, the mountains are His

The stars are His handiwork too

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing that He cannot do

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My God is so big, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing that He cannot do

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing that He cannot do

He's called you to live for Him every day

In all that you say and you do

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing that He cannot do

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2. God is intimately involved with creation

Psalm 139:7 -Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

David speculates in 8-10

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

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2.a. Too big to avoidThere is nowhere you can run to to avoid God - in all events and circumstances he is there - Ps 139:11-12

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

God will sustain and be with you in all places

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2.B. Too close to ignoreHe is so close you cannot get away from him - no matter how you try.

Acts 17:28

‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’

Jonah - God used a whole range of techniques and tactics to make sure that Jonah, no matter how hard he tried, knew that God was right there with him involved in everything that happened

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2.B. Too close to ignoreHe is so close you cannot get away from him - no matter how you try.

Acts 17:28

‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’

Jonah - God used a whole range of techniques and tactics to make sure that Jonah, no matter how hard he tried, knew that God was right there with him involved in everything that happened

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2.c. Too caring to ignore us

God knows where he wants us to go and how he wants us to get there.

This means there is nothing God is not aware of and therefore nothing he does not want us to talk with him about and bring to his attention.

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3. God’s Omnipresence brings special benefitsGod is everywhere equally - bit not equally related to everyone and everything.

God has a different relationship with people.

Isaiah 55:6 - call on him whilst he is near.

Isaiah 29:13 -The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.

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God has not moved physically but the relationship has changed - see also Jesus on the cross, forsaken by Father.

Isaiah 43:1-7 - shows how much God takes care of those who belong to him, of his children

But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

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When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’

Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth— everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

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3.a. Guidance

As a child of God you get his special guidance in your life.

Jacob - Genesis 28:13-15 - He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the LORD, and he said: “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac.

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I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

God is there if you feel him or not, sense him or not, when things seem to be going wrong or right - always!

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3.b. Victory over temptation

1 Cor 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Why? 1 Cor 6:19

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?

God is with you - always!

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This should also lead us to live holy lives.

We are in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit - and we are not our own - in effect God asks,

“How could you do that with me standing with you?”

This makes it important to confess sin as soon as possible - God already knows about it and wants the relationship restored.

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3.c. Provision for NeedsHebrews 13:5

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

So we say with confidence,“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Evans says that this means God will pay your bills - and you need to trust him to do it in whatever way he chooses - if you don’t you end up in bondage to money

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It is easy to love money so much that you can’t go to church, or can’t give - because you need your money.

God wants us to be content with the money he gives to us, and more importantly with his presence.

Php 4:19 - And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

What is the context here?

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Liberal, generous, giving.

Evans suggests not that it is wrong to improve or get ahead in some way - but more importantly God wants us to be content with his presence.

Php 4:11-13 - I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

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Evans reminds people who struggle of Hagar - cast out of her home whilst pregnant, yet God reveals himself as ’El Ro’i - the God who sees, Genesis 16, and then when she leaves for good in Genesis 21

Hagar is impressed by the perceptiveness of God as revealed through his angel-messenger. This is seen in the name she gives to the Lord; she calls him God of seeing (Hb. ’El Ro’i). “here I have seen him who looks after me”...her remarks may be interpreted as denoting an inner perception; she perceives that God sees or “looks after” her.

ESVSB

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3.d. Freedom from Anxiety

Often rather than run to God we look for other people.

Isaiah 41:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

When you face challenges - God is still omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent - he is with you

God specialises in working when we think we can’t.

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Moses said he couldn’t lead or speak, Exodus 3-4

Elisha’s servant didn’t realise God was already there surrounding Dothan, 1Kings 6

God’s relational presence is with you all the time - no matter what life throws at you, no matter what difficulties you experience.

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The bottom line for Evans is Php 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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Responding to God’s Omnipresence

1. Make sure that God doesn’t have to battle for your attention - as he did with jonah

2. Deal with your frustration, anger disappointment - especially if it is with God - talk with a friend, pastor etc.

3. Renew your prayer life - God is there, and he is listening

4. Clothe yourself in the armour of God

Friday 11 February 2011