“OUR CONCEPT OF GOD”

(IS HE A BIG GOD –OR SMALL IN OUR MINDS)

Intro:-   Hebrews.11:6  “Without faith it is impossible to please Him---“ v.5. Enoch pleased God.

Note:- Our Concept or understanding of God often depends upon our background or upbringing.

1. a.       Family associations – Their faith in what and how they believe is imparted to us
2. b.      Church affiliation  - Belief  or unbelief in the supernatural and the Holy Spirit.
3. c.       Growth in the Lord. Rom. 4:20 n.a.s.” Abraham grew strong in faith giving glory to God”.

1. 1.       Our concept of God:-     a. Determines our faith level

b. Determines how we worship Him!

Illustration.        Moses – concept of God was small until the Lord appeared to him in Ex. 3 – 4.

                                Gideon – also his concept small until God called him: Judges 6.

1. 2.       Faith is linked to our concept of God – Paul.

Acts 9: 1-9. Paul’s concept was of God that required laws to be kept at any cost until Christ met him on the Demascus road. Phill 3: 8-16 Immediately his values and concept of God changed, he was being transformed into a man of Faith.

1. 3.       A Church or a mentor can affect or limit our concept of God.

2 Kings 2: 8-14. v.12 Elisha cries out “My Father! My Father! As Elijah is taken.” Until now his concept of God is based upon Elijah. Once Elijah had gone …….

v.12b He tore his old clothes into 2 pieces. Another part of his past is removed. 1 Kings 19: 16-21

v13-15 Elisha now moves by faith, his concept of God has changed (he will now live and move in his own concept of the greatness of God).

1. 4.       Matthew 8: 5-13 Centurion had no preconceived ideas of God.

v10: Jesus said “he has GREAT FAITH” Lit the great size of this man’s faith was not book or learned faith, it was simply Faith in Jesus.

JESUS MARVELLED AT HIS FAITH, IT WAS ALMOST BEYOND BELIEF!

Mark 6: 1-6: Probably Nazareth – Luke 4: 16-30 v28: People were angry with him.

Jesus returns home. They question his credentials – pointing out he was a carpenter’s son – They were offended at him!

v5: He could do no mighty works – v6: He marvelled AT THEIR UNBELIEF. 

Conclusion: Matt 17: 20 – YOU SHALL SAY … NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU!

                        Matt 19: 26 – WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.

                        Luke 1: 37 -     WITH GOD NOTHING WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE.

Senior Pastor Terry Brinded                                                                                                                        2011-11-26