There is One God

When the late Dr. Hugh Moorhead was a philosophy grad student at the University of Chicago, he began asking some of the great thinkers of the 20th century “What is the meaning or purpose of life?”

Over the years he sent letters to over 250 renowned scientists, philosophers, authors, and intellectuals. Later, while chairman of the philosophy department at Northeastern Illinois University, Moorhead published the responses and his conclusions.

Many admitted they didn’t know the purpose of life. Psychiatrist Carl Jung responded, “Really, I don’t know what the meaning or purpose of life is, but it looks exactly as if something were meant by it.”

Novelist Joseph Heller said he had no answers to the meaning of life “and no longer want to search for any.”

Sadly, these learned men and women didn’t realize that everything which gives life meaning begins with God.

Even the renowned atheist Bertrand Russell admitted, “Unless you assume a God, the question of life’s purpose of meaningless.”

This year our theme is Fundamentals of Faith. Nothing is more basic than belief in God.

In Ephesians 4:6, the apostle Paul affirmed “{There is} one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

An Idolatrous Culture

The Greco-Roman world boasted of a plurality of religions, including Ephesus who was proud of their religious tolerance. It was home to the Artemis cult. At least 50 other gods were worshiped in Ephesus including, Zeus and Athena, as well as the Egyptian deities, Isis and Saparis.

Throughout history Anthropologists estimate people have worshiped at least 18,000 gods, goddesses and other objects. Today the number stands at about 5,000 worldwide. The fastest growing religion today with 1.9 billion followers is Islam. Their god is Allah.

The Bible teaches that there is one true God. He identified Himself to Moses as Jehovah. Or Yahweh (Ex. 3:14-15).

Four Facts About Jehovah.

1. He is the “Father of all.” This speaks to our origin, and His desire to have a relationship with us.

2. He is “above all.” That implies God is in control.

3. He is “through all.” God in His providence is guiding, sustaining, and supporting the world.

4. He is “in all.” God is ever present. In all of life. Indeed “in Him we live and move and have our very being” (Ax. 17:28)

God, Our Father.

The Fatherhood of God is well documented in Scripture. From the nation of Israel until this day, Jehovah wants us to our Father. And He is the perfect Father. Consider these traits describing God’s Fatherhood. He is a…

• Loving Father (Isa. 43:4).
• Compassionate Father (Ps. 86:15).
• Giving Father (Jas. 1:18).
• Faithful Father (Ps. 119:90).
• Merciful Father (Lk. 6:36).
• Righteous Father (Ps. 145:17).
• Just Father (Deut. 32:4).

Our Heavenly Father is the Almighty God (Gen 17:1). And an Awesome God (Dan. 9:4).

Four Applications

The reality of the one, true God impacts all of life. And affects every relationship. Every decision. And life’s meaning and purpose. Consider these four applications.

#1 God desires for us to reciprocate His love.

Like a father yearns for his children to respect and love him, God desires our love in return. The abundance of His spiritual, physical, and material blessings, remind us of His love for us. Thus, we love Him because He first loved us” (1 Jn. 4:19).

#2 God wants us to draw near to Him (Jas. 4:8).

Have you felt disconnected from God? Or wondered, “Where is God when I need Him?” Or God seemed distant? Always remember, He is there. He cares. He’s faithful. And He’s never moved. Draw near to God.

#3 God expects us to be generous with His blessings.

Not only do we return a portion of our material blessings to Him by our Lord’s day offering, but we should share with others as well (Heb. 13:16). We work so we can help others in need (Eph. 4:28).

#4 God longs for us to give Him worship, honor and glory (Ps. 99:5; Jude 25).

Jesus reminds us that the Father seeks those who will worship Him “in spirit and in Truth” (Jn. 4:23-24). Worship connects us with God. Pleases God. Honors God. But also reminds us of who we are. What we are to be doing. And where we are going.

Never forget that life’s meaning and purpose begins with the understanding commitment and focus–”there is one God.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman