The Omnipresence of God
"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us" In The Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer
Starting Point: Gods Attributes must be defined by reference to Him alone
Ro 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
Isa 55:9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
What is infinity?
God's infinitude is to be defined by His self-existence, eternalness, omnipresence, omniscience, and omnipotence.
What does omnipresence mean?
The God who is eternal, and therefore not limited by time, is omnipresent, and not limited by space (Psalm 139:7-10; Proverbs 15:3; Jeremiah 23:23,24).
Scripture always assumes Gods omnipresence
Eph 1:23* which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Pr 5:21 For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths.
Pr 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
1Ti 6:16* who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no-one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might for ever. Amen
Ps 139:7* Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
Jer 23:24* Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the LORD. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the LORD.
1Ki 8:27* "But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!
2Ch 2:6* But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?
2Ch 6:18 "But will God really dwell on earth with men? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple that I have built!
Ps 139:7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
Ps 148:13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
Isa 57:15 For this is what the high and lofty One says--he who lives for ever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Job 34:21 "His eyes are on the ways of men; he sees their every step.
Ge 16:13 She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me." (Hagar)
Ps 90:8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
2Ch 16:9* For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war."
The Israelites believed in the omnipresence of God. It is omniscience that God uses to challenge those who claim to be gods, but who are, in fact, no gods (Isaiah 42:8,9; 43:3-7; 44:7,8; 45:20,21; 48:3-7).
Gods Omnipresence is related to His Omniscience
Is 40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no-one can fathom.
See also: Isaiah 46:9,10; Psalm 147:5; Romans 11:33; and I John 3:20.
Gods Omnipresence is related to His Omnipotence
Jeremiah 32:17 "Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You".
Jeremiah 32:27, God says: "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?"
If God is infinite in His relationship to time, space, and knowledge, it only follows that He is omnipotent as well. Matthew 19:26 and Revelation 19:6, Genesis 17:1
It is Idolatrous to not recognize Gods omnipresence
In The Knowledge of the Holy Tozer states, "The essence of idolatry is the entertainment of thoughts about God that are unworthy of Him." " The idolatrous heart assumes that God is other than He is. Idolatry substitutes for the true God one made after its own likeness"
Eze 8:12* He said to me, "Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? They say, `The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land.'"
Eze 9:9 He answered me, "The sin of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great; the land is full of bloodshed and the city is full of injustice. They say, `The LORD has forsaken the land; the LORD does not see.'
Am 9:2* Though they dig down to the depths of the grave, from there my hand will take them. Though they climb up to the heavens, from there I will bring them down.
Ps 10:11 He says to himself, "God has forgotten; he covers his face and never sees."
Jon 1:3 But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.
Psalm 50:21," You thought that I was just like you."
Theophanies: local manifestations of the omnipresent God
Practical Applications
Sharing the Gospel: See Pauls example in: Acts 17:27* God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
Fellowshipping with believers: Matthew 18:20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Worship: Surely, praise, honor, and eternal glory belong to the one and only true God, who said, "I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done" (Isaiah 46:9,10). We dare not reduce God to a manageable size or shape that suits us. We must raise our thoughts to attempt to comprehend the Incomprehensible One. These lofty thoughts must necessarily raise our hearts and souls to worship and adore the exalted One.
Trusting Him for His care and guidance
Westminster Confession, CHAPTER II. part 1 - Of God, and of the Holy Trinity
1. There is but one only, living, and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions; immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute; working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will, for His own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him; and withal, most just, and terrible in His judgments, hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty.
NAMES OF GOD
Compiled by Pastor Svendsen
| NAME | MEANING | SCRIPTURE | ATTRIBUTE(S) |
| El
(sing) Elohim (pl.) |
God:
Creator Uphold |
Gen
1:1-2:3 Gen 6:9-22 Gen 9:8, 9, 17 Gen 17:7 Gen 20:3, 11 Gen 43:23 |
Creative Sovereign Just Omnipotent Moral Governor of the universe |
| El Elyon | God Most High | Gen 14:19, 22 | Eternal,
mighty, strong, powerful |
| El Shaddai | Almighty God | Gen
17:1 Gen 28:3 Gen 35:11 Gen 43:14 Gen 48:3, 4 Ex 6:2 Job (31 times) Ruth 1:20, 21 |
All-sufficient Satisfying Abundantly bless Nourish |
| Adon/Adonai | Adon/Adonai | Gen
18:3, 27 Gen 20:4 Ex 4:10, 13 Judges 6:15 Jer 1:6 Isaiah 6:1, 8 Ezekiel (200 times) Daniel 9 |
Master Lordship Right to complete possession Right to command Protective |
| Jehovah | LORD (YHWH--name of God) |
Gen
2:4 (w/ Elohim) Gen 7:1, 5, 16b Ex 6:2-3 Ex 14:30 |
God of revelation & grace, dwelling w/ His people, guiding & delivering, receiving worship |
| I AM | Ex
3:14 John 8:58 |
Ex
20:2 Lev 1:2, 3 Lev 19:1,2 |
Personal covenant relationship |
| Jehovah-Elohim | LORD God | Gen 2:4 - Chap 3 | Creator + covenant relationship |
| Jehovah-Adonai | Lord
GOD (NIV) Sovereign LORD |
Gen
15:2, 8 2 Sam 7:18-29 |
Covenant relationship + right to command |
| Jehovah-jireh | Jehovah will provide | Gen 22:14 | Omniscience (pre-vision), deliverance, salvation |
| Jehovah-rophe | Jehovah heals | Ex 15:26 | Restores, cures, sustains, (physical & spiritual) |
| Jehovah-nissi | Jehovah my banner | Ex 17:15 | Conqueror,
victor (holy warfare which God's people must fight) |
| Jehovah-N'kaddesh | Jehovah who makes, you holy | Ex
31:13 Lev 20:8 |
Holiness |
| Jehovah-shalom | Jehovah our peace | Judges 6:24 | Fills deepest need of human heart; peace not depending on circumstances |
| Jehovah-sabaoth | LORD of hosts (of heaven & earth) | 1
Sam 1:3 Joshua 5:14 |
Commander, conducts warfare |
| Jehovah-rohi | Jehovah my shepherd | Psalm 23:1 | Intimacy, love, *concern, *tender care, *provision, guidance |
| Jehovah-tsidkenu | Jehovah our righteousness | Jer
23:5, 6, Jer 33:14, 16 |
Righteousness;
justice Wise sovereign, cannot tolerate evil |
| Jehovah-shammah | Jehovah ever-present | Ezekiel 48:35 | Promised presence: security, protection, fellowship |