He is the image of the invisible God

The Nicene CreedThe Nicene Creed I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and

earth, and of all things visible and invisible.earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God,

begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.with the Father, by whom all things were made.

Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.prophets.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. cross.

Colossians 1:15-20Colossians 1:15-20

Who is God? 60ADWho is God? 60AD

Biblical teachingBiblical teaching All powerful God, All powerful God,

Creator of the UniverseCreator of the Universe God of holiness, justice, God of holiness, justice,

mercy, lovemercy, love Yahweh of the JewsYahweh of the Jews ““For God so loved the For God so loved the

world that He gave His world that He gave His one and only Son, one and only Son, Jesus ChristJesus Christ

Pagan teachingPagan teaching 179 gods and 179 gods and

goddesses in the goddesses in the Roman PantheonRoman Pantheon

At war with one another, At war with one another, fickle, immoral, fickle, immoral, capricious capricious

Harsh and unpredictable Harsh and unpredictable toward humanstoward humans

Who is God? 2006Who is God? 2006

Biblical teachingBiblical teaching All powerful God, All powerful God,

Creator of the Creator of the UniverseUniverse

God of holiness, God of holiness, justice, mercy, lovejustice, mercy, love

““For God so loved the For God so loved the world that He gave world that He gave His one and only Son, His one and only Son, Jesus ChristJesus Christ

Common conceptionsCommon conceptions Benign tolerant Benign tolerant

grandfather who’s grandfather who’s obligated to bless usobligated to bless us

Not sure there is oneNot sure there is one No God necessaryNo God necessary Impersonal spiritual Impersonal spiritual

force present in all force present in all thingsthings

Who is God? 2006Who is God? 2006 Grandfather in the Sky, Man upstairs, the Good LordGrandfather in the Sky, Man upstairs, the Good Lord Remnant of Biblical God, tamed, dumbed down, made Remnant of Biblical God, tamed, dumbed down, made

more comfortablemore comfortable Old man, long white beardOld man, long white beard Weak, benign, permissiveWeak, benign, permissive Rules: 10 suggestionsRules: 10 suggestions You can talk to him but don’t expect an answerYou can talk to him but don’t expect an answer Purpose of life: enjoy what you canPurpose of life: enjoy what you can Comes through ever once in a whileComes through ever once in a while Heaven for all good people where they get to do what Heaven for all good people where they get to do what

they most enjoyed on earththey most enjoyed on earth Just believe in God and try not to hurt peopleJust believe in God and try not to hurt people

Why Johnny isn’t impressed with Why Johnny isn’t impressed with the Gospelthe Gospel

Thinks he’s got it made. “God owes me.”Thinks he’s got it made. “God owes me.” Instead of understanding the Bible’s complex Instead of understanding the Bible’s complex

teaching about God and mankind, settles for teaching about God and mankind, settles for ‘sound bites,’ ‘doctrine lite.’ “Believe in God and ‘sound bites,’ ‘doctrine lite.’ “Believe in God and be nice to people.”be nice to people.”

Refuses to read the instructions or understand Refuses to read the instructions or understand the contract, just does it. the contract, just does it.

Living life is a fulltime occupation plus pleasures, Living life is a fulltime occupation plus pleasures, entertainment and distractions.entertainment and distractions.

Misconceptions about God

The real God as He actually exists.

Revelation about God in nature and in the Word so we can have knowledge about Him.

Developing a life transforming relationship with God

Christ in you, the hope of Glory!

Believe there is a God and try not to hurt others

Try to be a better person

He is the image of the invisible God Christ in you,

the hope of Glory!