Lecture Notes: Transcendence of God

Opening Prayer and Introduction

• Prayer for understanding, love, and gratitude towards the gospel.
• Introduction by Tom, a teaching elder at Hope Church.
• Announcements about Bible studies and activities across Brisbane, Logan, and Ipswich.
• Encouragement to participate in Bible studies focusing on the blood of Jesus Christ and the Trinity.

Special Events

• Men's gathering this Saturday at Nutter's house.
• Evangelistic and community strengthening event.
• Offerings collected to support church activities and missions.

Church Growth and Missions

• Hope Church has planted a new church on the Gold Coast.
• Vision to plant four more churches by 2032.
• Recent activities include mission trips and outreach efforts in Northern New South Wales.
• Upcoming mission trip to North Queensland for gospel outreach.

Guest Speaker: Aaron from Journey Church

• Aaron, a guest preacher from Journey Church, Rochester, NY.
• Focus of his sermon: The Transcendence of God.

Sermon Overview: The Transcendence of God

Romans 11:33-36

• Praise for God's wisdom and knowledge, beyond human comprehension.
• God as the creator, sustainer, and ultimate purpose of all things.

Key Concepts

• Transcendence of God: God is beyond our imagination and comprehension.
• Cultural Challenge: Current culture challenges God's transcendence (e.g., claims that God changes his mind).
• Essential Theology: Understanding the character of God is crucial to theology and worldview.

The Gospel and God's Transcendence

• The gospel reveals God’s righteousness and mercy.
• God’s plan of redemption is wider than imaginable, uniting Jew and Gentile.
• Encouragement never to let the gospel become mundane.

Romans 11: 36 Analysis

• From God: God as the source of all things.
  • Creation ex nihilo (out of nothing).
• Through God: Sustainer of all things.
  • Dependence on God for the continuity of creation.
• To God: Ultimate purpose and end of all things.
  • All will eventually acknowledge God.

Implications for Belief

• Atheism denies the source and sustainer role of God.
• Christian responsibility to uphold God’s definition of love, demonstrated through Christ.
• Eternal security in God's sustaining power even in suffering.

Final Exhortation

• Urgency in accepting the gospel; future judgment.
• Encouragement for believers to trust in God’s sustaining presence.

Conclusion and Prayer

• Does God change? No, He is constant and faithful.
• Final prayer for acceptance of the gospel and recognition of God's sovereignty.