ABUNDANT LIFE VISION
Who is God? Part One. Acts of the Apostles 17:16-28
While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city. [17]He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there. [18]He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, “What’s this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he’s picked up?” Others said, “He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods.” [19]Then they took him to the high council of the city. “Come and tell us about this new teaching,” they said. [20]“You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it’s all about.” [21](It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.) [22]So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, [23]for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about. [24]“He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, [25]and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. [26]From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries. [27]“His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. [28]For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ NLT.

Good morning dear friends, I welcome you to this morning’s teaching. It is going to be in two parts, I pray that God will teach us his word as we go through the series in Jesus name. God is a name that many people are familiar with in the world. Across many religions, people believe in the existence of a deity that either serves as a small god that connects to the most supreme God or the most supreme God himself. According to Ipsos (2023) survey, across 26 countries surveyed, 40% responded that they believe in God but not as described in the Bible. Also, 21% of the respondents responded that they do not believe in God or a higher spirit while 19% of the remaining respondents were unsure of what response to give.
The name God is very popular in the world but we have a lot of people who cannot describe Him accurately and this happens even among those who believe in Him according to His representation in the Bible. God is around us but to a lot of people, He remains unknown as He was to the people of Athens. Acts 17:22-23. It is our mission in this teaching to unmask the unknown God and present Him to people the way He truly is. From our scripture in Acts 17:16-28, we see some attributes of God that will help us understand who He is.

1. He is the creator of the world: Acts 17:24
The bible tells us that God created the heavens and the earth. There is no confusion about the creator of what can be seen here on earth. God is the creator and because He is the creator, he owns everything in it. Genesis 1:1: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. NLT. Psalms 24:1: The earth is the lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. NLT.

2. He is the source of life: Acts 17:25
The one who created the heavens and the earth gave life to all that is on earth. Nothing has life on earth without the making God. John 1:4: The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. NLT.

3. He made all nations from one Man: Acts 17:26
All races and nations are a product of God’s creation. He lifts nations and determines when they fall. Therefore, nothing happens without the knowledge of God. We have heard a lot of criticisms when it comes to the nation of Nigeria, some people call it a mere geographical expression and all, but the word of God here says that God allowed that to happen for a purpose because it is in His grand agenda.

4. He made nations so that they will seek and find Him: Acts 17:27
The ultimate purpose of God is for the nations of the world to seek, find, and serve Him. God is never far from us because He is close to us and He had to make himself known to us. In the Bible, He has done this in different ways but they can be made into two classifications; the knowledge of God according to the law and the knowledge of God according to the gospel of Christ. The law was given to show us our sins and the standard God wants from us. Romans 3:19-20: Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. [20]For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. NLT. However, Jesus did what the law could not do by making us right with God through his blood. Therefore, to know God perfectly, all you need in this dispensation is to know Jesus because He came as the express image of God. Hebrews 1:1-3: Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. [2]And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. [3]The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. NLT.

5. He is our father: Acts 17:28
Even the idol worshippers in Athens believed that the supreme God is our father. He created us for us to serve Him willingly and for Him to be our father. Romans 8:14-15: For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. [15]So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” NLT. As our Father He supplies us with benefits by taking care of us. Matthew 7:7-11: “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. [8]For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. [9]“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? [10]Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! [11]So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. NLT.

Therefore, in answering the question; who is God? We can say that God is our father who created us so that we can worship Him. On this note, if you are yet to become his child by accepting Jesus who came as the perfect representation of God, I urge you to do so now by saying this prayer wholeheartedly; Lord Jesus, I confess you as my Lord and saviour today, please save me and be my lord and bring me into your fold. Amen. If you have recited the prayer wholeheartedly, I congratulate you and I welcome you to the family of God. Make sure you join a bible believing church as you start your journey in Christ
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God bless you.