This is a series of ten lessons on the attributes of God. These lessons are not meant for seminary study, but for the everyday believer who wants to gain a practical understanding of the subject for their own personal growth and reading; for small group bible studies, or for teaching in church.

1. ATTRIBUTES OF GOD
Orientation / Introduction
Ptr./Dr. JF Smith
Faith Missionary Bible Institute
jfrsmth@gmail.com [no “i” in jfrsmth]

2. God is love and would never let anyone go to hell…
God demands perfection so I must be perfect…
God needs me; my worship…
God doesn’t do anything about evil in the world, so, He doesn’t
really care…
I have to keep God happy (appeased) or He will send evil upon
me…
TRUE or FALSE

3. God doesn’t watch me outside of church…
God get’s angry at me sometimes…
God does what I tell Him to do…
If I make God unhappy, He will take away my salvation…
If I don’t give God my tithe, bad things will happen to me…
TRUE or FALSE

4. God doesn’t watch me outside of church…
God get’s angry at me sometimes…
God does what I tell Him to do…
If I make God unhappy, He will take away my salvation…
If I don’t give God my tithe, bad things will happen to me…
TRUE or FALSE
FALSE!

5. God is love and would never let anyone go to hell…
God demands perfection so I must be perfect…
God needs me; my worship…
God doesn’t do anything about evil in the world, so, He doesn’t
really care…
I have to keep God happy (appeased) or He will send evil upon
me…
TRUE or FALSE
FALSE!

6. How well do we know
God?

7. Isaiah 55:8
For my thoughts are not your
thoughts, neither are your ways my
ways, saith the LORD.
Maybe not as well as we think.

8. Humans were made with a desire to
worship GOD, BUT our desire was
corrupted by sin *c/w Exodus 20:5, Roman 5:12

9. Without God’s Word and God’s
Spirit how do we know WHO we are
worshipping?
We begin to INVENT our own false gods
– god’s of our imaginations

10. Wrong God / False God
Romans 1:23
And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God
into an image made like to corruptible man, and
to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping
things

11. Psalm 50:21
These things hast thou done, and I kept
silence; thou thoughtest that I was
altogether such an one as thyself: but I will
reprove thee, and set them in order before
thine eyes.
Sometimes we think God is just like us.

12. Some people say God is love and would not send anyone to
hell, but they neglect His holiness and justice.
Some think of God as demanding and become legalistic in
their worship, but they ignore His grace, understanding, and
mercy.
Some people think because God doesn’t do anything about
evil in the world, he doesn’t care. They don’t consider His
patience.
Some may think that they have to keep God happy (appeased)
or He will send a lightning bolt. They do not consider God’s
grace in Jesus Christ.

13. GOD
In praise, in prayer,
in song, in worship,
we are sometimes
out of alignment with
God’s Word.
My God
rules the
earth with
an iron
hand.
My God loves
everybody. He
wouldn’t send
anyone to hell
My God needs our help.
My God is like a
big angel who
doesn’t judge
anyone’s

14. John 4:24
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him
must worship him in spirit and in truth.

15. SPIRIT (New Life in Christ)
Born again by personal faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ and His finished work (John 3:6) on your
behalf
See also: John 3:3, 1 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 4:6.
TRUTH (God’s Word)
The Word of GOD (John 17:17) and
understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15-16)

16. JESUS CHRIST opened the WAY for us to be
able to worship God in SPIRIT and in TRUTH
1 Peter 3:18
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the
just for the unjust, that he might bring us to
God, being put to death in the flesh, but
quickened by the Spirit:

17. Job 26:14
Lo, these are parts of his ways: but
how little a portion is heard of him? but
the thunder of his power who can
understand?
However, God has revealed only part of Himself to us.
(It’s up to us to get to know Him more.)

18. 1 Corinthians 14:15
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will
pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the
spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Psalm 47:7
For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises
with understanding.

19. GOD
GOD
GOD
GOD

20. When our spine is out of
alignment, it can lead to
health problems.

21. It is the same with the
Body of Christ:
• Christ is the Head of the
church
• We are the body
• IF we are NOT aligned with
Him (as he has revealed
Himself to us in His Word), we
will NOT be in good shape
(spiritually).

22. As we get into the Word and Grow
• Our thinking becomes more aligned
• Our doctrine becomes more aligned
• Our prayers become more aligned
• Our singing becomes more aligned
• Our praises become more aligned
• Our worship becomes more aligned. . .
To the TRUE GOD – GOD of the Bible.

23. Romans 3:11
There is none that understandeth,
there is none that seeketh after
God.
The world does not naturally
seek God.

24. John 17:3
And this is life eternal, that they
might know thee the only true God,
and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast
sent.
But, we should be different than
the world.

25. 2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who commanded the light to shine
out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to
give the light of the knowledge of the glory of
God in the face of Jesus Christ.

26. It was Paul’s prayer that we understand God more.
Colossians 1:9-10
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not
cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled
with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual
understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,
being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the
knowledge of God;

27. We are commanded to grow (mature)
2 Peter 3:18
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To
him be glory both now and for ever. Amen

28. We are NOT meant to remain babes in Christ
1 Corinthians 3:1
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you
as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even
as unto babes in Christ.

29. …NOT meant to remain babes in
Christ
1 Peter 2:2
As newborn babes, desire the sincere
milk of the word, that ye may grow
thereby:

30. Is this normal?

31. Object Lessons in
Growth &
Maturity
2 Peter
3:18

32. Therefore, we must go through the
processes of study, revelation,
experience, observation, reflection,
meditation, and learning if we are to grow.

33. God has given us the power
and the resource to grow AND
know Him more intimately.

34. Jesus Christ came to reveal the Father to us
John 14:9
Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time
with you, and yet hast thou not known me,
Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the
Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the
Father?

35. The Holy Spirit, using the Bible, reveals
Christ’s character to us
John 16:13-14
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he
will guide you into all truth… He shall glorify me:
for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it
unto you.

36. The Bible shows us God’s character
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness: That the man of
God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all
good works.

37. Even names of God in the Bible
demonstrate His attributes
• El-Shaddai : God almighty; all-powerful
• Adonai : Master or Lord; sovereignty
• Elohim : Plurality; Godhead
• Jehovah : Self-existent one; eternity

38. Question:
What are things we praise God for?
Do we ever praise him for His
Sovereignty, His Holiness, or His
Immutability?

39. •
•
•

40. INTRODUCTION TO OUR STUDY
When we talk about the attributes of God we are
talking about:
His NATURE (Character)
His CHARACTERISTICS (Traits)
His EXCELLENCIES (Perfection)
His GLORY

41. What practical reasons are there for
the Christian, to know GOD more?

42. Why study God’s
Attributes?

43. 1. To have more PEACE in our walk
with the LORD
Job 22:21
Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at
peace: thereby good shall come unto
thee.

44. God is love and would never send anyone to hell…
God demands perfection so I must be perfect…
God needs me; my worship…
God doesn’t do anything about evil in the world, so, He doesn’t
really care…
I have to keep God happy (appeased) or He will send evil upon
me… W
rong
views create stress

45. Ephesians 4:14
That we henceforth be no more children,
tossed to and fro, and carried about with
every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of
men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they
lie in wait to deceive;

46. …tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind
of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning
craftiness…

47. … be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried
about with every wind of doctrine

49. Job 22:21
Acquaint now thyself with him, and
be at peace: thereby good shall
come unto thee.

50. We can enjoy greater peace knowing
God more
• Our false understanding will decrease
• Our correct understanding will increase
• We can walk with more confidence in God
• And, less stress!
– We can rest, knowing God is working everything
out according to His will; He is in total control

51. Why study God’s
Attributes?

52. 2. So that we can worship the LORD
more MATURELY
Ephesians 4:13
Till we all come in the unity of the faith,
and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of
the stature of the fulness of Christ:
*perfect : mature

53. Matthew 5:48
Be ye therefore perfect, even as
your Father which is in heaven is
perfect.
*perfect : mature

54. *apostles : specific men God used to establish the early church
*prophets : revealed new truths from God; foretold events
*evangelists : itinerate teachers; preached the Gospel
*pastor and teacher : pastor-teacher
Ephesians 4:11-15
And he gave some, apostles; and
some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and
teachers
God gave the church people to help this
maturity take place

55. Ephesians 4:12
For the perfecting of the saints, for the
work of the ministry, for the edifying of
the body of Christ:
*perfecting : maturing
Notice:
1. Perfecting of the saints (maturing and equipping)
2. Work of the ministry
3. Edifying the body of Christ

56. Ephesians 4:13
Till we all come in the unity of the faith,
and of the knowledge of the Son of
God, unto a perfect man, unto the
measure of the stature of the fulness of
Christ:
*perfect : mature

57. Ephesians 4:14
That we henceforth be no more children,
tossed to and fro, and carried about with
every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of
men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they
lie in wait to deceive;

58. Ephesians 4:15
But speaking the truth in love, may
grow up into him in all things, which
is the head, even Christ:

59. Knowing more of God’s attributes
enhances our worship
Exodus 15:11
Who is like unto Thee, O Lord, among
the gods? Who is like Thee, glorious in
holiness, fearful in praises, doing
wonders?

60. Why study God’s
Attributes?

61. 3. So we can SEE the LORD more clearly
John 20:29
… blessed are they that have not
seen, and yet have believed.

62. 1 Peter 1:8
Whom having not seen, ye love; in
whom, though now ye see him not, yet
believing, ye rejoice with joy
unspeakable and full of glory

63. How can we SEE God today?
The way to see God is to come to know
Him more through a study of His
character, as revealed by the Holy Spirit
in the Scriptures, as we walk in His
grace.

64. Why study God’s
Attributes?

65. 4. To have a more PERSONAL (closer)
relationship with GOD
John 17:3
And this is life eternal, that they might
know thee the only true God, and
Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

66. A personal relationship with God
through Jesus Christ requires that we
know God personally, as a Person.

67. The LORD focuses on relationships
BEFORE service
Revelation 2:2-4
I know thy works, and thy labour, and
thy patience… and for my name's
sake hast labored…

68. …relationships BEFORE service
Revelation 2:2-4
Nevertheless I have somewhat
against thee, because thou hast left
thy first love.

69. Martha and Mary

70. Luke 10:40
But Martha was cumbered about much
serving, and came to him, and said, Lord,
dost thou not care that my sister hath left
me to serve alone? bid her therefore that
she help me.

71. Luke 10:41
And Jesus answered and said unto her,
Martha, Martha, thou art careful and
troubled about many things:

72. Luke 10:42
But one thing is needful: and Mary
hath chosen that good part, which
shall not be taken away from her.

73. God encourages us to get to know Him
Jeremiah 9:23-24
… 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that
he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am
the LORD which exercise lovingkindness,
judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for
in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

74. Psalms 25:14
The secret of the LORD is with
them that fear him; and he will
shew them his covenant.
God responds to those who fear Him.

75. “To know Him is to love Him.”
Mark 12:30
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all
thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all
thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the
first commandment.

76. What practical reasons are there for
the Christian, to know GOD more?
1. To have more PEACE in our walk with the
LORD
2. To worship the LORD more MATURELY
3. To SEE the LORD more clearly
4. To have a more PERSONAL (closer)
relationship with the LORD

77. Often God’s attributes are
classified into TWO groups

78. Examples of Communicable attributes
• Holiness : Be ye holy, for I am holy (1 Peter 1:16).
• Truthfulness : …speak every man truth with his
neighbor (Ephesians 4:25).
• Mercy : I will have mercy, and not sacrifice
(Matthew 9:13).
• Love : Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself
(Romans 13:9).

79. Examples of Incommunicable attributes
• Omnipresence : …whither shall I flee from thy presence
(Psalm 139:7)?
• Omnipotence : …with God all things are possible
(Matthew 19:26).
• Sovereignty : God is in the heavens: he hath done
whatsoever he hath pleased (Psalm 115:3).
• Transcendence : God does not need our sacrifices
(Isaiah 1:11; Psalm 50:7-15).

80. Some have classified up to 18 attributes of God
from the Bible
1. Self-existent
2. Patience
3. Transcendance
4. Eternal
5. Infinite
6. Holy
7. Love
8. Grace
9. Goodness
10. Mercy
11. Truthful
12. Wrath
13. Immutable
14. Omniscient
15. Omnipotent
16. Omnipresent
17. Incorporeal
18. Incomprehensible

81. However, for purposes of this study,
we will only focus on TEN.
We will examine the glories of God’s
character; His nature; His qualities in
these ten attributes.

82. May these ten give us a matured appreciation
of who God is, His worthiness, AND His glory.
Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of
the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of
God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of
the stature of the fulness of Christ:

83. Our Study
1. The SOLITARINESS of GOD
2. The SOVEREIGNTY of GOD
3. The OMNISICIENCE of GOD
4. The HOLINESS of GOD
5. The IMMUTABILITY of GOD
6. The JUSTICE of GOD
7. The WRATH of GOD
8. The MERCY of GOD
9. The GRACE of GOD
10. The LOVE of GOD

84. REVIEW

85. Without God’s Word, the Bible . . .
how do we know WHO we are
worshipping?
We begin to INVENT our own false
gods – god’s of our imaginations

86. Isaiah 55:8
For my thoughts are not your
thoughts, neither are your ways my
ways, saith the LORD.

87. John 17:3
And this is life eternal, that they
might know thee the only true God,
and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast
sent.
We should be different than the
world.

88. Why study God’s
Attributes?

89. 1. To have more PEACE in our walk with
the LORD
Job 22:21
Acquaint now thyself with him, and
be at peace: thereby good shall
come unto thee.

90. 2. So that we can worship the LORD
more MATURELY
Ephesians 4:13
Till we all come in the unity of the faith,
and of the knowledge of the Son of
God, unto a perfect man, unto the
measure of the stature of the fulness of
Christ:

91. 3. So we can SEE the LORD more clearly
John 20:29
… blessed are they that have not
seen, and yet have believed.

92. 4. To have a more PERSONAL (closer)
relationship with GOD
John 17:3
And this is life eternal, that they might
know thee the only true God, and
Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

93. END REVIEW

94. Next:
The SOLITARINESS of GOD
In the beginning, God…
These first four words of the Bible tell us MUCH
about God.

95. END OF INTRODUCTION

96. REFLECTION

97. • Why do I want to get to know the Lord more through His
attributes?
• How do I view God at this time?
• Have I been actively seeking to know God more through His
Word?
• Am I more of a Martha or a Mary?
• Have I grown since last year? Am I the same Christian I was
one year ago?