The document discusses how God has revealed himself to humanity through creation. It argues that since the beginning, God's invisible attributes like eternal power and divine nature have been clearly visible in the things he has made. Therefore, people have always known about God but some chose not to acknowledge him, honor him, or give him thanks. This led their thinking to become futile and their hearts to be darkened, to the point of foolishly worshipping created things instead of the Creator. The document encourages remembering God through studying scripture and nature, honoring him with praise and gifts, and regularly thanking him.

1. “And God Said…”
Who is God?
How Should We Relate to Him?
How Does our Response to God Shape our Lives?

3. Genesis 1:1
In the beginning, God
created the heavens and the earth.
[2] The earth was without form and
void, and darkness was over the
face of the deep. And the Spirit of
God was hovering over the face of
the waters. [3] And God said, “Let
there be light,” and there was
light.

5. [Romans 1:18]For the wrath of God is
revealed from heaven against all
ungodliness and unrighteousness
of men, who by their
unrighteousness suppress the
truth. [19] For what can be known
about God is plain to them,
because God has shown it to
them. [20] For His invisible
attributes, namely, His eternal
power and divine nature, have
been clearly perceived, ever since
the creation of the world,

6. in the things that have been made.
So they are without excuse. [21] For
although they knew God, they did
not honor Him as God or give
thanks to Him, but they became
futile in their thinking, and their
foolish hearts were darkened.
[22] Claiming to be wise, they
became fools, [23] and exchanged
the glory of the immortal God for
images resembling mortal man
and birds and animals and
creeping things.

7. [Romans 1:18]
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven
against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men,
who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
Contrast to Romans 1:16-17
[16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the
power of God for salvation to everyone
who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
[17] For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from
faith for faith, as it is written,
“The righteous shall live by faith.”
FAITH = Righteousness

8. [Romans 1:18]
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven
against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men,
who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
We Can Naturally Suppress Truth = Faithless
Live as if there is no God (Ungodliness)
Live as if there is no Law (Unrighteousness)
Our Faithless Lifestyles Can Hide the Reality of God
In Response – God Reveals His Wrath

14. [19]For what can be known
about God is plain to them,
because God has shown it
to them. [20] For His invisible
attributes, namely, His
eternal power and divine
nature, have been clearly
perceived, ever since the
creation of the world, in the
things that have been
made.

15. Origen of Alexandria (AD185-254)
“Paul says that what can be known about God is
plain to them [all the Gentile nations], thereby
revealing that there is something about God which
can be known, even if there is much that remains
unknown.… It appears here that the wrath of God is
revealed not to those who are ignorant of the truth,
but to those who already know the truth, however
imperfectly.”
Origen Commentarii in Epistulam ad Romanos (5 vols.; ed. T. Heither; Freiburg im Breisgau: Herder, 1990–95)

16. “Plain to them…”
The creation is a transparent and clear revelation of
the greatness and the glory of God.
4th Century Anonymous Commentator
“For his work is made in such a way that it reveals its
Maker by its very visibility, so that what is concealed
may be known by looking at what is revealed. This is
revealed so that everyone might believe that he is
God, who made this cosmos, which is impossible for
anyone else to do.”
Ambrosiastri qui dicitur commentarius in epistulas Paulinas (CSEL 81.39, 41).

17. “God has shown it to them.”
God communicated Himself – He Was Clear
[Psalm 19:1]
The heavens declare the glory of God, and
the sky above proclaims his handiwork [2] Day to day
pours out speech, and night to night reveals
knowledge.
[Psalm 50:6] The
heavens declare his righteousness,
for God Himself is judge!

18. [Jeremiah 5:21] “Hear
this, O foolish and senseless
people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears,
but hear not. [22] Do you not fear me? declares the
LORD. Do you not tremble before me? I placed the
sand as the boundary for the sea, a perpetual
barrier that it cannot pass; though the waves toss,
they cannot prevail; though they roar, they cannot
pass over it.

19. John Chrysostom (AD344–407)
“How did God reveal himself? By a voice from
heaven? Not at all! God made a panoply which was
able to draw them by more than a voice. He put
before them the immense creation, so that both the
wise and the unlearned, the Scythian and the
barbarian, might ascend to God, having learned
through sight the beauty of the things which they
had seen.”
Chrysostom Homilies on Romans 3.19 (NPNF 1.11:352).

22. [20]For His invisible attributes,
namely, His eternal power and
divine nature, have been clearly
perceived, ever since the creation
of the world, in the things that
have been made. So they are
without excuse. [21] For although
they knew God…

23. What Can Be Known About God?
His Invisible Attributes
a. Eternal Power
b. Deity
Has Been Hidden or Clear?
Obvious in Creation
How Long Has Man Had the Knowledge of God?
Since the Beginning

24. Empirical Investigation Reveals Supernatural Reality
The Invisible Realm of God is Made Visible in the
Mind of Faith-filled People
The Supernatural Realm of God is not a Vague
Concept, but Crystal Clear
The Jewish People had the Moral Law, but All Mankind
had the Laws of Creation. Creation Revealed that
We are Created by a Powerful and Eternal Deity. He
is a God of Purpose and Order. He is a Tremendous
God to be Feared and Honored.

25. What is the Purpose of Creation and the Universe?
To Reveal God
Basil of Caesarea (4th Century)
“The cosmos is truly a training place for each
rational soul, and a school for attaining the
knowledge of God, because through visible and
perceptible objects it provides guidance to the mind
for the contemplation of the invisible.”
Basil Hexameron, Homily 1 (FC 46.11).

26. Basil continued
“In all things visible, clear reminders of the
Benefactor grip us. We shall not give any
opportunity for sins, nor shall we leave any place in
our hearts for the enemy, if we have God as a
dweller in us by this constant remembrance of him.”
Basil Hexameron 3 (FC 36.54).

28. So they are without excuse. [21] For
although they knew God, they did
not honor Him as God or give
thanks to Him, but they became
futile in their thinking, and their
foolish hearts were darkened.
[22] Claiming to be wise, they
became fools, [23] and exchanged
the glory of the immortal God for
images resembling mortal man
and birds and animals and
creeping things.

29. “Without Excuse…”
God Didn’t Entrap Them
People are Without Excuse Because They
Ignored the Obvious God
Refusal to Recognize God Moved People to Insanity
Insanity. n. mental illness of such a severe nature that
a person cannot distinguish fantasy from reality
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/in-therapy/200907/the-definition-insanity-is

30. Enlightenment Turned to Darkness
How Did it Happen?
a. Did Not Acknowledge God
b. Did Not Honor God
c. Did Not Give Thanks
A Lack of Purposeful Recognition and Reverence Led to
a Mental and Spiritual Decay that Left Mankind Foolish
a. Futile Thinking (Reasoning)
b. Darkened Hearts (Inner-Thoughts & Spirituality)
c. Prideful Stupidity (Wizened Fools)

31. They began the CRAZY work of
worshipping STUFF
3 Questions
1. Have you forgotten God this week?
2. Have you honored God this week?
3. Have you given thanks to God this week?

32. Remember God
• Have you been reading
Scripture?
• Have you been looking
at the world around
you?
• Have you been slowing
down to think?
• Have you been talking
about God with others?

33. Honor God
• Have you been taking
time to praise God for
His creation?
• Have you been looking
at His creation to
discover God?
• Have you been bringing
gifts of value – time,
treasure and talent to
God?

34. Thank God
• Has God been relevant
in your life – and have
you thanked Him?
• Are you regularly
making a practice for
times of extended
thanksgiving?
• Are you taking time
with your family?
• Are you thanking God
for the hard things?

35. When We Diligently Remember, Honor and Thank
God for His Eternal Power and Divine Nature – We
Connect Our Lives to the Creator of All Good Things.