The Attributes of God A.W
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The Attributes Of God A.W. Pink FBC Adult Christian Education Dec 2010 – Feb 2011 Lesson # 1 – 5 December 2010 Arthur Walkington Pink (1 April 1886 – 15 July 1952) was an English Christian evangelist and Biblical scholar known for his solidly biblical and Puritan-like teachings. Pink was born in Nottingham, England and became a Christian in 1908, at the age of 22. Though born to Christian parents, prior to conversion he migrated into a Theosophical society (an occult gnostic group popular in England during that time), and quickly rose in prominence within their ranks. His conversion came from his father's patient admonitions from Scripture. It was the verse, Proverbs 14:12, 'there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death,' which particularly struck his heart and compelled him to renounce Theosophy and follow Jesus. Desiring to grow in knowledge of the Bible, Pink immigrated to the United States to study at Moody Bible Institute. Impatient, he left there after only two months and began his first pastorate in Silverton Colorado. In 1916 he married Vera E. Russell (January 8, 1893 - July 17, 1962), who was from Kentucky. In May of 1929, Pink and his wife moved to Morton's Gap and joined the Baptist Church there. Pink had hoped to work on his periodical "Studies in the Scriptures," have a Bible Conference and evangelistic ministry in the area, and be a fellow helper to another pastor, C.D. Cole. Within less then a year, the friendship between Pink and Cole dissolved. During one of the services at Morton's Gap, Pink and his wife got up during Cole's sermon and left the church. Though the Morton's Gap Baptist Church had over a hundred active members, Pink announced that there were only eight or nine saved members of the congregation and Cole was not one of them. In May of 1930, Pink moved to Colorado, then California, then Britain. From 1925 to 1928 he served in Australia, including as pastor of two congregations from 1926 to 1928, when he returned to England, and to the United States the following year. In January 1922 he started a monthly magazine entitled Studies in the Scriptures which circulated among English-speaking Christians worldwide, though only to a relatively small circulation list of around 1,000. In 1934 Pink returned to England, and within a few years turned his Christian service to writing books and pamphlets. Pink died in Stornoway, Scotland on July 15, 1952. The cause of death was anemia. Contentment, then, is the product of a heart resting in God. It is the soul's enjoyment of that peace that passes all understanding. It is the outcome of my will being brought into subjection to the Divine will. It is the blessed assurance that God does all things well, and is, even now, making all things work together for my ultimate good. Instead of complaining at his lot, a contented man is thankful that his condition and circumstances are no worse than they are. Instead of greedily desiring something more than the supply of his present need, he rejoices that God still cares for him. Such an one is "content" with such as he has. A spiritual and saving knowledge of God is the greatest need of every human creature. – The Attributes Of God - A.W. Pink Job 22: 21 – Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee Jeremiah 9: 23 - 24 Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty glory in his might, let not the rich glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth, and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord 1. Do you agree with Pink’s statement, “a spiritual and saving knowledge of God is the greatest need of every human creature”? Explain. ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ It has been said by someone that "the proper study of mankind is man." I will not oppose the idea, but I believe it is equally true that the proper study of God's elect is God; the proper study of a Christian is the Godhead. The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father. There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity. Other subjects we can compass and grapple with; in them we feel a kind of self-content, and go our way with the thought, "Behold I am wise." But when we come to this master science, finding that our plumbline cannot sound its depth, and that our eagle eye cannot see its height, we turn away with the thought that vain man would be wise, but he is like a wild ass's colt; and with solemn exclamation, "I am but of yesterday, and know nothing." No subject of contemplation will tend more to humble the mind, than thoughts of God.... But while the subject humbles the mind, it also expands it. He who often thinks of God, will have a larger mind than the man who simply plods around this narrow globe.... The most excellent study for expanding the soul, is the science of Christ, and Him crucified, and the knowledge of the Godhead in the glorious Trinity. Nothing will so enlarge the intellect, nothing so magnify the whole soul of man, as a devout, earnest, continued investigation of the great subject of the Deity. And, whilst humbling and expanding, this subject is eminently consolatory. Oh, there is, in contemplating Christ, a balm for every wound; in musing on the Father, there is a quietus for every grief; and in the influence of the Holy Ghost, there is a balsam for every sore. Would you lose your sorrow? Would you drown your cares? Then go, plunge yourself in the Godhead's deepest sea; be lost in his immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated. I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief; so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead. It is to that subject that I invite you this morning. Charles Haddon Spurgeon - January 7, 1855 What were we made for? What aim should we set ourselves in life? To know God. What is the “eternal life” that Jesus give? Knowledge of God. “This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). What is the best thing in life, bringing more joy, delight, and contentment, than anything else? Knowledge of God. “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me” (Jer. 9:23f). What, of all the states God ever sees man in, gives Him most pleasure? Knowledge of Himself. “I desire…the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings,” says God (Hos. 6:6). J.I. Packer – Knowing God The foundation of all true knowledge of God must be a clear mental apprehension of His perfections as revealed in Holy Scripture. An unknown God can neither be trusted, served, nor worshipped – The Attributes Of God - A.W. Pink 2. Why is it that a true and clear knowledge of God must come from Scripture? What happens when men stray from this principle? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 3. Why do you think the knowledge of God and His perfections is often ignored or seen as impractical? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 4. List as many reasons as you can think of why studying the character and person of God is a valuable and vital exercise. ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Something more than a theoretical knowledge of God is needed by us. God is only truly known in the soul as we yield ourselves to Him, submit to His authority, and regulate all the details of our lives by His holy precepts and commandments – The Attributes Of God - A.W. Pink Hosea 6: 3 - Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord John 7: 17 - If any man will do His will, he shall know Daniel 11: 32 - The people that do know their God shall be strong" 5. Describe how a true knowledge of God differs from a mere theoretical knowledge. ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Those who know God have great thoughts of God Those who know God show great boldness for God Those who know God have great contentment in God J.I. Packer – Knowing God We must never forget that our knowledge of God is a gift, not a given. What I mean by this is that we all too often presume that what we know of God is either something we gained by self-exertion, dedication, and study, or it is something we deserve, perhaps something that is our by right or entitlement. We should never treat the knowledge of God as a given. It is something He gives, and He does not give it universally.