PRESENTER'S NOTES

Do you have a relationship with God? Well, what or who is God so that we may have a relationship with God?

1 Corinthians 8: 5 For even if there are so-called gods (THEOS), whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods (THEOS) and many lords (KURIOS)), 6 yet for us there is one God (THEOS), the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord (KURIOS) Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

Theos – Father; Kurios – Christ Jesus.

2316 theos theh'-os of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward). see GREEK for 3588

2962 kurios koo'-ree-os from kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir.

Here we see a definition of God, and we see a distinction made between Father and Son, but is that distinction always provided by the use of a particular word? Let’s look at THEOS, used in Corinthians to classify the Father. How else is THEOS used?

John 10:34 man is referred to as “theos”, “you are gods”.

2 Corinthians 4:4 Satan is believed to be the “theos” of this world.

Let’s turn to Hebrews to find another way “theos” is used again.

Hebrews 1: 8 But to the Son He says:

“Your throne, O God (THEOS - Jesus), is forever and ever;
A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.

9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;
Therefore God (THEOS - Jesus), Your God (THEOS - Father), has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”

So, we started out defining the Father as Theos and The Son as Kurios, to go elsewhere to find them both defined as Theos, and now we will go to another…

Luke 10: 21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord (KURIOS) of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.

We learn from this exercise that the same Greek word can have different applications, so it is best to appreciate the meaning of words in context and not as always having a conserved meaning. In other words, don’t put the meaning of a word in a box, and in this case, don’t put God in a box.

So, now that we see the various ways the same word can be used interchangeably according to context, let’s ask a question. Who created all things?

Colossians 1: 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

According to Colossians, the one who became Jesus Created all things.

Revelation 4: 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

11 “You are worthy, O Lord (KURIOS)
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created.”

Again, Christ is acknowledged and worshipped as Creator, but let’s turn to one more scripture…

Ephesians 3: 8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God (THEOS) who created all things through Jesus Christ;

This scripture clearly states that the Father created all things THROUGH Jesus Christ, so now the Father is acknowledged as Creator.

Are we dealing with contradictions? No. Who is who is clearly understood, even without knowing the Greek word, but we still learn that the Father created all things through Christ, and yet, Christ is our Creator. All of this is what we should believe and not add to it or take away from it.

If we have a predetermined concept of God, we can misapply word usage to fit our pre-existing concept. We can also misrepresent God by our limited imaginations. If you hear that “THEOS” applies only to the Father, you can now know this is incorrect. The same goes for “KURIOS”. If someone wishes to argue with you who is specifically responsible for creation, you should now know not to enter that argument.

John 14: 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

19 “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”

23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.

All in all!

John 17: 9 “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. 10 And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.

The Father and the Son BOTH come to dwell in us when we receive God’s Spirit, and we are owned, as it were, by BOTH of them.

It is imperative that you and I experience a full and comprehensive relationship with God by letting both the Father and the Son dwell in us (as we read about in John 14), and acknowledging that we belong to BOTH of them. Do not ignore the one for the other but give acknowledgment and honor where acknowledgment and honor are due.

Very shortly, we have coming upon us the Fall Festivals, ALL of which represent us as resurrected saints, members of the Family of God. We must use this life, brethren, to be in a relationship with God; not the Father alone and not Jesus alone. The Spirit was given us to have both the Father and the Son dwell in us (and we in them). The Father and Son are fully engaged in our lives and so must we be fully engaged with them.