What Is God Like? Understanding God’s Nature | Open Arms Community Church in Bradford PA
Last week, our BASICS series began by exploring one of life’s most important questions: Who is God? In that message, Pastor Zoe Hatcher taught about the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and how God has revealed Himself to us through Scripture. This week, the series continues by asking another foundational question: What is God like? In this message from Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA, Pastor Zoe walks through what the Bible teaches about God’s nature, revealing a God who is all-powerful, all-knowing, always present, and perfectly good. These truths don’t just help us understand God better—they help us learn why He is worthy of our trust and worship.
Watch the full message below:
What Is God’s Nature?
People are fascinated with greatness.
We admire athletes, scholars, inventors, leaders, and superheroes. We spend countless hours and dollars trying to become stronger, smarter, faster, healthier, and more successful.
Why?
Because deep down, humanity was created to worship perfection.
The problem is that none of us are perfect. No matter how hard we try, we all have limits. The Bible teaches that God alone is perfect. He is not simply a better version of humanity. He is completely unlike us in His perfection.
How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension!
Psalm 147:5 (NLT)
God’s nature is perfection. Everything that is good, wise, holy, loving, powerful, and true finds its ultimate source in Him.
This is why God alone deserves worship.
Key Takeaway
God is perfect in power, knowledge, presence, and love.
Everything we long for in wisdom, strength, goodness, and faithfulness finds its source in Him.
Why Only God Is Worthy of Worship
The Bible warns against idolatry—giving ultimate devotion to anything other than God.
People often place their trust in money, success, relationships, careers, possessions, politics, comfort, or even themselves. But none of those things are perfect. None of them are eternal. None of them can save us.
Only God is perfectly powerful, perfectly wise, perfectly good, and the Creator of all things.
Even Jesus received worship because He is truly God.
The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the Lord made the heavens!
Psalm 96:5 (NLT)
And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him.
Matthew 28:9 (NLT)
Anything less than God will eventually disappoint us. Only God is worthy of complete trust and devotion.
The question isn’t whether people worship.
The question is what—or who—they worship.
The Three “Omnis” of God
One of the ways Scripture describes God’s perfection is through three important attributes often called the “Three Omnis.”
These truths help us understand what makes God unlike anyone or anything else.
God Is Omnipotent (All-Powerful)
The word omnipotent means all-powerful.
God possesses unlimited power and authority over creation. Nothing is beyond His ability. Nothing catches Him by surprise. Nothing can prevent His purposes from being accomplished.
Throughout Scripture, God’s power is displayed through creation, miracles, healing, deliverance, and ultimately through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you;
Psalm 62:11 (NLT)
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! Your enemies cringe before your mighty power.
Psalm 66:3 (NLT)
You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations.
Psalm 77:14 (NLT)
For the word of God will never fail.
Luke 1:37 (NLT)
It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
Isaiah 55:11 (NLT)
God’s power isn’t merely something that happened in the distant past. His power is still at work today.
Every testimony of healing, protection, provision, transformation, and salvation points back to the God whose power knows no limits.
And for followers of Jesus, there is another incredible truth: God’s power is not distant. Through the Holy Spirit, He works in and through His people.
No challenge is too great. No circumstance is beyond His reach. No situation is hopeless when placed in His hands.
God Is Omniscient (All-Knowing)
The word omniscient means all-knowing.
God possesses complete knowledge of the past, present, and future. He knows every thought, every motive, every word, and every detail of every life.
Nothing is hidden from Him.
O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD.
Psalm 139:1-4 (NLT)Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
Isaiah 40:28 (NLT)Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!
Matthew 6:8 (NLT)Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!
Romans 11:33 (NLT)Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.
Hebrews 4:13 (NLT)
While that reality can feel intimidating, it is also incredibly comforting.
God knows every struggle, every fear, every disappointment, and every need before we ever speak a word.
He knows the prayers we can’t find words for.
He knows the questions we’re afraid to ask.
He knows the future we cannot see.
His knowledge is not distant or detached. It is personal.
The God who knows everything also knows you completely.
God Is Omnipresent (Always Present)
The word omnipresent means always present.
God is not limited by time or space. He is present everywhere at once.
Unlike human beings, God never leaves. He never loses track of us. He is never unavailable.
So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
Psalm 46:1 (NLT)I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night— but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.
Psalm 139:7-12 (NLT)Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:20 (NLT)That is why they stand in front of God’s throne and serve him day and night in his Temple. And he who sits on the throne will give them shelter.
Revelation 7:15 (NLT)
Whether someone is celebrating a victory or walking through heartbreak, God is there.
Whether in moments of courage or moments of fear, God is there.
Whether standing on a mountaintop or sitting in a valley, God is there.
The God who sustains the universe is also close enough to hear every prayer and guide every step.
He is the God who can rule over all creation and still be as near as your very breath.
God Is Perfectly Good
While goodness is not one of the “Omni” attributes, it is impossible to talk about God’s nature without talking about His goodness.
God is not only powerful enough to help.
He is good enough to trust.
He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!
Deuteronomy 32:4 (NLT)God’s way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
Psalm 18:30 (NLT)For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
Psalm 100:5 (NLT)Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 107:1 (NLT)The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.
Lamentations 3:25 (NLT)But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5:48 (NLT)And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Romans 8:28 (NLT)This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.
1 John 1:5 (NLT)
God’s goodness means He always does what is right.
His goodness means He loves people completely.
His goodness means He works for the ultimate good of those who love Him.
His goodness means that even when circumstances are difficult, He can still be trusted.
God’s plans are not random.
His purposes are not accidental.
His love is not conditional.
Because He is perfectly good, His heart toward His people is always trustworthy.
Why These Attributes Matter
These attributes cannot be separated from one another.
If God were all-powerful but not perfectly wise, His power could be destructive.
If He were all-knowing but not perfectly good, His knowledge could be terrifying.
If He were always present but lacked love, His presence would not be comforting.
If He were good but lacked the power to act, His goodness would not help us.
But God possesses all of these attributes perfectly and simultaneously.
He is all-powerful.
He is all-knowing.
He is always present.
He is perfectly good.
And because He is all of these things at once, He is completely trustworthy.
A Better Hero Than Any Superhero
Humanity loves superheroes because they represent qualities we admire.
One hero may have incredible strength.
Another may have exceptional intelligence.
Another may have remarkable character.
But every hero has limitations.
God does not.
He possesses limitless power, perfect wisdom, flawless goodness, and constant presence without any weakness or limitation.
He is everything we long for and everything we need.
Unlike every superhero story ever written, God’s power isn’t fictional.
His wisdom isn’t limited.
His goodness never fails.
And His presence never leaves.
Can You Trust Him?
Many people have built their lives around things they hope will save them—money, achievement, relationships, influence, strength, or security.
Eventually, every one of those things will fail.
Only God remains.
The good news of the Gospel is that God knows us completely, loves us perfectly, and remains with us continually. He has the power to save, the wisdom to guide, the presence to comfort, and the goodness to lead us into His purposes.
The question is not whether God is trustworthy.
The question is whether we will trust Him.
The God who created the universe knows your name.
The God who holds all power sees your struggles.
The God who is present everywhere is present with you.
And the God who is perfectly good has not stopped working in your life.
If you’d like to learn more about Jesus, connect with our church family, or ask for prayer, we’d love to hear from you.
Plan Your Visit
Watch More Messages
Give Online
Open Arms Community Church
71 Congress Street
Bradford, PA 16701
Sundays at 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM
