The Glory of Creation

Introduction:

· As we pursue: Jobs; family; goals; dreams; marriage; singleness; what is the purpose of these?

PSALM 96 IS AN INVITATION TO WORSIHP, AND IT GIVES US THREE REASONS: GOD IS OUR CREATOR, GOD IS OUR RULER, AND FINALLY, GOD IS OUR JUDGE.

I) We Worship God For Who He Is (vv. 1-6)

A. The Nature of Worship: A Call to the Nations to Praise God (vv. 1-3)

i. Worship is a defining quality of God’s People (see vs. 1-3, 4, 11, 12)

1. We are called to sing, declare, ascribe: With JOY, and REVERENCE

2. APPLICATION: Evaluating worship: “What I like?” vs. “joy, reverence

ii. Worship is Missional In Nature

1. The Psalmist is calling the nations to join in praising God (vv. 1, 3)

2. “Missions exists because worship does not.” -- Piper

B. The Reason for Worship: The Supremacy of God over Idols (vv. 4-6)

i. Worshipping God For Who He is…

1. The Psalmist piles up the qualities of God: Strength; majesty; splendor…

2. ILLUSTRATION: listened to a piece of music? Scenery that leaves you speechless?

ii. …And What he has Done (see vs. 4)

1. But isn’t God “econmaniacal” for demanding praise?

2. EXAMPLE: plagiarism is giving credit where it isn’t due – and since God is the creator, then it makes sense to give him credit

IN VERSE 7, THE PSALMIST REPEATS THE CALL TO WORSHIP, BUT THIS TIME FOR A DIFFERENT REASON.

II) We Worship God as Ruler (vv. 7-10)

A. As Creator God Also Governs His Creation

i. But an involved ruler over creation

1. The Psalmist declares that the Lord Reigns, a statement of authority

2. God as creator à Ownership; àGovernance

ii. God is not an aloof landlord…

1. How does God relate to the world that he made? To your life?

2. EXAMPLE: Deism…OR: a anxiety-riddled generation…

B. Therefore Worship Includes Submission to His Authority

i. But is he really? Yes!

1. ILLUSTRATION: Calvin & his trials – Is God really sovereign?

2. Calvin teaches us that we can trust, even if we don’t understand

3. “Thou bruiseth me, but it is enough that it is thy hand.”

ii. Hence, worship involves submitting to him, even if we don’t always understand

1. Worship isn’t just singing – but action as well (vs. 8)

2. APPLICATION: Like Job, in great suffering, “The name of the Lord is praised.”

Transition:

III) We Worship God as Judge (vv. 10b-13)

A. Creation Rejoices at the Prospect of Judgment…?

i. An odd ending: Judgment over creation?

1. As a ruler, God will act to judge the world

2. “Judgment” is considered offensive to many, especially today

ii. As ruler, God’s judgment is settled opposition to any/all that threatens his creaiton

1. BUT: Even secular people recoil at injustice, at corruption, and long for justice!

2. Justice, in the bible, is reason for hope because it assures us that the one who created the world will one day deal with all that has undermined it

3. ILLUSTRATION:

B. Jesus Provides Hope in the Face of Judgment

i. The Context of this Psalm: Returning God’s Ark to Jerusalem

1. This Psalmi s included in an earlier story of David bringin the ark back to Jerusalem to establish God’s authority

ii. A greater “ark” has come,

1. How much greater: A greater king has come, a greater ruler who will return again as judge

2. But this king has made a way through judgment!

Transition:

Conclusion

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