SS Psalm 19:1-6

Title: Knowing and Fulfilling Purpose

Text:

Thesis: All mankind must affirm & show forth the glory of God!

(1) God’s expectation of man proven. [Skeptical questions are answered]

(a) How do we know that God exists? (v. 1)

The heavens show forth that he exists. The heavens show his labor. He is the Creator of this.

Romans 1:19–20 KJV 1900

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

(b) How do we know that God continues to exist (v. 2)

The rotation of the evening and the morning is an ongoing testimony of this knowledge of God. He is the Creator who sustains.

Genesis 1:5–6 KJV 1900

And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

Illustration for brief application:

Nistzsche

Have you not heard of the madman who lit a lamp in the bright morning and went to the marketplace crying ceaselessly, “I seek God! I seek God!” There were many among those standing there who didn’t believe in God so he made them laugh. “Is God lost?” one of them said. “Has he gone astray like a child?” said another. “Or is he hiding? Has he gone on board ship and emigrated?” So they laughed and shouted to one another. The man sprang into their midst and looked daggers at them.

“Where is God?” he cried. “I will tell you. We have killed him—you and I We are all his killers! But how have we done this? How could we swallow up the sea? Who gave us the sponge to wipe away the horizon? What will we do as the earth is set loose from its sun?” - Friedrich Nietzsche, 1889

Nietzsche’s point was not that God does not exist, but that God has become irrelevant. Men and women may assert that God exists or that He does not, but it makes little difference either way. God is dead not because He doesn’t exist, but because we live, play, procreate, govern, and die as though He doesn’t.

C. Colson, Kingdoms in Conflict, p. 181

Galaxie Software. (2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.

(c) Are there some who don’t know the message of creation (v. 3 - 4b)

No, the message of creation is everywhere, and there are no language barriers. This also means that a concerted effort must be made (everywhere) to reject this message.

(d) Is there any more specific evidence about God from creation? (v. 4c - 6) Is there anything from creation that enhances the evidences of God’s self-revelation?

Yes, the sun. The sun's rotation is orderly and breathtaking, like the revelation of a bridegroom, like a deliverer, like a supplier, like a nourisher...etc Like a strong man, it exudes power. Nothing is hidden from it. What magnitude!

These declarations being true means that man is responsible as the creation before the Creator. He is glorious and should be recognized in this way.

These declarations being true means that man is responsible as the creation before the Creator. He is glorious and should be recognized in this way.

Thesis: All mankind must affirm & show forth the glory of God!

How can the expectation that all mankind must affirm

Transition: The Old Testament gives to us quote a bleak picture of man before this great glorious God.

Sin is introduced into the creation

Tran

Man’s heart is evil only continually

Creation itself groans because of sin

In the earliest part of the creation, God has to intervene with self-revelation that was temporary.

Coats of skins in the garden

The Tabernacle in the Wilderness

The Temple and his people

Why? because man is incapable of rightly fulfilling what this glorious God deserves.

Illustration for brief application:

Famous People Who Were Slow Starters

1. Winston Churchill seemed so dull as a youth that his father thought he might be incapable of earning a living in England.

2. Charles Darwin did so poorly in school that his father once told him, “You will be a disgrace to yourself and all your family.

3. G.K. Chesterton, the English writer, could not read until he was eight. One of his teachers told him, “If we could open your head we should not find any brain but only a lump of white fat.”

4. Thomas Edison’s first teacher described him as “addled(unable to think; confused),” and his father almost convinced him he was a dunce.”

5. Albert Einstein’s parents feared their child was dull, and he performed so badly in all high school courses except mathematics that a teacher asked him to drop out.

Book of Lists, 1986, Irving Wallace, Wm. Morrow & Co., NY, NY

Galaxie Software. (2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.

Thesis: All mankind must affirm & show forth the glory of God!

(2) God’s expectation of man made possible -

(2) God’s expectation of man made possible -

What does the NT connection do for helping us to understand this Psalm? Knowing that Christ came to this earth and the claim that He is the Creator

(a) Allows mankind to test and see the validity of the existence of this Creator - (the experience of this Creator is possible)

(b) Allow us to see if this Creator can really sustain all things -

How are we certain that He can sustain all things? He is the firstborn from the dead.

Revelation 1:5 KJV 1900

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

(c) Allows us to confirm a common starting point and an exclusive terminating point, regardless of language, cultural, or ethnic barriers - , [judgment in view]

(d) Allows us to confirm with specificity that the glory of God who created the sun has brought a greater light [the glorious gospel] - [Christian experience in view]

It is an argument that the NT writers see as critical to presenting the message of salvation.

Thesis: All mankind must affirm & show forth the glory of God!

2 Corinthians 1:20 KJV 1900

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Philippians 2:10–11 KJV 1900

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Romans 8:38–39 KJV 1900

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Philippians 2:10 KJV 1900

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Brief Illustration for application:

Jesus As King

My king was born king. The Bible says He is the seven-way king. He is the king of the Jews. That’s a racial king. He is king of Israel. That’s a national king. He’s a king of righteousness. He’s a king of the ages. He’s the king of heaven. He is the king of glory. He’s the King of kings and Lord of lords. Now that’s my king.

Well, I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don’t try to mislead me. Do you know my king? David said, “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork.” No far-seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing.

He’s enduringly strong, He’s entirely sincere, He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. That’s my king. He’s God’s Son. He’s a sinner’s savior. He’s the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s august. He’s unique. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s preeminent. He’s the loftiest idea in literature. He’s the highest idea in philosophy. He’s the fundamental truth in theology. He’s the cardinal necessity of spiritual religion. That’s my king.....Dr. SM Lockridge

Galaxie Software. (2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.

(3) God’s expectation of man made personal.

(a) expectation for all created men and women

If this is true, then an immeasurably powerful God has shown a care/love for His creation that is incomparable.

John 3:16 KJV 1900

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

- All must either believe or reject the Person of Jesus Christ.

If this is true, then all men have an accountability regardless of what they may say. - they are without excuse

- The Creator provided someone to give an account. Either you have an advocate or your do not. Being in the court is not optional. -

1 John 2:1 KJV 1900

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

(b) expectation for all new creations in Christ

If this is true, then the light that you have received in the gospel greater than anything in creative light.

This should cause you to burst forth in personal and corporate rejoicing without shame

This should embolden you in the face of any other creation that may cause you to be in awe (life, sun rise, death...etc)

If this is true, then the death of the earthen vessel on a daily basis is the greatest service rendered for God to men.

2 Corinthians 4:7–12 KJV 1900

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

Illustration for Brief Application:

It Only Hurts When I Laugh

In her book It Only Hurts When I Laugh, Ethel Barrett tells how four outstanding servants of God died to self and sin. George Mueller, when questioned about his spiritual power, responded simply, “One day George Mueller died.” D. L. Moody was visiting New York City when he consciously died to his own ambitions. Pastor Charles Finney slipped away to a secluded spot in a forest to die to self. And evangelist Christmas Evans, putting down on paper his surrender to Christ, began it by writing: “I give my soul and body to Jesus.” It was, in a very real sense, a death to self.

John Gregory Mantle wrote, “There is a great difference between realizing, ‘On that Cross He was crucified for me,’ and ‘On that Cross I am crucified with Him.’ The one aspect brings us deliverance from sin’s condemnation, the other from sin’s power.”

Recognizing that we “have been crucified with Christ” (), we should, as Paul admonished in , consider ourselves “to be dead indeed to sin.” We still have sinful tendencies within, but having died to them, sin no longer has dominion over us. We die to our selfish desires and pursuits. But believers must also think of themselves as “alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (). We should do those things that please Him.

Victorious Christians are those who have died—to live! - R.W.D.

Our Daily Bread, Saturday, July 30

Galaxie Software. (2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.

This should cause you to lay aside excuses that prevent you from giving your dying breath

This should cause you to re-evaluate your priorities

This should cause you to give up time for unbelievers and for believers.

This should cause you to be willing to deplete your bank account for the gospel.

This should cause you to be willing to offer your abilities for the body of Christ.

Thesis: All mankind must affirm & show forth the glory of God!