Sermon Tone Analysis

How often do we think about God?

Not enough.

What happens when we do not?

Intro

Illus: A Young Lady who I counseled who had never heard that God loved her.

I spoke with her for many sessions and assumed that because she was a Christian she knew of God’s love, grace and mercy.

She had a view of God that was not biblical.

Tragedies like the one that hit many in Thomson close to home this weekend is a great reminder that we should have a good knowledge of who God is, lest we not survive any tragedy that befalls us.

If we have a wrong view of God, we will have a wrong view of ourself and the world.

What we believe and know about God directly reflects how we live in this world.

John Calvin begins his institutes of Christian religion with:

“Without knowledge of self there is no knowledge of God”

But, he immediately follows that with “without knowledge of God there is no knowledge of self.”

How do people misunderstand God?

Some see him as: The man upstairs!

The clock maker!

God who makes unreasonable demands!

Hollywood version of God played by George Burns or Morgan Freeman.

The views of God lead directly to how people operate in this world.

As Christians we must have a biblical view of God, or life will not make sense.

What we know about ourselves will be wrong.

How we view others will be misguided.

How we live this life will be misguided.

Paul ran across with the sons of Sceva at Ephesus.

Ephesus was a sea port.

Many had come with various religions and worship practices.

Most were spiritual but not Christian.

Man has always been religious, just not always religious toward God.

Therefore, since from the beginning of the world there has been no region, no city, in short, no household, that could do without religion, there lies in this a tacit confession of a sense of deity inscribed in the hearts of all.

Principles of Faith

Recognizing the truth about God’s power will motivate us to rebel or repent.

God’s power is over all of his creation

Inanimate objects (11-12)

objects created by men

Evil Spirits (13-15)

Men (16)

There is nothing outside of God’s power and control

Significance:

How can we have faith in a God who isn’t over all things?

Wouldn’t this actually bring more fear?

Wouldn’t this actually cause distrust?

God always exhibits his power in the world in ways that is true and should be trusted by his people.

Illus: - Jesus heals the paralytic: power to forgive sins and to heal the body.

Shows Jesus power over the entire creation as given by the Father.

Shows that Jesus is God.

Our faith is not in a God, like George Burns or Morgan Freeman.

He is not just the man upstairs.

He is God of the universe.

He is all powerful, OMNIPOTENT.

God’s power is often absconded by evil men

Men who seek to be God

Continual clash between God and his rule and man and his perceived rule

- seed of the woman and seed of the serpent

seeking to benefit from God’s power

Sons of Sceva are trying to benefit from God’s power.

Sin: pride, arrogance, playing God, idolatry (themselves)

“Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?”

App: We need to be careful thinking too highly of ourselves.

Sometimes we allow pride to cause us to believe that we are the ones doing God’s work.

We sometimes take the credit for his work.

Sometimes in the church we fall into this.

It makes us feel good when people recognize our work.

We believe that people should recognize our work and congratulate us for a job well done.

The reality is that God is doing His work.

We may be a part of that and he may use us, but we should be careful in our motives.

If we believe God is all powerful and that evil men will try and abscond with what is rightfully his, we must conclude that we could be guilty of that.

We are not above taking credit for God’s work.

Illus: Beatitudes:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

God will be glorified in his world

(17) the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled.

glorified, magnified

Jesus was credited for the works taking place

We should know that the things that God does in this world, although often mysterious are for his own glory.

The goal of salvation is not that we are worship and extolled

The goal is that God is glorified

GLORIFY - the first statement in our vision statement.

App: If we stop trying to figure God out where he has not revealed himself and focus on what we know and that all things lead to his glory it will show in our life.

Whatever our tragedy is, whatever we are facing, sorrow, grief, pain, etc . . . is somehow so that God receives the glory.

This should be our prayer.

This should be our mindset.

Illus: Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane.

Matt

Jesus could go through this knowing that God the Father would be glorified.

My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.

(2016).

().

Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.

(2016).

().

Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Fear of God is what motivates repentance of sin

God’s people fear him