God Is Right Handed

God Is Right Handed Psalm 98:1, 2

INTRO.: Years ago, I heard a radio preacher say God is right handed. He gave several Scriptures he thought proved the point. I got interested in looking up the Scriptures to see what is meant by the right hand of God. Sure enough, God is spoken of many times as using His right hand. His left hand is never mentioned. Of course, God does not have hands and feet as we have them. He is not flesh and blood. This is a figure of speech called "anthropomorphism."

"Anthropomorphism" is a figure of speech that means giving human attributes to God. It comes from two Latin words; "anthropos," which means man and "Morphe," meaning form. To speak of God as having hands, eyes, etc. is to employ anthropomorphism.

The "right hand of God" is an anthropomorphism referring to the power and authority of God. God’s power has been demonstrated in many ways. Let’s look at some of the things God does with His "right hand."

I. God saves with His right hand:

A. He saved Israel.

1. Israel did not have the power to save herself.

2. God intervened: Ex. 2:23-25

3. After their deliverance, Moses recognized God’s work in a song. "Your right hand, O LORD, was majestic in power. Your right hand, O LORD, shattered the enemy." Ex. 15:6

B. God demonstrated His power to save in the resurrection of Jesus, as He did in the resurrection of Israel.

1. Satan and his demons thought they had won a great victory on Calvary.

2. They were proven wrong when He was raised, and again when the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost.

3. Peter declared this to be a demonstration of God’s power. Acts 2:33 (see ASV.) He was exalted by the right hand of God and has fulfilled His promise to send the Spirit.

C. God’s power is still at work to save men:

1. Through the resurrection of Jesus. Since He raised Jesus, He will certainly raise us.

2. His power to save is in the Gospel. Rom. 1:16

3. II Cor. 4:7 "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."

4. We access His power through faith.

II. God keeps with His right hand:

A. God has always been willing and able to meet the needs of His people:

1. He hears and answers prayer. Psalm 20:6

2. "Your right hand upholds me." Psalm 63:8

3. God made an oath to care for His people, Israel. "The LORD has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm." Psalm 62:8

B. God still cares for His people. I Pet. 1:5

1. He has prepared Heaven for us and has opened the way through the death of Jesus.

2. His work is not done, for salvation is "is ready to be revealed in the last time."

3. His power works through faith. Conditioned upon our belief.

4. His power has granted us all things needful. Live confidently. II Pet. 1:3

C. He cares for His Church. Rev. 1:16, 20

1. Christ is in constant contact with His Body, the Church.

2. We needn’t fear the Church or her ministry will ever become obsolete.

3. We may need to change some of the ways we do things, but the gates of hell will never prevail against the Church.

III. God will judge with His right hand: Ps. 21:8. Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes."

A. Again, Israel’s history affords a good example:

1. Her enemies were warned they were flying in the face of God and judgement would come. "The cup from the LORD’s right hand is coming around to you, and disgrace will cover your glory." Hab. 2:16.

2. Repeatedly, God proved man could not prevail against Him.

3. Israel’s history teaches the consequences of evil, whether on the part of God’s enemies or His people.

B. The Bible teaches God’s power will be seen in judgement again:

1. Jesus will return with power. Mk. 14:62

2. Everyone will acknowledge His power and authority. Phil. 2:9-11

3. What a shock to those who crucified Him.

C. His power will raise our bodies. I Cor. 6:14

1. Even death can’t prevail against His mighty right hand.

2. We have hope for eternity because of His mighty right hand.

CONC.: in the judgement, there will be a separation. Jesus expresses this in the parable of Matthew 25:31ff. The sheep, representing the faithful, are seated on the right hand of God. 31-34.

Again, this is a figure of speech. A parable. God is not really judging livestock. But, there is a very real and literal possibility some of us may find ourselves on the left hand.

I want to be on God’s right hand. So do you. Accept Christ as your Lord and live for Him..