Psalm 147:4 (ESV)
15 March 2009
Third Sunday in Lent
U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris
Fortress Chapel
Contingency Operation Site (C.O.S.) Sykes
Tall-afar, Iraq
BIG IDEA: When we look up into the sky and see the sun during the day, and the stars at night, we are reminded that God created the sun and the stars; He knows how many stars there are and He knows them by name.
REFERENCES: Job 38:32 (NIV) Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons or lead out the Bear with its cubs? Psalm 19 (ESV); Exodus 20:1-17 (ESV); 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (ESV); John 2:13-22 (ESV); Psalm 147:4 (ESV) He determines the number of stars; he gives to all of them their names; Isaiah 40:26 (ESV) Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing; Acts 14:8-18 (ESV) Paul and Barnabas at Lystra – Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Herme, because he was the chief speaker; Romans 1:19-20 (ESV) For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse; Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths; Proverbs 14:12 (ESV) There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death; Genesis 15:5 (ESV) And he brought him outside and said, “look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, So shall your offspring be; Romans 10:18-19 (ESV) But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry”; Psalm 19:4 (ESV) Their measuring line goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber; Genesis 22:17 (ESV) I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand and that is on the seashore; Genesis 1:16 (ESV) And God made the two great lights – the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night – and the stars. Hebrews 11:12 (ESV) Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore;
I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: Psalm 19:1-6 (ESV) & Psalm 147:4 (ESV)
II. READ THE PERICOPE: Psalm 19 1-6 (ESV) & Psalm 147:4 (ESV)
III. READ THE TEXT: Psalm 19:4-6 (ESV) Their measuring line goes out
through all the earth, and their words to the end of
of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his
chamber,and,like a strong man, runs its course with
joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and
its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing
hidden from its heat.
&
Psalm 147:4 (ESV) He determines the number of
stars; he gives to all of them their names.
IV. PURPOSE: To motivate the hearers to affirm to others that when we look up into the sky and see the sun (during the day) and the stars at night, we are reminded of the wonderful work of God and Creationism.
V. SERMONIC THEME: “The Zodiac”
VI. INTRODUCTION:
The Greek term for Zodiac is “sodi” which means “a path”. More specifically, … the path through which the Sun travels.
When we look up into the sky and see the sun during the day, and the stars at night, we are reminded that God created the sun and the stars; He knows how many stars there are and He knows them by name.
Now, my brothers and sisters, you may already be aware of the fact that every nation has some form of the Zodiac. The Zodiac has become a method for astronomers to mark the path of the moon and the planets, as their movements also remain within the original twelve constellations.
There are Western Zodiacs, Chinese Zodiacs, Korean Zodiacs, Maya Zodiacs, and Hebrew Zodaics to name a few.
In the West, if you were born between 21 March and 20 April, you are called an “Aries”. The symbol of your astrological sign is the animal called the “Ram”; and your birthstone is the diamond.
According to the symbols used in the Western Culture, I am a Taurus. As I understand Taurus’s, the symbol of my Zodiac sign is an animal – the bull. Taurus’s are known for being both strong and stubborn. They are great providers and protectors. They are hard workers; extremely loyal and dedicated. They are faithful to their companions or significant other. If you were born between 21 April and 22 May, you too are a Taurus and your astrological birthstone is the emerald. If you were born between 23 May and 23 June, you are probably a Gemini; and your sign symbol according to our Western Culture are “twins”.
Gemini’s are like twins – there is a good side; and there’s a bad side.
I can talk about Gemini a little because I’m married to a Gemini.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 1: The Bible tells us in the Book of Romans (chapter 1, verses 18-32) that God’s anger is revealed from heaven against all the sin and evil of the people whose evil ways prevent the truth from being known.
a. God punishes them, because what can be known about God is plain to them, for God himself made it plain.
b. Ever since God created the world, his invisible qualities, both his eternal power and his divine nature, have been clearly seen;
c. they are perceived in the things that God has made.
d. So Soldiers and Civilians (… who do not believe the Bible, and call themselves atheist or agnostics… ) have no excuse at all!
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 2: Soldiers and Civilians … know God …
a. … but they do not give him the honor that belongs to him, nor do they thank him.
b. Instead, their thoughts have become complete nonsense, and their empty minds are filled with darkness.
c. They say they are wise, but they are fools;
d. Some folk are superstitious. If a woman is the first to come to some homes on New Years Day – they won’t let them in.
e. If a black cat, in the street, crosses their path – they will stop, turn around and go in the opposite direction.
f. Some folk are superstitious.
g. … Instead of worshipping the immortal God, they worship images made to look like mortal man or birds or animals or reptiles.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 3: Although, I don’t believe many of our Soldiers and Civilians, here at COS Sykes, are entrenched and deeply rooted into the reading and interpretation of the signs of the Zodiac,…
a. there are some Soldiers and families that are totally dependent upon the readings of the Zodiac.
b. Their investment decisions are dependent upon how the stars are aligned.
c. The manner in which they interact with their spouse or significant other is dependent upon the alignment of the stars that God has created.
d. As a Pentecostal, I was taught early on that “astrology” as we have come to know it, today, is a satanic counterfeit of the TRUE UNDERSTANDING of the stars.
******** TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 4: For many great historical preachers (such as C.H. Spurgeon) have said … the Sun, moon, and stars are God’s travelling preachers;
a. … they are apostles upon their journey confirming those who regard the Lord;
b. and judges on circuit condemning those who worship idols.
c. The Good Book says, in Proverbs 14:12: There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death;
d. Reading the Zodiac and being familiar with what your culture things you are all about is one thing.
e. But to be entrenched into the Signs of the Zodiac to the point that it determines who you are; where you work; who you marry; and when you have children is Another thing all together.
f. For the Good Book says, in Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths;
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 5: In our text, today, we find David calling our attention to God’s creation of Nature in Psalm 19:1-6 and Psalm 147:4.
a. More specifically, David reminds us that when we look up into the sky and see the sun during the day,… and the moon during the night …
b. WE are reminded of God and His finger in Creation.
c. For only God knows how many stars there are …
d. … and Only God knows the stars by name.
e. God didn’t create the sun, moon, or stars for us to worship.
f. He created them for us to enjoy and be reminded of Great He is.
g. He created them for us to be reminded of His Majesty and Strength.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
CELEBRATION: (Psalm 19 shortened)
The Psalmist says …their measuring line goes out through all the earth, and
their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and , like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
