The Majesty of God and the worthlessness of idols
Ps 115:1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake. Ps 115:2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
Ps 115:3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
Ps 115:4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. Ps 115:5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: Ps 115:6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: Ps 115:7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. Ps 115:8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
Intro: God’s majesty is on display all around us and we as God’s people should recognize his handiwork and give him honor and glory.
Verse 1 I. God’s Majesty displayed…..
A. God’s majesty displayed and is glorified based upon his
1) He is majestic in His Mercy-kindness; He is kind to us through his sacrifice of his own son Jesus Christ upon the cross of Calvary. He is kind to us in the fact that while we were yet sinner’s and hated him he smiled down upon us rescued us from the miry clay and established our goings. He has shown even the most depraved and ungodly individuals kindness just in the fact that he has not cast them into the pit of hell. Too often we get to thinking about the God we serve as a task master with a whip in one hand and bat in the other hand beating his creation into submission. Certainly there are times when God as a father must do chastises his people for wrong doing but, over the years especially as one who has a child of my own. I see a loving Father who in kindness and loving grace takes us and in his mercy gives us what we need. I have found when Zechariah needs correction, that when I do it in anger it hardens his heart to the correction but, when I correct in love and not anger what a difference that is made.
2. He is majestic in his Truth-faithfulness; God is faithful!!!! The Biblical Illustrator said it like this, “The law came by Moses, but grace and truth by Jesus Christ.” All sound beliefs or convictions are based on truth or reality. Without love all is selfishness, and selfishness is the essence of sin. Without truth all is sham, and sham is the curse of the world. In God these two exist in essential unity and in infinite perfection.” The question is asked, “What is truth?” Pilate asked that at Christ’s trial, the answer was given in John 17 (Christ’s intercessory prayer) “…thy word is truth…” What is God’s word passed on to us? It is in this Bible. In this Book we have the truth regarding; 1) Salvation 2) Service 3) Sacrifice.
Verse 2 He is Majestic in his manifestationThe heathen ask the question, “Where is their God?” The God we worship and serve is not made of stone or rocks. He is not here before us to be seen. The God we serve is omnipresent, omniscient He is not limited by time or space physically nor mentally. I am thankful the God I serve is not limited to his presence in an idol he is with me at all times.
V 3 He is majestic in His sovereignty . He is over all. There is no being above Him, the highest are infinitely below Him, and in all His operations He is absolutely free. He hath no counsellor to teach Him new methods of action, no power to restrain Him in any course. He acts according to His own good pleasure, the only being who is absolutely free, independent, and irresponsible. He does what he wants to, when he wants to!!!!!
A. Dan 2:19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.Dan 2:20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: Dan 2:21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
II. The worthlessness of idols V 4-8
Verse 4 Idols are the creation of mans own perversed mind and hands, man made. Think about the 3 Hebrew children being confronted with the golden image and being told to bow down to it. Then refusing by God’s grace.
Verse 5 These idols have eyes but, they can’t see. They have mouths but, they can not speak. They are blind as they lead the spiritually blind into the ditch of despair. They are mute and can not tell those who follow them the path to paradise.
Verse 6 They have ears but, they can not hear the cries of the worshippers as they slip into eternity that is filled with suffering and despair. They have noses but, they cannot smell the sulphur of hell that they have led their worshippers into.
Verse 7 They have hands but, they can not gently caress one who is hurting and lead them to relief. They have feet but, they cannot walk over to crippled man to heal him of his debilitating disease.
Verse 8 The maker of these idols are just like them. Blind, mute, deaf, and crippled.
