WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A GOD LIKE THIS?
Before I get started, please understand that this is not a question asked in arrogance. I am in no way suggesting in this question that you could possibly control GOD!!!!! This question is asked in wonder. This question is asked in amazement. This question is in response to God’s awesomeness and the fact that I am awestruck by His greatness. This question is asking how I should respond to such a God like this. With a finite mind trying to comprehend an infinite God, I ask, “What do you do with a God like this?”
SCRIPTURE: Summarize Exodus 19 up to verse 16 then read theme verses.
Exodus 19:16 “And it came to pass on the third day in the morning (The Old Testament contains types and shadows of the New Testament.), that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. 19:17 And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. 19:18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. 19:19 And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.”
Exodus 20:18 “And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. 20:19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
20:20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.”
I Kings 19:11 “And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: 19:12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire:
and after the fire a still small voice. 19:13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?”
God chooses how he will interact with people.
INTRODUCTION:
In reference to the Son of God in the New Testament:
He stops a funeral procession and raises the dead. “What do you do with a God like this?”
He speaks to the wind and the waves and they obey Him. “What do you do with a God like this?”
He step out on the sea and walks on the water. “What do you do with a God like this?”
He speaks to demons and they obey Him. “What do you do with a God like this?”
In reference to the Son of God working in the Church:
He takes a drunkard, an addict, a harlot, etc. and remakes him or her into a respectable, responsible individual. “What do you do with a God like this?”
By His Spirit, in mercy, He enters into a worship service occupied by a man, or woman, or young person, (maybe an entire family) who He has called to His House of God one more time just before some tragedy strikes, just before their life falls apart or just before death knocks on their door, and He offers them salvation. He offers them grace for a difficult time that is approaching. In the Pentecostal Churches over the years, and recently right here at Grand Ave CGMA, I have repeatedly witnessed when God entered a worship service and moved in the congregation in a special way on behalf of a lost person or hurting person. “What do you do with a God like this?”
Does it require a great cathedral to experience the presence of God? NO!!!!! We have church in an ex-firehouse at the border of Latonia and Taylor Mill.
Does it require a seminary pastor to experience God. NO!!!!! Our pastor is an ex-truck driver who just wants God to lead the service.
Does it require a great speaker to talk about the experiences of God? NO!!!!! This speaker is an ex-coalminer from the hills of KY.
I wish we all had a cathedral. I wish we all had an education and seminary experience. I wish we all could speak with the tongues of angels. But more than anything, I want God to keep visiting us!!!!!
I. NEGATIVE RESPONSES TO GOD
A. Fear
1. Exodus 20 Example --> Israelites didn’t want to be in His presence due to His display of power.
Understand that they were also in in different dispensation. We are now able to
enjoy His presence in a different way by His Spirit and approach Him with our
supplications and thanksgivings.
Hebrews 10:19 “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,”
Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Don’t be afraid of what we call a “Holy Ghost service”. Reverence and enjoy His presence.
2. Fear Him in the right way.
Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the
soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
B. Curiosity in the spiritual.
Associated with astrology, palm readers, pyschics, witchcraft, vampirism, etc.
C. Disrespect for the Holy.
1. Profaning the temple of God. --> The Church.
Mocking and ridiculing the moving of the Holy Ghost.
2. Profaning the temple of the Holy Ghost. --> The Body, made in God’s image.
Body piercings, alcohol, drugs, sexual immorality including homosexuality, etc.
Romans 1:21 “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God,
neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”
D. Outbursts of Anger
1. Some will mock and belittle God and the Word of God after He has gone to great lengths to prevent or reduce suffering and pain in their lives. “What do you do with a God like this?”
2. Some point a finger at God or shake their clenched fist in anger at God blaming God for all the evil in the world. And yet, in mercy, He will send someone their way to offer salvation once again. “What do you do with a God like this?”
E. Unbelief
Hebrews 3:12 “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of
unbelief, in departing from the living God.”
Hebrews 3:18 “And to whom swear he that they should not enter into his rest, but
to them that believed not? 3:19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”
II. POSITIVE RESPONSES
With the Universe at His fingertips and under the control of His very Word, He lays down His life to pay the sacrifice required by the justice of God to redeem mankind. “What do you do with a God like this?”
A. Surrender To Him
Throw up your hands and give him yourself.
Matthew 22:35 “Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 22:38 This is the first and great commandment. 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
B. Worship Him
Exodus 33:18 “And he (Moses) said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. 33:20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. 33:21 And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: 33:22 And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I
pass by: 33:23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.”
1. Fall down in His presence.
Rev. 1:17 “And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right
hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
2. Give Him all the glory.
Rev. 4:8 “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they
were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”
Rev. 5:11 “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the
throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.”
C. Give Him Away . . . to others
CONCLUSION:
Hebrews 10:26 “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 10:28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought
worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
“What will you do with a God like this?” Your eternity depends upon your response.
