A. INTRODUCTION: REMEMBER
1. Reverse – don’t say God does the same actions as humans. No! God is Person. We are made in His image:
a. Image – internal identification.
b. Likeness – outward following the same actions or mannerism. “Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person” (Genesis 2:7, NLT).
2. God did human actions:
a. Originally.
b. Perfectly.
c. Eternally
d. Plus infinitely more that humans who don’t know and couldn’t understand.
3. Anthromorphism – human actions and physical characteristics projected into God to help readers understand God and His actions. God does not have actual physical instruments or characteristics, but performs the functions that describe Him.
B. PRAISING GOD AS HE DESCRIBES HIMSELF
1. I sing. “The Lord you God in your midst, the mighty One will save … He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17, NLT). Singing involves:
a. Melody.
b. Rhythm.
c. Harmony or chords. Would God sing music to please Him or you?
2. I walk. “I will walk among you and be your God” (Leviticus 26:12). Does God have legs, feet? Can an omnipresent God walk to a place where He is already present? “The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass” (Revelation 21:21, NKJV).
3. I rest. “On the seventh day God had finished … He rested” (Genesis 2:2, NLT). Was God physically tired? Did God need mental refreshing? Why did He rest? What did He do?
4. I think. “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts … and My thoughts are higher than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9, NLT). Since God knows all things, omniscience, why or how could He think?
5. I remember. “I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you” (Genesis 9:15, NKJV). “I will remember all their wickedness … they are before My face” (Hosea 7:2, NKJV). Remembering involves calling to mind an event or saying that is not there. Has God ever forgotten anything? Can He?
6. I whistle. “When I whistle to them(Jewish remnant) they will come running” (Zechariah 10:8, NLT). A whistle to call, attract attention, or warn. Could God call a different way? Does He need a whistle?
7. I whisper to get you to stop what you are doing to listen to the speaker. “I the LORD told Elijah, ‘Go stand … and I the LORD passed by … a mighty windstorm … earthquake … fire .. then the sound of a gentle whisper’” (1 Kings 19:11-12, ELT). Why? (a) so no one knows, (b) to get listener’s attention, (c) focus on content.
8. Body parts (partial list) – face, mind (brain), heart (organ), nose, eyes, finger, ears, backside.
C. HOW YOU SHOULD RESPOND
1. Worship and praise for how you are created. “When I consider the work of your hands … sun … moon … stars, I ask ‘what is man?’ O Lord, how excellent is your name” (Psalm 8:3-4, 9, ELT).
2. Yield. “Dedicate your body as a living sacrifice, holy, and pleasing to Him” (Romans 12:1, BBJ):
a. Let God use every part.
b. Use in every way He choose.
c. You will please God.
3. Train, develop and grow all physical and mental functions: (a) God desires your best, (b) God uses you according to your use ability, (c) determine to be the best.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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