A. INTRODUCTION
1. Remember – we were created in God’s image and likeness. “And God said, ‘let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). Image is nature, likeness is function. So, we function and react as would God.
2. God’s body parts. Attributed to God – face, heart, mind, nose, hands, eyes, ears, mouth, fingers, etc.
3. Anthromorphism: human actions and physical characteristics projected on to God to help readers understand God’s actions and reactions.
B. PRAISING GOD AS WE DESCRIBE HIS BODY PARTS
1. Face. “As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you … My face will not be seen” (Exodus 33:22-23, NLT). With His face, God has eyes, ears, nose, mouth to represent Him as a person who knows (omniscient) and response/communication:
a. Old stone face.
b. To find God, “Your face, Lord will I seek” (Psalm 27:8).
c. Face reflects inner you.
2. Mind. Brain never mentioned in Bible:
a. You lose your memory, God cannot.
b. You lose your mind (Alzheimer’s), God cannot.
c. You misunderstand, God cannot.
d. Two greatest powers of your mind know self and direct self.
3. Heart. “I your Lord, have sought for a man after My own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14, BBJ):
a. Physical, the central seat of blood distribution to the body.
b. Spiritual, the central seat of emotions, intellect, and will that knows and directs oneself.
4. Nose. “I the Lord was pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice” (Genesis 8:21). What is the best aroma you have ever smelled?
5. Eyes. “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears open to their prayer” (1 Peter 3:12).
a. Omniscience – knows all things actual and potential.
b. Omnipresence – everywhere present always.
c. Omnipotent – can do all things doable.
Questions: (1) Are His eyes in the back or all around? (2) What color? (c) What makes you wink? “And the times of this ignorance God winked at” (Acts 17:30). “God overlooked” (NLT).
6. Ears. “Is His (God’s) ear too deaf to hear your call” (Isaiah 59:1, NLT).
a. Original plugged up with wax.
b. Why does God refuse to hear your prayer? (1) sin, (2) unbelief, (3) contrary to God’s nature, (4) timing, (5) unsaved, (6) something better.
7. Fingers. “The night sky … the work of Your fingers” (Psalm 8:3, NLT). Ten Commandments, “written by the finger of God” (Exodus 31:18, NLT). The Old Testament Hebrew means “double authority.” The unsaved decorate the finger with jewelry, to give importance to the person.
8. Feet. “Clouds are the dust of His feet” (Nahum 1:4), illustration; “You marched … trampled the nations in Your fury” (Habakkuk 3:12, NLT). Figure of speech. “The heaven is My throne, and the earth is my footstool” (Isaiah 66:1, KJV).
C. HOW SHOULD YOU RESPOND
1. Remember. Since you have body parts similar to those projected unto God, you should:
a. Thank God for giving each part to you.
b. Dedicate each to God’s use.
c. Care for them as an assignment from God.
2. Pray for God’s use of them and guide in your life and ministry.
3. Determine to use each one as a testimony to God.
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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