Video Transition: Reflection from sermoncentral.com
His Wind my Awe!
Question: Do you have an awe and wonder for God?
By Michael McCartney
Scripture:
Luke 7:16: They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” (NIV)
Luke 17:16: Everyone was frightened and praised God. They said, “A great prophet is here with us! God has come to his people.” (CEV)
Luke 17:16: Fear gripped them all, and they began glorifying God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited His people!” (NASB)
(Notice awe and fear are interchangeable!)
The primary Greek word for both fear and awe is f?ß?? (phobos), which denotes fear, terror, awe, and reverence. It often signifies a profound, trembling awe or respect, particularly in the presence of the divine or supernatural, as opposed to just fright or being afraid.
Thought: This fear of God should cause us to revere Him and Awe Him.
• A = Astonishment or Amazement of the Lord and His Creation
• W = Wonder of the Lord and His Creation
• E = This fear and reverence should cause us to Exalt the Lord of Creation!
So, what is you AWE factor for God? Rate yourself from 1-10. Be honest!
Greek Words and meaning for Awe:
• Phobos (f?ß??): Covers a spectrum from dread to respectful awe (used in the New Testament to describe the "fear of the Lord").
• Deos (d???): Refers specifically to awe, fear, or reverence.
• Phobeo (f?ß??): The verb form, used in contexts of being afraid, but also in awe.
• Eulabeia (e???ße?a): Means caution, reverence, or godly fear.
These terms, especially phobos, define a state of being overwhelmed by power or majesty, commonly used in the context of reverential fear.
So, what caused this “Awe – This Godly Fear” in our Scripture from Luke? – The answer is Jesus raised the widow Nain’s son from the dead during a funeral procession he ran into!
A Widow’s Son Luke 7:11-17 (NIV)
11Soon Jesus and his disciples were on their way to the town of Nain, and a big crowd was going along with them. 12As they came near the gate of the town, they saw people carrying out the body of a widow’s only son. Many people from the town were walking along with her. 13When the Lord saw the woman, he felt sorry for her and said, “Don’t cry!” 14Jesus went over and touched the stretcher on which the people were carrying the dead boy. They stopped, and Jesus said, “Young man, get up!” 15The boy sat up and began to speak. Jesus then gave him back to his mother. 16Everyone was frightened and praised God. They said, “A great prophet is here with us! God has come to his people.” 17News about Jesus spread all over Judea and everywhere else in that part of the country.
Wow – could you imagine witnessing this powerful – miraculous event? It struck fear and awe into the people who witnessed it! They concluded God is among us in Jesus – He has power to bring people back from the realm of the dead!
Background: Luke is writing his Gospel with the help of traveling ministry partner Paul – and he chooses to focus on how Jesus ministered to the outcast, outlaws, and outsiders of the day. People like women and sinners and Jewish enemies! He wanted to point out that God is no respecter of people!
Galatians 3:28: There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
This miracles of Jesus – really all his miracles – should wow us - this is why I love The Chosen because your experience it from the movie series more dramatically – When I watch them in In- The Chosen, they give me goosebumps and move me emotionally!
But not so with a lot of Christians today – you may ask “Why not?” Our problems is it’s too familiar to us – but it was not common back in those days to hear miracle stories – Jesus revealed His resurrection power – His power over death!
Scientists call this inattentional Blindness – We have a tendency to miss all the little miracles happening with in us and around us and above us every single day – we only notice them when something goes wrong in that cycle of miracles!
Recall he had empathy for this mom who was all alone – this death would have placed her into severe poverty and the dilemma to have no one to care for her! Jesus decided to fix the problem!
Thesis of Message: We as Christians should have an awe and holy fear of Jesus who was God in the flesh – He was not just another nice guy! He had power and authority over the things in this world and beyond this world – He was part of Creation – this should give you goosebumps! We should be chasing His wind of the Holy Spirit so we will be awed by His majestic glory and power.
Solomon in Ecclesiastes makes an observation about his life and its meaning – His research into what brings the abundant life and fulfillment in life reveals a rollercoaster – he highlights all the things he pursued – knowledge, educational degrees, career, large family, wisdom of men, vows to God, religious sacrifice, religion, women, pleasure, money, power, fame, building projects and it was all like “Chasing the wind!” (he says this 9 times) To him a life without God was meaningless and fulfillment was always out of his grasp! See where meaning came from according to Solomon Ecc. 12:13-14!
I. We need to watch what the Wind of Holy Spirit does and watch what it has created – this should “Awe Us” – We need to look in the physical realm of life, which includes the microscopic realm and the macroscopic realm!
a. But the problem today is inattentional blindness:
i. Leonardo da Vinci, “the most curious man who ever lived,” was a self-proclaimed discepolo dell’esperienza — “disciple of experience.” I don’t know if he ever climbed a tree like Muir, but his lust for life is evidenced by twenty-eight thousand pages of journal notes. It was da Vinci who once observed that the average human “looks without seeing, listens without hearing, touches without feeling, eats without tasting…inhales without awareness of odour.” Looking without seeing is the symptom of a deeper problem that psychologists call inattentional blindness. It’s missing the forest for the trees. It’s failing to see what is hidden in plain sight. We are as blind to beauty as Bartimaeus. We are as unaware of the presence of God as Jacob before Bethel. We are as oblivious to mysteries and miracles as Moses before the burning bush.
1. Batterson, Mark. A Million Little Miracles: Rediscover the God Who Is Bigger Than Big, Closer Than Close, and Gooder Than Good (p. 31-32). PRH Christian Publishing. Kindle Edition.
2. If you want to experience His Wind and be awed – you will need to open your spiritual eyes and perception to what is happening around, you every day!
b. Let’s take a moment to go smaller – to be awed by God – what happens when you put things under microscopes? You see things you never saw before - Right?
i. Put up the picture of Laminin – notice the shape of this microscopic protein:
1. This is Laminin. The molecule Laminin is the protein that holds all human beings together. Did you notice its shape? It’s a cross!
a. Thought: Isn't it amazing that God knew we would need the cross when he created us. He knew when he created us that we would sin. He knew we would need the Savior. He knew his only Son Jesus would have to die on the cross to save us, and so he made the very molecule that holds our entire bodies together in the shape of a cross.
b. In this microscopic view we see the Signature of God!
2. Molecular biologists call Laminin “the glue of the body”, because without it, our bodies would fall apart.
a. The truth is, without Jesus and what he did for us on the cross, our whole lives would fall apart.
b. Colossians 1:17 says that Jesus “is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Jesus is the one who holds our lives together, just like Laminin holds our bodies together. Without Jesus, our lives are a mess. We are nothing without the cross of Jesus Christ!
i. Are you amazed yet – does this wow you?
3. Let’s look at something you can see with your naked eye – your blood -If you cut yourself, you see it - The Miracle of the Blood (Anatomical Awe):
a. Consider the red blood cell, which carries life-giving oxygen. Author Richard Swenson notes that the salvation story is "coursing through our veins," observing that mathematically, Christ could have shed a red blood cell for every human in his first few drops of blood.
b. I once preached a sermon on the 7 life giving functions of our blood physically and compared it to the life-giving functions of Jesus blood spiritually.
i. I preached this in India to a crowd over 3,000 and one doctor came up to me to tell me how amazing it was for him to hear the comparison! It was right on the money and pointed to a Creator! You see Science Confirms the Signature of God in it as our Creator!
ii. The seven biological functions of the blood. The 7 functions:
1. The blood transports metabolic wastes from each cell to organs that excrete them, even drugs.
a. Spiritually Jesus blood washes away our sin and makes us as white as snow – His blood washes out the waste from sin.
2. The red blood cells transport oxygen from respiratory structures (lungs) to the cells of the body.
a. Spiritually Jesus blood transports the Pneumia – the Holy Spirit through our being to lead and guide us into all truth.
3. Blood transports nutrients from the digestive system and from storage depots to each cell of the body.
a. The blood of Jesus releases God’s Word within us to nourish us with the Bread of life.
4. Blood transports hormones from endocrine glands to target tissues.
a. The Blood of Jesus transport the joy of the Lord to our being and causes us to be excited and awed by God’s wonder.
5. The blood helps to maintain fluid balance in the body.
a. The blood of Jesus is what releases within us the balance we need in this life between the Spirit and the flesh – The soul and the Spirit of us.
6. Blood helps to distribute metabolic heat within the body and to maintain normal body temperature.
a. It’s the blood of Jesus which comforts us in trials and tribulations and gives us peace and warmth in the cold moments of life.
7. Blood (the white blood cells) defend the body against invading microorganisms.
a. The blood of Jesus is what defends us against the attacks of the enemy and shields us from his evil ways and schemes.
iii. The Bible says, “Life is in the blood!” – it’s a foundational principle in the OT and is seen in Lev. 17:11 and 17:14 – without the blood – we are dead – no life!
ii. Let’s look at some other functions – you cannot see but you may feel – emotionally – they too occur like clockwork repeatedly right on time to keep you alive and in wowing you at times in this life – Let’s discover how amazing these functions are and how they point to the sign of a Creator! It’s Valentines Day weekend so – let ‘s talk love and goosebumps!
1. The book Song of Solomon – is written by Solomon – The Love Doctor – If you recall he had 700 wives – and 300 concubines – and according to Scripture they were from various cultures and backgrounds – all shapes and sizes and with these women he had around 100 children if not more – See Ecc 6:3-6 and 1 Kings 11:3 speaking of his very large family.
a. Only three of his children mentioned by name:
i. Rehoboam who was Solomon and Naamah the Ammonite’s child. He succeeded Solomon as King and led to the division of Israel.
ii. Two of his daughters are mentioned too:
1. Taphath – married an official in the kingdom
2. Basamath- also married an official in the Kingdom.
2. Let’s read a few excerpts from the Bible book Song of Solomon or Song of Songs:
a. Chapter 1: 1The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s. 2 “May he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine. 3 “Your oils have a pleasing fragrance, Your name is like purified oil; Therefore, the maidens love you. 4 “Draw me after you and let us run together! The king has brought me into his chambers.”
i. We are keeping it G rated – But - I sense goosebumps – how about you? This book is all about Love in the air!
b. Chapter 2: The Bride’s Admiration
i. 1 “I am the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valleys.” 2 “Like a lily among the thorns, so is my darling among the maidens.” 3 “Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, So is my beloved among the young men. In his shade I took great delight and sat down, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. 4 “He has brought me to his banquet hall, and his banner over me is love. 5 “Sustain me with raisin cakes, refresh me with apples, Because I am lovesick. 6 “Let his left hand be under my head and his right hand embrace me.”
1. It’s getting steamy here and I sense “Goosebumps!” I could be wrong?
2. If you want to learn more about this Bible book, I will be speaking on it Wednesday night!
a. Are you in Awe of God – Yet?
b. The Word is not afraid to talk about the miracle of Love!
3. Let’s talk Goosebumps again – Yes you heard me – I think the people who watched Jesus raise this boy from the dead got them! Would you agree with me?
4. Batterson notes the following about “Goosebumps”:
a. Goosebumps have you ever had them? (but let’s talk about the facts for a moment!)
i. Question: Remember your first kiss?
1. Some of you are getting “Goosebumps!” Some of you are yawning!
ii. Let’s look biologically at the process of a kiss, you exchanged eighty million bacteria with whoever it is you kissed. That number is much higher in France, if you know what I mean. My point? Reason can suck the romance right out of life! There is more to life than the conscious mind can compute. Meaning isn’t mechanical or computational; it’s mysterious and miraculous. Few things are more magical or miraculous than a first kiss. (How many thought – before you kissed about the exchange of bacteria at your first kiss - you remember with the one you love?)
1. Mark adds, “All right, it can be a little awkward too. But that first kiss produces a tingly sensation that goes by a few names—neuropathic tingle, aesthetic chills, psychogenic shivers, or good old-fashioned goosebumps. Regardless of which name you prefer, it’s one of a million little miracles that make life worth living.”
iii. Here is another marvel of your body: We have about five million body hairs that on occasion will stand at attention like soldiers saluting an officer. That physiological response is a somatic marker that stamps memory. And I’m pretty sure that’s what (these people and the mom experienced when Jesus raised her son from the dead) … Simply put, I think she got goosebumps at this awe-inspiring miracle of Jesus!
1. Batterson, Mark. A Million Little Miracles: Rediscover the God Who Is Bigger Than Big, Closer Than Close, and Gooder Than Good (p. 46). PRH Christian Publishing. Kindle Edition.
b. Batterson shares another study about Goosebumps!
i. Did you know there are different types of goosebumps? A researcher at Columbia University, Matthew Sachs, has created a formula for musical goosebumps. Taking lyrics, melodies, and harmonics into account: Goosebumps = CF (Sc + Id + Ap). I recently heard Tori Kelly cover Leonard Cohen’s all-time classic, “Hallelujah.” It’s the same song she sang as Meena, the elephant in the movie Sing. I got goosebumps! I get goosebumps when I hear “It Is Well with My Soul,” the song we sang at my father-in-law’s graveside service. I also get goosebumps when I hear “Sirius,” the song used to introduce the Chicago Bulls during the Michael Jordan era. What songs give you goosebumps? Go ahead and applaud the musical artist, but don’t forget to praise the God of music. Every melody echoes the original song of creation. There are only twelve notes in Western music—C, D, E, F, G, A, and B, plus flats and sharps. So few notes yet so many songs! The last time I checked, there were more than one hundred million songs on Spotify. Goosebumps can be produced by kissing and by music, but the most common type of goosebumps are those caused by wonder.
1. Batterson, Mark. A Million Little Miracles: Rediscover the God Who Is Bigger Than Big, Closer Than Close, and Gooder Than Good (p. 46-47). PRH Christian Publishing. Kindle Edition.
ii. News Flash: Yes, there are health benefits to the kiss – are you ready for the good news?
1. Mark notes, “There are health benefits to kissing. It increases the flow of saliva, which keeps your teeth and gums healthy. Studies have shown that kissing boosts immunity, lowers anxiety, and burns calories. It even relieves headaches, reduces cholesterol, and lowers blood pressure.”
a. Batterson, Mark. A Million Little Miracles: Rediscover the God Who Is Bigger Than Big, Closer Than Close, and Gooder Than Good (pp. 47-48). PRH Christian Publishing. Kindle Edition.
c. Let’s take a moment to look at a Macroscopic awe and wonder picture and more wowing and astonishing truths!
i. See this photo from space of a blackhole with a Cross shape:
1. In deep space photography, you might see four points of light arranged in a cross shape around a central galaxy. This is the Einstein Cross. What it is: It is a gravitational lens. The gravity of a foreground galaxy bends the light from a single distant quasar behind it, splitting it into four distinct images that look like a cross. Are you looking for a specific photo from a recent mission, or are you curious about the scientific purpose behind these markings?
2. The picture you see is from - The Hubble Space Telescope image showing a "cross" or "X" at the center of a galaxy refers to the nucleus of the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51).
a. Released in June 1992, the image shows a dark silhouette caused by the absorption of light by dust. Astronomers believe this structure marks the exact location of a supermassive black hole.
b. Key Details of the "Cross" Structure: Primary Bar: The darkest part of the "Cross" is thought to be an edge-on dust ring approximately 100 light-years in diameter. Secondary Bar: The second bar may be a second dust disk seen edge-on, or rotating gas and dust intersecting with ionization cones from the black hole. Black Hole: The cross pinpoints a black hole with a mass equivalent to roughly one million suns. Scale: The image captured by Hubble’s Wide Field Planetary Camera spans roughly 1,100 light-years across the galaxy's core.
c. This is the largest symbol of the Cross in the universe – it dwarfs the large crosses you see across America and on the side of the Highway!
ii. Experiencing awe for God often comes from witnessing the vastness of creation, the intricate detail of life, or stories of divine intervention and grace.
1. The power point shows selected pictures, animals and reflections designed to inspire that sense of wonder. See the Power Point!
2. Pictures: The Grandeur of Creation!
a. Hummingbirds are considered natural miracles due to their unique, high-speed physiology and unmatched flight capabilities. Weighing only 2-20 grams, they are the only birds able to hover, fly backward, and upside down by rotating their wings, which beat 50-80 times per second. Their heart beats up to 1,200 times per minute, enabling remarkable migrations.
b. Key Aspects of the "Miracle"
i. Aerial Acrobatics: Hummingbirds fly similarly to insects, generating lift on both the upstroke and downstroke. They can move in any direction and accelerate instantly up to 60 miles per hour.
ii. Metabolic Marvels: Their tiny bodies require constant fuel, causing them to feed constantly on nectar. They have the largest heart relative to body size of all birds.
iii. Unique Anatomy: They possess specialized, long tongues designed to efficiently "trap" nectar rather than just soaking it up.
iv. Resilience & Migration: Despite their small size, species like the Ruby-throated hummingbird cross the Gulf of Mexico, while others travel from Alaska to Mexico.
v. Symbolism: Often seen as symbols of joy, resilience, and vitality, they are often considered "nature's flying miracles" and a testament to specialized design.
vi. These birds play a vital role in ecosystems as specialized pollinators for plants that cannot broadcast seeds, sustaining plant life.
3. These other images, often captured by telescopes or high-altitude cameras, reveal a God of immense power and artistic detail. Being awestruck is good for you – it’s healthy for you - The Atlantic
a. Earthrise (Apollo 8): The iconic 1968 photo of Earth emerging from the darkness over the moon's horizon, emphasizing the fragile beauty of life in the vastness of space.
b. These awe-inspiring images of the universe are from James Webb ...
i. The Carina Nebula (Hubble/JWST): Turbulent stellar nurseries filled with swirling clouds of dust and gas, often described as cosmic art and a display of God's creative power.
ii. Stephan's Quintet (James Webb): A group of five galaxies locked in a "cosmic dance," illustrating the orderly yet dynamic nature of the universe.
iii. The Awe of Nature. What is it that moves us so deeply?
iv. A Fiery Sunset over the Ocean: A daily, yet profound, reminder of God's artistry in color, shifting light, and beauty.
v. Erupting Volcanic Plumes: Moments showing the raw, fierce power of nature, reflecting the strength of the Creator.
c. Stories: The Wonder of Divine Power - - These narratives illustrate how God works in both massive and microscopic ways. We all have a story to tell of How we were Awed by God!
i. My own Story: God Stories – God’s awesomeness – God’s amazing protection and provision! The ride home from Cocoa Beach at FCA. We were driving back to the hotel at 70 miles an hour on the interstate when a major rain storm hit, we could hardly see and then it happened. It was like something right out of Nascar - cars going airborne spinning and crashing into each other. I watched cars right in front me plowing into the guard rail and into each other – I saw a blue mustang leap into the air spin and land in the center ditch. I saw parts of cars flying into the air out of control. All of this was happening 10 yards -directly in front of me. I heard a calm voice in my mind say Mike drive to the left up through the median - through the water and stop up on the side of grass of the median – don’t go too far or you will plow into oncoming traffic. It seemed easy and even as if someone took the wheel and guided me through all of the spinning cars and crashed vehicles. We came to a stop. Kathy complimented me on my driving. I thought wow! Immediately Kathy and I got out too assist all the others trapped in wrecked vehicles. One lady was wondering around in shock – her car was still running and smoking. I asked her if I could shut her car off – she said sure. So, I climbed in to the smoking car and turned off the engine. I must admit I was concerned about it blowing up. But I knew in my heart I needed to shut off the car, or it would catch fire. We then assisted others – everyone seemed stunned and thankful that there were no life and death situations. The two in the mustang were hurt the worse. I went over to talk to the driver who was the mom and her young daughter. They were in pain – in their necks – so me and another man told them not to move. We called 911 and then turned around to witness another pile up behind us, about 100 yards another car had plowed into the back of the stopped cars. It hit one and was launched into the air it came down nose first into the middle of the median strip down into the standing water. Within 5 minutes the fire men showed on the accident scene. They blocked 1 lane off on the other side of the highway and started treating the injured. As we were there waiting to be allowed to go another man form the other side of road ran over. He said my dad is having a heart attack in the van right now. So, they immediately went and helped him. Three people that evening was placed into ambulances and rushed to the hospital. The highway patrol man came up to me and spoke. Did you hit anyone I smiled and said, “No sir!’ He looked at our car and all the accidents around it and said – “You did a good job getting out of the way.” But I thought, “I really followed the inner voice of the Lord and He protected us this day – thank you Lord!” He then helped us to get out of the traffic snare and we proceed back to the Convention. We drove with thank full hearts and we thought “Wow – the awesome protection of God.” We knew that it could have only been His divine protection and guidance!
ii. The Intricate Spider Web: A morning reflection on a spider's web woven across a window overnight, prompting awe at the "creative genius" behind even the smallest, most functional designs.
iii. Alvin York’s Protection: During World War I, in a dire situation with seven men dead, Alvin York trusted God and, against all odds, captured 132 German soldiers, demonstrating a story of divine protection and power.
iv. The Story of the Juggler (Le Jongleur de Notre Dame): A traveling entertainer who feels guilty that he cannot pray like monks instead performs his best tricks for God. The story suggests that God is in awe of the simple-hearted, and any gift, no matter how small, is a valid act of worship.
v. The "Worker in Sandalwood": A tale about a young apprentice carver in despair over his work who is visited by a mysterious stranger—a carpenter—who turns the mess into something beautiful, symbolizing God’s watchful, redemptive presence.
iii. Reflections for Awe we need to see today!
1. The Precision of Life: The realization that water is denser as a liquid than as a solid (ice floats), which allows life to survive in lakes and oceans, points to a highly intelligent designer, not chaos.
a. Does this cause you to say wooo!
2. The Unseen Conscience: The universal human sense of right and wrong, even across different cultures, is a sign of God's holiness written on the human heart.
3. The Sheer Scale: The sun alone is equivalent to 821,000 Earths, and there are billions of stars in the Milky Way alone, suggesting a God whose magnitude is beyond human comprehension.
a. These examples show that whether looking at the cosmos or a single leaf, the natural world acts as a "cathedral" that makes the invisible God visible.
II. The health and spiritual benefits of a healthy awe and godly fear of the Lord!
a. Experiencing awe and wonder in God's creation—viewing the world as a grand, divine masterpiece—significantly improves mental and physical health by lowering stress, reducing inflammation, boosting immunity, and enhancing life satisfaction. This spiritual, "transcendental" awe promotes a sense of purpose and humility, providing restorative, calming effects on the mind and body.
i. The Key Health Benefits of Awe and Wonder!
1. Physical Health: Studies indicate that regular experiences of awe are linked to lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines (such as IL-6), which help reduce chronic inflammation and protect against various diseases.
2. Mental & Emotional Well-being: Awe of God's creation is associated with reduced symptoms of depression, lower anxiety, increased happiness, and higher overall life satisfaction.
3. Stress Reduction: Similar to the restorative nature of "still waters" (Psalm 23), gazing at the grandeur of creation acts as a natural, calming mechanism that breaks the cycle of daily stress.
4. Cognitive & Perspective Shifts: Awe expands one's sense of time and perspective, fostering humility, curiosity, and increased creativity by allowing individuals to feel part of something larger than themselves.
5. Enhanced Social Connection: Experiencing awe can increase empathy and create a deeper sense of connection with others.
b. How do we Cultivate Awe in Daily Life?
i. Nature Immersion: Spending time in nature, observing the complexity of plants, animals, and landscapes, provides a direct path to experiencing this wonder.
1. Mark Batterson notes the three-day rule of nature!
a. There is a phenomenon in science called the three-day effect. It takes three days in the wild to reset your brain. According to cognitive neuroscientist David Strayer, after three days in the wild, our ability to problem-solve escalates. So does inductive reasoning. When we get outside the tent (the house), it’s easier to think outside the box. We start noticing everyday miracles.
b. He adds - In a similar study, a twenty-minute walk through a city park produced feelings of calm and a sharper focus with one curious caveat. “People who used their cellphone on the walk,” noted researcher Rachel Hopman, “saw none of those benefits.”[18] I have yet to meet the doctor who writes “twenty-minute walk, three times a week” on a prescription pad, even though it might be more effective than popping a pill. Fun fact? Wild animals have larger brains than their domesticated counterparts! The brains of wild boars are 35 percent larger than those of domesticated pigs. The brains of domesticated cats are 30 percent smaller than the brains of feral cats.[19] The question, of course, is, Why? The short answer is pretty simple. When you’re a domesticated animal, your food is provided for you. You don’t have to use your brain to track or hunt.
c. Mark adds a thought provoking thought: I wonder if churches do to people what zoos do to animals? We try to tame people, in the name of Christ.
d. Batterson, Mark. A Million Little Miracles: Rediscover the God Who Is Bigger Than Big, Closer Than Close, and Gooder Than Good (pp. 34-35). PRH Christian Publishing. Kindle Edition.
ii. Intentional Observation: Actively looking for beauty—whether in a child, a sunset, or the stars—allows for moments of "awe, wonder, and amazement" that can be integrated into daily life, not just during special events.
iii. Spiritual Reflection: Recognizing the creation as a reflection of a divine, orderly, and loving God adds a deeper layer of purpose and meaning to life.
iv. Here are other ways to cultivate this sense of awe:
1. Study Scripture: Immerse yourself in the Bible to understand the glory, majesty, and character of Jesus.
2. Reflect on His Work: Focus on testimonies, the cross, and Jesus’s actions in your life to recognize His goodness.
3. Worship and Intention: Actively focus on God through prayer and song, acknowledging His supreme nature, as expressed in songs like "I Stand in Awe" by Mark Altrogge.
4. Embrace Humility: Recognize the contrast between God's immense glory and human limitation, which naturally leads to wonder.
a. Awe is essentially a personal, unexpected reaction to seeing God's power and love in action.
c. The most common Spanish translation for "awe" is asombro (noun, wonder/amazement). Depending on context, it can also be translated as sobrecogimiento (awe/dread), admiración (admiration), or temor reverencial (reverence/fear).
i. Asombro (Wonder/Amazement): Used for being filled with amazement (e.g., Me llené de asombro - I was filled with awe).
ii. Sobrecogimiento (Awe/Dread): Used for a more intense, sometimes fearful, overwhelming feeling.
iii. Temor reverencial (Reverence/Fear): Used when describing a respect-filled fear.
iv. Impresionado/a (Impressed): Often used in the phrase "in awe of" (e.g., Estoy impresionado - I am in awe).
v. Other, less common, or formal synonyms include pasmo (formal awe) and fascinación (fascination).
1. Summary: Are you in awe of God? Does he awaken you from you apathy, does He wow you daily? Does His presence and Word amaze you? Or does God bore you?
Conclusion: Application of Message
Do you have an awe of God?
Awe and wonder of God’s creation involves perceiving the divine in nature—from the vast cosmos to intricate microscopic details—leading to a deeper appreciation of God's power, wisdom, and love. It transforms, brings joy, and highlights God’s handiwork, prompting worshippers to see everyday beauty and feel closer to the Creator.
Key Elements of Awe and Wonder
• Cosmic Scale: The sheer size of the universe, with billions of galaxies and stars, demonstrates God's majesty and power.
• Intricate Design: The complexity of the human body, with its trillions of functioning cells, and the detailed nature of ecosystems like trees communicating through root networks, reveal God's wisdom.
• Natural Beauty: Sunrises, sunsets, oceans, and storms are direct reflections of God's glory and power, often stirring deep spiritual reverence.
Cultivating a Sense of Wonder
• Slowing Down: Taking time to notice the beauty of the natural world, such as during walks.
• Active Observation: Moving beyond passive viewing to actively meditating on how creation reflects God's attributes.
• Theological Perspective: Recognizing that creation is not accidental but designed by God as a representation of Himself.
This sense of awe is a universal experience that can be cultivated as a spiritual discipline, helping individuals see the world through God's eyes and acknowledge His presence in all things.
As believers in Jesus Christ, we should be awed at God’s wonder. We should be awakened out of our blindness to God. We should be committed in our life to be wowed by God every day. Really in response to His presence, power and passion we should be awed by God and motivated to exalt His holy name.
Closing Scripture Texts:
• Ex. 15:11: “Who is like unto Thee, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like Thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders.”
• Job 25:2: “Dominion and awe belong to God; he establishes order in the heights of heaven.”
• Psalm 119:120: “My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.”
• Ecc. 5:7: “Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God.”
• Luke 7:16: “They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.”
• Acts 2:43: “Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.”
