THE GREATNESS OF GOD
PS 19:1-6
I. OUR PERCEPTION OF GOD
A. Everyone has a perception of God - the atheist, skeptic, sinner, world religion, Christian
B. As Christians we have done our very best to understand and explain God
-universities, theological seminaries, commentaries, etc
C. For all this we have barely scratched the surface of understanding how great God is
-how does a limited mind understand an unlimited God, who is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent?
-how does a finite, temporary being understand an infinite and eternal being?
-how does that which has a birth and a death comprehend that which has no beginning and no end?
D. The more we think we know about Him the more we realize we don’t know about Him
E. One of the things the Bible points out that demonstrates the greatness of God is the creation around us
II. THE WONDER OF CREATION
A. God’s purpose for the wonder of creation is to give us proof that He exists
-Rom 1:20 (NLT) From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God
-Ps 19:1-4 (NLT) The heavens tell of the glory of God. The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or a word; their voice is silent in the skies; yet their message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to all the world.
B. Man has used creation to try to show that God does not exists, but the fact is that without God man is unable to fully comprehend or explain the universe
-Eccl 3:11 (NLT) God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.
-Eccl 8:17 (NLT) This reminded me that no one can discover everything God has created in our world, no matter how hard they work at it. Not even the wisest people know everything, even if they say they do.
C. Some of man’s explanations have come under heavy scrutiny lately
-newly discovered galaxy cluster - baffles man’s understanding of the age of the universe
-newly discovered planets 14 to 40 times the size of Jupiter send astronomers back to the drawing board
-a newly developed theory has been developed to explain it all - the “Design Theory”
D. Science is beginning to accept the fact that there is an intelligent design to the universe and if there is a design then there must be a designer
E. What importance does this have for us?
III. THE IMPORTANCE OF GOD’S GREATNESS FOR THE CHRISTIAN
A. We are often faced with trials and fears that seem to overwhelm us
-Ps 55:5-7 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness.
B. Often our view of God is brought low by the size of the mountain before us
-God is greater than all problems, greater than all our fears
C. When we begin to focus on God’s greatness it causes us to realize He is “Able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ask or think...”
D. Isaiah’s reference to the greatness of God
-Isa 40:12-31 (NLT) Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed out the mountains and the hills? Who is able to advise the Spirit of the LORD? Who knows enough to be his teacher or counselor? Has the LORD ever needed anyone’s advice? Does he need instruction about what is good or what is best? No, for all the nations of the world are nothing in comparison with him. They are but a drop in the bucket, dust on the scales. He picks up the islands as though they had no weight at all. All Lebanon’s forests do not contain sufficient fuel to consume a sacrifice large enough to honor him. All Lebanon’s sacrificial animals would not make an offering worthy of our God. The nations of the world are as nothing to him. In his eyes they are less than nothing-- mere emptiness and froth. To whom, then, can we compare God? What image might we find to resemble him? Can he be compared to an idol formed in a mold, overlaid with gold, and decorated with silver chains? Or is a poor person’s wooden idol better? Can God be compared to an idol that must be placed on a stand so it won’t fall down? Have you never heard or understood? Are you deaf to the words of God-- the words he gave before the world began? Are you so ignorant? It is God who sits above the circle of the earth. The people below must seem to him like grasshoppers! He is the one who spreads out the heavens like a curtain and makes his tent from them. He judges the great people of the world and brings them all to nothing. They hardly get started, barely taking root, when he blows on them and their work withers. The wind carries them off like straw. "To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?" asks the Holy One. Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out one after another, calling each by its name. And he counts them to see that none are lost or have strayed away. O Israel, how can you say the LORD does not see your troubles? How can you say God refuses to hear your case? Have you never heard or understood? Don’t you know that the LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
E. Depending on the greatness of God will fill us with victorious, overcoming power
IV. THE IMPORTANCE OF GOD’S GREATNESS FOR THE SINNER
A. Regardless of whether the sinner realizes or acknowledges it, they are hopelessly lost
B. There is nothing the sinner can do to save himself or keep himself out of hell
-Eccl 8:8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.
C. Sin is a cruel task master and it’s reward is eternal separation from God
D. God’s greatness to the sinner
-Isa 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
E. God’s call for salvation is universal, God is so great that if people will simply look to Him in faith and prayer, He is able to save them.
