Sunday, November 19, 2023

Three Visible Things of God - Part 3

Temple Baptist Church - 11-19-2023

Psalm 19:7-14

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Psalm 19 is one of the most powerful chapters of the Bible answering the question: “Is there a God?” 

 

B.  The First Visible Thing that shows God is the Creation. 

 

1.  Both the heavens, which declare the glory of God, and the earth, which declare the handiwork of God, are proof positive that all that we see are designed by God!  Some like to use the words “Intelligent Design” so as to declare “a god” without recognizing the “True God!” 

 

2.  The Glory of God, the Handiwork of God, and the Knowledge of God are found in the entirety of God’s Creation.

 

C.  The Second Visible Thing that shows God is the Bible. 

 

1.  As Creation identifies perfect design which requires perfect Intelligence—i.e., God—God’s Word identifies perfect design which identifies who that intelligent God is. 

 

Psalms 40:7  Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume (bulk or completion) of the book (biblion - Bible) it is written of me,

 

Hebrews 10:7  Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

 

2.  In the completeness of the Bible we see the glory of Jesus Christ.  “In the volume of the book” Book – biblion: from which we get our word Bible from.  The completion of the Word of God bound complete into one book.

 

Hebrews 10:7  Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume (bulk) of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

 

The Glory of God is found in its fullness or completeness of the Word of god as it identifies and glorifies Jesus Christ.

 

4.  The Handiwork of God is found in the completed Bible’s unity and perfection.

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

 

The most amazing book in the world is the Bible that you hold in your hand.  Written over 1600 years by over 40 different human instruments who, for the most part did not know each other or what each other wrote, gave us the completed canon of Scriptures in perfect unity!

 

D.  The Third Visible Thing shows what God does to in the Saint.  The results of salvation are to be obvious to the world.  I visited with a man back in Kentucky that I had been around for years, and he said to me when I saw him, “I heard that you were different.”

 

Acts 4:13  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

 

Matthew 26:73  And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

 

Romans 6:4-6  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  (5)  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:  (6)  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

 

Romans 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

 

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

Galatians 6:15  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

 

Ephesians 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

E.  Satan cannot touch our salvation as it is secured in Christ alone, but he spends considerable time trying to discourage, defile, detract, and deter God’s children.  We cannot allow Satan to destroy our testimony before the lost.

 

Matthew 5:13-16  Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  (14)  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  (15)  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  (16)  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

F.  Notice in this Psalm the attributes of the saved.

 

1.  Conversion.  Verse 7.  “converting the soul” A conversion that can be seen.  Converting – turning; an about face; a completely new direction.  In the military, one command during parade marching was “To the rear march”.  To change direction in mid-stride.  That is what salvation is when true repentance is exercised.

 

1 Corinthians 6:11  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

 

Colossians 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

 

2.  Wisdom.  Verse 7.  “making wise the simple”  A wisdom that is from above.  The Bible gives knowledge, wisdom, and understanding to those who heed it.

 

Proverbs 4:5  Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

 

3.  Rejoicing.  Verse 8.  “rejoicing the heart”  A rejoicing in both the good and bad times.

 

Romans 12:12  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

 

Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

 

4.  Illumination.  Verse 8.  “enlightening the eyes”  Biblical discernment as we read and understand the Bible.

 

Psalms 119:130  The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

 

1 Corinthians 2:12-14  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.  (13)  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  (14)  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

 

5.  Cleansing.  Verse 9.  “The fear of the LORD is clean”  A life that is different from the world.  A shining light to those around us.

 

Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

6.  Obedience.  Verse 9.  “true and righteous”  Obeying the Word of God instead of bucking it.

 

James 1:22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

 

1 Peter 1:14-15  As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:  (15)  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

 

7.  Hunger.  Verse 10.  “More to be desired … sweeter also”  A desire to read, hear, and heed God’s Word.

 

Job 23:12  Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

 

8.  Warning.  Verse 11.  “warned … and in keeping of them”  Bible wisdom that comes from Bible warning!

 

Proverbs 6:22-23  When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.  (23)  For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

 

9.  Reward.  Verse 11.  “there is great reward”  Seeing the blessing of this life bestowed upon the people of God.

 

Psalms 1:1-2  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  (2)  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

 

10.  Understanding.  Verses 12-13.  “cleans thou me … Keep back … not have dominion”  Not to have or continue in bad habits or addictions.

 

Psalms 119:133  Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

 

11.  Meditation.  Verse 14.  “words of my mouth … meditation of my heart … acceptable”  Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh.

 

Psalms 119:97  MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

 

12.  Reliance.  Verse 14.  “O LORD, my strength and my redeemer”  Let the world know that the Lord is all we need!

 

Psalms 18:2  The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

 

Conclusion:  Three ways that you can know there is God:  Through observing God’s Creation; through reading God’s Word; and watching God’s People.

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