Temple Baptist Church - 4-19-2015
Psalm 19:1-6
Introduction:
A. On a trip to the Atlantic Ocean, I sat and pondered the vastness of the body of water.
1. Its size (71% of the earth’s surface is covered with water with 97% of all water in the oceans and seas), purpose (earth’s water purification plant), plant and animal life, and importance to human life and was once again filled with awe at the greatness and wisdom of our Creator, Jesus Christ. From horizon to horizon, nothing but water, wind, and waves.
2. The great ocean, “foaming out its shame,” leaving soap-like bubbles in its wake as the great waves receded. A ceaseless agitator of water and brine that purifies our planet. I thought about the delicate balance of nature as the hunter becomes the hunted with each and every plant and creature necessary to the complete life of each other. Nothing in God’s creation is without purpose or place and all works in a perfect harmony that no being other than God could make.
B. It caused me to ponder the earth in all of its glory and wonder.
1. As in the oceans and seas, so is the perfect balance of nature upon the dry land. The mountains and valleys, the animal and plant life, all rivers returning to the sea from which they came. The gentle rain and warmth of the sun. The necessity of four seasons for the earth to prune and replenish life. Nothing without purpose; nothing unnecessary, nothing to be improved upon.
2. Man in all of his perfection, wonderfully and fearfully made! His intelligence and ability to rule of God’s creation. Man, made different from the animals in that he is a trichotomy: body, soul, and spirit. His ability to reason with logic and define his one future with his intelligence.
C. I looked up at God’s heaven and saw its vastness and brilliance.
1. Scientists say that there are 300-400 million stars with a possibility of over 1 trillion in the Milky Way Galaxy in which we live. Possibly 100 billion planets in the Milky Way alone. It is possibly 180,000 light years in diameter. One light year is app. 6 trillion miles. Scientists estimate that there are over 500 billion other galaxies in the universe but readily admit that it may be limitless!
2. Every planet, every solar system, every galaxy perfectly synchronized to run as no Swiss Watch ever could. Perfect in its design and harmony. Beyond our capability to understand, much less explore! With the discovery of every new galaxy, its vastness hides from view countless others.
3. A trillion times a trillion times a trillion times a trillion light years of travel would only touch the “hem” of this vast universe in which we live! When I look up, I see more than stars and planets, I see the wisdom and hand of an Almighty Creator! Why did God make our heavens so big when we can only see such a small amount of stars? I guess to confound and convince even the most ardent unbelieving scientist that only God could have made it. Also, God spanned it with His hand to show how far you and I would have to walk to take ourselves out of His hand! (John 10:29)
D. I thought about the human body. Psalms 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; andthat my soul knoweth right well.
1. Doctors are still just “practicing” medicine because their theories and tactics are constantly changing. I will not go into the facts concerning the human body but it is a marvel with all of its parts and design.
2. To watch a child grow in its mother’s womb from microscopic to that beautiful child that you hold in your hands should be enough to convince even the most skeptical of men that there is a God!
E. I thought of the utter foolishness of man’s wisdom and science falsely so called. It takes more faith to believe in evolution that it does creation. Evolution would be a much greater miracle than a God who designed it all. No wonder the Psalmist said, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1)
1. The Account of God’s Creation is found in “In the beginning God!” These four words are the greatest statement in all of theology! Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
a. The Bible is correct in every aspect and can be relied upon without question: it is historically correct, it is scientifically correct, it is medically correct, it is geologically correct, it is archaeologically correct, it is geographically correct. Its prophecies are all correct. It was correct in all of these areas before the knowledge of man “discovered” them.
b. It is also correct in its account of creation because evolution, which denies intelligent design, has not worked nor can it ever work. Creation is proven not only through the vastness and perfection of all things but also through the harmony in which all things exist.
c. In the first two chapters of the Bible, God said everything that needed to be said about the beginnings of the earth and its universe!
“This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s character. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure.” ~Copied
2. The Act of God’s Creation is found in “And God said, Let there be.” Here we find the power and scope of the spoken Word! Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
a. Before anything was, God always was. “In the beginning God” is the most profound of all theological statements! John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
b. God’s act of creation is shown in its perfection and harmony! In our text, we find the word “handywork” which means “art.” The universe and world in which we live is a masterpiece that is unparalleled! Psalms 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
c. Declare – to show forth! To state emphatically or authoritatively; affirm. God gives no place for either discussion or argument. Creation is an act to be believed or not to be believed, the choice belongs to every individual!
3. The Accuracy of God’s Creation is found in “it was very good!” Genesis 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it wasvery good.
a. I have dealt with this enough! God did a perfect work that no evolution could ever perform! John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
b. JUST LOOK AROUND YOU! It is of no wonder that God looked upon all that He had created and said that it was “very good!” The first two chapters of Genesis go into detail as to what God did.
4. The Accountability of God’s Creation is found in “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20) (Clearly seen … being understood shows the willfulness of rejecting the light of the knowledge of God!)
Psalms 19:1-5 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. (2) Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. (3) There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. (4) Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, (5) Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. (Everyone, everywhere sees the handiwork of God in creation.)
Romans 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them (Not to them.); for God hath shewed it unto them.
John 1:9-11 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. (10) He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. (11) He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (Man is innately religious, not atheistic! There is the knowledge of God placed in their hearts and that knowledge must be suppressed in order to become an atheist.)
Conclusion: I am not big on four points and a poem but a poem did come to mind that shows the handiwork of God in the making of a tree.
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair.
A nest of robins in her hair.
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
But only God can make a tree.
by Joyce Kilmer
