Psalms 19:1
God speaks to man through nature and His Word, the Bible, and desires a personal relationship with us.
Chuck Smith emphasizes that God speaks to humanity through creation and His Word, urging listeners to recognize the glory of God as revealed in nature. He explains that while the heavens and the earth declare God's greatness, they are not sufficient for understanding Him fully, as many misinterpret nature's message. Smith asserts that the Bible is the definitive Word of God, inviting individuals to explore its truths personally. He encourages believers to bring their burdens to God, who loves them despite their sins and desires a relationship with them. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a deeper engagement with both nature and Scripture to truly hear God's voice.
Text
"THE WORD OF THE LORD"
Intro: Many times I have heard people say, "I wish God would speak to me," and all the
while God is say, "I wish they would listen to me.
I. HOW GOD SPEAKS TO MAN.
A. "The heavens declare the glory of God.
1. They tell you God is infinite.
a. In power, greatness, strength.
2. They tell you He is a God of order.
B. "The firmament showeth His handiwork."
1. It speaks to us of His infinite wisdom.
a. The marvelous life forms about us.
1. The ant crawling on me.
b. Creating the various species to exist in the
different environments.
1. Snorkeling in Hawaii.
2. Those that live in the earth.
3. Those that fly.
4. Those that walk.
5. Those that hop.
c. Next time you see an ant or fly, listen.
2. It speaks of His beauty - colors.
C. All nature was designed to make man conscious of God.
1. Any man who can look at nature and the many forms of life about him and
declare "there is no God is a fool.
II. THE VOICE OF NATURE IS NOT ENOUGH.
A. Men have confused its message.
1. They see the great power within the universe and say, "God is power."
a. God is powerful but power or energy isn't God.
2. We stand in awe at the mystery of light and realize how essential it is
to life, they say, "God is light."
a. Light is a characteristic of God but light isn't God, we are
not to worship light.
3. We see confused man worshipping the various forms of nature or forces
of nature.
4. This is the result of man's irrational view of nature.
a. He has looked at the creature and said, "that's God."
b. Rather than, "That's a creation of God."
c. Paul in Romans 2 speaks of the fallacy of those who worship
and serve the creature rather than the creator.
III. GOD HAS SPOKEN THROUGH HIS WORD.
A. The Bible purports itself to be the Word of God to man.
1. You can believe that or not.
2. Would you dare to judge it without a personal examination of
the evidence.
3. If anyone of you want to read the entire Bible through with an
unprejudiced mind, and then declare to me that you do not believe
it is God's Word, I will respect your opinion -not agree with it.
B. God is speaking to you today.
1. He is saying, "though you have sinned, I still love you, I want you,
come lay all your burdens and cares upon Me, I will gladly bear them
for you. Come, for you need Me, you cannot make it on your own.
C. Psalm 19:7-11.
Sermon Outline
- I. HOW GOD SPEAKS TO MAN
- A. The heavens declare the glory of God
- 1. They tell you God is infinite
- 2. They tell you He is a God of order
- B. The firmament showeth His handiwork
- 1. It speaks to us of His infinite wisdom
- 2. It speaks of His beauty - colors
- C. All nature was designed to make man conscious of God
Key Quotes
“Any man who can look at nature and the many forms of life about him and declare 'there is no God is a fool.” — Chuck Smith
“God is speaking to you today, saying, 'though you have sinned, I still love you, I want you, come lay all your burdens and cares upon Me, I will gladly bear them for you.'” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Recognize God's glory and infinite wisdom in nature and His Word.
- Don't confuse the message of nature by attributing it to God rather than recognizing it as a creation of God.
- Come to God with your burdens and cares, and He will gladly bear them for you.