{"id":658,"date":"2023-08-08T20:53:20","date_gmt":"2023-08-08T20:53:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/?page_id=658"},"modified":"2023-08-08T20:53:20","modified_gmt":"2023-08-08T20:53:20","slug":"declaring-gods-glory","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/declaring-gods-glory\/","title":{"rendered":"DECLARING GOD\u2019S GLORY!\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DECLARING GOD\u2019S GLORY!\u00a0<\/strong>(A FIRM FOUNDATION \u2014 Message #5<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Psalm 19:1-14<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INTRODUCTION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, good morning everyone. It\u2019s great to see you all today. Thanks for making this day a part of your weekend plans. I invite you to take your Bible and turn with me to the Old Testament book of Psalms.<\/strong> If you have our app, you can open it, and you\u2019ll find our notes there this as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TRANSITION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I want to begin with a simple statement \u2014 sort of a declaration of purpose or mission. And it\u2019s this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The purpose of all things is to bring glory to God.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a sense, that\u2019s just a restatement of what the church has been saying since it\u2019s beginning (in that 1st century). It is the first question answered in the list of teaching known as Catechism. Some of you may have grown up using that tool to help you define your theology and faith. In many churches it\u2019s the model used for their discipleship. Sort of a question and answer tool that  teaches biblical principles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And in the The Westminster Shorter Catechism<\/strong>, the first question asks: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q. 1. What is the chief end (purpose) of man?<\/strong> \/\/ (And the answer states\u2026) Man\u2019s chief end (purpose) is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. <\/strong>And I have come to fully believe that assessment. And it’s that truth that I hope to reveal to you this morning. Because, the purpose of all things (really) is to bring glory to God.\u00a0That being said, we live in a world filled with noise, and chaos, and a plethora voices and other messages. Because of this, we sometimes miss the main thing.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It reminds me of a story I read about a baseball legend<\/span>, named Bill Klem. Klem<\/strong> was known for his connection to baseball — but not for his athletic ability. Klem was known more for his intellectual prowess and his expertise at calling games. During his day, he was unquestionably, the best major league umpire in the game.\u00a0He called games for nearly 40 years at the beginning of the 20th century. He was referred to as the \u201cOld Arbitrator\u201d and the \u201cFather of baseball umpires.\u201d\u00a0He called 18 different World Series <\/strong>(a record to this day). And, he holds the record for ejecting more players from the game than any umpire, ever (at 251<\/strong>). Simply put, he was tough. And his authority (in baseball) was virtually unquestionable.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, there\u2019s a story that\u2019s told about a game he was calling. During the ninth inning of a critical game, the pitcher threw the ball. As it crossed home plate, the batter hit it hard into left field. When he did, a runner on third base took off for home \u2014 hoping to score and win the game.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As he made his way down the base line, the left fielder threw a dart to home plate. The catcher leaned in over the plate, and the ball arrived just in time for him to tag the runner. But\u2026as he did, the runner collided into him, and knocking the two men into the umpire. Dust flew, and the men fell to the ground.\u00a0With the crowd waiting to hear the call, one of the dugouts shouted, \u201cHe\u2019s safe! He\u2019s safe!\u201d Almost instantly, the other dugout yelled, \u201cHe\u2019s out! He\u2019s out!\u201d\u00a0Well, that stirred the fans, and they began shouting too. At which point, Bill Klem stood up, faced the crowd, shook his fist in the air and shouted \u2014 \u201cHe ain\u2019t nothin\u2019 \u2018til I\u2019ve called it!\u201d\u00a0And he was right \u2014 because after all\u2026he was the authority on the field!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, that story got me thinking \u2014 we are living among a mass of shouting voices\u2026.and mixed messages. Each seeks to proclaim their opinions about life and purpose.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It seems like everyone has an opinion \u2014 philosophers, educators, sociologists, psychologists, politicians, news anchors, bosses, co-workers, neighbors, friends, and family.Everyone has an opinion\u2026but very few are listening to the voice of the authority\u2026the voice of revelation. So, where do we find that voice, and what\u2019s it saying?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, that\u2019s what I want to share with you today.\u00a0 If you have your Bible, I invite you to turn with me to the Old Testament book of Psalms<\/strong>. Here we find clarity on the subject of our purpose. So, turn with me to Psalm 19.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The late C.S. Lewis<\/strong>, loved this psalm so much, he said of this plasm, it is\u2018the greatest poem in The Psalms<\/em><\/strong> and <\/em>one of the greatest lyrics in the world.\u2019<\/em><\/strong> And that\u2019s pretty high praise for this psalm. But, I tend to agree with him. In its 14 verses<\/strong>\u2026David<\/strong> offers us a clear path to the greatest message \u2014 a message of hope, and faith, and divine purpose for our lives.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, if you\u2019ve found it \u2014 follow along as I read. Beginning in verse 1,<\/strong> David<\/strong> writes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1<\/em><\/strong> The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. <\/em>2<\/em><\/strong> Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. <\/em>3<\/em><\/strong> They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. <\/em>4<\/em><\/strong> Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. <\/em>5<\/em><\/strong> It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. <\/em>6<\/em><\/strong> It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

7<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. <\/em>8<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. <\/em>9<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. <\/em>10<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. <\/em>11<\/em><\/strong> By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. <\/em>12<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. <\/em>13<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.<\/em> 14<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer<\/em>. — Psalm 19:1-14 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

David says \u2014 LISTEN UP, because, while there may be many voices (all around us), proclaiming mixed messages about who God is and the purpose of our lives \u2014 He has given us a divine revelation on those matters. So, take notice.\u00a0And, the largest \u2014 but most basic way God has chosen to speak to us is through His creation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As David says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. THE WORLD DECLARES GOD’S GLORY!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In verse 1<\/strong>, David<\/strong> says, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1<\/em><\/strong> The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, theologians<\/strong> define type of communication as \u201c General Revelation\u201d. <\/strong>Noting\u2026that God<\/strong> has revealed Himself (to us), in sort of a general way.<\/strong> Because, while the world speaks \u2014 and the heavens declare a powerful message…they don\u2019t tell us everything! Just the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s like the difference between General Ed classes<\/strong> and those within<\/strong> your<\/strong> major<\/strong> (those more specialized<\/strong>). One covers the basics \u2014 but the other gets specific with the details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, David<\/strong> is saying \u2014 as we live and observe the things of creation, it\u2019s impossible not to recognize there<\/strong> MUST be a creator. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just as viewing a piece of art declares the reality of an artist. Creation testifies to the reality of a creator. And it isn\u2019t hard to find that witness \u2014 as David<\/strong> says, \u201cDay after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.\u201d <\/em>So, the witness of God\u2019s presence continues throughout every moment of every day. Never ceasing. Always testifying to His power and His presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not a whispered witness – it\u2019s a shout of declaration. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1<\/em><\/strong> The heavens <\/em>declare<\/em><\/strong> the glory of God<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They declare God\u2019s glory. They declare the greatness and value of our creator. The idea that creation testifies to His glory is to speak of His worth. Or worthiness of our attention and praise. Creation calls us to NOTICE GOD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everywhere we look, the revelation of God is being poured out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 The stars testify of a God with great power who made them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 The human body testifies to an all-wise Creator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 The petals of a flower, the majesty in a snowflake, the orbit in a tiny atom, the nature of light, the aspect of gravity, and a host of other things point to God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As that classic Hymn, This Is My Father\u2019s World <\/strong>reminds us:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is my Father\u2019s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings, the music of the spheres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is my Father\u2019s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is my Father\u2019s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker\u2019s praise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is my Father\u2019s world: He shines in all that\u2019s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks, to me everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All creation declares God\u2019s glory. And if you don\u2019t hear it\u2019s voice, or see it\u2019s witness\u2026if you aren\u2019t observing it\u2019s message \u2014 then you\u2019re not listening. Because, all creation testifies to God\u2019s glory\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, LISTEN UP \u2014 and receive the message. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creation calls us to NOTICE GOD. And don\u2019t miss that \u2014 because a lot of people do. While they may love the great outdoors. They misplace their affection. Some people like to hike, or camp, or observe creation. Many people find inspiration and wonder in creation. Crowds of people write stories about it, pen poems about it, paint pictures of it. ANd that\u2019s great \u2014 but never mistake the glory of God for the glory of creation.\u00a0 Be stirred by nature \u2014 but don\u2019t worship it.\u00a0But let\u2019s be clear, while creation is GREAT \u2014 and should be celebrated, it\u2019s only a GIFT from the GIVER. It\u2019s the creation \u2014 not the CREATOR! It\u2019s a testimony of GOD \u2014 not of itself!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve often heard people describe nature by saving things like, \u201cTHAT\u2019S MY SANCTUARY.\u201d<\/em><\/strong> Meaning, that nature motivates them to worship. And that\u2019s great, as long as it motivates you to WORSHIP CHRIST<\/strong>\u2026the WORD MADE FLESH<\/strong>\u2026the ONE WHO SPOKE ALL THINGS<\/strong> into existence! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As long as creation points you to the creator \u2014 then it’s doing its job. But, make no mistake about it. Creation is NOT GOD<\/strong> \u2014 it only points us to HIM! And maybe that\u2019s where GENERAL REVELATION<\/strong> falls short. Because, it\u2019s insufficient to reveal the depth of God\u2019s character and personality. It tells us WHAT HE DOES, but not WHO HE IS! And that\u2019s why David<\/strong> goes further, and tells us of another witness. A more specific witness <\/strong>\u2014 So, in addition to the WORLD<\/strong>\u2026David<\/strong> tells us,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. THE WORD DECLARES GOD’S GLORY!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And this is where things get much more specific.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In verse 7<\/strong>, David speaks of the power of the Word of God.\u00a0Theologians define this kind of testimony as God\u2019s special or specific revelation. More than just a general acknowledgement that THERE IS A GOD \u2014 the Bible, God\u2019s Word identifies Him. It states clearly that He is knowable.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The claims of the Bible<\/strong> are that Scripture is not just the writings of men<\/strong>, but rather are divine, as they are the verbally inspired work of the Holy Spirit.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n