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Sermon for July 22, 2012 - Why I Believe In God

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Matthew 6:9-13 - After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

 

The Sermon for this week is: Why I Believe In God

 

INTRODUCTION

 

1. I am happy to profess that I believe in God...

a. Such faith is a source of great comfort - cf. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

b. And according to the Bible, necessary to pleasing God - cf. Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 

2. Why do I believe in God...?

a. I cannot see Him, I’ve never heard His voice

b. Yet I believe it is more reasonable to believe in God than not to

 

[What reasons are there for believing in God? While not exhaustive, there are several reasons, the first commonly referred to as the teleological argument for God...]

 

I. THE EVIDENCE OF DESIGN IN THE UNIVERSE

 

A. EXPLANATION...

 

1. Orderly movement of heavenly bodies, making space travel possible

 

2. Animal instinct, such as the migration patterns of birds, eels, and salmon

 

3. The human body itself, e.g., the eye

 

B. IMPLICATION...

 

1. Design suggests a “designer”

 

2. Design suggests a Being with intelligence possessing purpose; for example:

a. A watch shows design, and implies a watchmaker

b. To credit such intricate and precise workmanship to blind chance is unreasonable

 

3. Contemplating on the universe and the human body rightfully produces awe, and points man to his Creator - cf. Psalms 19:1-2 - The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. ; Psalms 139:14 - I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.; Romans 1:19-20 - Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 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:

 

[Another reason to believe in God is called the moral or anthropological argument for God, or...]

 

II. THE UNIVERSAL SENSE OF OUGHT

 

A. EXPLANATION...

 

1. Everywhere people have a sense of ought

 

2. That in certain circumstances, certain things should be done

 

3. People are concerned...

a. That people should act a certain way

b. That people do not often act the way they should

 

4. Even atheists and agnostics have a sense of justice, and are angered when it is violated (as in the case of rape and murder)

 

B. IMPLICATION...

 

1. This moral nature in man suggests a Moral Being as the Original Cause

 

2. If there is no God, there is no right or wrong, good or evil

 

3. If there is no God, no atheist can object on moral grounds if I want to kill them

 

[A similar reason to believe in God is called the general argument...]

 

III. THE UNIVERSAL RELIGIOUS INSTINCT AND BELIEF IN GOD

 

A. EXPLANATION...

 

1. “Men in all the world, and throughout all time, not only believe in deity, but also engage in acts of worship and devotion. ” - Ferrell Jenkins , Introduction To Christian Evidences

 

2. “The religious principle is extremely potent in all nations, dominating their thought and history.” - ibid.

 

3. “Everywhere the human heart has a craving for God. There will be exceptions as individuals, but the exceptions do not invalidate the rule. The atheist is an exception in

 

B. IMPLICATION...

 

1. For every deepest longing of man, there is something that satisfies it

a. E.g., food satisfies man’s hunger

b. E.g., water satisfies man’s thirst

 

2. There must be a reality (i.e., God) that complements and meets the universal craving for a Supreme Being

 

3. Paul says this longing for God was placed in man by God Himself - cf. Acts 17:26-27 - And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

 

[Then there is the cosmological argument for believing in God...]

 

IV. THAT EVERY EFFECT MUST HAVE A CAUSE

 

A. EXPLANATION...

 

1. This is also called the argument from first cause

 

2. It is based upon the premise that every effect must have a cause

 

B. IMPLICATION...

 

1. The cosmos (universe) is an effect that has adequate cause

 

2. The Bible reveals that adequate cause: - Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

 

3. A common objection is often raised: “Who created God?”

a. The law which states every effect has a cause applies to things that are “physical”

b. God by definition is not physical, and therefore not bound by laws which we may discern to apply to physical things

1) God is a spiritual being - cf. John 4:24 - God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

2) His omnipresence is an example of how He defies laws of nature - cf. Jeremiah 23:23-24 - Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

c. So the argument does not apply to Him; He is the Uncaused Cause of all things!

 

[There is also the esthetical argument for believing in God...]

 

V. THE PRESENCE OF BEAUTY AND SUBLIMITY

 

A. EXPLANATION...

 

1. This argument is based upon the presence of beauty and sublimity in the universe

 

2. It observes that you have both...

a. The presence of beauty in nature itself, and in art produced by man

b. The response of man to such beauty (appreciation and awe)

 

B. IMPLICATION...

 

1. How did this “beauty”, and the “ability to appreciate” it, develop?

 

2. Were both the result of blind chance?

 

3. Or did it come from a Supreme Being, who is:

a. Intelligent (an argument from design)

b. Moral (an argument from our sense of ought)

c. Artistic (an argument from beauty and our sense of it) - cf. Psalms 96:4-6 - For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

 

CONCLUSION

 

1. These arguments are philosophical arguments, but they are based upon what the Bible itself says can be learned about God from nature - Psalms 19:1-2 - The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. ; Romans 1:20 - 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:

 

2. Other arguments can be offered to support the existence of God...

a. Fulfilled prophecies in the Scriptures

b. Scientific foreknowledge of the Scriptures

c. Uniformity of the Scriptures

d. Evidences for the resurrection of Jesus from the dead

-- We shall examine these when we talk about believing in the Bible, Jesus, etc.

 

3. Do you believe in God? Consider these thoughts by Gary Henry...

a. Faith in God is a choice that we make between two alternatives. The river of evidence for God’s reality runs strong and deep, but its current is not irresistible. Many people do swim against it, at least for awhile.

b. Choosing to believe that God exists is a voluntary act of trust. We believe not because we think the reality of God is absolutely unequivocal, but because we judge the evidence to be greatly in its favor. After careful thought, faith puts its trust and confidence in a premise that is seen to be supported by the weight of the evidence. Faced with the ultimate fork in the road, faith understands that a decision must be made, and it responsibly chooses one alternative.

c. But the decision to believe isn’t merely the adoption of an intellectual position. It’s the

courageous taking of a stand. Like all ideas, the idea of God has consequences, and faith dares

to accept those consequences. It says: “I have considered the matter and am prepared to make

my choice. What I have seen has taught me to trust this thing which I can’t see, the reality of

God. I not only believe, I am prepared to follow my faith wherever it leads.”

-- Diligently Seeking God

 

3. Are you willing to make the decision to believe in God? Again, from Gary Henry...

a. The time is coming, however, when the reality of God will no longer be a matter of faith.

b. It will be an overwhelming fact, impossible to deny and terrifying in its implications for those

who have tried to deny it.

c. Romans 14:11 - For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

 

Only a fool would suppress the evidence for the existence of God that is out there...

 

Romans 1:20 - 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:

 

Psalms 14:1 - The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

 

Mark 16:15-16 - And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

 

Matthew 28:19-20 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

Prayer: Lord I truly thank You for giving me the opportunity to present these words to my brethrens. I pray that You will give them Your eternal blessings and accept them into Your heart - this  I pray in the name of Thy Son, Jesus, the Messiah, Your only begotten son which Ye sent to save mankind from themselves. Ephesians 6:23-24 - Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

 

This sermon is in the Public Domain - Free for all to use with the only requirement: That it never be used for profit.