The Gospel Project – Sermon Outline
Sermons in this series
Session 2
Title: God Speaks through His World
Scriptures: Psalm 19:1-6
Connection to Unit Theme: God has spoken through creation not only to make His existence known, but to say something about the kind of God He is – awesome and glorious. And, He has spoken in a way that shows the scope of His authority, reign and power – over all the earth.
Introduction Idea
Francis Bacon was a 15th-century scientist and Lord Chancellor of England. Observing the world around him, Bacon said: "There are two books laid before us to study, to prevent us from falling into error: first the volume of the Scriptures, which reveal the will of God; then the volume of the creation, which expresses His power." In this message we will consider how God speaks through creation. In the next, we will consider how God speaks through Scripture.
In the creation account in Genesis 1-2, God made everything in the physical world and pronounced it "good," even "very good." This Hebrew word for "good" [ – towb] means pleasant or agreeable. That is, God's creation was not only beautiful, but it also accomplished the purpose for which He created it. Creation's beauty and splendor – reflecting the beauty and splendor of God – served as a resounding choir singing praises to the glory of the One who made it. Let's look together as how God speaks through His world.
I – The Content of Creation's Message – "God is Glorious" (v.1)
God speaks. In the words of Francis Schaeffer, "He is there and He is not silent." One of the mouthpieces through which God speaks is His creation, and, as David tells us, the message that creation declares is clear: "God is glorious." What does it mean for God to have "glory?" The Hebrew word "glory" [ – kabowd] often carries the idea of "weightiness" to indicate the magnitude of something. The idea of splendor or majesty also comes to mind. In other words, the being behind this incredible creation is no lightweight. He is weighty, full of splendor, majestic. The creation we observe is great, but its greatness is not a testimony to itself. It is a testimony to the all-surpassing greatness, beauty, splendor, majesty, and glory of the One who created it. In the words of Isaac Watts, "Nature with open volume stands to spread her Maker's praise abroad."
Application: Each day, consider the ways the majesty and beauty of creation sounds forth the message, "God is glorious." Take time to stop and praise God, who is glorious, even if it is a prayer from your heart as you drive along. Look for opportunities to use the glory of God in creation as a bridge for sharing the good news about reconciliation with this glorious God through repentance and faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.
II – The Extent of Creation's Message – At all Times, Everywhere (v.2-6)
God's speech through His creation is not uncertain. It is not limited. There is no chance for a person to miss it. God continuously speaks through creation – "day after day" and "night after night." Though the "speech" is not verbal and audible, using words, it is no less clear and discernible. This message is proclaimed "through all the earth" and "to the end of the world," indicating that this God who speaks is not some regional, false deity, like those worshipped by pagan nations in Old Testament times. Rather, He is the God of all creation. From one end of the earth to the other, and everywhere in between and beyond, He is God.
Though man in his sinful state is often inclined to worship the creation rather than the Creator (Rom. 1:25), even the most obvious and powerful creation in the natural world, the sun, only and always does the will of the One who created it. Though awesome in power and heat, it simply follows the path laid by its Creator, doing that for which it was created, providing light and heat to the glory of God. The sun is not to be worshipped as a "god," as if it has some power or authority of its own. It simply gives daily testimony over all of God's creation that the God who made it is there and has made Himself known.
Application: Creation is proclaiming to all people everywhere that God is glorious. Though this message is sufficient to make all men guilty before this glorious and holy God, the testimony of creation is not sufficient to bring salvation, which only comes through hearing and responding in repentance and faith to the Gospel of Christ. As you look at the glory of God in creation, pray for those who are verbally sharing the Gospel to the ends of the earth, telling people how they can know this glorious God in a personal way. At the same time, ask God how He would have you be part of taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth – through praying, giving, and even going.
Conclusion Idea
In the Garden of Eden, man and woman had direct fellowship with God, the One about whom the creation sings. After the fall, however, mankind's direct fellowship with God was broken because of sin. Though likewise affected by the fall (Rom. 8:19-22), creation continues to sing forth the glory of the God who made it, making known to all men His existence and man's accountability to Him. Knowledge of God's existence through creation cannot give salvation. However, the God who speaks through His creation has made it possible for man to be reconciled with Him through the person of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, by whom, through whom, and for whom all things were made (John 1:3; Col. 1:16).