The Glory of God in His Creation
This is the first of the series of messages from the camp which I will be posting.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Glory of God in Creation – Rev Jack Sin
Introduction to “The Glory of God”
During the Reformation, Protestant doctrine of Christianity was summarized to be surrounding this 5 tenets:
- Sola Scriptura ( authority only from God’s word)
- Sola fide (only saved by faith)
- Sola Gracias (only through the grace of God)
- Solus Christus (only by Christ; not the pope, not the priest)
- Soli Deo Gloria (to God only be the glory)
The glory of God is beyond description of words. The only simplified word to define that may be “greatness”, but it is still limited. No words can seem to describe fully and quantify the glory of God. But we can see God’s glory in certain areas. This sermon talked about God’s glory in creation.
Glorify God and to Enjoy Him Forever
The chief end of man, is to “glorify God and to enjoy Him forever”. In order for that, John the Baptist gave the right instruction: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). In everything that we do, especially in those things that the Bible does not have a direct answer to, the questions to ask are these:
- Is it a stumbling block?
- Is it edifying?
- Does this glorify God?
To “glorify”
It means: to venerate God, set God in the highest, to declare, to give praise to God. It has to be noted that we cannot add to God’s glory, for God’s glory does not depend on us. He is infinitely glorious already.
In Revelation 4:11, it says that “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” This shows that God is in the centre of His creation, and all things are created for His glory. Even in our sickness, and anything that we think it is “bad” to have happened to us, God is still glorified. 1 reason being that He is already infinitely glorious and all things happened under His providence. Another reason being that in “bad things”, God can be using it to show His power. John 11:4 – “When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” Lazarus’ sickness was used by Christ to show His power by the miracle of bringing Lazuras to life again. Personally, I have experienced my own failure in my O Level Prelims that was used by God to reveal His grace and mercy towards me.
“Enjoy God”
It means to have a deep profound sense of great pleasure in the presence of God (reading Bible, prayer, fellowship etc).
Things Not to Glorify In
In Jeremiah 9:23-24 – “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise [man] glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty [man] glory in his might, let not the rich [man] glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I [am] the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these [things] I delight, saith the LORD.”
Here it mentioned things that we should not glorify in: wisdom (academic achievements, special talents etc), might (power etc), and riches. There is only ONE thing that we can glorify in, which is in God, the knowledge of God, our salvation, etc. Reverend Jack Sin even mentioned that when we thank someone or for something, always attribute it to God (“thank God for this person / this pastor...”)
Glory of God in His Creations
We should not even glorify the creation of God, for all things are created to glorify God. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. [There is] no speech nor language, [where] their voice is not heard. 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,” – Psalms 19:1-4. Here Rev Sin reminded us that this is why New Age movements and Green Movements are wrong. They glorify nature (“Mother Earth”). (Of course, it is not that we should not take care of the earth.) It is also said in Luke 19:40 that even stones cry out and praise God if men fail to do so.
In Psalms 8, David ascribed glory to God and His name when he praised God for His wonderful creations. Here we see that even the name of the Lord is glorified. This is why we cannot and must not take the name of God in vain. Christians should be people who will think upon His name often, as Malachi 3:16 says. (“Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.”)
Because God’s creation shew forth His glory, when sin came into the world, the Bible says that “the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” (Romans 8:22)
We are His Creation
We, man, are also God’s creation, and we are created to glorify Him. After Adam’s sin, man is no longer giving God the glory and glorifying God anymore. But Christians, we whom are saved and the truth is revealed to us, ought to glorify God like all other creations. This is said in Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Conclusion
The glory of God can be seen in His creation – sky, seas, mountains, trees, flowers, birds, insects etc. But we must always give glory to God, the Creator, and not the creation.
Personal reflection:
I’m someone who loves nature, especially the vast sky and big mountains and great seas. The next morning after this sermon, we have our morning jog and devotion at changi beach. It was a wonderful reflection time, as I watch the sky turn from morning darkness to light and see the sunlight fill the sky. Even though Singapore sea is ugly, the very formation of it and the vastness amazes me. If anyone realize, God takes the word “fool” seriously. (Matt 5:22 – “but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”) Yet God Himself would use the word “fool” on people who deny the existence of God. This show the extent of sin and depravity and stupidity a person is when he/she can look at all these wonderful creation and nature but would rather believe that they are formed without a Maker, but out of chaos. “Fool” is indeed such a right word to use. Even the pagans would attribute all these complex wonders to a higher power.
So indeed, how wonderful and glorious God is!