| This Sermon was written and submitted by: Joseph M. Willmouth, Pastor of Trinity Bible Church in Biloxi, Mississippi 39532. This contributed article is copyright protected, and the sole property of the contributing author. It may be freely copied and used provided the above credits are included. Document expiration: indefinite. |
1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, Because of Your truth. 2 Why should the Gentiles say, "So where is their God?" 3 But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. 4 Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men's hands. 5 They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; 6 They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; 7 They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat. 8 Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them.
I. Worthwhile Worship (vv.1, 3).
1. Is found in God's Character (v.1).
A. He alone is worthy of praise and glory.1) "Lord," (Yehovah {yeh-ho-vaw'}); Jehovah = "the existing One," the proper name of the one true God.B. Because of His character.2) "glory," (kabowd {kaw-bode': Qal impv}); glory, honor, reverence.
2) "mercy," (checed {kheh'-sed}); goodness, kindness, faithfulness, steadfast love.3) "truth," ('emeth {eh'-meth}); firmness, faithfulness, truth, sureness, reliability.
2. He alone is sovereign (v.3).
A. He dwells above creation.Application: There is nothing and no one else like God that is worthy to be worshiped. When you compare all other gods of this world to the true and living God, they all fail to measure up. Thus the only God worth worshiping is the God of the Bible - everything else is just a cheap imitation.B. He alone is sovereign over all creation.
II. Worthless Worship (vv.2, 4-8).
1. Denies the reality of who God is (v.2).
2. Creates God in their own image (vv.4-8).
A. Made with inferior materials (v.4a).Application: It is no surprise that idols cannot rival God because they are lifeless and powerless to help man. It is futile to create a god in your own image, and those who do will become like the idols they worship, lifeless and powerless.1) Gold. & Silver.B. Made by inferior craftsmen (v.4b).2) These materials are valuable to men, but are nothing in value compared to the true God.
C. Made lifeless and powerless (vv.5-8).
1) Mouths that cannot speak (v.5a)2) Eyes that cannot see (v.5b).
3) Ears that cannot hear (v.6a)
4) Noses that cannot smell (v.6b).
5) Hands that cannot feel (v.7a).
6) Feet that cannot walk (v.7b).
7) They are not worthy of worship (v.7c-8).