Divine Revelation: Understanding God's Holiness and Grace
Summary
In reflecting on the profound nature of God, it becomes evident that human wisdom alone cannot uncover the divine. The Apostle Paul's experience in Athens, as recounted in Acts 17, illustrates this truth. Despite Athens being a hub of philosophical thought, it was filled with idols and even an altar to an "unknown God," signifying the limitations of human understanding. This underscores the biblical teaching that God is beyond human comprehension unless He chooses to reveal Himself. The Bible is not a record of humanity's search for God but rather God's revelation to humanity. From the Old Testament to the New, God consistently reveals His holiness, justice, and righteousness.
The Old Testament is a testament to God's holiness, as seen in His interactions with figures like Adam, Eve, and Moses. God's holiness is further emphasized in the New Testament through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus taught us to pray to "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name," highlighting God's holiness and transcendence. The apostles echoed this, affirming that God is light and in Him, there is no darkness.
Understanding God's wrath is crucial to comprehending human history and the state of the world. The world's suffering and chaos are not due to an evolutionary process but are consequences of sin and rebellion against God. The Bible explains that God created a perfect world, but sin brought punishment and suffering. This understanding of God's wrath also illuminates His grace and love, particularly through the cross of Christ. The incarnation and crucifixion of Jesus are necessary because God's love alone cannot address the problem of sin. The cross is the ultimate demonstration of God's wrath against sin and His love for humanity, offering redemption and eternal life to those who believe.
Key Takeaways:
1. Human wisdom is insufficient to fully comprehend God. The story of Athens in Acts 17 illustrates that even the most philosophical minds cannot grasp the divine without God's revelation. This highlights the necessity of divine revelation for true knowledge of God. [26:38]
2. The Bible is a record of God's revelation, not humanity's search for Him. From the Old Testament to the New, God reveals His holiness, justice, and righteousness, emphasizing that He is beyond human understanding. [29:06]
3. God's holiness is a central theme throughout the Bible. Both the Old and New Testaments affirm that God is light, and in Him, there is no darkness. This understanding calls us to approach God with reverence and humility. [33:03]
4. The world's suffering and chaos are consequences of sin and rebellion against God. The Bible provides the only adequate explanation for the state of the world, emphasizing that sin brings punishment and suffering. [39:24]
5. The cross of Christ is the ultimate demonstration of God's wrath against sin and His love for humanity. The incarnation and crucifixion were necessary because God's love alone cannot address the problem of sin. [51:39]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [24:56] - Paul's Visit to Athens
- [25:38] - The Unknown God
- [26:23] - Limitations of Human Wisdom
- [27:10] - Revelation Through Creation
- [28:29] - The Bible as Revelation
- [29:23] - God's Revelation in History
- [30:15] - The Holiness of God
- [31:19] - New Testament Teachings on God
- [32:30] - Jesus' Teaching on God's Holiness
- [33:57] - Reverence Before God
- [35:01] - The Glory of God
- [37:06] - God's Wrath Against Sin
- [39:24] - Consequences of Sin
- [42:49] - God's Punishment and Human History
- [48:05] - Understanding God's Grace
- [51:39] - The Necessity of the Cross
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Acts 17:16-34
2. Romans 1:18-23
3. John 3:16
---
Observation Questions:
1. What did Paul observe about the city of Athens that led him to speak about God? How did this observation relate to the Athenians' understanding of God? [25:22]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the altar to the "unknown God" in Athens? How does this reflect the limitations of human wisdom? [25:52]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of divine revelation in understanding God, as opposed to human wisdom or philosophy? [28:29]
4. What examples from the Old Testament are mentioned in the sermon to illustrate God's revelation of His holiness? [29:23]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the relationship between God's holiness and human sin? Why is it important to understand this relationship? [30:50]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the world's suffering and chaos are linked to sin and rebellion against God? How does this perspective differ from an evolutionary explanation? [39:24]
3. How does the sermon describe the necessity of the cross of Christ in addressing the problem of sin? What does this reveal about the nature of God's love and wrath? [51:39]
4. How does the sermon interpret the role of God's wrath in human history and the current state of the world? What implications does this have for understanding God's character? [42:49]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you relied on your own wisdom to understand God. How did that experience compare to moments when you felt God revealed Himself to you? [26:38]
2. The sermon emphasizes approaching God with reverence and humility. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a sense of reverence in your daily life? [33:03]
3. Consider the ways in which you might be contributing to the world's chaos through personal sin or rebellion. What changes can you make to align more closely with God's will? [39:24]
4. How does understanding the necessity of the cross change your perspective on God's love and justice? In what ways can this understanding impact your relationship with God and others? [51:39]
5. The sermon suggests that God's wrath is a response to sin. How does this understanding challenge or affirm your view of God's character? How can you reconcile this with the concept of a loving God? [37:06]
6. Reflect on the idea that the Bible is a record of God's revelation rather than humanity's search for Him. How does this perspective influence your approach to reading and studying the Bible? [29:06]
7. Identify one area in your life where you feel distant from God. What steps can you take to seek His revelation and draw closer to Him this week? [28:29]
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Revelation Surpasses Human Wisdom
Human wisdom, no matter how profound, is insufficient to fully comprehend the divine nature of God. The Apostle Paul's experience in Athens, as described in Acts 17, serves as a powerful illustration of this truth. Athens, a city renowned for its philosophical thought, was filled with idols and even had an altar dedicated to an "unknown God." This highlights the limitations of human understanding and the necessity of divine revelation for true knowledge of God. Without God's self-revelation, humanity remains in the dark about His true nature. [26:38]
"For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, 'He catches the wise in their craftiness,' and again, 'The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.'" (1 Corinthians 3:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying solely on your own understanding? How can you invite God's revelation into these areas today?
Day 2: The Bible as God's Revelation
The Bible is not a record of humanity's search for God but rather a testament to God's revelation to humanity. From the Old Testament to the New, God consistently reveals His holiness, justice, and righteousness. This underscores the biblical teaching that God is beyond human comprehension unless He chooses to reveal Himself. The scriptures serve as a divine guide, illuminating God's character and His will for humanity. [29:06]
"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)
Reflection: How can you make time today to engage with the Bible as a source of divine revelation? What specific steps will you take to deepen your understanding of God's character through scripture?
Day 3: The Holiness of God
God's holiness is a central theme throughout the Bible, affirming that He is light and in Him, there is no darkness. This understanding calls us to approach God with reverence and humility. The Old Testament reveals God's holiness through His interactions with figures like Adam, Eve, and Moses, while the New Testament emphasizes it through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Recognizing God's holiness invites us to live in a way that honors His purity and righteousness. [33:03]
"Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?" (Exodus 15:11, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and humility in your relationship with God today?
Day 4: The Consequences of Sin
The world's suffering and chaos are consequences of sin and rebellion against God. The Bible provides the only adequate explanation for the state of the world, emphasizing that sin brings punishment and suffering. Understanding God's wrath is crucial to comprehending human history and the current state of the world. This perspective also highlights the need for redemption and the hope offered through Christ. [39:24]
"Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned." (Romans 5:12, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you see the consequences of sin? How can you seek God's forgiveness and healing in that area today?
Day 5: The Cross as the Ultimate Demonstration of God's Love and Wrath
The cross of Christ is the ultimate demonstration of God's wrath against sin and His love for humanity. The incarnation and crucifixion were necessary because God's love alone cannot address the problem of sin. Through the cross, God offers redemption and eternal life to those who believe. This profound act of love calls us to respond with faith and gratitude, recognizing the depth of God's grace. [51:39]
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8, ESV)
Reflection: How does the reality of the cross impact your understanding of God's love and justice? What steps can you take today to live in response to this truth?
Quotes
The world by wisdom knew not God and it still cannot know God by wisdom a man by seeking cannot find God why well because of the very character and being of God if a man could find God it would mean that the man was bigger than God if God is an object that I can examine and desect as it were well then I'm bigger. [00:26:34]
God by definition is beyond he is absolute he's Eternal and so the Biblical teaching is that a man can ultimately know nothing about God unless God chooses to reveal himself oh yes I'll grant you that by studying nature and creation you can arrive with a belief in a Creator. [00:27:02]
There is no greater fallacy than to S to think and to say that the Bible is the record and the account of men search for God it's the exact opposite it is the record of men's failure but God graciously revealing himself and his purpose for mankind and the world it is the record of Revelation not of Discovery. [00:28:42]
The Old Testament is nothing in a sense but a great record of God's revelation of himself and what does he teach this is what he teaches I am the Lord thy God I am a holy God everywhere that is what he tells mankind about himself he put men in the garden and he said now then keep my Commandments obey my holy law. [00:29:58]
That's the great message of the Old Testament that God is a holy God a just a righteous God God is light and in him is no Darkness at all it runs right through the Old Testament it was because they didn't realize that that these children of Israel were so constantly in trouble but let me hurry to the New Testament. [00:31:56]
Our Father which art in heaven Hallowed be thy name that's so he teaches us to pray not dad not somebody with whom we can be easily familiar but God who is in heaven Hallowed be thy name and you notice when we have records of our Lord's own prayer how we invariably pray he says Holy Father. [00:32:23]
God is light and in him is no Darkness at all our God is a consumer in fire all of them are unanimous in their teaching it is the teaching of the Bible in the Old Testament and in the new it's a great revelation of this AUST being you know the children let me say this for the children of Israel. [00:33:15]
God is the exact opposite of what I am in all my smallness finitude andw worthiness and ugliness and foulness God is the Eternal opposite of it all in all the glory and the Wonder and the Perfection of his Holiness his Justice his love his mercy and compassion and it is inconceivable that such a God can pretend that he hasn't seen sin. [00:36:35]
The Bible has an answer to this and to me it's the only adequate answer it's this it isn't because the world is passing through this painful process of emerging by some evolutionary process in the direction of perfection because there's no evidence that it is the world is as bad tonight as it's ever been what is it then well you see it's this God made a perfect world. [00:38:27]
God told him live as I've made you and as I want you to live and you nothing but happiness but if you don't you will bring punishment down upon yourself God warned men man has no excuse he was given the terms they're perfectly plain they were perfectly reasonable but men in his unutterable folly and the arrogance of his pride rebelled against God. [00:39:24]
If you reject the doctrine of wrath of God upon sin you'll never understand the grace of God you'll never understand the love of God you'll never understand the gospel above all you'll never understand the Cross of Christ on calvary's Hill never this is only understood in the light of this Biblical teaching concerning the wrath of God upon sin. [00:48:01]
The love of God Alone cannot deal with the problem of human sin it necessitated the Incarnation and so it leads to the greatest glories of the Gospel here it is when the fullness of the times was come God sent forth his son made of a woman made under the law to redeem them that are under the law. [00:51:39]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?