Evidence of God's Love in Creation and Morality

Devotional

Day 1: The Power and Unpredictability of Nature

Nature's immense power and unpredictability often leave us feeling helpless, especially when faced with natural disasters like tornadoes and whirlpools. These events can cause significant destruction and make us question the existence of a benevolent God amidst such chaos. However, in the aftermath of these disasters, we often witness humanity's capacity for compassion and aid. People come together to help those affected, showcasing an innate drive to care for one another. This response reflects a divine moral compass within us, pointing to a higher power that instills goodness and compassion in our hearts. [17:49]

Job 37:5-6 (ESV): "God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend. For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth,’ likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour."

Reflection: Think of a recent natural disaster or challenging event. How did you see people come together to help? How can you be a source of compassion and aid in your community today?

Day 2: Constants in the Universe

The universe is governed by unchanging constants, such as Pi and the speed of light, which are essential for its structure and the existence of life. These constants are not random but suggest a grand design by a Creator. The fine-tuning of the universe indicates a purposeful creation, aligning with the biblical narrative of a God who is deeply involved in His creation. This understanding helps us see the harmony between science and faith, revealing the wondrous ways God is present in the universe. [32:28]

Isaiah 40:26 (ESV): "Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power, not one is missing."

Reflection: Reflect on the constants in the universe that you encounter daily. How do these constants point to a grand design? How can this understanding deepen your faith in a purposeful Creator?

Day 3: Inherent Moral Awareness

Even young children display an innate sense of right and wrong, which cannot be easily explained by evolutionary biology alone. This moral awareness points to a higher moral lawgiver, suggesting that our sense of morality is divinely instilled. Observing this inherent moral compass in ourselves and others can strengthen our belief in a caring Creator who guides us towards goodness and righteousness. [28:49]

Romans 2:14-15 (ESV): "For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them."

Reflection: Think about a time when you or someone you know displayed an innate sense of right and wrong. How does this experience affirm your belief in a higher moral lawgiver? How can you nurture this moral awareness in your daily life?

Day 4: Acts of Kindness in Nature

Observations of animals showing care and compassion towards each other, as seen in numerous videos, support the idea of a universe imbued with goodness and purpose. These acts of kindness reflect the Creator's nature and the moral fabric of the universe. By recognizing and appreciating these moments of compassion in nature, we can see the evidence of a caring Creator who instills love and kindness in all His creation. [30:52]

Psalm 104:24-25 (ESV): "O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great."

Reflection: Recall a moment when you witnessed an act of kindness in nature, whether among animals or humans. How did this moment impact your view of the Creator? How can you emulate this kindness in your interactions with others?

Day 5: The Assurance of God's Love

John 3:16-17 reassures us that God sent Jesus not to judge but to save the world, emphasizing God's love and commitment to His creation. This message of salvation and grace is a cornerstone of our faith, reminding us of God's unwavering presence and care. As we continue to explore the intersection of science and faith, we find that they complement each other, revealing the wondrous ways God is present in the universe. [34:41]

1 John 4:9-10 (ESV): "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

Reflection: Reflect on the assurance of God's love as demonstrated through Jesus' sacrifice. How does this assurance impact your daily life and faith journey? How can you share this message of love and grace with others today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, Suamico United Methodist Church! Today, we delved into the profound message of John 3:16-17, exploring the physical evidence of God's love and presence in the universe. We began by acknowledging the beauty and complexity of creation, using scientific phenomena like tornadoes and whirlpools to illustrate the power and unpredictability of nature. These natural events often make us question the existence of a benevolent God amidst chaos and destruction. However, we also see the goodness in humanity's response to such disasters, showcasing our innate drive to help and care for one another, which points to a divine moral compass.

We discussed the constants in the universe, such as Pi and the speed of light, which remain unchanged and reliable, suggesting a grand design by a Creator. These constants are not random but are essential for the universe's structure and life itself. This fine-tuning of the universe indicates a purposeful creation, aligning with the biblical narrative of a God who is deeply involved in His creation.

Furthermore, we reflected on the inherent sense of right and wrong observed even in young children, which cannot be easily explained by evolutionary biology alone. This moral awareness points to a higher moral lawgiver. We also considered the evidence of animals showing care and compassion towards each other, as seen in numerous videos, which further supports the idea of a universe imbued with goodness and purpose.

In conclusion, the physical evidence of constants, moral awareness, and acts of kindness all point towards a caring Creator. John 3:16-17 reassures us that God sent Jesus not to judge but to save the world, emphasizing God's love and commitment to His creation. As we continue to explore the intersection of science and faith, we find that they complement each other, revealing the wondrous ways God is present in the universe.

###

Key Takeaways

1. 17 reassures us that God sent Jesus not to judge but to save the world, emphasizing God's love and commitment to His creation. This message of salvation and grace is a cornerstone of our faith, reminding us of God's unwavering presence and care. [34:41]
### [34:41]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[07:34] - Introduction to John 3:16-17
[08:26] - Worship and Announcements
[16:13] - Tornado in a Bottle Experiment
[17:49] - The Power and Unpredictability of Nature
[18:51] - Water Whirlpool Video
[19:45] - Personal Story: Whitewater Rafting
[21:19] - Helplessness and Human Limitations
[22:06] - Prayer and Reflection
[24:07] - Contrasting Views: Dawkins vs. John 3:16-17
[25:01] - The Epidemic of Judging
[26:01] - Human Response to Disasters
[27:30] - Physical Evidence of a Caring Creator
[28:13] - Innate Sense of Right and Wrong in Children
[30:18] - Acts of Kindness in Nature
[32:28] - Constants in the Universe
[34:07] - Fine-Tuning and Purpose
[35:13] - The Mystery of Life's Origins
[36:47] - The Moral Compass Given by God
[37:21] - Jesus' Teachings on Care and Love
[38:24] - Physical Evidence for the Existence of God
[42:41] - Confession and Forgiveness
[43:58] - Prayers for the Community
[45:06] - The Lord's Prayer
[48:16] - Offering and Thanksgiving
[49:28] - Holy Communion
[50:37] - Remembering Jesus' Life and Teachings
[51:13] - Invitation to the Table
[57:14] - Faith in Action: Mission Trips
[61:29] - Upcoming Events and Announcements
[62:40] - Free Music Lessons
[63:46] - Foundations Class
[64:46] - Do Unto Others Worship Series
[65:47] - Closing Song and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are some examples of natural phenomena mentioned in the sermon that illustrate the power and unpredictability of nature? ([17:49])
How do the constants in the universe, such as Pi and the speed of light, suggest a grand design by a Creator? ([32:28])
What evidence is presented in the sermon to support the idea that even young children have an inherent sense of right and wrong? ([28:49])
How do acts of kindness in nature, such as animals showing care for each other, reflect the Creator's nature? ([30:52])

Interpretation Questions

How does the sermon explain the relationship between the unpredictability of natural disasters and the existence of a benevolent God? ([17:49])
In what ways do the constants in the universe align with the biblical narrative of a God deeply involved in His creation? ([32:28])
How does the inherent moral awareness in young children point to a higher moral lawgiver, according to the sermon? ([28:49])
What is the significance of John 3:16-17 in the context of the sermon, especially in relation to God's love and commitment to His creation? ([34:41])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you experienced the power and unpredictability of nature. How did it affect your faith or understanding of God’s presence in the universe? ([17:49])
The sermon suggests that constants in the universe point to a grand design. How does this perspective influence your view of science and faith working together? ([32:28])
Think about a moment when you observed a young child displaying a sense of right and wrong. How did this experience impact your belief in a higher moral lawgiver? ([28:49])
Have you ever witnessed or been part of an act of kindness that seemed to reflect a deeper moral fabric of the universe? Share your experience and how it influenced your faith. ([30:52])
John 3:16-17 emphasizes that God sent Jesus not to judge but to save the world. How can this message of salvation and grace shape your interactions with others, especially those who may not share your beliefs? ([34:41])
The sermon discusses the human response to disasters as evidence of a divine moral compass. How can you contribute to your community in times of crisis to reflect this moral compass? ([26:01])
How can you use the evidence of a caring Creator, as discussed in the sermon, to strengthen your faith and share it with others who may be skeptical? ([38:24])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "The thing, though, is that a water whirlpool, just like a tornado whirlpool, reminds us that we are not in control. We don't have power. There are forces in the universe that are greater than us. And for some of us, that makes us ask questions. Did God create the universe? Is there physical evidence for God? Is there evidence in the universe that God is good? Or is the universe just out to get us?" [21:19] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Maybe Dawkins has a point that, looking at the base reality of tornadoes, there is pitiless indifference in the universe. But maybe he loses a point that the humans, who are part of God's creation, show care for each other, even when there is no logical reason to do so. Maybe he loses a point. Maybe there is goodness in the universe." [26:42] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "John 3.16 reminds us that God is good and God is still engaged and God has sent Jesus to be with us to save us and to save all of creation. Because at the end of the day if we go back to the logical arguments the debate with atheists if there's just one person who cares for another person the atheists lose their argument that the universe is only pitiless indifference because logically none of us should care for anyone else we should all just be out for ourselves and that's not the reality we have." [37:21] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "As we continue to grow with Jesus we get to teach others to care and love with grace and this is where we can stand on the evidence the physical evidence for the existence of God the constants of the universe point to God the goodness of humans caring points to God quote Dr. Gart gives it a try and I think this is beautiful the universe that we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is at bottom a grand design a purpose good and evil the existence of beings who can worship their creator and all that is needed to justify belief in the presence of God." [38:24] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Jesus is here to save the whole world, all the whoevers. He is not here to judge us. Jesus is here. He is here to save the world, to save the universe. Now, it seems to me like we have an epidemic of judging going on here on the planet at the moment. And I'm not just talking about the Olympic judges. We are really into judging each other right now." [24:07] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "When we're thinking about physical evidence of a God who knows goodness, I think when we look at our children, we see physical evidence. They are innately hardwired to know right from wrong. This does not sound like evolutionary biology to me. I don't think the random movings of the universe would suddenly create the idea of right and wrong. To me, this sounds more like a, I'm going to eat an apple from this tree of the knowledge of good and evil that God told me not to eat for a moment." [28:49] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "How did, if the universe has no creator and it is void of good and evil and it is just blindly doing whatever it does, how did it come up with constants that are constant, that are reliable, that are always the same? Constants that seem to hold the universe together. I think these constants are another piece of physical evidence that there is a creator who had a plan for the universe, who came up with things that would hold the universe together, that would give us life and give us a place to exist. Without these constants we don't have life." [32:28] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The origins of these complex yet fundamental biochemical systems remains a mystery. Progress has been slow to non-existence. If the universe just came into being there shouldn't be a block there shouldn't be a barrier we should be able to figure out do all the experiments and research and figure it all out and we just can't which is more physical evidence that there is nothing back there but God. God is the mystery God is the power that put all of this into a plan." [36:16] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "In Genesis and throughout the Bible we see a God that gives us a moral compass God gave us a book that is the story of truth the story of right and wrong of love and compassion and grace and justice. We can live with John chapter 3 strong in the assurance that Jesus is here for us and for all of creation." [36:47] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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