Understanding Our Relationship with God: The Ultimate Question

 

Summary

In today's world, where scientific advancements and political discussions dominate our conversations, it's crucial to remember the most significant question we face: our relationship with God. While the achievements of humanity, such as launching satellites, are remarkable, they pale in comparison to the eternal question of our connection with the divine. Regardless of the state of the world—whether in peace or war—our relationship with God remains the most pressing issue. The psalmist boldly declares that those who deny God's existence are fools, not because of a lack of intelligence, but due to a lack of understanding and insight.

The fool, as described in the Bible, is someone who acts without considering the consequences, driven by desires rather than reason. This foolishness is evident in those who dismiss the innate sense of God present in every human being. Across cultures and throughout history, even the most primitive societies have recognized a higher power. Ignoring this universal sense of God is a grave error. Furthermore, the fool disregards the voice of conscience, which guides us toward righteousness and away from wrongdoing.

The argument that disbelief in God stems from knowledge and understanding is flawed. Many intelligent and learned individuals throughout history, such as Isaac Newton and Blaise Pascal, have been devout believers. The notion that modern knowledge negates the existence of God is not new; it has been a recurring theme throughout history. True understanding goes beyond mere knowledge; it involves wisdom and the ability to see beyond immediate desires.

The evidence for God's existence is vast, from the complexity of the universe to the intricacies of human life. History, prophecy, and the life of Jesus Christ all point to a divine creator. To deny this evidence and risk one's eternal destiny on flimsy arguments is the height of folly. The wise choice is to acknowledge God, seek His mercy, and embrace the life He offers—a life of purity, joy, and eternal hope.

Key Takeaways:

1. The most important question we face is our relationship with God, which transcends all worldly achievements and concerns. This relationship remains crucial regardless of the state of the world. [04:32]

2. The psalmist's declaration that those who deny God's existence are fools highlights the importance of understanding and insight over mere intelligence. True wisdom involves recognizing the divine presence in our lives. [07:26]

3. Ignoring the innate sense of God and the voice of conscience is a grave error. Across cultures and history, humanity has recognized a higher power, and dismissing this universal sense is foolish. [12:24]

4. The argument that disbelief in God is due to modern knowledge is flawed. Many intelligent individuals throughout history have been devout believers, and true understanding involves wisdom beyond mere knowledge. [22:50]

5. The evidence for God's existence is vast, from the complexity of the universe to the life of Jesus Christ. Denying this evidence and risking one's eternal destiny on flimsy arguments is the height of folly. [39:57]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:55] - The Significance of Scientific Achievements
- [03:41] - The Eternal Question of Our Relationship with God
- [05:19] - The Fool's Denial of God
- [07:12] - Understanding vs. Intelligence
- [11:54] - The Universal Sense of God
- [15:21] - Ignoring the Voice of Conscience
- [18:23] - The Flawed Argument of Modern Knowledge
- [21:34] - Historical Believers in God
- [24:15] - The Timelessness of Disbelief
- [27:26] - Insufficient Evidence for Denial
- [31:14] - The Problem of Pain and Suffering
- [33:43] - The Theory of Evolution
- [35:16] - The Evidence of Creation
- [39:57] - The Evidence of Prophecy and History
- [44:23] - The Risk of Denying God
- [49:36] - The Folly of Rejecting God
- [51:29] - Conclusion and Call to Wisdom

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 14:1 - "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good."
2. Romans 1:20 - "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."
3. Proverbs 9:10 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to the sermon, what is the psalmist's view of those who deny God's existence, and how does this relate to the concept of wisdom? [07:26]
2. How does the sermon describe the innate sense of God present in every human being, and what examples are given to support this claim? [12:24]
3. What evidence does the sermon provide to argue against the notion that disbelief in God is due to modern knowledge? [22:50]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the vast evidence for God's existence through history, prophecy, and the life of Jesus Christ? [39:57]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between intelligence and belief in God, and how does it use historical figures to support this view? [22:50]
2. How does the sermon interpret the role of conscience in guiding individuals toward righteousness, and what are the consequences of ignoring it? [15:21]
3. In what ways does the sermon argue that the complexity of the universe points to the existence of a divine creator? [35:16]
4. How does the sermon address the argument that modern scientific theories, such as evolution, negate the existence of God? [33:43]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own relationship with God. How does it influence your daily decisions and priorities, especially in times of uncertainty or crisis? [04:32]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding and insight over mere intelligence. How can you cultivate true wisdom in your life, and what steps can you take to deepen your understanding of God? [07:26]
3. Consider the innate sense of God and the voice of conscience in your life. How do you respond to these inner guides, and what changes might you need to make to align more closely with them? [12:24]
4. The sermon challenges the idea that disbelief in God is a result of modern knowledge. How do you reconcile your faith with contemporary scientific and philosophical ideas? [22:50]
5. Reflect on the evidence for God's existence presented in the sermon. How does this evidence strengthen your faith, and how can you use it to engage in conversations with those who doubt or deny God's existence? [39:57]
6. The sermon warns against risking one's eternal destiny on flimsy arguments. What are some areas in your life where you might be taking spiritual risks, and how can you address them? [44:23]
7. How can you actively seek God's mercy and embrace the life of purity, joy, and eternal hope that the sermon describes? What practical steps can you take this week to live out this calling? [49:36]

Devotional

Day 1: The Primacy of Our Relationship with God
In a world filled with scientific achievements and political debates, the most crucial question remains our relationship with God. This relationship transcends all worldly accomplishments and concerns, as it is the foundation of our eternal destiny. Regardless of the state of the world—whether in times of peace or conflict—our connection with the divine remains the most pressing issue. The psalmist boldly declares that those who deny God's existence are fools, not due to a lack of intelligence, but because of a lack of understanding and insight. This insight is essential for recognizing the divine presence in our lives and prioritizing our relationship with God above all else. [04:32]

"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you allowed worldly achievements or concerns to overshadow your relationship with God? How can you prioritize this relationship today?


Day 2: Wisdom Beyond Intelligence
The psalmist's declaration that those who deny God's existence are fools highlights the importance of understanding and insight over mere intelligence. True wisdom involves recognizing the divine presence in our lives and acknowledging the innate sense of God within us. Across cultures and throughout history, even the most primitive societies have recognized a higher power. Ignoring this universal sense of God is a grave error, as it leads to a life driven by desires rather than reason. The wise choice is to seek God's mercy and embrace the life He offers—a life of purity, joy, and eternal hope. [07:26]

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." (Proverbs 9:10, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper understanding and insight into God's presence in your life, beyond mere intellectual knowledge?


Day 3: The Universal Sense of God
Ignoring the innate sense of God and the voice of conscience is a grave error. Throughout history and across cultures, humanity has recognized a higher power, and dismissing this universal sense is foolish. The fool, as described in the Bible, is someone who acts without considering the consequences, driven by desires rather than reason. This foolishness is evident in those who dismiss the innate sense of God present in every human being. The voice of conscience guides us toward righteousness and away from wrongdoing, and it is essential to heed this voice in our daily lives. [12:24]

"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." (Romans 2:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you ignored the voice of conscience in your life? How can you begin to listen and respond to this inner guidance today?


Day 4: The Flawed Argument of Modern Knowledge
The argument that disbelief in God stems from modern knowledge is flawed. Many intelligent and learned individuals throughout history, such as Isaac Newton and Blaise Pascal, have been devout believers. The notion that modern knowledge negates the existence of God is not new; it has been a recurring theme throughout history. True understanding goes beyond mere knowledge; it involves wisdom and the ability to see beyond immediate desires. Embracing this wisdom allows us to recognize the divine presence in our lives and prioritize our relationship with God. [22:50]

"For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, 'He catches the wise in their craftiness.'" (1 Corinthians 3:19, ESV)

Reflection: How can you balance the pursuit of knowledge with the pursuit of wisdom in your spiritual journey?


Day 5: The Evidence of God's Existence
The evidence for God's existence is vast, from the complexity of the universe to the intricacies of human life. History, prophecy, and the life of Jesus Christ all point to a divine creator. To deny this evidence and risk one's eternal destiny on flimsy arguments is the height of folly. The wise choice is to acknowledge God, seek His mercy, and embrace the life He offers—a life of purity, joy, and eternal hope. By recognizing the evidence of God's existence, we can strengthen our faith and deepen our relationship with the divine. [39:57]

"For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." (Romans 1:20, ESV)

Reflection: What evidence of God's existence do you see in your daily life? How can you use this evidence to strengthen your faith and relationship with God?

Quotes


Now I say that whatever our views and whatever our attitude tonight, we should recognize if we think at all and are concerned seriously about our existence in this world that all this denotes tremendous possibilities. It is indeed a tremendous matter that men has been able to do what he has succeeded in doing. [00:03:05]

I say that this question that is put before us here by the psalmist transcends all those other questions in importance. And that is why this evening I am not going to preach to you about the satellite, and neither am I going to preach to you about hydrogen bonds nor about the labor Party Conference nor the forthcoming Conservative Party Conference nor any one of these matters. [00:03:41]

The fool ha said in his heart there is no God. Now the thing I want to emphasize is this, that the psalmist is making a universal statement. He doesn't say some of the people who say that there is no God are fools. He says every one of them is. He doesn't say of course there are fools who say this sort of thing. [00:07:26]

Here is a man I say who is a fool because he listens to his heart and his desire instead of listening to that sense which is within him as it is within the whole of the human race, the sense of God. Now there is in every men and women born into this world a sense of God. [00:11:54]

The argument today is that these people don't believe in God because of their knowledge, because of their understanding, because of their great brains, because of their wonderful abilities. And they say the only people who still believe in God are these primitive types who haven't yet developed or these psychological cases. [00:22:50]

We know perfectly well that for every learned intelligent men you can show me in the world tonight who doesn't believe in God, I can show you a man who is unlearned and ignorant and lacking in intelligence and lacking in ability. Well, I know it's a wonderful thing to hear people on the brains trust. [00:23:41]

The argument you see was a very simple one. I first had to show him that he arrived at that tremendous conclusion on that one bit of evidence alone. Had he ever thought that perhaps it was a part of the purpose of God to allow this in order to bring something else to pass? [00:29:41]

I say a man who reasons and argues like that, though he may be a very learned and very brilliant men as such, is just behaving like a fool. Well then look at the other evidence, the evidence from the so-called proofs of psychology. Of course, they say psychology now has taught us or psychology proves and demonstrates. [00:31:14]

I rarely do mean the evidence of creation. I rarely do mean the world in which we live. I really do mean the cosmos in which we are existing. I'm, I confess, I'm baffled that anybody should believe that this amazing Universe in which we find ourselves is but the result of accident and chance. [00:35:16]

Have you ever considered the evidence of Prophecy as we find it in the Old Testament? Have you ever considered the fact that there were things foretold 800 years and more before they ever happened? Have you ever written down on paper the facts concerning the birth and the life and the death and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ? [00:39:57]

My third reason for calling such a man a fool is that because in that way and for those two reasons that I've just been giving you, he doesn't hesitate to risk his whole eternal life and his whole Eternal future. Ah, but he says I don't believe there is anything after death. [00:44:23]

You know there is no life even in this world that is comparable to The Godly life. It's a clean life, it's a Pure Life, it's a holy life, it's a life lived in fellowship and communion with God and with Christ. It's a life I say lived amongst the people who have done the greatest amount of good in this world. [00:49:36]

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Transcript
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