The Wondrous Works of God I Chronicles 16:9 I. Introduction. A. The ways/works of God far exceed that of men: I Chronicles 16:9. 1. Isaiah's thought: Isaiah 55:9-10. 2. Men are fallible(finite); God is infallible(infinite). 3. God does not think and does not act as man: Isaiah 55:8. B. Truly, His works are wondrous: should mediate(think) about them: Psalm 119:27. 1. Spoken of seven times in Psalms(at least 11 times in the Bible). 2. Wondrous: Idea of being amazed; to marvel. 3. Man has created some marvelous items but none are comparable to God's creation. a. Man's creations break and wear out(beyond man's control.) b. God controls his creation. II. Body. "The wondrous works of God" include.... A. The universe: Genesis 1:1. 1. From nothing: the elements. 2. From chaos: order. 3. From life(God): living creatures. 4. God spoke into existence. 5. Intelligent life and order demanded an intelligent creator. 6. Look upon the universe; look into the wonders of this world; gaze into the heavens, etc. 7. We are not here by chance: Romans 1:20. B. The relationship called "home": Genesis 2:18, 21-25. 1. Existed from the beginning: will continue. 2. Satan would like to destroy it. a. Through attacks on God's law. b. Through the practice of sin(homosexuality, abuse, fornication,adultery, etc.) c. Through influencing humans to avoid(living together). 3. No finer relationship outside of the church: foundation for society. 4. A refuge from the world; from sin; from enemies, etc. 5. When there is no place to turn: go home. 6. Can be a paradise on earth: I Timothy 5:4(comment). C. The law of Moses. 1. The condition of the society in that time. 2. Tended to: Deuteronomy 12:8. 3. Men need leadership, guidance, and help from a Supreme Being. 4. God took a bunch of Egyptian slaves, delivered them from bondage, and became their king(wanted to be such). 5. But--men must have a controlling force in their conduct and lives. 6. Hence: Deuteronomy 5:1-3. 7. The law was good and proper: men were not! 8. Nothing like it before: still an excellent example for civil law. D. The gospel of Jesus Christ. 1. Emphasize: Jesus was not a created being! 2. Men would not keep the Law of Moses--God rejected the nation of Israel and extends His mercies to all men. 3. Hence: Mark 1:1. 4. Started with Jesus Christ: Matthew 4:23. 5. Intended for: Matthew 24:14. 6. Paul's appraisal: Romans 1:16. 7. Describe what this glorious gospel can do for a sinner. E. The church of Jesus Christ. 1. The most marvelous institution--spiritual in nature: Ephesians 5:27. 2. Brief description of the church(kingdom). 3. Marvelous in simplicity; worship; work; etc. 4. It is spiritual tragedy when men put their hands on the church! 5. Jesus is the head: Ephesians 5:23. 6. Jesus gave himself for it: Ephesians 5:25. 7. And men say one does not have to be a part of Christ's church to be saved? Who can believe such! F. The preparation of Heaven and Hell. 1. There is no reward like Heaven. a. Reserved for the faithful: I Peter 1:4. b. A paradise unlike anything one can imagine in this life. c. Rest and peace; freedom from flesh, worries, and pains of this life: Revelation 21:7. 2. There is no punishment as intense as Hell. a. Reserved for the unfaithful and wicked: Matthew 25:41. b. Not a favorite topic for most folks. c. Note: Revelation 21:8. III. Conclusion. A. Note the Psalmist's attitude: Psalm 105:2. B. God created the marvelous creature called man: every human should serve him.-James L. Yopp