Attributes of God (2)
28 January 2018 PM – Psalm 145:3-4 – Psa145 – Scott Childs
Introduction: Psalm 145 describes some of the attributes or character qualities of our awesome God. So far we have learned that God is Admirable and Praiseworthy. He deserves to be lifted up and to be praised every single day.
Transition: This evening, we are going to examine two more of God’s attributes: He is Great and He is Mighty.
1. The LORD is Great!
(Psalms 145:3) “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.”
a. The word “great” describes that which is magnificent; something with increased size, power or authority.
1) He is great in extent – He fills the heaven and earth – (Jeremiah 23:24) “Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.”
2) He is great in age – He is eternal – (Deuteronomy 33:27) “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: …”
3) He is great in size – (Isaiah 40:12) “Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?”
4) He is great in wisdom – this is evident in creation – (Proverbs 3:19) “The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.” (Also Psalms 104:24)
5) He is great in intelligence – His understanding is infinite – (Psalms 147:4-5) “He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.”
6) He is great in power – He can do anything – (Job 42:2) “I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.”
7) He is great in authority – He is sovereign over all – (Psalms 103:19) “The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.”
8) He is great in goodness – (Psalms 31:19) “Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!”
9) He is great in faithfulness – (Lamentations 3:23) “They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
10) He is great in mercy and love – (Ephesians 2:4) “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,” (Also, Ps 86:13)
b. God has no rivals. All creation trumpets the greatness of God! (See Job 38-41). We are to greatly praise the LORD.
1) He deserves praise that is far above any given to man.
a) Greater than praise given to a sports team
b) Greater than praise given to our children
2) He deserves praise that is great. It must come from the heart. It must be sincere. It must be frequent. It must be expressed.
3) We ought to meditate on God’s greatness and praise Him as we ponder.
c. His greatness is unsearchable
1) It is beyond all capability to be searched.
2) God’s greatness is so extensive that you will never find the end of it. (Romans 11:33) “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”
2. The LORD is Mighty!
(Psalms 145:4) “One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.”
a. We are to praise both God’s works and his mighty acts.
1) The word “works” describes the work or deeds which God has done. All of God’s works are mighty acts, but some of His works display His might more than others. His works might include:
a) Confusing the languages at Babel
b) Guiding Abraham to Canaan
c) Protecting and elevating Joseph
d) Giving David victory over Goliath
e) All the Bible stories about the things God did are included as His works.
2) The words “mighty acts” are also translated as “strength, power, might, and majesty. God’s mighty acts are works that especially displayed His power and might include:
a) Creation: spoke, 6-days, God’s image, dust, life, stretched out, commanded, preserveth, all things, His glory…
b) The flood: deep, global, destructive, ark, protection …
c) Egyptian plagues: against Egypt’s gods
d) Red Sea opened, dry land
e) Manna for forty years
f) Fire from heaven to burn Elijah’s sacrifice
g) Delivering the three Hebrews from the fiery furnace
h) Christ’s resurrection
i) Peter’s deliverance from prison, Acts 12
j) Protection from the devil, Eph 6:10-18
k) The mighty acts of the Lord are abundant in the Bible.
b. Here is a tradition that God wants you to have! The best tradition you can hand down to your children is the tradition of praising God’s works and mighty acts.
1) Note that David wrote, “One generation shall praise … to another, and shall declare…” Praise is to boast and declare is to make known.
a) Grandparents are to praise and declare God’s works and mighty acts to their children and grandchildren.
b) Parents are to praise and declare God’s works and mighty acts to their children.
c) Children are to praise and declare God’s works and mighty acts now and to their future children.
2) We ought to regularly review the works and mighty acts of God with our children and grandchildren. During family Bible Time is a perfect time. Also, while tucking the children into bed is a good time.
3) How can we do this? Here are some suggestions.
a) Have your children help you make a growing list of all of God’s mighty acts. Record them in some way. Begin in Genesis and work your way through the Bible. Include Bible references for future use.
b) Take turns letting the children tell the event. Be sure that the focus is on GOD’s might in the acts. Ask them “What mighty act did God do in this story?”
c) Identify principles about God’s greatness in each story that can apply to life’s situations. A principle is a timeless truth or guideline that reveals the mind of God on contemporary issues.
(1) Principles are timeless, they do not change.
(2) Principles reveal God’s mind about issues.
(3) Principles give us direction for today’s issues.
(4) Principles may be drawn from a story, a command, God’s reaction, etc.
(5) Example: (Isaiah 40:26) God can help, comfort, protect, guide since He created all stars, makes them twinkle, knows their names and preserves them. God sees and knows me.
(6) Example: Daniel in the den of lions: worthy of daily prayer and devotion, God’s protection, faithfulness, might, and deserved glory.
d) Use the list when you are working with your children. This is our duty as well. Use the list:
(1) for comfort when they are fearful
(2) for strength when they are weary
(3) for cheer when they are down
(4) for encouragement when they are defeated
(5) for PRAISING the Lord during their trials
Conclusion: God is great and ought to be greatly praised. God’s works and mighty acts ought to be praised and reviewed regularly in our homes. In your personal worship time with the Lord, how can you implement these duties? What changes do you need to make in your family Bible Time?
Song: How Great Thou Art