Romans 1:19-20
We believe in the God who brings us authority, affection and power.
The most talked about event this week occurred at 12:01 am on Thursday morning. It's the first showing of Star Wars: Episode 1. I understand that about 30 of you from one Fellowship group were there. How long did you wait in line for the tickets? One Australian youth camped outside a theater in LA for one month!
In an interview in Time magazine, George Lucas, the producer, said, "I put the Force into the movie in order to try to awaken a certain kind of spirituality in young people…….I wanted to make it so that young people would begin to ask questions about the mystery. Not having enough interest in the mysteries of life to ask the question: Is there a God or is there not a God?---that is for me the worst thing that can happen."
He admits that he believes in a God, but does not know who that God is. In his movies one can clearly see a mixture of Christian themes (rebellion, wandering, redemption and return) and eastern meditation.
At this time in his life, his god seems to be one that encompasses all forms of religion. To him, all religions are true. This seems to be a reflection of our modern-day culture. It has been pointed out that those concrete massive shopping malls have become our temples. The characteristic of our religion is having many options. We want something that is all inclusive. We don't want anything exclusive and restrictive.
But will this work in real life? Last week we discussed the need for a belief system. If your belief system is all inclusive, whom do you go to for direction? To Buddha, to meditation, to the Qi, and to Jesus? Its rather confusing, isn't it? Can you imagine the captain of a ship saying, "I don't like to have just one lighthouse on the shore. Its not equal, its too restrictive?" When its all inclusive, it often ends up with nothing.
So what is the content of our belief? What are some of its core components? We want to use an ancient Christian creed to explore this isssue. A creed is a body of statements expressing one's faith. The particular creed we'll be looking at is called the Apostles' Creed. One of its forms was formulated around 140 AD. By the end of the first century, many different teachings surfaced in the society, causing many believers to be confused about what they believed. So early Christians came together and expressed their faith in these words.
Listen to it, " I believe……. I believe…… I believe……I believe." In the midst of confusion, these words provide a sense of certainty, direction and security.
Beginning today, we want to take a closer look at some of the major components of this Apostles' Creed. This morning, we want to look at a simple truth: Since the Christians believe in an authoritative, affectionate and powerful God, it provides us with an ultimate reference point, a sense of belonging and security in life.
The first statement in Apostles' creed: I believe in God. Certainly many people can say this. They will feel perfectly comfortable to stand with others and say, I believe in God. But what does it mean? It means different things to different people.
Young Skywalker can say that he believes in God. His God is the Force. It has both the good and evil side. It is a combination of the basic principles of several different major religions. The Russian writer, Ayn Rand said, "I am done with the monster of we,………falsehood and shame. And now I see the free face of God and I raise this God over all the earth, this God whom men have sought since men came into being, the God who will grant them joy and peace and pride. This God, this one word, I." If you were to ask her, "Do you believe in God?" She probably would say, "Yes, I do." If you ask, "who is this God?" She would say, "This God is one word, I."
Shirley MacLaine, the actress, dancer and author wrote, "Not that I am God, but that we are God, that all is God, that we're all part of a cosmic oneness. And if we don't feel that we're God, that's simply because we're ignorant. And the only way that we can banish our ignorance and discover our godness is by enlightenment that will come through meditation." This sounds like Qi Gon and Falun Gon, right?
If you were to ask her, "Do you believe in God?" She probably would be able to stand with the rest of us and say, "I believe in God." But her God is not the God of Ayn Rand, that is "I". The God of Shirley MacLaine is "We"
Somewhere between Ayn Rand and Shirley MacLaine will find many of us. We may see God as distant, fearful and not to be understood. We see him everywhere. He is in the kitchen, therefore there is the God of kitchen. He is in the ground, therefore the "god of earth ??? ". To others, God is someone we want to be near us when we need something. We want him to be away and distant when our mind is set on doing something wrong. Still, others expect him to be like the God in a temple (???), whatever you ask him, will be granted to you (????).
So, who is this God that we believe in?
The Christian God is not me, nor the universe. He's everywhere, but not everything is God. I am not an extension of God. God is an objective being. A being that is other than me, greater than me.
Down the centuries, there have been many arguments to prove or demonstrate God's existence. Let's take a look at some of them.
1. Cosmological reasoning.
This is put forward by St.Thomas Aquinas. Its essence is: cause and effect. For example, if while I am preaching, a book is thrown at me. I will do two things. One is to duck, and secondly is to find out who did it. Someone must have caused it to happen. A book cannot just jump up by itself and move in my direction. There must be a cause to this event. If you look at our world and see all the events around us. You ask, who caused this. You keep pushing it back. Then you will ask, is there a first cause, a prime mover that caused all the effects we see today? If there is a prime mover or first cause, then what is it? It could be the infinite universe or an infinite God.
If the universe is infinite, it means that it has always been there. Its the first cause. However, recently in scientific circles, the Big Bang theory has been widely accepted. This implies that the universe we see today is not infinite, it has a beginning and an end. If the universe is not infinite, then there must be an infinite God. He is the prime mover, the first cause of everything. He is behind the universe.
2. Teleological reasoning.
The second reasoning about God's existence is known as argument from design. Voltaire said, "If a watch proves the existence of a watch maker, but the universe does not prove the existence of a great architect, then I consent to be called a fool." A tiny computer chip, capable of processing millions of messages in less than one second, certainly proves the existence of a chip designer. No one will believe that the chip just came into existence by itself.
Look at the tedious order in this universe. We can send a spacecraft up today. And then two years later, at the exact date and time, it will land on the exact spot on Mars. If there's one trace of randomness in this universe, it would be in great chaos. If the earth moves just a little closer to the sun, we'd be burned. If it moves a little away from the sun, we'd be frozen. Such design and order, clearly suggest the existence of a master designer.
3. Moral Reasoning.
Then there is also the moral argument for God's existence. This is most clearly put forth and explained by C.S.Lewis in his book, "Mere Christianity". We all have a moral sense, capable of knowing right from wrong. Even though everyone is talking about relativism, that there is no absolute standards, but within us, is a moral sense.
If I walk up to you, and for no reason smack you on you face, your response is predictable. That I have done the wrong thing. I should not have done it. But where does this moral notion come from? If there is an infinite God, if this God is moral, and if we are created by him or have our origin in him, then we can understand where our moral sense is from. This moral sense points to the possibility of the existence of God.
These and other arguments can point us to God's existence. This is what Paul meant when he wrote in Romans 1:19,"since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them." But these reasonings do not necessarily bring one to the God of the bible. These arguments point to the existence of an infinite God. Since we are finite, so how can a finite mind know and understand the infinite God? The only way a finite mind can know the infinite God is, if this infinite God is not silent and speaks to men in a language he understands. If this God tells us about himself, then we can truly know him.
When you go to the bible, you'll find that the God of the bible is a God who talks, he is not silent. He tells us about himself so we can know him. This is the God that we believe in.
When I believe in an infinite God, a God who talks, it brings authority into my life. When he talks, I'll listen and obey. My belief in this infinite God, the one who is there and not silent, provides me with an external, objective reference point in life.
This God is not only infinite, great and awesome, totally different and OTHER from me, he is also known as God, the father. The word father communicates the idea of relationship and affiliation.
In the OT, God the father is seen as the creator. We are all from him. We are his offspring.
In the NT, this idea of father was related to Jesus Christ. He repeatedly called God his father, demonstrating intimacy and affinity. Then he also taught that God was not only his father, but when we believe and follow him, this God also becomes our God and father.
To the Christians, this God is infinite, distant and great, He is also very close and intimate. He shows concern and interest in us. We call Him "Father" not because he is male, but because of his care and provision.
If you have a bad experience with your earthly father, you also probably will not like the idea of God as father. One person said, "If God is anything like my old man, I want nothing to do with him." However, we must not let our experiences with an earthly father define what the heavenly father is like. But remember, the infinite God cares and provides for me as a father should. We can have an intimate relationship with him. My earthly father may have mistreated or disappointed me, but my heavenly father will not. He always has my well being in mind.
The Christian God not only cares for us, he is also almighty. This expresses his ability. He is all powerful. Psalm 91:1-2:" He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." The psalmist writes about resting under the shadow of the almighty. In both the old and new testament, God is described as the almighty one. This gives us a great sense of encouragement and ability. You see, he not only cares for us, but is also powerful enough to deliver what he has promised.
About 30 years ago, five young men decided to bring the gospel message to a primitive tribe of Indians in Ecuador. They did all their survey and study on this group. They knew these Indians were warlike and very unfriendly to the white men. The night before their trip to establish contact with this tribe, they gathered and sang, "We Rest On thee Our Shield and Our Defender". They read Psalm 91, talking about resting in the shadow of the Almighty.
Early next morning they flew out in a small airplane. Soon radio contact was lost. A few days later their bodies were found, filled with spears. Part of the airplane was recovered just a few months ago. Every one of the five was killed for Christ. They knowingly went into danger under the shadow of the Almighty. You may say, "God has let them down." But God did not, as their widows would say to that. One of them, Elizabeth Elliot, wrote a book about this event. The book is called, "Shadow of the Almighty". Later, some of their widows, went into that tribe with their children. They became the means of bringing the gospel to the Indians. Today there is a growing church among those who murdered the five young missionaries. Many of those killers had now come to believe in God.
This loving father is powerful to change murderers into his followers. He also has the power to change me into his likeness, the power to strengthen me, enabling me to face the challenges in life.
In 1977, this nation was under the cloud of Vietnam and Watergate. Our culture was awashed with cynicism and moral relativism. The first Star Wars movie came like a breath of fresh air. Its story of good and evil was refreshing to an age of moral ambiguity. Then in the 80's, there was that cultural optimism. Now, 22 years later, the society is again stagnating and depressed. The country has lost its moral leadership. Youth are without direction and reference point, as evident in the tragic school shootings these past two years. Our mantra is: believe whatever you want. All religions are true. As long as you feel good, go do it. Or as told to Skywalker, "Don't think, just trust your instinct…" The consequences are not very pleasant, are they?
Nowadays, we are surrounded by all kinds all voices: the Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, Eastern Meditation, Qi Gon and Falun Gon. This is the right time for us to listen again to the words formulated by the early Christians. They too were distracted by all kinds of teachings. In the midst of confusion, they stated: "I believe in God the father almighty, maker of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, I believe in the Holy Spirit, I believe in the church, I believe in the communion of saints, I believe in the forgiveness of sins, I believe in the resurrection of the body, I believe in everlasting life." These words are like a lighthouse, providing direction for all to see and follow.
Sunday May 23rd, 1999, Rev. William Hsueh, Houston Chinese Church, Houston, Texas.