God Exists

A popular answer is, ‘It’s a matter of faith.’ That’s a good answer. The problem may be in how we understand the answer. Do you know the original meaning of the word, ‘faith’? The word meant to ‘unite’ or ‘bind’ to something. It meant you had a reason that ‘united’ or ‘bound’ you to some conviction.

Consider this- 1 Pet 3:15 (Turn to the text- first and last thing to read)

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…

‘Reason’ is a powerful word in Greek- It is a concept manifested. It is a principle- lived out in the flesh. In fact, it took on the meaning of the wholeness of God made visible.

There are huge implications here for people who believe in God, and those who are wrestling with the idea that God exists at all.

For believers, it is a challenge. Faith becomes a carefully reasoned conviction. That reason is manifested in you. It becomes a prepared answer for your hope- the wholeness of God.

For those questioning, the implication is a promise. There is a reasonable answer. No one understands it all, but yes there is an answer. Faith is a matter of the heart and the soundness of reason as well.

In our opening video, there was a wonderful summary given. In short it stated God has spoken His existence to us in three words.

ü Well… what exactly are those ‘words’? Let’s start with the first- The Word of Creation.

In a word for word translation: PROCLAIMED – ‘THE SOVEREIGN RULER’ – TO BE LIGHT, COMMANDED – LIGHT!

Wayo’mer- As defined from Hebrew - ‘the force of God’s speaking is more than merely making a statement: It is authoritative.’

When ‘the force of God’ thunders a command, no matter how inconceivable, it will happen!

Elohiym- An entity beyond comprehension and beyond any human manipulation- One who communicates through power- Supernatural in nature- who is one, and more than one at the same time.

Owr- -Light, but not just luminance. It is light, as the opposite of darkness, light as the opposite of nothing.

So Genesis 1:3 says- an entity beyond understanding commanded- and all of material reality was created where there was once nothing.

As we begin to appreciate the meaning, you can hear the reverence in the Hebrew voice.

It sounds inspiring. But could that really be the case? Could such an idea really hold up in the light of straight logic? Let’s take a moment to explore it.

One of the greatest leaps in astronomy today has been in the use of microwave technology. In effect, the microwaves allow scientist to study differences in temperatures to a millionth of a degree, over incredible distance. That in turn, allows them to trace back in time how the cosmos formed. In their words:

We can now begin to probe the earliest moments of the universe: [the data strengthens] Inflation (the rapid expansion of the universe a fraction of a second after its birth.) [and the Big Bang Theories].

The Big Bang Theory has its fundamental problems- such as this: studies of cosmic light suggest everything was switched on at the same time- the theory can’t account for that. But let’s give it the benefit of the doubt. Let’s assume what the theory says. At one time all the universe- all the light, all the energy, all the mass- was compressed into a tiny particle- virtually the seed of all reality. Can you imagine a particle like that? And then that particle exploded into the material universe- spinning outward. But even mathematics begs the question- who created the particle? Who planted the seed? Scientific logic says- there must be something else.

The visible universe is a mere 4% of which we understand only a fraction. 96%, of the universe, according to astrophysics, is composed of something called dark matter and energy. (The mass of the universe cannot be explained without it.) Dark matter cannot be seen, and is not understood. Let us wrap our minds around that for a moment. Even according to science, 96% of reality is something we can neither see nor understand! Here’s a scientific deduction: The creative force behind reality- is something we cannot see or fully understand.

The study of matter in the cosmos has also allowed scientist to determine something else- the geometry of the universe. The studies determine the universe is flat, like a sheet. A sheet has edges, it is finite. Since finite things have a beginning, ultimately, something that is not finite has to create them. In other words, the ultimate creator must be infinite. –Someone we cannot see, or fully understand.

25 In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

26 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded.

Math has been called the language of the universe. Math can interpret all that is unfolding in the cosmos. There is a basic reason math can do that. Everything works on the basis of constant physical laws. One and one will always be two! The dictionary says a thing that runs according to orderly interaction is called a system- such as the solar system.

And then the definition goes on to say, a system by definition is a design. A design, by definition is: ‘To create or contrive for a particular purpose or effect.’

Here we sit- on a certain planet- that rotates in a constant orbit- at a certain distance- from a certain star- that gives off a particular level of radiation- that strikes an atmosphere of a particular composition- that only allows certain effects to filter through. If things were just a little bit different- we would have the surface temperature of Venus- hot enough to melt lead, or the cold dead surface of Mars.

The chances that earth is what it is, is a long shot. In fact, statisticians calculate that the odds of some life-supporting conditions are as little as 100,000 billion, billion, billion - to one. Those are pretty low odds for anything outside of an intended design. And the intention of the design is life.

ü Well… even if the universe did set up a cradle for life; couldn’t life still be a random accident?

Couldn’t certain chemicals have collided and formed a complex organic molecule- and then those molecules slide together as a cell? After all, is a single cell all that complex?

A cell is like a factory- All factories have exterior walls that protect and support them and interior walls that create separate work areas. They usually have some kind of production line where a product is assembled and an executive department that decides what product is made. A finishing department processes and prepares the product for shipping, and a packaging department wraps the product.

In addition, a factory has a receiving department that brings in the components it needs to make its product, a communications department that allows it to contact suppliers, and a power plant that provides the energy it needs to run. Finally, a custodial staff keeps everything clean and in good working order.

Question: Have you ever heard of a factory that just fell together by random accident? The wind just blew a bunch of metal and wood around and poof! –Another accidental factory.

And even if the universe somehow randomly came together- and then this planet, and then the first protein, and then the first cell- how about higher life forms- how about humanity?

Complex proteins combine in a very specific order to form DNA, they form our genetic code. Take out a few protein molecules or shuffle a few of the hundreds of gene sequences and you end up with a frog instead of a man. To get from a single cell to a man would involve millions of just the right ‘accidental shuffling’ of those genes.

You cover the state of Texas two feet deep in quarters. You then fly over in a helicopter and drop in your favorite quarter. You then hire everyone in Texas to thoroughly stir around all those quarters. Then you go back to Texas, close your eyes, reach down and mange to pick up your favorite quarter. Those are the odds of humanity being a random accident. By all reasonable probability- we happened on purpose; you happened for a purpose.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. …

16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

The act of creation testifies to a designer- creation is the fingerprint of ‘Elohiym’, and we are His motive. -God- who is by nature, infinite, creative, and all-powerful.

-A cause, a principle, or an activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.[1]

Isn’t it interesting that there has never been a human society without some form of religion? Every human being is compelled to interpret life in some way- even if they dismiss it as chaos and random accident- that, in effect, is their religion.

Let’s be scientific for a moment- Observation: This quality is inherent to the human design. Proposition: The designer placed it there for a reason.

Even if there is a pre-programming to connect with our designer, God is too far beyond us. We could never reach up to Him through our own capacity. If a connection is going to be made, He’ll have to reach down to us. And that’s exactly what the Written Word tells us:

If God wanted to communicate a timeless message, to mankind, how would He do it? Wouldn’t it be in a documented record… in a written word?

-But why the Bible as this ‘written word’? Let me offer 4 simple insights to ponder on the Bible.

Today, we don’t fully appreciate how revolutionary it was. Until this time, all societies believed in a group of gods, not One True God. Furthermore; the idea was always to worship those gods only in order to manipulate them to your will, not to follow theirs. When God reached down, He turned human religion on its ear!

2 Although the Bible is written over a period of 3000 years by various authors- it does not contradict itself. (It only fulfills itself.)

That is a powerful testimony when you consider other writing like the Koran written over, merely one lifetime. It cannot make the same claim. Here’s one of many examples. In the Koran it says:

"Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: … (2:256). –but it also says-

"But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, …then open the way for them… (9:5).

Over the past 2 millennia, humanity has overhauled what they believe about everything- our science, our philosophy… the very meaning of truth. The Word of Scripture came to change lives. And there has never been a need for revision. The same truth that transformed a farmer’s life in Galatia 2000 years ago is still the one that transforms a CEO on Wall St. today. It still works.

Here’s one of several proofs- when the translation of Isaiah used today was compared to the 2000 year old version found in the Dead Sea Scrolls- the difference was two letters. The meaning has not been corrupted.

Creation tells us there is a God; the Written Word tells us about that God. Now, as affirming as that is –in your heart you know- that is not enough.

ü How many people in here believe when you look up on a clear day, you will see a blue sky?

-So, you have ‘faith’ in this truth. You are united and bonded to this idea. -But why?

Is it because you read in a science textbook that explained, the refraction of light through the particular combination of gases of our troposphere produce light waves in the blue spectrum? -I really doubt it.

You believe the sky is blue, for one reason- you have seen it. You have experienced a blue sky. Human to human: We know when we experience. And when it comes to the living, we experience through relationship.

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.

-Creator or not. -Truth or not. The reality of God will mean very little… it will do very little for you personally- until it becomes a living relationship.

Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. [The miracle of the infinite living in the finite can happen to me, personally. My life can become that noble, my life can have that level of purpose, my life can be that huge.]

The life I live in the body, I live by faith [Faith- there is a reason that binds me to this truth … to the Creator of everything. I’m united by logic, and something beyond logic. And I have faith in this:] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Does God exist? Every serious investigation of reality shouts a resounding ‘yes.’ Can you have a relationship with this incomprehensible Being known as God? Again, the answer is yes- but your faith is useless- unless you do it- His way.

His way- is as simple, and as hard as it sounds. ‘His way’ means our preferences, our preconceptions, our ideas in themselves; mean nothing. Even the forces of nature- the tsunami’s and floods we’ve seen- show us we cannot dictate to the universe. That is even more true with the Creator.

3 Words align like a powerful laser. –CREATIVE- WRITTEN- and LIVING. And they are switched on in one simple understanding…

The Written Word says God has already accepted you- you can come to Him no matter what condition you are in.

The Living Word will begin a relationship with you. He’s waiting for you to accept Him… but… to accept Him for what He is.

When you do that- the power that created the universe will be released in your life. God, ‘Elohiym’ transforms lives.

As we stand now, and get ready to sing- please consider this closing thought:

Acceptance involves a tangible response. It involves a first step. It involves the next step. That is why we have an altar for prayer. That is why we have a response tab in your bulletin- you can drop it in the response box on the way out.

Our strategy in this church is very simple: We will walk together. We help each other- just as God designed. Consider your response as we sing.

[1]Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition © 1996 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from INSO Corporation; further reproduction and distribution in accordance with the Copyright Law of the United States. All rights reserved.