Youth and the Awesomeness of God

Introduction to the Series

We're starting a series on the awesomeness of God. The purpose is to create within us an attitude where we're enthralled with the awesomeness of God—to look at Him with intense fascination and total impressment. We need to recognize God as the greatest good in our lives and everything that is not God as not great and not awesome.

Throughout this series, we'll compare the awesomeness of God to other things. It's hard to compare anything to God and not conclude that whatever is not God is totally pointless. Nothing holds a candle to God. Every comparison shows that He is the most awesome of all time ever.

It's impossible to approach God with any understanding of who He is and not see Him as awesome, amazing, incredible, and soul-satisfying. To behold His glory and then look at something else and think it's just as cool would be blasphemous. Who is like God? There is nothing like Him.

The Three-Step Process

There's a three-step process we'll go through. First, we'll behold how God reveals Himself in Scripture as amazingly and infinitely awesome. We must look into the Scriptures to see His display of awesomeness. A word of caution: some revelations about God might be difficult, like in Ezekiel where God instructs an angel to slay women and children in Jerusalem. These are hard concepts, but necessary. They teach us a healthy respect and fear of who God is.

God's awesomeness shifts our perspective: sinning against Him is non-awesome. We grieve that people participate in non-awesome things when they could enjoy an awesome God.

Second, we'll understand what God says about humanity. Human experiences and achievements are not awesome compared to God. Humanity is created from dust—our awesomeness derives from God's activity. We'll see God's attitude toward us as humans, contrasted with His infinite love for Christ, making us desire Christ to receive God's pleasure.

Third, we'll become enamored and enthralled with God's awesomeness. We'll examine God in His being, sovereignty, judgment, and mercy.

God's Awesomeness Compared to Humanity: Psalm 39

Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,
and my lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah

Surely a man goes about as a shadow!
Surely for nothing they are in turmoil;
man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!

And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?
My hope is in you.
Deliver me from all my transgressions;
do not make me the scorn of the fool!

Psalm 39:5-8

The psalmist, beholding God, concludes that human existence is closer to nonexistence than true existence. All mankind stands as a mere breath—a fleeting inhale or exhale. Man goes about as a shadow, not something that awes us. People make noise and turmoil for nothing—pointless racket insignificant compared to God.

Even heaping up wealth or possessions, things we consider awesome like big TVs, cars, or sports victories, are meaningless. Movies with explosions, theme parks—all boring compared to the infinite God. Bacteria on our skin experiences more awesomeness than humanity's pursuits.

God is the epitome of existence. We're not awesome; He is.

The Hope in God's Awesomeness

Remarkably, the psalmist doesn't despair. Instead: "And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. Deliver me from all my transgressions." Beholding God's magnificence leads to hope. God is so awesome, He can save from sins. Sin is not awesome; freedom from it is. Our hope is in the Lord.

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

We plan courses, but God determines steps. If we trip on a curb, thank God—He's directing. Be freed to pursue what aligns with His awesomeness: holiness. Ask if activities hinder God's awesomeness or cause sin. Everything non-God is non-awesome. Experience things without sin, with thanksgiving and praise to God.

A Personal Illustration

I remember a state championship soccer game where I missed an easy goal. It haunts me, but in eternity, who will care about such accomplishments compared to worshiping God forever? Even non-sinful activities aren't awesome unless experienced with God—giving thanks, honoring Him, recognizing His sovereignty.

If God withholds relationships, jobs, or opportunities, it's because He's awesome. All I have is Christ. Pursuing creation for awesomeness leads to disappointment. Non-God things are non-awesome.

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Proverbs 19:21

Who can speak and have it happen, if the Lord has not decreed it?

Lamentations 3:37

You ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that."

James 4:15

God's plans prevail. Delight in Him, seek His kingdom first, and He gives desires of your heart. Align with His will, and you get what you want—awesome things from the awesome God.

Key Takeaways

1. God is awesome and all non-God things are non-awesome. His awesomeness causes despair over Godless things.
2. God's awesomeness helps us view our lives correctly. We're not awesome; in Christ, we share His awesomeness. Trust His plans, not ours.
3. God's awesomeness shows us what is truly awesome: forgiveness of sins, not sinning. Everything without Him is vapor, shadow, pointless.
4. We pursue dealing with sin through the gospel and holiness.
5. Without God's awesomeness, life is disappointing. Obsess over Scripture, pursue holiness, and trust Him for awesome things.