All these confusions and disorders of nature are the effects of sin. This is not a merely artificial distinction. And this is still more manifest in that passage of the Epistle to the Romans which particularly appeals to the fact of creation, as evidence of the Creator's glory. It serves to stir you up to act faith. My text for this morning s sermon is Hebrews 11.3. (4) It informs us that religion is not illiterate. None discern truths with more comfort and satisfaction than a believer; it solves all doubts and riddles of reason. There was not the least defect in the work; but everything was beautiful, as it was the effect of infinite wisdom as well as almighty power. “By faith we understand that the ages [lit.] THE BEAUTIFUL ORDER OF THE CREATION. It is most pleasing and useful to cultivate such a habit as this. Much of natural religion depends upon it, and holy Scripture fully recognises its propriety. Certainly they are blind in the work of redemption, since they are so blind in the work of creation. From 1977-1992 he was the pastor of Lake Gregory Community Church in Crestline, California. Hebrews 11:3, ESV: "By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible." God is a most glorious being, infinitely lovely and desirable, possessed of every perfection and excellency. God created all things, the world, and all the creatures that belong to it. 5. 4:15). "But you have never seen him!" It has repose; no force disturbs its eternal peace. All order is from God; but all discord and confusion is from the devil. That God existed before the visible universe. The world is not a work of chance, but of counsel and rare contrivance. in wisdom hast Thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches." evidence sufficient to condemn the ungodly (Hebrews 1:20, 21). Man's original relation to his Maker, as a responsible being, is directly taught; his restoration from moral chaos to spiritual beauty is figuratively represented; while, as a prophecy, it has an extent of meaning which will only be fully unfolded at a period yet future; perhaps that spoken of as " the times of the restitution of all things.". Manton, D. D.: —I. returned the baron. The author refers to them, although not by name, in 11:34 (“quenched the power of fire”). (2) It informs us that the heathens had never light enough for salvation. "LinksHebrews 11:3 NIVHebrews 11:3 NLTHebrews 11:3 ESVHebrews 11:3 NASBHebrews 11:3 KJVHebrews 11:3 Bible AppsHebrews 11:3 ParallelHebrews 11:3 Biblia ParalelaHebrews 11:3 Chinese BibleHebrews 11:3 French BibleHebrews 11:3 German BibleHebrews 11:3 CommentariesBible Hub, (3)Kindness.II. IF GOD MADE THE WORLD IN SUCH HARMONY AND ORDER, WHENCE CAME ALL THOSE DISORDERS THAT ARE IN THE WORLD? If by faith only we can understand the truth and wonders of the creation, then —(1) It informs us, that reason is not the judge of controversies in religion, and the doubts that do arise about the matters of God are not to be determined by the dictates of nature. Creation exhibits to us God as supreme in power. 3:14) as subjective, “hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end.” But the respected Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (ibid., VII:587) argues that it does not refer there to subjective assurance, which rests within us, but to the objective reality of the faith. As they burned him at the stake, he died singing! II. That God's existence is distinct from and independent of the visible universe. Many truths are less wonderful than this.(T. "The worlds were framed by the word of God." Whence come such dislocations, and unjointings of nature by tempests and earthquakes? Your position, in fact, is now precisely reversed. The blindness of reason is cured by the Word; the pride of reason is cured by the grace of faith. (1) There is an immediate creation, as when things are brought forth out of pure nothing, where there was no pre-existent matter to work upon. It proves the reality of the unseen world. It is true, there are some relics of reason left for human uses, and to leave us without excuse (John 1:9). His faith made real in the present the future promises of God. All these confusions and disorders of nature are the effects of sin. WE UNDERSTAND THE TRUTH AND WONDERS OF THE CREATION BY FAITH, AND NOT BY REASON.1. He may say no more than what you had previously discovered. For this is that act of the mind which, in a religious sense, is called faith.III. The foreigner answered with cool indifference, that he knew nothing about God, for he had never seen Him. As long as there remain certain natural prospects, faith does not get on even as easily (if I may say so), as when all natural prospects fail. The difficulty of the verse lies in the meaning of the words translated (NASB) as “assurance” (“being certain of,” NIV) and (NASB) “conviction” (“certain,” NIV). If you doubt the truth of God’s Word, including His promises for the future, you cannot trust Him and thus will be distant from Him. Hebrews 11:1 has always been a difficult verse for me to get a handle on. It was the infinite power of God that gave them a being; which power was exerted in His Word, not a word properly spoken, but an act of His will commanding them to be (Genesis 1:3; Psalm 33:6, 9).VII. "Do you see anything to be admired in all this?" He has always, as He did at first, revealed Himself, not circuitously by His works, but summarily and directly by His Word. 2. This chapter from beginning to end takes us back to this Divine standard, and, without discussing the question, assumes, what every Jew would readily grant, that its statements are absolutely true. WHAT GOD MADE. To answer all the objections of reason, and settle the truth in the soul, and to improve it for spiritual uses and advantages, and to facilitate the belief of other truths upon this ground; did He make the world out of nothing? By faith Moses gained God’s approval, even though he received the world’s scorn. And this reason itself teacheth: for whatsoever is eternal, the being of it is necessary, and it is subject to no alterations. None discern truths with more comfort and satisfaction than a believer; it solves all doubts and riddles of reason. More particularly — see, first of all, what weight this single idea, once truly and vividly realised, must add to all the other communications which He makes on other subjects to you. He has always, as He did at first, revealed Himself, not circuitously by His works, but summarily and directly by His Word. FOR WHAT END GOD MADE ALL THINGS. "asked the baron, with a grave face. If by faith only we can understand the truth and wonders of the creation, then —(1) It informs us, that reason is not the judge of controversies in religion, and the doubts that do arise about the matters of God are not to be determined by the dictates of nature. Devils being angels, are God's creatures; but God did not make them evil, or devils, but they made themselves so.V. Now, these truths concerning God and his creation are not the discoveries of human reason, but the disclosures of Divine revelation. But now in matters of religion, we had need of external and foreign helps. There is much in what faith reveals that reason demands and requires. You receive, perhaps, the same truths as before, but with a freshness and a force unknown before. The prevailing current worldview, that matter always existed and that the current universe, including man, happened by sheer chance over billions of years, is based on blind faith, because there is no evidence to support it. Manton, D. D.)Faith realising the invisible CreatorIn that beautiful part of Germany which borders on the Rhine there is a noble castle which lifts its old grey towers above the ancient forest, where dwelt a nobleman who had a good and devoted son, his comfort and his pride. WHEREIN THIS ORDER AND BEAUTY OF THE WORLD DOTH CONSIST.1. 3:16-18) oozes with faith in the unseen God: “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. You receive, perhaps, the same truths as before, but with a freshness and a force unknown before. (1) There is an immediate creation, as when things are brought forth out of pure nothing, where there was no pre-existent matter to work upon. If you sense that the person is a hypocrite, conveying that he is something that he really is not, you will keep your distance. 3. "The worlds were framed," or arranged, or adjusted by the word of God. No notice was takes of this observation at the time; but the next morning the baron pointed out to the visitor a beautiful picture which hung on the wall, and said, "My son drew that!" Again, the goodness of things is their perfection; and so everything was made agreeable to the idea thereof that was formed in the Divine mind. in wisdom hast Thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches." God is a most glorious being, infinitely lovely and desirable, possessed of every perfection and excellency. IF GOD MADE THE WORLD IN SUCH HARMONY AND ORDER, WHENCE CAME ALL THOSE DISORDERS THAT ARE IN THE WORLD? (2) It informs us that the heathens had never light enough for salvation. The work of creation likewise exhibits to us God as supreme in goodness. And this is still more manifest in that passage of the Epistle to the Romans which particularly appeals to the fact of creation, as evidence of the Creator's glory. 1. The subjective understanding is, “faith means being confident of what we hope for, convinced of what we do not see.” An objective understanding is, faith means “the reality of the goods hoped for,” (Helmut Koster, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, ed. God created all things, the world, and all the creatures that belong to it. 1. All order is from God; but all discord and confusion is from the devil. It is most pleasing and useful to cultivate such a habit as this. Eventually that orphanage grew to 2,000 children who needed food, clothing, and shelter every day. What sacredness will this thought stamp on every object in nature, if only you are personally acquainted with the living God; and especially if you know Him as the Lawgiver, the Saviour, the Judge.(R. It is not to ascend from nature up to nature's God, but to descend from God to God's nature; not to hear the creation speaking of the Creator, but to hear the Creator speaking of the creation. If then we leave the written Word and follow the guidance of our own reason, we shall but puzzle ourselves with impertinent scruples, and leave ourselves under a dissatisfaction. Again, on the other hand, observe what weight this idea, if fully realised, must have, if you regard the Lord Himself as saying to you, in special reference to each of the things which He has made: I created it, and I am now testifying to you that I created it. Whence come murrains, sicknesses, and diseases? How ALL THINGS WERE MADE OF NOTHING. YOU are all of you familiar with this idea, that, in contemplating the works of creation, you should ascend from nature to nature's God. For this is that act of the mind which, in a religious sense, is called faith.III. In this sense, the phrase is parallel to “our confession” (ctive sense in 11:1: “faith is the reality of the goods hoped for.” “Faith is the reality of what is hoped for in exactly the sense in which Jesus is called the [exact representation] of the reality of the transcendent God in 1:3” (ibid.). By the word of God's power. retorted the Frenchman, "Well, then, if you are able to judge of my son's good character by seeing his various works, how does it happen you can form no estimate of God's goodness by witnessing such proofs of His handiwork? The wonderful consent of all the parts, and the proportion they bear one to another. The whole world is but God's shop, where are the masterpieces of His wisdom and majesty; these are seen very much in the order of causes, and admirable contrivance of the world. S. Candlish, D. D.)That the world was framed in an accurateT. YOU are all of you familiar with this idea, that, in contemplating the works of creation, you should ascend from nature to nature's God. God created all things, the world, and all the creatures that belong to it. II. “Ages” (“worlds”) is a Hebrew way of referring to the creation from the standpoint of its successive duration. This mode of expression is suggestive of the case with which creation was effected. His faith proved the reality of the unseen God as greater than the reality of the flames that burned him to death. Before we look at these three aspects of faith, it may be helpful to explain something about the nature of faith with reference to relationships. That was God, and He only.1. It will sustain you in the trials that you face right now! We should use all the creatures we make use of with an eye to God, and due thankfulness to Him, the Giver; employing them in our service, soberly and wisely, considering they stand related to God as their Creator, and are the workmanship of His own hands.5. You leave the post of discovery, the chair of reasoning, and take the lowly stool of the disciple; and then, and not before, even on the principles of natural religion, do you fully understand what is the real import, and the momentous bearing of the fact, that a Being, infinitely wise and powerful, and having evidently a certain character as just and good, that such a Being made you, and is Himself telling you that He made you, and all the things that are around you; "that the things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."IV. It showeth us the excellency of order; how pleasing order and method is to God: God hath always delighted in it. "The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament showeth his handicraft." Thus "by faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God," etc. (5) We learn hence the properties of faith to have knowledge, assent, and obedience in it; therefore it is not a blind reliance, but a clear, distinct persuasion of such truths, concerning which human discourse can give us no satisfaction. It serves to stir you up to act faith. “Christ is better than the angels (1:4). You search in that handiwork for traces of his mind, his heart. This wisdom of God shown in creation is assuredly not meant to be devoid of influence upon His rational, responsible creatures; it should teach submission on the part of man, and beget pious trust in his heart. The natural man can not be fashioned by chance were framed by the Word and GAVE it a BEGINNING practical., together with Humility and hebrews 11:3 sermon occurs twice in Paul in the Church, and all is vague and abstraction. Angels ( 1:4 ) has but to his spoken Word said by.. 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