The Great God of the Bible

E.A. Johnston

0:00 18:14

The Great God of the Bible

E.A. Johnston · 18:14

E.A. Johnston passionately proclaims the unmatched greatness and majesty of the God of the Bible, urging believers to recognize and revere His divine sovereignty beyond human understanding.
In this powerful sermon, E.A. Johnston explores the unmatched greatness of the God of the Bible, challenging contemporary believers to move beyond diminished, man-sized concepts of God. Drawing from Scripture, especially Job 37 and Isaiah 55, Johnston vividly portrays God's sovereign power and majesty. He calls the church to renew its reverence and awe for the Almighty, emphasizing that true worship begins with recognizing God's infinite greatness.

Full Transcript

I have been asked to speak on the greatness of God this evening, and I tend to do just that, though I do not believe I can do Him any justice in that regard. God is great, His ways are not man's ways, God declares in the book of Isaiah, for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord, for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. God is always great, but greatness in other things fades away.

America used to be a great country, but it is not as great as it once was. There was a time in America years ago when there was still a fear of God in the land, but not today. Today the nation lies in gross immorality, and it has departed from the living God of the Bible.

There was a time in former days when ministers spoke of the Lord, they referred to Him as the Almighty or the Great God, and that is the title of my message this evening, the Great God of the Bible. I fear many today do not know this God, for they have carved out for themselves a different God whom they serve, but the God of the Bible declares, I change it not. I want us to look at the greatness of God this evening, because I feel if we took a vote in America tonight on how many people thought God was great, we would come up short from a majority.

Today, even the church has reduced God down to man size or smaller. He is just a pal, a friend, no more. I vividly recall sitting in the audience of a Baptist church and listening to a seminary trained pastor make the following comments, he said, I can't wait to get to heaven, because when I get to heaven, I am going to walk up to Jesus and grab His hand and shake it and thank Him for all He has done for me.

I guess that seminary graduate was not familiar with the passage from the book of Revelation where the apostle John encounters the risen Christ and falls down as dead. No, this pastor is going to walk up to Jesus like he would walk up to a deacon and pump his hand like he was his pal. I believe that is the majority mentality today concerning God.

He is no bigger than man, and He is on man's level, but that is not what the Bible declares about Him. Allow me to read you a chapter from the book of Job, chapter 37, which tells how God is to be feared for His great works. You may turn in your Bibles there now.

At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of its place. Hear attentively the noise of His voice, and the sound that goeth out of His mouth. He directeth it unto the whole heaven, and His lightning unto the ends of the earth.

After it a voice roareth, He thundereth with the voice of His excellency, and He will not stay them when His voice is heard. God thundereth marvelously with His voice. Great things doeth He, which we cannot comprehend.

For He saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth, likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of His strength. He sealeth up the hand of every man, that all men may know His work. Then the beasts go into their dens, and remain in their places.

Out of the south cometh the whirlwind, and cold out of the north. By the breath of God frost is given, and the breath of the waters is straightened. Also by watering, He weareth the thick cloud, He scattereth His bright cloud.

And it is turned round about by His counsels, that they may do whatsoever He commandeth them, upon the face of the world and the earth. He causes it to come, whether for correction, or for His land, or for mercy. Hearken unto this, O Job.

Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of His cloud to shine? Dost thou know the balancing of the clouds, how the wondrous works of Him which is perfect in knowledge? How thy garments are warm, when He quieteth the earth by the south wind. Hast thou with Him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking-glass? Teach us what we shall say unto Him, for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.

Shall it be told Him that I speak? If a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up. And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds, but the wind passeth and cleanseth them. Listen, friends.

This is the great God of the Bible. See Him in all His glory. See Him in all His glory.

See Him in all His glory. See Him in all His glory. See Him in all His glory.

See Him in all His glory.

Sermon Outline

I. The Incomparable Greatness of God
- God’s ways and thoughts are higher than man’s
- God’s greatness is eternal and unchanging
- Contrast between fading earthly greatness and God’s enduring majesty
II. The Decline of Reverence in Modern Times
- America’s departure from fearing God
- Reduction of God to a pal or friend in contemporary Christianity
- The danger of diminishing God’s majesty
III. Biblical Evidence of God’s Majesty
- Reading and explanation of Job 37’s depiction of God’s power
- God’s control over nature and creation
- The call to stand in awe and fear of God
IV. The Call to Recognize God’s Glory
- The necessity of seeing God in all His glory
- Rejecting man-sized concepts of God
- Embracing the biblical truth of God’s greatness

Key Quotes

“God is great, His ways are not man's ways, God declares in the book of Isaiah, for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” — E.A. Johnston

“Today, even the church has reduced God down to man size or smaller. He is just a pal, a friend, no more.” — E.A. Johnston

“This is the great God of the Bible. See Him in all His glory.” — E.A. Johnston

Application Points

Recognize and reject diminished views of God that reduce Him to a mere friend or pal.
Cultivate a renewed awe and reverence for God by meditating on His sovereign power and majesty.
Stand firm in faith by trusting in God’s unchanging greatness despite cultural shifts away from Him.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does E.A. Johnston emphasize God’s greatness?

He believes that recognizing God’s unmatched greatness is essential for true reverence and worship, especially in a culture that often diminishes God’s majesty.

What biblical passage does the speaker use to illustrate God’s power?

He extensively references Job chapter 37, which describes God’s control over nature and His awe-inspiring works.

How does the sermon describe modern views of God?

The sermon critiques the modern tendency to view God as a pal or friend rather than the Almighty, leading to a loss of reverence.

What is the significance of Isaiah 55:8-9 in the sermon?

It highlights that God’s thoughts and ways are far beyond human understanding, underscoring His greatness.

What practical response does the sermon call for?

It calls believers to stand in awe of God, reject diminished views of Him, and recognize His glory as revealed in Scripture.

E.A. Johnston

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The Great God of the Bible

Full Transcript

Sermon Outline

Key Quotes

Application Points

Frequently Asked Questions