Who's Ruling the World?
The sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing our place in the world and submitting to God's authority, rather than trying to be like Him.
Warren Wiersbe preaches about the danger of man trying to exalt himself above God, a mindset that originated in the Garden of Eden when Satan tempted Adam and Eve to be like God. Despite the world's current appearance of man prevailing, the psalmist reminds us that ultimately, the wicked will face judgment and all nations that forget God will be turned into hell. Wiersbe emphasizes the importance of recognizing our frailty as humans and submitting to God's authority, acknowledging that God's purposes will prevail and we can find strength in Him.
Text
Read Psalm 9:17-20
The humanist sings, "Glory to man in the highest." And sometimes it looks as if man is prevailing and God is a failure. You recall the slogan that was popular a few years ago that proclaimed "God is dead." Then the philosophers decided God was not really dead; He was simply sick and infirm and couldn't do much about what was going on in the world.
This mindset began in Genesis 3, when Satan said to Adam and Eve, "Look, why should you be a man? You can be like God." That's the same lie that runs the world today. Man is saying, "I will be like God."
But the psalmist tells us that man is not going to prevail. "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God" (v. 17). Today it looks as though man is succeeding--truth forever on the scaffold, wrong forever on the throne. But notice what David prayed: "Arise, O Lord, do not let man prevail, . . . that the nations may know themselves to be but men" (vv. 19,20).
If we take the scepter out of God's hand, we make a mess of things. God runs this universe, and He has ordained us to be under His authority. The word David used for man in verse 19 means "frail man, weak man." The problem today is that men don't know they are mere mortals; they think they're the Creator. And they worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator. But the sad thing is this: When men try to be God, they don't become God--they become animals. They sink lower than men and start acting like animals. That's why our world is in such a mess today.
I rejoice that I'm just a frail person. I need God. I can come to Him and say, "O Lord, give me the strength I need to glorify Your name today."
We know that God is sovereign in His universe. His purposes will prevail. We may confidently submit to His authority and rest in His love, wisdom and strength. Though we are frail, God is our strength. Let God be King of your life and glorify His name in all you do.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Humanist's Lie
- A. Man trying to be like God
- 'B. The result: a world in chaos'
- II. The Psalmist's Warning
- A. The wicked will be turned into hell
- B. The importance of remembering God
- III. The Problem of Pride
- A. Men thinking they're the Creator
- B. Worshiping the creature rather than the Creator
- IV. The Consequences of Rebellion
- A. Becoming animals, not men
- B. A world in chaos
- 'V. The Solution: Submitting to God'
- A. Recognizing our frailty
- B. Coming to God for strength
Key Quotes
“The problem today is that men don't know they are mere mortals; they think they're the Creator.” — Warren Wiersbe
“When men try to be God, they don't become God--they become animals.” — Warren Wiersbe
“Let God be King of your life and glorify His name in all you do.” — Warren Wiersbe
Application Points
- Recognize your frailty and come to God for strength.
- Submit to God's authority and rest in His love, wisdom, and strength.
- Let God be King of your life and glorify His name in all you do.