Marvels of Creation: Recognizing God's Handiwork and Building Our Lives on His Foundation

At the heart of our service, we sang with Paul Gerhardt, "My eyes behold what God has built, to His glory and to teach us how mighty and great His power is." Standing in the forest, surrounded by nature's purest form, we are reminded that all of this is God's creation. We cannot create a single tree, a blade of grass, a flower, or a leaf. Our role is to receive and care for what God has given us, knowing that destruction can come quickly and some things may be irretrievably lost. The miracle of life, the complexity and coordination in nature, and the marvel of our own bodies all testify to God's greatness.

The Divine Architect and the Miracle of Life

Imagine an architectural competition where the task is to build a tower with a diameter of four meters, including stairs, passageways, water pipes, and material elevators, with walls only half a meter thick, reaching a height of 1500 meters, and able to bend in all directions, topped by a chemical factory. Such a structure would be beyond human capability. Yet, God, the heavenly architect, has created the rye stalk, a marvel that stands four hundred times its diameter, with a wall thickness of just half a millimeter, containing all the necessary components for life and topped by the ear of grain, a chemical factory producing the flour we use for bread.

Life itself is a divine miracle. From the delicate complexity of a blossom or a leaf to the intricate functions of our bodies, everything in nature is wonderfully coordinated. Our conception, with all its unique characteristics, is a testament to God's creative power. The heart, a pump of unparalleled efficiency, beats over 100,000 times a day, pumping millions of liters of blood over a lifetime. Our blood vessels, if laid end to end, would stretch for thousands of kilometers. Our musculoskeletal system, nerve cells, and sensory abilities all contribute to the miracle of life.

Learning from God's Creation

When we recognize these wonders as God's work, it should lead us to worship Him. God is not only the greatest builder but also the best teacher for humans. Scientists and inventors have often drawn inspiration from nature: the lotus effect, velcro fasteners, tire designs, and even human air travel all originate from observing God's creation. God delights in seeing us adopt His ideas to improve our lives, and His command to "subdue the earth" is an invitation to participate in His work and governance.

The Dangers of Human Ambition

However, when humans separate themselves from God and build on their own authority, they risk losing sight of their foundation. The biblical example of the Tower of Babel illustrates this: people sought to make a name for themselves, intending to dethrone God. Throughout history, humans have continued this trend in various fields, including medicine, where genetic modification and surveillance technology raise ethical concerns. While our accomplishments in architecture, art, music, literature, and inventions have made life easier and more beautiful, they have also been used to destroy.

Building on the Right Foundation

Given the potential for misuse, it is crucial to seek guidance from the Master Builder. God created everything and declared it "very good." It is through human disobedience that evil and suffering entered the world. As we build, whether in family, state, associations, friendships, culture, or nature, we must follow God's laws in physics, engineering, ethics, and societal conduct.

Our church congregation is a perpetual construction site, with various ministries and activities requiring attention. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, the church is "God's building." The workers in this building project have different gifts and responsibilities, but they must all work toward the same goal. The foundation upon which we build is Jesus Christ, as Paul emphasized: "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:11). Building our lives on this foundation ensures that we will endure, even when our earthly dwellings are torn down.

The Eternal Home

The reality of our existence extends beyond what we build on earth. With eyes of faith, we see more than with our physical eyes, recognizing that the glory of heaven far surpasses all the beauty of this world. Jesus has ascended into heaven and is preparing dwellings for us. By believing, we root ourselves in this eternal home, a place not built by human hands. One day, our eyes will behold that glory.

Dear congregation, let us marvel at God's creation, learn from His wisdom, and build our lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ. In doing so, we will not only honor the Master Builder but also secure our place in the eternal home He has prepared for us.

Amen.

Sermon held on 06/20/2021