Scripture Reading: Psalm 111:1-6

God's Approval Rating

Intro.

1. Public Policy Polling, a Democratic-leaning polling organization out of North Carolina: “If God exists, do you approve or disapprove of its performance?” “Fifty-two percent of the 928 respondents approve of the job the Almighty's done while 9 percent disapprove.” (Only 52% of Americans Approve of God's Job Performance, Dino Grandoni, 21July11, theatlanticwire.com, http://tinyurl.com/3phb8h8)

God’s performance

Approve

Disapprove

Not sure

52%

9%

40%

God’s handling of natural disasters

Approve

Disapprove

Not sure

50%

13%

37%

2. This smacks of blasphemous disrespect of God, cf. Psa 50:21-23.

a. Job thought he had a complaint against God until he learned otherwise, Job 38:1-4 (21:4-7, 13-16; 23:1-7; 42:1-6),

b. cf. Israel in the wilderness, Psa 106:24-27.

3. We must not complain against God, 1 Cor 10:10.

I. GOD’S USE OF DISASTERS AND CALAMITIES.

-Past: God’s word identifies God’s hand at work in calamities.

-Present: God’s word does not specifically identify God’s hand, but generally tells us of God’s discipline during such events, Heb 12:5-7; Jas 1:2-4.

A. The Locust Plague against Judah: Divine Judgment with a Call to Repent, Joel 1:1-7. cf. Eph 5:14.

1. The day of the Lord (judgment), Joel 1:15; 2:1-3. cf. 2 Pet 3:10

2. A time to repent, Joel 2:12-14.

-Resulted in blessings from God, Joel 2:18-19.

B. Calamities in Israel: Prepare to Meet your God, Amos 4.

1. God sent famine, Amos 4:6. Deut 28:18-20

2. God sent drought, Amos 4:7-8. Deut 28:23

3. God sent crop failure, Amos 4:9. Deut 28:38-40

4. God sent plague (pestilence/disease), Amos 4:10. Deut 28:21-22

5. God overthrew some of them, Amos 4:11. Deut 28:25

6. Israel would not repent: They would meet God in judgment! 4:12

C. What about God’s Performance Rating? Amos 4:13

1. GOD IS SOVEREIGN! He does not need our approval for anything!

a. He is all powerful (omnipotent).

b. He is all-knowing (omniscient).

c. He rules in judgment.

2. What shall we say and do?

a. Demands that we honor and reverence Him, Psa 111:7-10.

b. Demands that we repent before Him, Lk 13:1-5.

c. Demands that we are thankful, not complainers, 1 Ths 5:18.

II. JESUS’ APPROVAL RATING, cf. Mk 7:37.

A. Many Showed their Disapproval by Complaining about and Refusing His Teaching, Jno 6:60, 63, 66.

1. Do you complain against His truth today? (Morality, worship, service to others, etc.)

2. Do not say you cannot understand and obey His word, Rom 10:6-8; Eph 5:17.

3. What approval rating do you give the word of Christ in your life? Col 3:17

B. Many Showed their Disapproval by Refusing to Confess their Faith in Christ, Jno 12:42-43.

1. Are you confessing Jesus in your life? Matt 10:32-33; Mk 8:38

2. Do your words and actions show you are not ashamed of Him, or that you disapprove of Him? (Matt 7:21)

C. Many Showed their Disapproval by Crying for His Death, Lk 23:20-24.

1. In the willful sin of apostasy, one crucifies Jesus again, Heb 6:4-6.

2. When a Christian falls away he gives Christ a disapproval rating.

D. Many Showed their Disapproval by Mocking Jesus, Matt 27:39-44.

-We show our disapproval of the suffering Savior when we are unwilling to suffer with Him and bear His reproach, Gal 2:20; Heb 13:13.

Conclusion

1. Faith demands that we approve of all God has done and is doing, and that we conform ourselves to His will.

2. Show your approval of God’s will and work.

3. By faith, obey the Savior and be saved.