Dr. E. G. Sherman, Jr
June 4, 2017 at 9:45 AM
The Finite Underneath the Infinite
The Finite Underneath the Infinite
The Finite Underneath the Infinite
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Genesis 1:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and
the firmament sheweth his handiwork.” ( Psalm 19:1 ).
We are here assembled to worship the Almighty
and exalted God. The Sunday of this worship embraces
several firsts, some of which are: First Sunday of mid year
month of 2017, First Sunday following school closings and
graduation. First Sunday following the Annual Memorial
Day Observation, and First Sunday before the start of Annual
Vacation at Bible School here at Institutional First Baptist
Church.
This year 2017 has been one of several historical
events some of which wrought major disrupting changes
in many lives. Two of the referenced episodes occurred
in the month of January, one on the 2nd and the other on the
20th. The first was a tornado and the 2nd was a change in
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presidential leadership. Each has caused stress and strain
on many of the Nation’s inhabitants. Recognizing the near
helpless ability of humankind to change, modify, or
eradicate the impact of January 2nd and 20th, the sermon
for today was prepared to offer some succor for us human
beings; it was entitled, The Finite Underneath the Infinite.
It will be undergirded by the following three questions,
namely – what is man?, who is God? and what is the
relationship between the two?
Prior to delving into these three questions, attention
will be focused on the two words included in the subject;
they are Finite and Infinite. The word, finite, denotes
something that will ultimate fade or pass away. With
regard to humanity and all other forms of living beings –
all shall one day cease to exist. Finite, thus, denotes
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an impending termination. In contrast, Infinite denotes
something that has no ending, will last forever, and within
the religious context is eternal. In a brief contrast of the
terms, infinite denotes an ultimate end whereas infinite
describes everlasting. The contrast can, also, be viewed
by the words: man ( finite ) – “ A time to be born and a time
to die” ( Eccl. 3:2 ) and God ( infinite ). – “ I am he that
liveth, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.”
(Rev. 1:18 ).
Having defined the concepts finite and infinite,
attention will be directed to the dimensions of the sermon,
the first of which is – What is man?. Humankind has
pondered this question throughout history. As humankind
evolved and became literate, it commenced not only to
ponder but to write its views. In the process of time this
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question of what is man became polarized by two theories;
they became known as Evolution and Creation. The
evolution was conceptualized by Charles Darwin. His
theory is found in the book he authored entitle, The Theory
of Evolution. Therein he hypothesized that human kind
evolved from a lower form of animal life. This theory is the
basis that undergirds the Theory of Evolution.
The opposing explanation for the origin of man is found
in the Bible; it is known The Divine Creation; it is found in
the Bible and has withstood both criticisms and the annals
of time. A few Scriptures are herein cited to support
Creation over Evolution. “And God said, let us make man in
our own image…” ( Gen. 1:26 ), “ What is man, that thou art
mindful of him…For thou hast made him… ( Ps. 8:4 ).
This divine fact leads to the second aspect of the
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sermon which is Who is God? Notice the reference word,
who is used rather than what it God. Hence, God should
be envision as a being rather than an object. The Bible is
replete with citations regarding the nature, functions,
powers and duration of God. Within the seminary, we were
taught that God is a prior, eternal, absolute, omnipotent,
omnipresent, omniscient, and eternal.
Admittedly, there have been and yet are a multiplicity
of views, assumptions, and even theories regarding God.
The most negative view is known as atheism; it denies the
reality or existence. In the meantime, the Bible asserts
in Psalm 14:1 “The fool hath said in his heart There is no
God…).
But thanks be to God that one warning is over
shadowed by the numerous biblical references to the
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realities and powers. Attention will now be drawn to just
a few of them: “ In the beginning God created the heaven
and.” ( Gen. 1:1 ), “And God said, Let us make man in our
image…” ( Gen. 1:26 ), “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT
I AM…” ( Exodus 3:14 ), “The heavens declare the glory of
God: and the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his
handiwork.”, ( Ps. 19:1 ), “ God is a Spirit and they that
worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth”. ( John
4:24 ).
This glorious assertion leads to the final part of the
sermon which is what is the relationship between man and
God. Within the personal context the question becomes
What is the relationship between you and God?
There are countless views, opinions, theories, and
personal generalities existing regarding an individual’s
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perception of God, the Infinite Being. No attempt is herein
made to list all of them. Instead, the discussion will be
restricted a few of them. The most negative, yet clearly
stipulate one is known as Atheism. This term denotes,
“a disbelief or lack of belief in God”. In contrast atheist
is the theist. This term denotes, “the belief in one God as
creator and ruler of the universe…”. Between these two
terms ( Atheism and Theism ) are numerous pragmatic
views of God, some of which: a Being to be worshiped on
a certain day, time, and place; a Spiritual EMT to be sought
in time of crises; a Divine source for strength in critical
situations, and an Appropriate Subject for conversion when
amidst “Church folk.”
Well, beloved, the somber fact is having a knowledge
of the Infinite, being conversant in expectations regarding
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expectations of the faith and, yet, not believing in the
existence of God is insufficient to please God. Remember,
Hebrews 11:6 where it is recorded “…he that comes to God
must be that he is, and that he is a rewarded of them that
diligently seek him”. There are additional requirements that
man ( the finite ) most possess and practice if he/she
desires to see God. They include – but are not limited to the
following: Faith – “ Now faith is the substance of things
hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”, Love –
1st John 4:7. – “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is
of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and
knoweth God”., Conversion (Baptism ) – If thou shalt confess
with thou mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, and shalt believe in
thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be
saved”.
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Lastly, the finite ( mankind ) is called upon to remain
committed throughout life ( FAITHFUL ) and in the end
he/she will received an eternal reward; this promised in
recorded in Revelation 2:10 “…be thou faithful unto death,
and I will give thee a crown of life”.
In closing, hopefully we have gained specific
knowledge on the finite ( mankind ) and the Infinite ( God).
The former is destine to die as noted in Eccl. 3:2 “ A time to
be born, and a time to die.”. The Infinite ( God ) is eternal
or everlasting as noted in Revelation 1:18 “I am he that
liveth, and was dead, and, behold, I am alive for evermore,
Amen.
