Acts 17:25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he gives to all life, and breath, and all things; The idol was supposed to be a needy, dependent being, fed by the hands of man. God not so (Psalm 50). Notice the main points of comparison. I. IDOLS ARE DEAD; GOD LIVES OF HIMSELF AND BY HIMSELF. He gives — 1. Life. What a gift is life! And what a giver the Author of life! 2. Breath. 3. All things necessary for the sustentation and continuance of both. It is not matter that lives, but God in matter. "This living God" is the Being with whom we have to do; there is a living eye on thee, a judge taking account now. II. GOD IS THE BUILDER OF HIS OWN TEMPLE. The idol is made, then a temple is built, and the idol is put there and chained, that he might not be stolen. God too has a temple; but He is the architect of His own temple, erected it not for Himself but for us; worship is for the benefit of man. It is getting, not giving; receiving, not imparting. Worship may be regarded — 1. As the highest exercise of man's nature. Man can never be greater than when he stands before God; a creature can never perform a nobler office than when thus holding communion with God. 2. As the purest influence of man's nature. Sin is put down by this. We must look up, not down; the glance of the eye on the infinite is worth all the talking and troubling our minds about non-essentials in religion. But we must get the principles from the habit of looking up. 3. As the truest happiness. Have you ever felt happiness corresponding to the high demands of your nature? When your soul has been with God, how little did this world appear then! III. GOD IS THE PROPRIETOR OF HIS OWN SACRIFICE. All dead matter, silver and gold, our body, soul, intellect, affections, hopes, fears, are God's. When we worship we are teaching ourselves a great truth, instructing ourselves in our own dependence on God. IV. GOD IS THE FATHER OF HIS OWN WORSHIPPERS. 1. Paul shows the nature of man. "We are also His offspring." The tree, the elephant, birds, stars, etc., are not like God. They are far from Him, they are matter; He is mind. They are dead; He is living. But we are like God. We have power to think as He thinks, to love as He loves, to be felicitous as He is felicitous. 2. We have the destiny of this nature. "Seek the Lord, if haply they might find Him." Seek Him, so as to feel Him touch the soul. Are you in search after God? Whatever pursuit fails, this will not. It is the only study worthy the soul of man. (Caleb Morris.) Parallel Verses KJV: Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; |
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