GOD’S APPROVAL RATING Psalm 111:1-6

PUBLIC POLICY POLLING “If God exists, do you approve or disapprove of its performance?” God’s performance Approve – 52% Disapprove – 9% Not sure – 40% 2 Psalm 111:7-9 His hands… precepts… covenant…name Psalm 111:7-9 His hands… precepts… covenant…name

PUBLIC POLICY POLLING “If God exists, do you approve or disapprove of its handling of natural disasters? God’s performance Approve – 50% Disapprove – 13% Not sure – 37% 3

PUBLIC POLICY POLLING “If God exists, do you approve or disapprove of its handling of animals? God’s performance Approve – 56% Disapprove – 11% Not sure – 33% 4

PUBLIC POLICY POLLING “If God exists, do you approve or disapprove of its handling of creating the universe? God’s performance Approve – 71% Disapprove – 5% Not sure – 24% 5

THE BIBLE (PSALM 50:16-23) “Since God exists, does He approve or disapprove of how you are living? Galatians 6:7-8 Acts 17: Corinthians 5:10 6

DO NOT COMPLAIN AGAINST GOD! Job learned not to, Job 38:1-4 (21:4-7, 13-16; 23:1-7; 42:1-6) Israel in the wilderness, Psa 106:24-27 We must not murmur, 1 Cor 10:10 7

GOD’S USE OF DISASTERS AND CALAMITIES Past: The Bible identifies God’s hand at work Present: God’s word does not specifically identify God’s hand, but generally tells us of God’s providence and discipline through such events, Rom 8:28; Heb 12: 5-7; Jas 1:2-4 8

LOCUST PLAGUE AGAINST JUDAH: DIVINE JUDGMENT AND CALL TO REPENT -JOEL- “Has anything like this happened in your days?” Joel 1:1-7; cf. Eph 5:14 – Day of the Lord (judgment), Joel 1:15; 2:1- 3; cf. 2 Pet 3:10 – Call to repent, Joel 2:12-14 Resulted in blessings from God, Joel 2:18-27 cf. Repent…seasons of refreshing, Acts 3:19 9

CALAMITIES IN ISRAEL: “PREPARE TO MEET YOUR GOD, O ISRAEL” -AMOS- God sent famine, Amos 4:6 (Deut 28:18-20) God sent drought, Amos 4:7-8 (Deut 28:23) God sent crop failure, Amos 4:9 (Deut 28:38-40) God sent plagues, Amos 4:10 (Deut 28:21-22) God overthrew them, Amos 4:11 (Deut 28:25) Yet, Israel would not repent! Now, Israel would meet her God in judgment! Amos 4:12 10

CALAMITIES IN ISRAEL: GOD’S APPROVAL RATING? AMOS 4:13 -God is Sovereign- God is all powerful God is all knowing God judges the earth What shall we say and do? – Honor and reverence Him, Psalm 111:7-10 – Repent of our sins against Him, Luke 13:1-5 – Be thankful, not complainers, 1 Ths 5:18 11

JESUS’ APPROVAL RATING (MK 7:37) Many showed their disapproval by complaining about and refusing His teaching, Jno 6:60, 63, 66 – Do you complain against His truth today? – Do not say you cannot understand and obey His word, Rom 10:6-8; Eph 5:17 – What approval rating are you giving the word of Christ in your life? Col 3:17 12

JESUS’ APPROVAL RATING (MK 7:37) Many showed their disapproval by refusing to confess their faith in Christ, Jno 12:42-43 – Are you confessing Jesus every day? Matt 10:32-33; Mk 8:38 – Do your words and actions show you are not ashamed of Him, or that you disapprove of Him? (Matt 7:21) 13

JESUS’ APPROVAL RATING (MK 7:37) Many showed their disapproval by crying out for His death, Luke 23:20-24 – The sin of apostasy crucifies Jesus again, Heb 6:4-6 – When a Christian falls away he shows his disapproval of Christ! 14

JESUS’ APPROVAL RATING (MK 7:37) 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:

THE FAITHFUL ALWAYS APPROVE OF ALL GOD HAS DONE, IS DOING AND WILL DO! Psalm 145:1-7