Divine Viewpoint VS Cosmic Viewpoint
Sermon Notes
Steven R. Cook
Divine Viewpoint:
Divine Viewpoint is the true perspective of reality gleaned
from the Bible that helps the believer orient to God’s thinking and plan.
Cosmic Viewpoint:
Cosmic Viewpoint is a warped perspective of reality adopted
from any source other than God’s Word, and is opposed to Divine Viewpoint.
|
DIVINE
VIEWPOINT |
COSMIC
VIEWPOINT |
|
True Perspective of Reality |
Warped perspective of reality |
|
Gleaned from the Bible |
Adopted from the World |
|
Orient to God’s Thinking & Plan |
Opposed to Divine Viewpoint |
Regarding the cosmic system Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer states:
The cosmos is a vast order or system that Satan has promoted which conforms to his ideals, aims, and methods. It is civilization now functioning apart from God-a civilization in which none of its promoters really expect God to share; who assign to God no consideration in respect to their projects, nor do they ascribe any causality to Him. This system embraces its godless governments, conflicts, armaments, jealousies; its education, culture, religions of morality, and pride. It is that sphere in which man lives. It is what he sees, what he employs. To the uncounted multitude it is all they ever know so long as they live on this earth. It is properly styled “The Satanic System” which phrase is in many instances a justified interpretation of the so-meaningful word, cosmos. It is literally Κόσμος Διαβόλου.
Regarding the cosmic system Dr. Robert Dean states:
Worldliness is a way of thinking about life that is contrary to the biblical way or divine viewpoint…When what we think aligns with the world, we are hostile to God.
Seven Biblical Truths about the Cosmic System:
Bible Passages
that Demonstrate two Viewpoints:
II Kings 6:15-17; Isaiah 55:7-9; Proverbs 23:7; Romans
12:2; 2 Corinthians 10:5.
The Mechanics of
Developing Divine Viewpoint:
1.
The filling of the
Holy Spirit (Ephesians
2.
The systematic study
of God’s Word on a daily basis (Psalm 1:1-3; 86:11; 119:97-106; Matthew 4:4;
Romans
3.
The application of
biblical truth to every area of one’s life (Matthew 7:24-27; James 1:22).
The Mechanics of
Developing Cosmic Viewpoint:
1.
Grieving/Quenching the
Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19).
2.
Complete neglect of
God’s Word, plus maximum exposure to worldly philosophy (Romans 12:2;
Colossians 3:2).
3.
The application of
worldly philosophy to every area of one’s life (Proverbs 14:12).
The Benefits of
Divine Viewpoint:
1.
Mental stability (Isaiah
26:3-4; Ephesians 4:14).
2.
Confidence to face
adversity (Psalm 46:1-4; Proverbs 3:25-26;
John 19:10-11).
3.
Contentment
(Philippians 4:11-13).
4.
Joy (Hebrews 12:2).
5.
Sanctification (John
17:17).
6.
Victory over sin
(Psalm 119:9, 11).
7.
Spiritual growth (1
Peter 2:2).
The Disadvantages
of Cosmic Viewpoint:
1.
Mental instability
through uncontrolled imaginations (Psalm 73:1-7; Jeremiah 23:16).
2.
Unwarranted fear
(Proverbs 28:1).
3.
Self-deception
(Proverbs 12:15; Galatians 6:3).
4.
Acting as the enemy of
God (James 4:3-4).
The Bible is the only source for understanding the “mind of
Christ.” If the Christian neglects God’s
Word, Cosmic thinking will seep into his mind through such avenues as
literature, music, education, casual conversation, television, and every other
available source of communication.
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