There is one question that has plagued mankind since the beginning of time, and that is "Why did the chicken cross the road?”"And so I asked some famous people this question, and here is how they answered the question, "Why did the chicken cross the road?"

Here is what Colonel Sanders, the founder of KFC, said: "I missed one?"

Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, answered this way: "I have just released eChicken 2004, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your checkbook."

Here is former president Bill Clinton's answer: "That depends on how you define chicken. What do you exactly mean by chicken?"

Let me add my own answer to that question of “Why did the chicken cross the road. For those of you who don’t know, Angela and I got married in June. For our honeymoon, we went to Key West, Florida. While there, we were walking down this street around lunch-time, and since it was a particularly hot day, there was absolutely no one on this street. So we’re walking back to our hotel, when out of the blue, I swear, this chicken came out of nowhere and stood on the sidewalk. Angela and I are looking at this thing and we’re looking at each other like “this has got to be the weirdest thing that we’ve ever seen?” It was seriously like a scene out of some movie. Anyway, this chicken is standing on the sidewalk, he literally looks both ways, and then he begins to cross the road. Once he got to the other side of the road, he went under a bush and sought shelter from the sun. So, for those of you that have been wrestling with this question, here is the real answer: The chicken crossed the road to get out of the sun!

While the question "why did the chicken cross the road?" is amusing and fun to ponder, there is a serious question that I would like us to consider together this morning. I believe that this one question is more important than any other question that has ever been asked, or will ever be asked, and that is "Who is God?"

When I began preparing for this sermon, I didn’t completely realize what I was getting myself into. I wrestled with this question for the past two weeks, and I can tell you with all confidence that what I will share with you this morning only begins to scratch the surface of that question. This is a question that will take a life-time to discover and understand. So seeing as how I will not be able to answer this question in full, what I would like to do is to guide you in the right direction so that when you leave here this morning, you will have at least a little better understanding of who God is? At the end of our time together, I know that there will be a lot more questions than answers. But I hope that this is a question that you will continue to ask as you leave here. I want to equip you, from the word of God, to help you to pursue God when you leave here. I hope that 5, 10, 20 years from now, you will still be asking this question, but being able to develop on what you will hear this morning.

My intention is not to entertain you with clever words, or to make you laugh with funny anecdotes. My one goal and aim this morning is to tell you, with fear and trembling, that God is magnificent. In so doing, my deepest desire is that it would cause all of us to worship Him again with new sense of awe and wonder, to see Him with reverence, to desire after him with passion, love, and dare I say, even fear. That you will see and know that there is a God, and that He is glorious in power and might. He is magnificent.

Some of you woke up this morning with this question in your heart, as it is at the center of your deepest longing. There are others of you here this morning that have been running away from this question for all of your life. And still, there are some of you here this morning for whom this question has never been seriously considered. No matter which category you fall into this morning, one thing is certain: How you choose to answer this question will determine who you are and how you will live. But most importantly, how you answer this question will determine your eternal destiny.

With that said, please turn with me to the book of Habakkuk. We’re going to do something a little bit different today, and actually read through this entire book together. Don’t worry, it only has 3 chapters. I will actually be reading the first two chapters for you as you follow along, and starting in Chapter 3 verse 2, we’re all going to read out loud together. Yes, we’re actually going to have a corporate scripture reading at the Vineyard.

Before we read, I want to give you a very brief summary of the book. Habakkuk, along with Hosea, Micah, Zephaniah, Zechariah and Jonah, are considered to be "minor prophets." They are called "minor prophets" not because they were less important than Isaiah or Jeremiah, but simply because the length of their books is shorter than these prophets. For example, the book of Habakkuk only has three chapters, while the book of Isaiah has 66 chapters and Jeremiah has 52 chapters.

In short, the book of Habakkuk is basically a dialogue between Habakkuk and God. The book begins with the prophet complaining to God about injustice. God answers Habakkuk’s charge, and chapter one ends with Habakkuk not being satisfied with God’s answer, so he makes a second charge.

God answers Habakkuk’s second charge in chapter two, in an extended format, and the book concludes, in chapter three with Habakkuk’s response to God’s answer.

And with that, let’s begin reading together. I will read the first two chapters as you follow along, and we will all read together starting on chapter 3 verse 2. And as we read, pay close attention to the questions that are raised. Please stand with me as we read from the holy word of God.

Please be seated.

1:1 The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet received.
1:2 How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not save?
1:3 Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong?

We see right away in chapter one, that Habakkuk is not someone that likes to beat around the bush. He lets it be known that right from the get go that He has some issues with God. And with good reason. You see, God has called Habakkuk to be a prophet to his people, the kingdom of Judah. They are a people that have fallen into sin, and God has raised up Habakkuk to confront them, to call them to repentance, so that God would, once again, be praised and worshipped by his chosen people. However, as Habakkuk is serving as a prophet, doing his part delivering the message of God to His people, he feels that God is not holding up His end of the bargain. The kingdom of Judah is being attacked viciously by the Assyrians and there is no sign of help from God.

Habakkuk is a man of God; a man of faith; who is perplexed by what is happening around him. He doesn't understand why God is doing what He is doing. It seems inconsistent with what has been previously revealed. So his heart is filled with sorrow, anger, and confusion as he looks upon the land of Judah, and he cries out to God, "Where are you?" All the questions that he is asking in the first four verses basically boils down to this one question: "Where are you?"

The prophet writes in chapter 1:2:

How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, 'Violence!' but you do not save? Where are you?

This is the cry that has been ringing throughout the history of the world, since the time of Adam and Eve, when God asked them in the Garden of Eden, "Where are you?" Since that moment of separation, in that moment of darkness, the cry of mankind has been "where are you, God?"

Well, how many of us here have asked that question?

Maybe you are going through a personal struggle this morning, and you are asking, "Where is God in this picture?"

Maybe you’re struggling with your finances, or maybe your job is in jeopardy, and you are desperately crying out, "Where are you, God?"

Maybe you are going through a divorce, or a health crises, like cancer or depression, and asking, "Where are you, God?"

This is a question that I’ve asked many times. And as I began preparing for this teaching, I remembered one story in particular.

There was a time in college where I basically had a complete break down, where my faith in God completely fell apart.

One of the people that I respect and admire the most in the world is my mom. Not because she gave birth to me, but for me, she was an example of what a true lover of God looked like. She is a woman who deeply loves God, and I know that there is not a day that goes by when she does not pray for me.

When I was in college, my mom was diagnosed with tuberculosis and apparently by the time we found out what it was, it was in its late phases. For those of you who do not know, tuberculosis is a disease that affects the lungs, and if it is not treated, it can lead to death. Well, the doctors were pretty optimistic about her recovery so we were very thankful. But the turning point in all of this for our family came when my mom went to the church, actually to a healing conference. She knew that God was able to heal this disease, so she went in faith to church, but this pastor told her that she is actually not going to be healed, but actually she only had a couple of weeks to live. My mother loves the church, and she respects our pastors, people that are supposed to be the instruments of God. And when she heard this from this pastor, she really believed it.

I came home later that night and saw my mom and dad sitting on the floor hugging each other, just sobbing. When I found out all that had happen, I got furious at that pastor, and the anger grew towards the church, and eventually my anger was directed towards God. Even after she was completely healed from the disease, my anger did not go away. You see, I was wondering, "Where was God in all of this? How could he let this happen? How can he allow this kind of evil and manipulation to exist in His church?"

I found my answer to this question, again, from seeing my mom’s faith in action. Through it all, her faith never faltered. Her faith was never shaken. She never questioned God. Somehow, through it all, my mom’s faith actually grew, and her love for God was actually strengthened. I know now in hind-sight that God was right there, with her, loving her, and encouraging her, telling her "I am here!"

I came out of that season with a new understanding of God, of what it means to love God through the sunshine and the rain.

That’s how God answered my question. How has God answered your question? Did he actually come through for you? If so, praise, God! Or maybe he has just been silent? Maybe you have been praying the same prayer for years. If that is you, there is one thing that I want to say especially to you: Do not give up! Do not give up! Do not give up!

I don’t know what Habakkuk was expecting to hear from God, but God’s answer is more than Habakkuk could have ever asked for.

God says in 1:5:

Look at the nations and watch- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.

Habakkuk’s heart drops and a smile comes over his face, and he whispers to himself, “Finally! This is it! How awesome is this! God is finally going to deliver us!”

But God continues with his answer in verse 6:

I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwelling places not their own.

"What?! God, what are you doing that for?” You are going to use the wicked Babylonians, those savages that do not worship you, to chastise your people?"

Obviously this is not what he was hoping to hear from God. Instead of being comforted, God’s answer only fills his heart with more confusion, fear, and doubt.

Can you imagine what the prophet is going through right now? "Well, if this is your answer, I would much rather you not answer me at all. Can you just pretend that I never prayed?"

Have you ever been confused by God’s answer to a prayer of yours? Maybe the very thing that you were praying for never came to pass. Maybe the mom that you were praying for with that disease didn’t come through like my mom did. Maybe he is silent. If that is you, let me say to you again: “Do not give up!” “Do not give up!” “Do not give up!” Worse than not having all the answers is not know that you have questions to ask. It’s when you stop asking that you are most vulnerable. It’s when you stop asking that you cease to grow as a person, and as a Christian. It’s when you stop asking that your journey hits a plateau. So do not stop asking God questions. He is not afraid of them. “Do not give up?”

Not satisfied or understanding God’s answer, Habakkuk continues with his questions in the rest of chapter one. He refuses to give up. He keeps on pressing into God. Then God answers with words that will forever change this prophet.

2:2 Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.
2:3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

God speaks. The master and creator of the universe, the Lord God almighty speaks! And Habakkuk listens in silence.

God points out the wickedness of the Babylonians, but if you look closely, he is actually using the Babylonians to bring across a point to Habakkuk. He points out a list of all that is wrong with the Babylonians; their thieving, their embrace of unjust ways, their violence and crime, their lust, and their worship of idols. But God, in essence, is saying “how are you different? How is my people, who are set apart to be holy, my chosen people, any different these evil Babylonians?”

He answers in 2:4 that the “righteous will live by his faith!”

He is saying that what should distinguish the people of God, more than anything else is his faith. He doesn’t say that the righteous shall live by good deeds, motives, and/or intentions. To be righteous in the eyes of God is not about what you do, but it’s about who you believe God to be at the core of your being. So what is your answer to the question, “who is God?”

Is he an emotion you sometimes feel when you watch that great movie? Is he a fictional character that was created by man to explain the unexplainable? Is he this “spiritual being” that is there but really doesn’t care much about people? Is he Mohammed? Is he Buddha? Is he Money? Is he logic? Or do you believe that Jesus is God?

Well you better have a dang good answer to that question because that will effect how you live. And it will also effect your eternity as who you believe to be God will ultimately shape your belief about the afterlife.

Who is God?

Habakkuk began his soul quest in this book by asking “where are you God?” This question later becomes “What can you do, God?” And through a serious of answers, God brings out of Habakkuk the question that he didn’t even know he was asking, “Who are you, God?” And God begins to answer…

Are you worried about violence?
I AM GOD!

Are you fearful of the enemy?
I AM GOD!

Are you scared about what tomorrow will bring?
I AM GOD!

Do you not understand that I have the power to change history with a single whisper of my voice? I AM GOD!

I can change outcomes of war?
I AM GOD!

I can give or take away because that is how powerful I am.
I AM GOD!

Do you not know that “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea?”
I AM GOD!

I am not wood. I am not stone.
I AM GOD!

“But I am in my holy temple; let all the earth be silent before me.”
I AM GOD!

This is the God that we worship and adore. He is the God of all splendor, wonder, and might. He is Holy. He is mighty. He is Just. He is Righteous. He is Savior. There is no other like Him! He is magnificent! This is God!

In hearing this, Habakkuk is forever changed. He doesn’t have all the answers that he needs, but he realizes that God is truly God, and that he is truly magnificent. He lifts his hands in surrender and begins to worship, “LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.” He begins to tell about the wonders and powers of God that he has just realized in a brand new way!

He continues in verse 16:

3:16 I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us.
3:17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
3:18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
3:19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

For many of you here today, I believe that this is exactly what you’ve been dying to hear. That God is real, and that He is alive and well. That you can not only find Him, but you can know WHO he is. He is powerful and almighty. He is glorious in splendor. He is the triune, three-in-one, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He is magnificent. He is Jesus.

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 5:

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!

And you can call him your savior and redeemer, if you would just humble yourself before him today. Right here. Right now. Saying “Lord I believe. I choose to live as the righteous, by faith in your Son, Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior. I believe.”

If you will humble yourself before him now, you can join Habakkuk and millions of believers that have walked before us, saying “The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.”

This is God. He is glorious in power and might. He is magnificent.

Please stand with me as we close our time in prayer.