This will seem like a long post, but it is actually a series of nine messages… one after the other. The page will be updated as the messages are delivered (If God wills and WordPress allows). The series begins October 12, 2008 as evening services in the church I currently serve. As I’ve noted before, these are manuscripts I take into the pulpit. As such there are devices I use to help me in delivery. I ask for indulgence in these areas.
Preview of messages…
It was out of the desert times in my life I have come up with hooks on which I hang my hat based on Seven Truths About God. The seven truths lead to the application. There is a lot of theology and personal experience that led me to the applications.
Seven Truths About God… And Personal Applications…
Introduction Message: Life Is Tough, God is Tougher.
God IS Good! (Ps 73:1). Application: “Nothing bad ever has, or ever will, happen to me. Evil… yes. Bad… no.”
God IS Love! (1 Jn 4:8, 16). Application: “It is impossible for me or others to mess up my life past God using for His glory.”
God IS In Control! (Ro 8:28; Dan 4:35; Is 46:9-10). Application: “God only allows into my life what is ultimately good for me.”
God IS Just {Righteous}! (Ezra 9:15). Application: “Satan can only do what God allows.”
All God’s Ways ARE Perfect! (Deut 32:1-4). Application: “I can rejoice in every circumstance by keeping a heaven theology.”
God IS Trustworthy! (2 Sam 7:28; Ps 62:8; Pr 3:5-6; Jn 14:1). Application: “This gives me great hope & peace.”
God Does Not Change (Num 23:19; Ps 33:11; Mal 3:6; Is 59:1; Ja 1:17). Application: “My salvation & faith in God cannot be lost.”
Conclusion Message: “In The Context Of The Cross.”
At least for me… these are the things I have found that help while I’m in the desert. I would like to think I’m ready for my next desert experience, but I’m probably not as ready as I hope. “But God is faithful who will not allow me to be tested above that which I can handle, but will with the test provide a way of escape that I might be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Life Is Tough, God Is Tougher (2 Cor 1:3-4; 12:9)
Right now a lot of people are worried (October 2008). The global financial market is uncertain to say the least. The election has a lot of people worked up. And terrorism is always in the back of our mind. And then we have our own life to deal with. We’re looking for a knot at the end of our rope…
Given all these things & many issues of your own you could add, I’ve decided to present a series of messages that are titled, “Seven Things To Nail Down Before All Hades Breaks Loose.” I hope you will be here for each of the nine weeks it will take to present these messages.
These messages (Not sermons) are born out of the crucible of my life experiences over the last 37 years. They are the result of emotional & spiritual highs as well as deep prolonged desert experiences.
What I will communicate to you… God willing… are things that have sustained me in the deepest times of despair & pain in my life. I will offer you knots I’ve tied when I got to the end of my rope b/c I want you to benefit from my struggles. I want you to see How Big Our God Really Is.
When life’s struggles are all around you, you don’t want to say w/ enthusiasm, “God is good all the time…” b/c you’re not sure in the depths of your soul that He is. Yet it is written that C’ians are to “Rejoice in the Lord always…” But how can you when…
You are the regular object of ridicule & jokes growing up… When you are shunned by everyone except your parents… Then that family falls apart… When you lose a dream you’ve had for decades… When people you love & try to help attack, disappoint, and/or turn their back on you (Not my family)? Not to mention global situations that are ever before us…
Those things made me what I am today. Like you… I’ve had my share of difficulties. I also know that there are some here who have been thru much worse situations than I… & you have kept the faith. I admire & commend you!
What I hope to do is take you thru my journey. A journey I pray will be fruitful for you and/or someone you know. A journey that will point you to God our Comforter. ** TRANSITION **
I do not see myself as a counselor. In fact… I’m not sure any C’ian can counsel people wisely when they are in the throes of adversity, pain, or depression. In my view, to attempt to be a counselor infringes upon a ministry of God He has reserved for Himself (Jn 14:26, 15:26, 16:7).
I try to be a facilitator. One who points people to The One who CAN & DOES comfort. The One who looks into our hearts… reads our minds… discerns our motivations… & then does surgery on our soul to heal us. God is the ONLY one who can do that!
Aside: Don’t miss the call God has given you to be a facilitator for others (2 Cor 1:3-4). What you’ll be hearing for a few weeks may very well be as much for someone else as for you…
Return: B/c I see myself as a facilitator rather than a counselor I chose 2 Cor 12:9 today… “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
People can help us to a point… but the final healing & resolution we need can only come from God! Eventually every person’s counsel falls short. But God’s NEVER DOES! Jesus/God said… “My grace IS SUFFICIENT for you!” That’s why every time we try to help people & facilitate their healing we MUST point them to God! He is the only one who is SUFFICIENT for every situation.
(T’sition) As part of this introduction, It may be best to take you to the end of my journey first.
That way you’ll know the destination & have hope during our time together. My goal is to encourage, help, & bless you w/ God’s truth… to show you the great depth of God’s love & sustaining power that you may know HIM. And by knowing Him… be comforted & more like Christ.
The end of my journey is also my perspective on life and comes from Ps 119…
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.
71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.
75 I know… that your rules are righteous, & that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
God loves us too much to let us stray from Him. God takes decisive action to make sure we continue on the path He has ordained (Eph 2:10). God knows that the thing that gets our attention best… & drive us to Him… is affliction & adversity. God does that B/C He loves us (Heb 12:6!). And it is worth noting that the affliction, whatever it is, may not be removed by God even though we follow Him closely (2 Cor 12:7-9).
(IMPORTANT) While affliction & adversity may feel like we’re being punished… that is not the case! All the punishment we deserved was taken care of on the cross when God punished Jesus for our sin. What we endure now is better described & to be u’stood as formative discipline.
Formative discipline is what parents do to mature their children… like giving them chores… making them do things they don’t want to do to prepare them for the real world. God… the Perfect Heavenly Father… uses formative discipline to make us into what HE wants us to be.
Look at Ps 119:67, 71, 75. The affliction of the Psalmist returned him to God. Difficulty drew him to God who is the source of life & healing. B/c of the end result, the Psalmist wrote that the adversity it’s self was good! This is the perspective given to us in James 1:2-4…
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness (endurance). 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
THUS the end of my journey is peace. That isn’t to say that I don’t still struggle at times over the things I’ve experienced… I do. But I know (!) that the pain I experience is God’s will (Phil 1:29)… it’s the way He has chosen to make me more like Christ (Ro 8:28-29)… it is maturing my faith (Ja 1:2-4).
So while I don’t enjoy the trouble… I am thankful b/c the end result is better, greater, & more wonderful than I can imagine. What God is doing is getting me ready for heaven… to be w/ Him!
Application! As believers in Jesus that are hurting, the end of our journey is joy & peace in God’s presence. You CAN rejoice while IN the struggle as you keep your mind set on the end result.
** T’sition ** Now for a little more about The Hooks On Which I Hang My Hat.
I didn’t know it at the time, but I formulated Seven Truths I Believe About God during what I thought was the toughest of my life. Little did I know God was preparing me for stronger storms.
“The Seven Truths” resulted in “The Hooks On Which I Hang My Hat.” These “hooks” are the things I believe at the end of the day… no matter what has happened… regardless of anything else in my life. And here is where you need to listen to me carefully! What you believe CONTROLS & DIRECTS how you process life events.
Example (Copied). You are about to enter a room. You are told it is a luxury suite… the best room around. But when you enter it, it’s like what you’d find at any average motel. What would be your reaction? You’d probably say… “THIS is a luxury suite? It’s a dump!” But let’s say before you enter the same room you’re told it’s a prison cell. Then when you walk into that same room you’d say… “THIS is a prison cell? This isn’t bad at all!”
What’s the difference? Your expectation. Your attitude. Your preconceived notions.
What I hope to do is encourage a Biblical u’standing of God BASED ON the Truths of God’s Word and make THAT our perspective! When that concept takes root… when we have those things in our heart… THEN we begin to react & act differently from the world. THEN we become salt & light to a world that needs Jesus.
My prayer is that in the weeks ahead we will come to know God… His power… & experience His comfort as we never have before. And it begins w/ having a r’ship w/ God thru Jesus!
Invitation.
Title from Dr. Ray Pritchard. A friend of his delivered a message titled, “Things To Nail Down Before All Hell Breaks Loose.”
Message Number Two Now Follows…
The First Thing To Settle… God Is Good (Ps 73:1)
Do you remember when Rick Burgess’ son (Bronner, A.K.A. “Cornbread”) tragically drown almost a year ago? There are few things more difficult for any person to deal w/ than the death of their child. It causes us to scratch our head when those things happen to C’ians… doesn’t it?
The purpose of this series is to help you for if/when difficulties enter your life…
This series is titled, “Seven Things To Settle Before All Hades Breaks Loose.” The seven things are the basis for “Hooks On Which I Hang My Hat.” Today’s message… the FIRST thing to settle before all Hades breaks loose is… God Is Good. (Pause)
About the Burgess tragedy one could ask… “If God is good, how is THAT good?” That is the kind of question I hope to address. The reason is b/c that could be any one of us!
Aside! What you’ll hear in this series has taken me years to work through. This is how I (!) u’stand God in relation to my life events. I’m not asking you to accept what I say but to pray, study, reflect, & process this yourself. Ro 14:5 & 2 Tim 2:7 are good verses to meditate on.
Return. Just b/c adversity happens does NOT mean God is angry OR punishing us! Jesus never sinned… yet in Is 53:3 it is said about Him, “He was despised & rejected by men; a man of sorrows, & acquainted w/ grief.” He was eventually crucified even though He was God’s sinless Son.
If you are a believer adversity is NOT an expression of God’s displeasure w/ you. We may not know why adversity happens… but it can’t be b/c of God’s anger. That was settled at the cross.
This first truth is the bedrock of my faith… my ultimate view of God… it is non-negotiable… I accept & believe it unconditionally… I don’t doubt it’s truth… no matter what happens to or around me for the rest of my life (God give me the strength).
I believe God Is Good b/c: 1) It’s in Scripture, 2) Personal experience, & 3) Observation. Now let’s look at the first of The Seven Truths…
Truth #1: God Is Good (Ps 73:1). This Psalm is written by one struggling over why evil people are blessed & righteous people have life tough. In vss 3-15 he fusses & frets over this. Look at vss 16-17. The answer came from God during worship! The revelatory power of God IN WORSHIP!!
The text is, “Truly God is good to Israel…” “Truly” means only good… assuredly good… always good… nothing but good. It is a fact about God beyond dispute for the Psalmist.
The phrase “God Is Good” means He is Excellent. Attractive. Beneficial. Reliable. Pleasant. Desirable. Trustworthy. Pure. Lovely. There is nothing deceptive, dishonest, unloving, imperfect, or unholy about Him. This is God’s character. Consequently, He is only capable of good.
Note: When life is hard, hold on to what you know for sure. Never doubt in the darkness what God has taught you in the light. This is why it is good to settle these things before it gets dark. If you don’t know where the light switch is before it gets dark… the darkness will be more severe.
God’s goodness is His character & nature… regardless of our perspective… depth or lack of u’standing (73:16-17). B/c of His nature, God can only do what is good. He is only capable of good. Bury that truth deep into our soul before the dark time comes. Consider…
Ps 84:11 For the Lord God is a sun & shield; the Lord bestows favor & honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Underline that last phrase!)
Ps 31:19 Oh, how abundant is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You & worked for those who take refuge in You…
Our vision is clouded… we aren’t all knowing… we aren’t God. We make evaluations based on information that isn’t complete OR always accurate. We misread events… (Pr 3:5).
We must accept that we don’t see the whole picture… we don’t have perfect knowledge… there are things we can’t u’stand. At the same time… we must believe that all the things we DON’T know or understand ARE in God’s hands. {BIG PAUSE} CONSIDER Mt 7:9-11…
Which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more (REPEAT) will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
The only way to overcome our nature & temptation is to believe One who is always honest, truthful, good, & loving… who is also all powerful. God alone can cause any event to be good b/c that is His nature. God can only be & do what is good, loving, & gracious.
So the first Truth is this… God IS Good… b/c that is His nature. Thus I believe whatever I go thru will ultimately BE good. I may not u’stand… it may hurt… I may not like it. But b/c I believe God is good… He will only allow into my life what is ultimately good for me. That is Ro 8:28…
God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (NASB). {Do we believe God?!}
We must believe GOD IS GOOD! We MUST settle this truth about God now. This truth is the basis for the application that follows. (Again… this is MY PERSONAL application of the truth)
Nothing bad has ever happened to me. Evil, yes. Bad, no.” WHAT?! Scripture drives my perspective. My nature is such that w/out God’s truth guiding & protecting my heart, I misunderstand God’s activity. I check my emotions by remembering God’s truth. Just b/c something isn’t bad doesn’t mean it has to be “good.” Just b/c something is hard or difficult doesn’t mean it is bad either!
(SLOW!) How can I say something is bad when it has been approved or allowed by my Father in heaven who is good? How can I call something bad that God has deemed ultimately good for me? How can I believe something opposite to the Truth Of Scripture that God is good & He wills good into my life?! THINK THROUGH THOSE THINGS!!
The truth I believe ABOUT God leads to The Hook On Which I Hang My Hat. But still…
Q: “What do you mean ‘Evil yes, bad no?’” Theology drives my thinking. I don’t know what God is up to. I don’t know His plans. I don’t know what He has in the works I’m not aware of. It is possible for something to be temporarily bad & ultimately good. I go back to Joseph in Gen 50:20 where it is written that Joseph said to his brothers… “You meant it for evil, God meant it for good.”
What Joseph’s brothers did to him was evil (Sold into slavery). The things that happened as a result during 13 years were evil (Accused of rape. Thrown into prison. Ignored for years.). But all those evil things… things that those who perpetrated them will answer for… resulted in GOOD!
Listen to all of Gen 50:20… “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” B/c of the evil, Joseph was elevated to a place of power in Egypt (Good). Not only were people kept alive in Egypt… we have salvation NOW… b/c of all the evil that happened to Joseph.
The problem I have is attempting to extrapolate into the future my puny human u’standing of today’s events. I think adversity is always bad & that good is far from me. God contradicts that!
For instance, the ultimate evil resulted in the ultimate good. Jesus’ crucifixion was an evil event. God’s son was murdered. Yet the ultimate good… the salvation of sinners… resulted. Was the crucifixion evil? YES! Was it bad? No… b/c of the ultimate good that resulted.
If you believe w/ all your heart that God is Good… you will know that ultimately nothing bad can ever happen to you… B/C THE GOD WHO LOVES YOU IS GOOD.
I ask you to consider that the adversity, hardship, or evil things you go thru as a child of God is ultimately for your good. Therein you can “rejoice in the Lord always!” You can “count it all joy when you encounter various trials” too. Why/How? B/c you know God is conforming you to the image of Christ. He is getting you ready for the future. He is preparing you to be w/ Him in Glory!
Trust God! Believe God! Hope in God through Jesus Christ…
Is the God who is good your God & savior?
MESSAGE NUMBER THREE NOW FOLLOWS…
The Second Thing To Settle… God Is Love (1 Jn 4:16-19)
This series is about handling, & preparing for, life. Each message is about God’s character. Things that are true about Him regardless of whether we’re in the midst of despair or in abounding blessings. ** The most important thing about us is what we believe about God **
This second truth is a bedrock of my faith. I believe & won’t doubt it no matter what happens to me… for the rest of my life (God give me the strength).
I believe this truth for three reasons: 1) Scripture, 2) Experience, & 3) Observation. The second truth is…God Is Love (1 Jn 4:16). T’sition
The way you know someone loves you is by how they treat you. Actions speak louder than words. People who love you seek your best. They always do what is ultimately good for you.
To know God’s love, we examine the evidence. The way we know God’s love is by what He has done. Please turn to Ro 5 while I read John 3:16…
For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
Ro 5:8 God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Ro 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also w/ Him graciously give us all things? 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or sword? 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors thru Him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, angels nor rulers, things present nor things to come, powers, 39 height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Heb 12:6 The Lord disciplines the one He loves… 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. 10 He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness.
God’s proved His love by what He has done! NEVER doubt the measure of God’s love!!
He killed His ONLY child so His enemies have freedom & forgiveness. He sent His Son to die so that we would set free to live a life of peace. He poured out His wrath on Jesus instead of us b/c He loved us so much… so we could be w/ Him in heaven! The last thing we should wonder when things happen… good or bad… is whether or not God loves us!
As Jesus said, “Greater LOVE has no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends.” THAT is what Jesus did by going to the cross & dying in our place…. BECAUSE OF His love for us!
Do we believe the evidence He has provided that He loves us?!
God’s love for us is so great… & God is so good… that He passionately protects us. He is active in our lives to make sure… as only He can… that all we experience results in ultimate good.
Our problem is that WE want to define what God’s love looks like. We want to define God’s love as material blessings & Him giving us what we want. But God’s definition of love is different. It is beyond ours. It is more pervasive & lasting than ours is. God’s love seeks our ultimate good!
What is our ultimate good? Being conformed into the image of Christ. God vetoes anything & everything that could/would prevent conformity to Christ from taking place. God makes sure that every one of His children eventually becomes exactly like His son Jesus.
Now for The Hook that comes from the truth that God Is Love. {Personal Application thru years of reflection} “It is impossible for me, or anyone else, to mess up my life past God being able to use for His glory.” WHAT?! Repeat…
I have something on my blog titled, “Enemies As Friends.” (Church Website to my blog) That will help you u’stand my thoughts. I know this application may be a little difficult to u’stand at first, so pleae read that.
Theology drives my thinking & my thinking is the thermostat for my emotions. That means I go to Scripture. THAT is where I settle all the issues of my life. I rely upon God’s objective truth RATHER THAN what I feel, think, or hear apart from Scripture! Ro 8:29… “Those whom He foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…”
The whole matter at issue in Ro 8:29 is being conformed to the image of Christ. Don’t let that “P” word scare you. It is interesting that vs 29 follows 28 (Who’d thought that?) “God CAUSES all things to work together for what???? THE GOOD! (NEXT PARAGRAPH S-L-O-W)
SINCE God is good AND since God is love AND since He will make sure that I WILL become like Jesus…THEN (!) it is impossible for anything or anyone to subvert that process! I can’t keep it from happening… you can’t keep it from happening… no one can keep God from doing what He has decided & determined to do in my life! That’s where the application comes from!!
Just as it was impossible for Joseph’s brothers to mess up his life… as it was impossible for Potipher’s wife to mess up Joseph’s life… as it was impossible for a forgetful servant of Pharaoh to mess up his life… for Joseph himself to mess up his life past God using for His glory, so neither can we… or anyone else… mess up our life past God using for HIS GLORY! ((BIG PAUSE))
ASIDE!! This does NOT mean I can do whatever I want… live a rebellious life in opposition to God B/C… “After all… I’m saved & God will use it all for good!” That is heresy! Ro 5:20…
Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign thru righteousness leading to eternal life thru Jesus Christ our Lord. 6:1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore w/ him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Every believer is responsible to live a life of faithful obedience to God. If a person lives in open rebellion & sin… that is simply evidence of an unsaved condition! Believers follow Christ!!
What is intended by this hook is this: I cannot thru foolish decisions or stupid mistakes mess up or prevent what God is in the process of accomplishing. When I fail and/or blow it… no matter how bad… God does not abandon or give up on me. He won’t throw me aside b/c of my stupidity. God is also able to prevent anyone else from doing anything that could mess my life up past God using (I’m really thankful for that!).
Consider! God is even able to prevent me from sinning against Him if it is contrary to His will. This is found in Genesis 20:6 from God to Abimelech about Abram’s wife Sari…
Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her.
This application means that no matter how hard ANYONE may try to destroy me or mess up my life, God only allows what is HIS will to make me more like His son Jesus. No person, regardless of what they do or attempt to do, can mess my life up & keep God from accomplishing HIS purpose for me!
God’s love is so great… so complete… so perfect that HE MAKES SURE that no one, anywhere, at any time… can short-circuit His plan for our life!
We ARE responsible to live in a manner that honors God. Yet when we blow it, that doesn’t disqualify us from God using us. No person can so mess your life up that God can’t/won’t use you!
CCL: God majors in salvation by redeeming messed up lives! (Peter’s Denial) Do you feel like others have messed up your life it is past being used by God? Trust me, God is bigger than they are! NO ONE can mess up the life of one God loves! Joseph in OT is an example!!
Still, we are called to turn from our sin, confess it to God, & come to Christ for salvation. Then the fullness of God’s love will become real!
MESSAGE NUMBER FOUR NOW FOLLOWS…
The Third Thing To Settle: God Is In Control (Ro 8:28; Dan 4:35; Is 46:9-10)
If there were just one message from this series I wanted my wife and kids to bury deep in their soul… THIS ONE IS IT! This truth has been that meaningful FOR ME. This truth about God is foremost providing me peace, comfort, & security.
So far the two truths about God have been: 1) God is Good, 2) God is love. What I believe as a result of those two truths are: 1) Nothing bad has ever happened to me… evil yes, bad no. 2) I can’t mess up my life, & neither can anyone else, past God using for His glory.
These truths about God are foundational to living the abundant life Jesus promised. It’s what we believe ABOUT GOD that determines how we handle all the events that come our way… good or bad.
The 3rd truth is a bedrock of my faith… my ultimate view of God… non-negotiable… I accept & believe it unconditionally… I don’t doubt it’s veracity… no matter what happens to or around me for the rest of my life (God give me the strength).
I believe this truth for three reasons: 1) It is in Scripture, 2) Experience, & 3) Observation.
The third truth is… God Is In Control. Completely… absolutely… definitively… 100% in control of everything that happens. There is nothing He does not rule over… direct… or oversee down to the least little minute detail.
B/C God is in control, I know there is a purpose to everything. As a result I am better able to banish worry & anxiety from my soul. This truth strikes to the very heart of my belief about God… His power… His strength… His rule… & absolute supremacy!
B/c I believe God is in control… I get out of the bed in the morning. If God weren’t in control, that’d mean all life’s events are random… OR Satan has a free hand. Either one is too scary for me!
God’s control over everything is intertwined w/ God is Good & God Is Love. B/C God is good & B/C God is love… the control He exerts is ultimately good B/C His motivation is ALWAYS loving! Consider passages from Proverbs. Proverbs 21:1…
The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.
16:1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
When some people come to this truth about God they make the mistake of falling into fatalism. That whatever is going to happen will happen & we have no choice. That is not the case. It’s not “God is in control & we’re robots.” No… our decisions AND God’s will work hand in hand.
God IS 100% sovereign… & man IS 100% responsible AT THE SAME TIME. It is not one OR the other… it is BOTH. I would be foolish… & contradicting Scripture… to say, believe, or think that I can by my decisions over-rule, stop, or prevent God’s will from taking place. God is not subject to man’s actions or decisions.
Everything God controls in our life is motivated by His love & goodness. Just as I exert control over my children for their good… God does so much more & perfectly! Just b/c we don’t u’stand does not invalidate this truth about God. STOP. Let me give you an example…
Did the Apostles think God was in control when Jesus was arrested, beaten, & falsely accused? When He was put on the cross & killed? No… at the time they didn’t! But later… Acts 4:27…
In this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod & Pontius Pilate, along w/ the Gentiles & the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever YOUR hand & YOUR plan had determined to take place.
God was in control the whole time… even though it didn’t seem like it! If that was true then, certainly it is true now… for us… according to the Scriptures we read earlier! Even when it seemed like those people were messing up Jesus’ life and the lives of the Apostles, they weren’t! Why? B/c God had a plan and purpose for Jesus’ death they could not see or u’stand at the time!!!
Think about Eph 3:20! “(God) is able to do exceeding & abundantly above all we ask or imagine according to the power at work in us…” There’s nothing God can’t do! Rest on this truth!
** Here is the hook that is based on God Is In Control: God only allows into my life what is ultimately good for me. ** 2 Timothy 2:7 ** (( P A U S E ))
I admit it’s hard to u’stand in the moment how events fit this truth. Some take years to begin u’standing. Some we won’t u’stand. Some will hurt even though we’ll u’stand better later. I can tell you this, If I personally didn’t believe God is in control, I’d be a basket case!
I refuse to let my emotions or human u’standing question truth about GOD. (Pause) Why will we question God, but not question our questions about God? Our emotions change like the weather. But God never changes. Who then should we trust… ourselves OR GOD?
The hook “God only allows into my life what is ultimately good for me,” springs as much from Scripture as the truth ABOUT God on which it is based. That is why Pr 3:5-6 is so meaningful!
Trust in the Lord w/ all your heart & do not lean on your own u’standing. In all your ways acknowledge Him & He will make your pathways straight.
Why trust God w/ all our heart? For one thing, God Is Good! His character is such that He only wills & allows what is ultimately good. Second, God Is Love! His character is such that His deep love is the motivating factor & controlling influence of His heart toward us. THAT is why we can trust Him w/ all our heart. Third, God Is In Control! Regardless of what it looks like to us or what we think, GOD IS controlling whatever we go thru! We are in His loving hand of mercy & care…
Why not lean on our own u’standing? B/c we’re not God & don’t know everything He knows. B/c our u’standing is flawed & incomplete. B/c we don’t see the end result yet. B/c we’re selfish. B/c we could become bitter… angry… resentful… & not reflect the Fruit of The Spirit. B/c not to trust the God that is good… loving… & in control is evidence of a rebellious heart. That’s why…
Now let me move to some practical suggestions and application…
First, BEFORE we’re tested we must settle what we believe about God. THAT determines & drives everything else in life… including how we u’stand & process it. Bury it into your soul!!
Second, Paul wrote something I believe is the fruit of believing God Is Good… God Is Love… & God Is In Control. This will encourage you! Please turn to 2 Cor 4:16…
So we don’t lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
It’s that “inner nature” that “is being renewed day by day” I want you to leave w/. That is what is open to every believer! I believe the renewing of our inner nature is helped by believing the truths about God. On earth there will be pain, hurt, tears, death, & separation. But did you notice the result… what GOD IS DOING… B/C He is in control?
He is… “Preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” Thru it all, God is getting us ready to experience HIM in all HIS fullness FOREVER. THAT is the definition of what heaven is! Since we don’t have a point of reference for that… we “trust God.” 1 Cor 2:9…
It is written, “…No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him…”
Invitation
The Fourth Thing To Settle: God Is Just (Ezra 9:15a)
Who is this message for? (Me) Together: Speak God, for I am listening…
In this series I’m asking you to process life events thru 7 truths about God. These truths will help you to “Rejoice in the Lord always…” If you reflect on the applications in light of 2 Tim 2:7… I believe you will be blessed. “Reflect upon these things…” REFLECTION is important!!
Put these truths about God in your life context. Take the situation you struggle to u’stand… that baffle you the most… hurts the deepest… & apply these truths about God. It is in those situations that these truths are most precious when applied to your own LIFE situations.
I believe this truth for three reasons: 1) It is in Scripture, 2) Experience, & 3) Observation. The fourth truth is: “God is Just.” These 7 truths stand or fall together. Here’s the way it sounds: B/C God is good… B/C God is love & in control… God is just (right) in all He does. (( TRANSITION ))
Definition. What does it mean that God is “just” or as some t’lations say, “righteous?” God’s justness or righteousness means His character causes His actions & decisions… to be perfect… right… moral… fair… honorable… & truthful… EVERY TIME. All of them fit that description.
THE WAY God brings about His will is perfect… beyond question… or discussion. THE WAY God works in our life (Events, situations) is ALWAYS the best way it could happen!
That means what God does is always perfect, right, & honorable. God never does anything in a way that can be doubted or considered wrong… EVER! Apply to our life contexts!!
If God weren’t just… He would no longer be God. God’s justice is always perfect. That is a settled conviction about God that I will never change, debate, or doubt… God give me the strength!
That doesn’t mean I’m never perplexed… that I don’t scratch my head… or I u’stand everything. Nor does it mean I have “blind faith” in God. My faith is very much the result of reason… experience… observation… in light of examining God’s truth!
Through my parent’s divorce… my brother’s death… loss of jobs… ending of r’ships… not being accepted… getting married… being called… having kids… being here… ALL are part of God’s perfect way of accomplishing in me what HE wants to accomplish. Same for you!! (( PAUSE ))
I have found that many people (Me included) tend to think when bad things happen that Satan is ravaging our lives. That he has free reign to do whatever he wants. People tend to say when life is tough, “Boy Satan is really after me right now!” BUT THAT MIGHT NOT BE TRUE!
I would prefer to believe first that God is in the process of doing something Himself in my life. That HE is working to bring about in me what He desires. Hebrews 12:4-11!
When Satan IS working against me or attacking… I have made a decision that it is not necessarily a bad thing!! I have decided that even in those times good things are in the works. I have decided that there are times when GOD uses Satan to accomplish HIS HOLY purposes! REFLECT!
The hook on which I hang my hat from God Is Just is this: “Satan can only do what God allows.” Further thought (Keller): God only allows Satan to do what accomplishes the opposite of what Satan intended to bring about. (PAUSE) Please turn to Job 1:8…
The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless & upright man, who fears God & turns away from evil?” 9 Satan answered the Lord & said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 Have you not put a hedge around him & his house & all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, & his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand & touch all that he has, & he will curse you to your face.” 12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.”
God mentioned Job first! Satan had tried to attack Job… but couldn’t (Hedge of protection). When God allowed (!) Satan into Job’s life… he was limited. God controlled… & controls Satan. Then & now, Satan can only do what God allows. Nothing more! Satan IS under God’s control!
Satan was allowed to take the lives of all 7 of Job’s children along w/ all his possessions AND Job’s health (Ch 2). But God prevented Satan from taking Job’s life. The whole time, God was in control… & stayed in control… from beginning to end. And what was the result??
Thousands of years later we’re still talking about Job. We’re reading about a man faithful to God in the face of severe trials… even though Job never found out the why of his trial on earth. Satan wanted God to be proved unworthy of worship… & the OPPOSITE HAPPENED!
Satan is just as limited by God today as in Job’s day. As it is written, “God will not allow you to be tested past that which you can handle…” (1 Cor 10:13b). That’s Biblical truth!
Application. Do you believe God? Our u’standing & feelings don’t matter… but what we believe about God does matter. So again… Do You Believe God? Do you believe He is just? Rather than ask, let me affirm… GOD IS JUST! BELIEVE HIM!
Are you in a tough time? Believe this… B/C God is good, loving, in control, & just… Satan can only do what GOD allows. And whatever that is, it will only accomplish the opposite of what Satan intends… YOUR CONFORMITY TO CHRIST (Which is your ultimate good!).
Rather than believing that Satan is destroying you… or your family… consider that God is USING Satan to accomplish a holy work in you that will make you more like Jesus… mature you in your faith… and bring glory to His name! See Satan as under God’s Complete Control!!!
Perspective makes all the difference in the world as to how we process what happens to us! Let this truth nourish your soul! Let it go down to the depths of your being & you’ll be blessed.
What we believe ABOUT GOD is the most important thing about us. If we put aside our feelings & believe God… we would be so much more healthy!
((Invitation))
The Fifth Thing To Settle… All God’s Ways Are Perfect! (Deut 32:1-4)
This series is titled, “Seven Things To Settle BEFORE All Hades Breaks Loose” for a reason. We don’t expect what will come into our life from one day to the next. So we must settle NOW what we believe b/c that ALONE can sustain & give us strength we need to reflect God’s love. Again… please listen… settle these things BEFORE all Hades breaks loose!! **(( P-A-U-S-E ))**
Here are the truths so far about God: 1) God is good, 2) God is love, 3) God is in control, 4) God is just. Today we add a fifth truth… All God’s Ways Are Perfect. ** Pause **
This truth is a hard b/c of all the heartache, trouble, & evil I see in the world… in the lives of people around me… in my own life… & sometimes from our own stupidity. Here’s my struggle…
I have a hard time w/ why God allows & sometimes puts us thru things. Why we are allowed to be wounded, hurt, & deeply disappointed. Why people we love experience hardship. Why it seems that evil runs rampant while faith fades. Why evil people prosper & C’ians suffer… & God allows all of it! Can you identify with those struggles?
To say “All God’s Ways Are Perfect” is a hard truth to affirm… or at least it is for me. The reason is b/c u’standing is virtually impossible. I struggle b/c I think u’standing what God is doing goes together w/ believing & trusting Him. (Pause) I heard an illustration I offer for consideration…
Elizabeth Elliot tells of how in Northern Wales Shepherds once a year submerge the sheep in an antiseptic bath. If sheep don’t go thru that they will be eaten alive by parasites & insects. The sheep have to be held under by the Shepherd in a traumatic event. She writes about a shepherd friend of hers (From a message by Tim Keller on Deut 6:4-23)…
One by one John seizes the animals. They struggle to climb out & Mack the Sheepdog snarls & snaps at their faces to force them back under. When they tried to climb up the ramp in panic, John would catch them & hold them… ears, eyes, & nose under for a few seconds. As their “lord & master” was pushing their head under… drowning them as far as they could tell… their panic filled eyes would look over the vat & it was easy to see what they were thinking… “What is ‘god’ doing?”
(Ms. Elliot had 2 husbands die before her 50s) She continues… “I’ve had some experiences in my life which have made me feel very sympathetic to the sheep. There were times I couldn’t figure out any reason for the treatment I was getting from my Great Shepherd… whom I trusted. And like these sheep I didn’t have a hint of an explanation.” (( BIG HUGE PAUSE ))
Think! The shepherd HAS to do that to the sheep… or else they’ll die! Yet there is no way the shepherd can give an explanation to comfort the sheep. So they either die or trust the shepherd w/out receiving an explanation. That’s b/c of the gap of intelligence btwn the shepherd & sheep.
Those are the same two choices we have b/c there’s a bigger gap btwn us & God than there is btwn the shepherd & sheep. We’re finite… God is INFINITE! Therefore we must trust God…
“All God’s Ways Are Perfect” means THE WAY God brings about His will IS the best way for His will to be brought about… which is conforming us to the image of Christ (Ro 8:29). Here’s how I apply this truth: “We can rejoice in every circumstance by keeping a heaven theology.” (PAUSE) That means that God is in the process of knocking out of our lives the things that aren’t like His son. He loves us so much He is driving sin from our lives! He’s getting us ready for heaven!!
I can’t figure it all out so by faith I believe God & trust Him completely in what He is doing. So I move quickly to the application b/c I can’t know the unknowable mind or ways of God.
God thru Christ has given us something IN THIS LIFE to ease our anxiety. It is a heaven theology. We are encouraged to let the reality of heaven drive & determine how we live THIS life!
Listen to a Scripture (Read & explain as you go)… Col 3:1…
Seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, & your life is hidden w/ Christ in God.
2 Cor 4:17 This slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 AS we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
1 Pet 1:3 According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope thru the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, & unfading, kept in heaven for you, 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise & glory & honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him & rejoice w/ joy that is inexpressible & filled w/ glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Let me remind you of the truth & application again. The truth about God is… “All God’s Ways Are Perfect.” The application is… “I can rejoice in every circumstance by keeping a heaven theology.” Now let’s work that out for the balance of our time…
Let’s say you lose your dream: The happy marriage you envisioned, didn’t happen. The perfect family you hoped for disintegrates. The successful career you planned for never materialized. The children you pray for daily stray from God. The worst tragedy imaginable happens to you.
In the midst of those things you can know God has something better for you b/c of Eph 3:20, “God is able to do exceeding & abundantly above all we ask or imagine.” BELIEVE GOD.
You can rejoice & praise God even though you are living thru a nightmare. How? By focusing on what God is doing… even though you u’stand less of what God is doing than the sheep did as the shepherd plunged them into the antiseptic. He Is Getting You Ready For Heaven! Rejoice b/c…
1st… This life is short & all that happens is less real that where you’ll spend eternity! You ARE ALREADY seated w/ Christ in glory (Eph 2:6). You can rejoice in that!!
2nd… God has reserved a place great of honor for you in heaven. You can rejoice in that!!
3rd… God has promised never to leave or forsake you (Heb 13:5)! You can rejoice!!
4th… Nothing that can separate you from the love of God in Christ (Ro 8:39). Rejoice!!
5th… Everything that happens increases your joy in heaven (2 Cor 4:17)! Rejoice!!
6th… Jesus is preparing your place in heaven… & he will come one day take you there… & nothing can prevent that from happening (Jn 14:3)! So you can rejoice!
7th… God loves you too much to not make sure you become more like Jesus for His glory (Ro 8:28-29). You can rejoice! (PAUSE) WE can rejoice… IF we have a heaven theology!
All 7 of those things point us to heaven. Heaven is where the our citizenship is, not on this earth. One day this earth will be cleansed by fire & God will have us re-inhabit it when it is restored to it’s original creation.
So let’s focus our heart, mind, & soul where we’ll spend eternity. Listen to Rev 21:1…
Then I saw a new heaven & a new earth, for the first heaven & the first earth had passed away, & the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is w/ man. He will dwell w/ them, & they will be his people, & God himself will be w/ them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, & death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
Rev 22:1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God & of the Lamb 2 thru the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life w/ its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God & of the Lamb will be in it, & his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, & his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, & they will reign forever & ever (& ever & ever & ever & ever….)
Let’s believe God… let’s get our mind & hearts focused on God’s reality. THEN we won’t be destroyed when our dreams are lost… b/c heaven isn’t a dream. We won’t be devastated when our hopes are dashed… b/c Jesus is coming back to take us to be w/ Him in heaven! It WILL happen!
Jesus died & was resurrected for this reason… to glorify God BY saving sinners. Hold this life loosely by clinging to Jesus and His truth!
((Invitation))
The Sixth Thing To Settle… God Is Trustworthy! (Ps 62:8 & Is 42:3)
We’re coming to the last few messages in the series, “Seven Things To Settle Before All Hades Breaks Loose.” We’ve been examining Seven Truths About God that lead to Hooks On Which We Can Hang Our Hat. Consider these messages as a whole unit, part of ONE continuous thought.
These things have sustained me for decades. Like you, I have deep wounds & ugly scars from my past. Yet it is b/c of these events that God’s love & mercy are more real to me every day. My desire is for you to grow in your love & trust of God! (T’sition)
The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbs is based on Is 42:3 where it is written about the Messiah… “A bruised reed He will not break, & a faintly burning wick He will not quench…”
That means God’s love for us is so powerful… overwhelming… pervasive & complete that His protection in life’s storms is absolute. He WILL NOT allow anything… anyone… or any situation to put us beyond His ability to use… NOR will His love for us ever change.
You can’t do anything to make God love you more or less than He does right now!
Whatever you go thru remember… God loves you! B/c God loves you, He will be good to you. B/c of God’s love & goodness… He’s in control. B/c of God’s love, goodness, & control… the way He works in our life is always best for us… b/c He’s getting us ready for heaven. (Synopsis of series).
The truth is God Is Trustworthy OR God Can Be Trusted! The application is, “This truth gives me great hope & peace.”
God’s Trustworthiness means He is reliable, dependable, truthful, & honest. He does what He say He will do. What God has promised, He will carry out. He will complete it. He never goes back on His Word. No matter what our experiences are or our emotions tell us. * Pause *
I chose Ps 62:8 & Is 42:3 for a reason. Listen to them again…
Trust in Him at all times… pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.
A bruised reed He will not break, & a faintly burning wick He will not quench…
I LOVE the hope & encouragement of those verses! We can flee to God when we are scared & afraid b/c our God is tender, loving, & compassionate. OUR God is the one who created the universe & holds the whole world in His hands and HE LOVES US!! Can you imagine that?!
To consider the promises God has given, I’m going to ask you to turn to a few passages… I hope you don’t mind. First please turn to Phil 4:6 (Explain as you read)…
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer & supplication w/ thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all u’standing, will guard your hearts & your minds in Christ Jesus. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
How’s that for a promise of encouragement? How’s that for a word of hope?
Now please turn to Hebrews 13:5…
Keep your life free from love of money, & be content w/ what you have, for He (God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit) has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
That’s a GREAT PROMISE! (Pause) And then we can’t forget John 14:2-3…
In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go & prepare a place for you, I will come again & will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
Those are awesome promises! Those are open to all people. They give everyone who believes in Christ hope, help, & strength. We can take comfort in our Great God!
God has not promised us a long life or health. That our children will outlive us. A raise each year. That our prayers will be answered the way we want or life be easy. That our spouse will stay w/ us till death, or all our family will be saved. We’re not promised our kids will make wise decisions, get a good education, marry well, get a good job, & then have good healthy kids themselves. (Pause)
We’re making a mistake if we tie our belief about God, or our joy in life, to what we WANT versus what God has promised. All the things we WANT are bound to this world… which one day will be burned up in a mighty fire (2 Peter 3:10-13). * Transition *
Has your life been tough? Have you had heartache? Heartbreak? Disappointment? Have you done things that you believe have totally messed your life up? Then consider that God used these people IN SPITE OF their failure… b/c He promised to do just that!
Abraham (Liar), Friend of God & Father of faith. Joseph (Spoiled brat), elevated to vice-Pharaoh to save the Hebrew nation & ultimately provide our salvation. David (Adulterer & Murderer), wrote the Psalms. Peter (denied & cursed Christ), was the leader of the early church. PAUSE
Those examples tell us that neither sin, failure, the mistakes we make NOR the things people do to us can invalidate God’s will to carry out what He has promised! He’s promised to: Use us for His glory… Bless us w/ heavenly blessings… Never leave us… & Bring us to Him one day.
Like you, I know what it’s like to have sleepless nights w/ your spirit in turmoil. To plead for God’s deliverance & think it will never come. I know fear, worry, & deep hurt… JUST LIKE YOU!
In spite of all that, I choose to believe the truths about God over the things of this life. I choose not to tie my joy, self worth, contentment, or peace to anything worldly b/c it all can be lost.
I choose to believe God (The Seven Truths). I choose to set my heart, soul, & spirit on heaven… where I’ll live forever. I choose to believe what God says is true about me… when He proved His love by sending His Son to die on the cross.
Compared to God’s love, this life is nothing. It’s empty. It’ll soon pass. But my eternity w/ God is forever & more real than this moment is! Thus we can rejoice & praise Him NO MATTER WHAT!
Listen to a passage written just before an army invaded Israel. It begins in Hab 3:16…
I hear, & my body trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters into my bones; my legs tremble beneath me… {Ever been there? Ever been that afraid?} 17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail & the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold & there be no herd in the stalls, 18 YET I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 19 God, the Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like the deer’s; He makes me tread on my high places.
My call from God… if I accomplish this, I’ll be successful… is to encourage you by pointing you to God & help you grow in Christ. I’m to bring you the bread of life… pointing you away from this life… this world… & this age to The One who spans the ages… JESUS!
If you don’t know Christ… oh won’t you please come to him today? Won’t you please turn from your sin & to The One who loves you more than you have any hope of understanding? Won’t you please trust God now… regardless of what you may feel… b/c His truth is supreme!
((Invitation))
The 7th Thing To Settle: God Does Not Change (Malachi 3:6a)
This is the last of the seven truths about God. We have one more message after this.
What if someone stated they wanted to get to know you but said, “I’m going to think of you as a brain surgeon & concert violinist with a volatile temper who drinks excessively, has horrible language, & a serious gambling problem?” (Pause)
They don’t want to get to know us, they want us to be who THEY want us to be. We would probably correct their false opinion of us… and do so passionately. ** TRANSITION **
Would you agree that what God says about Himself is significant? That is the reason I quoted GOD from Malachi 3:6, “For I The Lord do not change…” ** I LOVE this truth about God!! **
7th Truth: God Does Not Change. Application: My salvation & faith in God cannot be lost.
There is a God who is & the God we want Him to be… and the two are different. We don’t have the right to determine God’s nature, character, or attributes. When Moses asked God His name, God replied: “I AM.” The point was: “I AM GOD… enough said!”
The theological term for the unchangeableness of God is Immutability…
Change is unsettling… by nature we don’t like it because change threatens our security. The more familiar something is, the more comfortable we are. Change & uncertainty scares us…
Yet change surrounds us. Governments change. Times change. Society changes. Tech changes!
We change (Mirror). Our moods, wants, & desires change often. One gender says it’s their prerogative to change their mind. It’s because of unexpected change, our life takes surprising turns.
People change. They go from happy to sad… sad to happy… kind to mean… mean to kind (Good!)… patient to impatient… from rich to poor… driven to lazy. No one stays the same. And then ultimately all human r’ships eventually change because death is something we can’t escape.
Only ONE person never changes… GOD. Ps 102:25…
Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, & the heavens are the work of Your hands. 26 They will perish, but You will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, & they will pass away, 27 but You are the same, & Your years have no end.
The weather changes… constantly. The universe of stars & planets will change. Rivers & mountains will change. God never changes. That is vital to our understanding! If God EVER changed… He would cease to be God! If God ceased to be God, our salvation would be lost! (Pause) Ps 33:11…
The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.
Think about this, if God could change… that would mean he could change His mind. If He could change His mind about anything, He could change His mind about everything. That would include His love toward us… Jesus as the way of salvation… His plan of redemption… His attitude of mercy & grace… Who He would allow into heaven. If God could change… our faith & the hope we have for eternity w/ Him is completely lost. Num 23:19…
God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind.
If God could change… IF He could change His mind… that’d mean we’d be incapable of knowing Him. He could choose to have the Koran as His Word one day… & the writings of Confucius the next day… & the thoughts of Joseph Smith the next. Confusion about God would reign.
We could then no longer trust God… because He was always changing. We couldn’t say with certainty that what we believe about God today meant anything… because He might be different tomorrow! PAUSE The most important reason we CAN trust God is because we know He will NOT change!
God’s immutability provides THE most basic thing we need… to know we’re loved. KNOWING we are loved unconditionally results in SECURITY, PEACE, & ultimately JOY. Ja 1:17…
Every good gift & every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Jesus said, “If you being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, HOW MUCH MORE will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him?” (Mt 7:11). I believe Jesus!
Because of all the truths about God… I believe that everything that happens in the life of a believer is ultimately good… because God is good… because God loves us.
How many have ever prayed, “God bless us” in some fashion or another? (Hands?) Looks like a lot of us. Now consider this…
Would we rather have the blessings WE want or the ones God KNOWS are better for us? Who knows what the better, greater, and/or BEST blessing are… us or God? From my perspective, a few years of experience, & a little reflection I can tell you whatever (!) God determines is best IS BEST!
Why would we choose to eat a 3 day old spam sandwich on stale bread when we can have prime rib? Why would we choose to play in the back yard & make mud pies when we can go to the finest most elegant resort in the world? Why would we choose what we want over what GOD can give us?
This series… “Seven Things To Settle Before All Hades Breaks Loose” has been about God. It has focused on seven truths about God. From the beginning of this series I’ve shared the things that over the last 31 years have given me peace… assurance… security… & the ability to be joyful & worship God WHILE IN the storms of life.
I believe the truth & validity of these bedrock beliefs more today than I did when we began 7 weeks ago. The reason is because each week… each day… each hour… & each minute that passes, God affirms that He IS good… He IS love… IS in control… IS Just… All His ways ARE perfect… that He CAN be trusted… and He does NOT change. Those truths bring comfort to my soul!
The application of God Does Not Change is, “My salvation & faith in God cannot be lost.”
B/c God Does Not Change, I cannot lose my salvation. God will never allow one to be lost that He has set His love upon. God will never allow one to be punished for sin that has been forgiven. God will never allow one fall away that He has decided to seat beside His son to rule in heaven! God’s love for me cannot & will not ever change!!
According to Heb 6:4, IF a person COULD lose their salvation, they can never be saved again! Biblically it is impossible to be saved… lose your salvation… & then be saved again.
Because God Does Not Change, We cannot lose our faith in God. God knows we are but dust… He knows we are all bruised reeds (Is 42:3)… He knows our life is a vapor, that we are flesh & weak. So He knows how to keep us from falling away (Jude 24). He knows what to do or allow so our faith is not destroyed thru adversity… but rather STRENGTHENED BY IT! THEN…
One day… because God doesn’t change… because we can’t lose our salvation… because we cannot lose our faith… we will BE changed, in a moment, the twinkling of an eye. Listen to 1 Cor 15:51-55…
Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, & the dead will be raised imperishable, & we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, & this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, & the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying…: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
We need to change! To abandon sin & be saved. To become more like Christ. B/c God doesn’t change… WE CAN BE CHANGED! B/c God doesn’t change… we all will BE changed!
Once in heaven, there all change of all kinds ceases… Rev 21:5, “And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.’” There our transformation will finally be completed!
Invitation…
Conclusion: Seven Truths About God In The Context Of The Cross (Gal 2:20)
Since we began this series, a new president has been elected… the economy has hit hard times… & tragedy has come close to MBC. The sober truth is we don’t know what will happen to any of us by this time next year or even this coming week.
That is the reason I titled this series, “Seven Things To Nail Down Before All Hades Breaks Loose.” The “Seven Things” have to do w/ God’s attributes & character. Then there are personal applications I have shared called, “Hooks on which I hang my hat.” Tonight is the last in the series…
I believe w/ all my heart that we MUST settle what we believe about God BEFORE things happen that rattle us to our core… otherwise we will be devastated & confused about life & God.
In Phil 1:27 it is written… “Whatever happens, conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.” We could say, “Whatever happens, conduct yourself in a manner worthy of THE CROSS.” Those are essentially identical statements…
Tonight I want to take the truths & put them in context of the cross. How Jesus’ beliefs about The Father sustained Him thru more difficult times than any of us will ever know. First let’s remember some things about Jesus…
Jesus is God. He had the power to do all things. He could’ve destroyed his enemies. He could’ve chosen to not be abused, & beaten. He could’ve called 10,000 angels to deliver Him. He could’ve stopped His crucifixion. He could’ve come off the cross. But He didn’t!
Jesus was sinless. If any person ever did NOT deserve hardship, adversity, injustice, & wrongs inflicted… it was Jesus. (Aside: Adversity isn’t always punishment!)
Jesus was 100% man & experienced every temptation. Jesus was not immune to the emotional, spiritual, physical, & psychological struggles we have. Jesus walked in OUR shoes! Heb 4:15…
Jesus submitted to His Father. In the garden… When betrayed. When arrested. And He submitted while on the cross when God crushed Him to powder….
The 7 Truths: 1) God is love. 2) God is good. 3) God is in Control. 4) God is Just. 5) All God’s ways are perfect. 6) God is trustworthy. 7) God does not change.
With those in mind… consider events in Jesus’ life that would’ve been difficult to handle had He not believed these truths about God His Father… (See blog for texts… or I’ll give them after church).
His family thought he was crazy (Mk 3:20-21) & didn’t believe in Him (Jn 7:5). He was accused of being illegitimate (Jn 8:19, 41). Laughed at & made fun of (Mt 9:24). Misunderstood (Mt 16:11; Mk 9:32). Homeless (Mt 8:20). Run out of town (Lk 4:29). People tried to kill Him (Lk 4:28-30). The religious leaders ultimately succeeded in taking His life (Mt 26:3-4).
Betrayed by a friend (Jn 13:21-27)… abandoned by everyone (Mk 14:50)… & cursed by 1 of his 3 best friends (Mk 14:71). Sentenced to death based on lies (Mt 26:59). Beaten to the point of not being recognizable (Is 52:14). Hung naked on the cross (Mt 27:32-50). When He cried to God, He was ignored (Mk 15:34-39). Upon death, He was so poor He was buried in a borrowed tomb (Lk 23:50-53).
All those things (Which isn’t everything) happened in just 3 short years. YET…
Jesus never complained. He never performed a miracle for Himself. He never attacked anyone. He never took revenge. He never shook His fist at God. He never doubted God. Consider 1 Peter 2:20-24…
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
Instead… He loved those who hated Him. He helped others by healing, feeding, & casting out demons. He showed mercy & grace to all… no matter who they were. He never turned anyone away. Even as he was dying on the cross, He asked God to forgive those who were killing him… (BIG PAUSE)
Now keep in mind… Jesus WAS INNOCENT! He didn’t deserve ANY of the harsh treatment he received! If anyone was ever done an injustice… IT WAS CHRIST!
So how could He not complain… resent God… or worry… but BE gracious, loving, forgiving, & merciful to all people w/ those things piled upon Him? How could He… during life’s greatest storm… worship God knowing He would be betrayed, arrested, falsely convicted, beaten, & murdered?
And is there some way WE can be like Him? ** PAUSE **
Jesus didn’t suffer so that we wouldn’t suffer… but so that when we suffer we would be like Him! (REPEAT) Jesus died SO THAT we would become & be like Him… for God’s glory!
When you read the Gospels you will find that opposition, hardship, trials, & difficulty followed Jesus everywhere. Someone was always trying to trip him up… trap him… were testing & opposing him.
But while everyone around him was upset… angry… fearful… or hostile… He was calm. He lived in the EYE of a hurricane… but was never rattled by the storm around Him! * T’sition *
The goal of this series is for help when in storms. The goal of this message is to put the Truths About God in the context of the cross. It was B/C Jesus KNEW His Father that He was who He was IN THE MIDST OF the harshest adversity anyone ever has… or ever will face!
Jesus knew God was perfectly loving. Jesus knew God was absolutely good. Jesus knew God was always in control. Jesus knew God was supremely just. Jesus knew all God’s ways were perfect. Jesus knew God could be trusted completely. Jesus knew God would never change. (7 Truths)
B/c He knew those things about God, his family thinking he was crazy didn’t upset him… being laughed at didn’t bother him… being falsely accused didn’t rattle him… being misunderstood didn’t make him angry… being homeless didn’t depress him… people trying to kill him didn’t scare him… being run out of town didn’t confuse him… & he accepted his crucifixion in obedience to God.
So he worshipped after the meal. So he could pray in the Garden. So he didn’t panic when 600 soldiers arrested Him or fall apart when all turned their back on Him. So he didn’t have angels kill those who beat… mock… spit upon… & abused him. He trusted God implicitly!
Thus he prayed on the cross… “Father forgive them!” THAT is why he forgave the thief! THAT is why he made sure his mother was taken care of! The truths are why He trusted God… even when His excruciating request was ignored… “My God, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?!”
Jesus conducted himself the way He did… in the storm… BECAUSE He KNEW God. Because He loved God. Because He loved me. Because He loved you. Because He wanted US to be WITH HIM forever… (Pause)…
Now to answer the question… How can WE can be like Him? Consider Gal 2:20…
I have been crucified w/ Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me & gave Himself for me.
When it comes to living the C’ian life… oddly enough… there’s nothing you DO to be more like Jesus. It is a work of God that happens naturally b/c His Spirit IS IN US! Look at the text…
THIS is a supernatural miracle! Inside every C’ian, CHRIST HIMSELF lives. HE lives THRU the believer. HE produces the fruit of the Spirit naturally! As is written in 1 John 5:3…
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. (They aren’t things a person doesn’t want to do…)
Think of it this way… have you ever seen an apple tree strain to produce apples? WHY? It’s what they’re supposed to produce. It happens naturally! It doesn’t take work or effort for an apple tree to produce apples!
Jesus lives IN & THRU believers! They WANT to worship! They WANT to read Scripture! They WANT to evangelize! They WANT to follow Christ! They ARE at peace in life’s storms B/C of Christ! And it all happens naturally B/C Jesus produces those things IN the believer!!
As Jesus said in John 4:14… (Comment While Reading)
Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
I close with Mt 11:28… (Please turn to this passage!)
Come to Me, all who labor & are heavy laden, & I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you, & learn from Me, for I am gentle & lowly in heart, & you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy, & My burden is light.
You want to know how to keep your head when all about you are losing theirs? You want to know how to have joy in the midst of life’s storms? You want to know the peace that surpasses all comprehension? You want to find rest for your soul? ** P-A-U-S-E **
COME TO JESUS! Surrender your life completely to Him. Confess your sin. That’s how.
He WILL give you rest…
