GOD IS STRONG AND IN CONTROL Series: God & Me April 15, 2012 Mike Newman, Senior Pastor April 7 & 8, 2012... God and Me April 15, 2012... God is Strong and in Control April 22, 2012... God Wants What is Best for You April 29, 2012... God is Merciful and Forgiving May 6, 2012... God is Holy, Righteous, and Judge Colossians 1:15 16 (NLT) 15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, 16for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can t see such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. Hebrews 1:3 (NLT) 3 The Son radiates God s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. Matthew 8:1 3 (NLT) 1 Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. 2 Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. Lord, the man said, if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean. 3 Jesus reached out and touched him. I am willing, he said. Be healed! And instantly the leprosy disappeared. John 3:16 21 (NLT) 16 For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. 18 There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God s one and only Son. 19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants. Exodus 20:1 6 (NLT) 1 Then God gave the people all these instructions: 2 I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. 3 You must not have any other god but me. 4 You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 6 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. Theologians have two words that describe what we are going to talk about today. They are... God is God is Three Biblical Truths: 1) Nothing in all of creation is than God. See Colossians 1:15-16, Hebrews 1:3, Luke 1:37, Matthew 8:1-3 Everything and everyone answers to God. 2) God loves mankind so much that He chooses to to make our own decisions. See John 3:16-21 3) We experience the consequences of a world because of the sinfulness of mankind. It is not possible to fully understand God s control and power as it relates to everything that happens in our lives. At some point, we have to choose to believe that God is powerful and in control even if we have doubts.
Matthew 10:37 39 (NLT) 37 If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. 38 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. 39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. 2 Peter 3:8 (NLT) 8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. Romans 8:28 (NLT) 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Genesis 50:19 20 (NLT) 19 But Joseph replied, Don t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. Psalm 46:1 (NLT) 1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalm 91:1 2 (NLT) 1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. Matthew 11:28 30 (NLT) 28 Then Jesus said, Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light. Psalm 37:5 (NLT) 5 Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 28:7 (NLT) 7 The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Five truths that help us have the right perspective: 1) We need to remember that everything that happens is than it is about us or anyone else. See Exodus 20:1-6 and Matthew 10:37-39 God is always big picture! Sometimes we will suffer and experience heartache in our lives for God s greater purposes. 2) God s timing is from our timing. See 2 Peter 3:8 3) God promises to for our good and His good. See Romans 8:28 and Genesis 50:19-20 Look at the Biblical account of Joseph s life in Genesis 30-50 for a great example of this truth Sometimes we won t see the good in our life time. 4) God s control in our lives is often experienced more by the He gives when we face challenges than it is with Him preventing or removing challenges. See Psalm 46:1, Psalm 91:1-2, Matthew 11:28-30 For more information about what it means to become a follower of Jesus or what to do after you make a decision to follow Jesus, stop at Guest Central in the lobby following the service today or contact the church office at 717.762.7147 to set up an appointment. You may also learn more about what it means to follow Jesus and/or request materials and find additional information to help you on your spiritual journey by clicking Jesus on our website at www.otterbeinchurch.org Will you run to God or away from God when life is challenging and doesn t make sense? 5) God wants us to and live with His power. See Psalm 91:2, Psalm 37:5, Psalm 28:7 Will you trust God with your life?
God is Omnipotent God is Sovereign
1) Nothing in all of creation is greater or more powerful than God.
Everything and everyone answers to God.
2) God loves mankind so much that He chooses to give us a free will to make our own decisions.
3) We experience the consequences of a broken and fallen world because of the sinfulness of mankind.
It is not possible to fully understand God s control and power as it relates to everything that happens in our lives.
At some point, we have to choose to believe that God is powerful and in control even if we have doubts.
1) We need to remember that everything that happens is more about God than it is about us or anyone else.
God is always big picture!
Sometimes we will suffer and experience heartache in our lives for God s greater purposes.
2) God s timing is very different from our timing.
3) God promises to redeem all things for our good and His good.
Sometimes we won t see the good in our life time.
4) God s control in our lives is often experienced more by the strength and help He gives than it is with Him preventing or removing challenges.
Will you run to God or away from God when life is challenging and doesn t make sense?
5) God wants us to trust His plan and live with His power.
Will you trust God with your life?