God's Word Makes Things Happen (Pt. 2)

Intro

Who is having fun at camp so far, as we wind up day 2?

What has been the best part?… Chapels? The speaker?

This morning I had you do an excercise:

Write down a time when God actively worked in your life (made something happen)

Write down something you would like for God to make happen (prayer request)

When we talk about God’s Word being powerful enough to make things happen, it means God gets to take the initiative

Not to put down your lists; you are invited to ask and see God work

But God has already made TONS of promises to you in His Word; promises that He intends to keep

Remember the opening of Ezra; God had FIRST declared to bring Israel home, and then He followed through

We need to take a closer look at the nature of God’s promises in the Bible

Pray

When God Speaks, Take it to the Bank

People make promises and guarantees all the time

Mark Messier famously guaranteed the NYR would win Game 6 of the ‘94 ECF -> Stanley Cup

Maaaaany more guarantees that have NOT come to pass. He was lucky

Has anyone ever made a promise to you that they broke?

Keep a secret, pay you back, always be your best friend, etc.

More uncomfortable: Have you ever made a promise to someone that you broke?

Told your parents you would be home by curfew; told God you would quit a sinful habit in your life, etc.

Reveal missing my breakfast meeting with Roger… twice!

The promises that God makes are different because He alone is LOVING enough and POWERFUL enough to truly keep His word

God is loving enough (Cf. Joel 2:13)

Steadfast love = loyal love

Like the water wearing down the Grand Canyon

We are imperfect in our promises because we are imperfect in our love

God has no such limitations

God is powerful enough (Cf. Jeremiah 32:17)

Sovereignty = Ability to rule over Creation; all powerful to make things happen (as we learned)

There is nothing that happens that is outside of God’s sovereignty

We are imperfect in our promises because we lack the strength to control what happens

God has no such limitations

Share about being an RA at Prov; Mark bailing; me praying, and Nate using the EXACT SAME PHRASE that I had prayed before

Peace is found between the pillars of God’s love and God’s power

Expand on this illustration, using props on either side

Do you trust that God loves you?

Outline the “proof” of God’s love = Jesus on the cross

Do you trust that God is powerful enough?

Not just powerful, but chooses to use that power in the small things in your life?

Talk about my Mom being a “Holy Spirit” shopper

What Promise Do You Need to Happen?

What promise do you need to happen from God’s Word today? (Expound on each point and get volunteers to read out each passage)

Feeling afraid?

Cf. Isaiah 41:10 “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Feeling uncertain of what to do after highschool?

Cf. Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”

Feeling exhausted and burnt out from the many pressures in your life?

Cf. Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Struggling with mental health?

Cf. Philippians 4:6–9 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Don’t know where you stand before God?

Cf. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

So God’s Word is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path, because it is living and active

Full of promises that God is more than capable of keeping to you because of His unconditional love and unsurpassing power

So open up the Bible and read; I dare you