God Always Works (2)
Rend the Heavens (FBC) • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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God Always Works
Isaiah 63:7-14
INTRODUCTION
ILL- After Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Many Jews believe. But some go back and tell the Pharisees what had happened.
Pharisees determine at that moment that Jesus would have to be stopped.
Great revival- Leads to the celebration of the Triumphal Entry. Also leads to the cross.
Those that see God working and those who miss God working.
Henry Blackaby in Experiencing God says “God is always at work around us”.
But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”
In Isaiah 63- God’s people are in exile in Assyria. Their new world did not make sense. Why would God allow this to happen?
I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely.” And he became their Savior.
In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them.
Then he remembered the days of old, of Moses and his people. Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is he who put in the midst of them his Holy Spirit,
who caused his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to make for himself an everlasting name,
who led them through the depths? Like a horse in the desert, they did not stumble.
Like livestock that go down into the valley, the Spirit of the Lord gave them rest. So you led your people, to make for yourself a glorious name.
When the world around us is spinning out of control...
Two Circumstances to Recognize During Hard Times
Two Circumstances to Recognize During Hard Times
1. Recognize When God is Working (7)
1. Recognize When God is Working (7)
I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
If God is always working around us, we need to open our eyes to see it.
God's gifts come from love/goodness/compassion
Steadfast love= Hesed = loyalty to his promises.- he does his part.
God's blessing to Israel came from the promise he made to Abraham.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who spread out the earth above the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever;
the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever;
the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever;
Any problems with our relationship with him is our doing, not his.
"according to all that the Lord has granted us"= remember details of each situation.
Daily food.
large miracles
What were they going through currently? - they lost everything.
Your holy people held possession for a little while; our adversaries have trampled down your sanctuary.
We have become like those over whom you have never ruled, like those who are not called by your name.
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.
God's history is that of fixing our biggest failures (8-9)
For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely.” And he became their Savior.
In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
3 Descriptions of God working in Old Testament- terms used in the New Testament.
Savior- not political- spiritual savior- saves us from hell.
Redeemer- he pays the price for our sins.
Carrier (Encourager/Empower-er)- helps us through difficult days.
2. Recognize When you Do Not See God Working (10-14)
2. Recognize When you Do Not See God Working (10-14)
But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them.
Rebelled (10)
The Reason God was missing= Rebellion
Our rebellion grieves the Holy Spirit. - It hurts him because he loves us.
When our children rebel it affects us- it hurts.
Realize God is missing (11)
Then he remembered the days of old, of Moses and his people. Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is he who put in the midst of them his Holy Spirit,
"Then he remembered"(ESV)- most translations translate it "Then his people remembered"
Second part of this verse is speaking of what the people realized. - God was missing.
Why do they know God is missing? - Because of what it was like when he was present. (11-13)
Then he remembered the days of old, of Moses and his people. Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is he who put in the midst of them his Holy Spirit,
who caused his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to make for himself an everlasting name,
who led them through the depths? Like a horse in the desert, they did not stumble.
Walk through Moses’ leading with God’s miracles.
10 Plagues - last was Passover- death of firstborn.
Crossing of Red Sea
Mt. Sinai
(Joshua) Jericho
ILL- Youth Prayer meeting leading to a revival service at Vamoosa Baptist Church.
Preaching on Mountain in Malawi.
Thursday nights at Falls Creek
3 Amazing Adoption Days
When God is present in our life, God is glorified.
We are reflections of him.
People need to see Christ, not us.
If people are seeing you, then you are not allowing God to be present in your life.
God is not something you put in your pocket that you pull out when you need it.
God is working all the time.
He isn’t just working when we decide to pull him out
He is always working- find where he is working and join in.
When God is present, it is obvious to everyone, all the time.
CONCLUSION
Today- do you see God working?
Are you missing God working?
How is God working in your life?
How is God working in your life?
Our separation from God is because of sin?
Have you accepted the gift of Jesus which reconciles us with God.
