Confessions Of A Recovering Control Freak
Trusting The LORD With Everything • Sermon • Submitted
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· 16 viewsWe are not in control, only the LORD God is in control of everything
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
“Confessions of a Control Freak” by Priscilla Knox Morris
Perhaps you’re honestly asking yourself, “How do I know if I’m a control freak?” Here are some recognizable signs:
nagging others
trying to orchestrate outcomes
butting into others’ affairs
worrying about things beyond your control
feeling anxiety about the future
never feeling peaceful
needing everything to be in perfect order
You know them. You avoid them:
the mother who watches her child’s every move
the friend who tries to orchestrate a situation to his or her benefit
the husband who wants to monitor his wife’s comings and goings
someone who wants to make all the decisions at the office with no input from others
the one who deliberately joins the committee in order to run the show
the acquaintance who continually gives unsolicited advice
Quotes from “Confessions of a Control Freak” by Priscilla Knox Morris:
Daily I am faced with the limits of what I can and cannot control, and I have come to not only accept God’s sovereignty over the events of my life, but to rest in it. Otherwise I would be frustrated at every turn.
Growing old is an exercise in losing control bit by bit. It’s the opposite of growing up, isn’t it? As a growing child you gradually gain more and more control of your life. With aging you lose control, and you lose big time.
As we get older, we have to depend on others more and we loose more and more control of our lives
Even if you yourself are not a control freak, you will someday be faced with yielding whatever control over your life you now have. The psalmist reminds us of this when he asks: “What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave?” (). Why would God want us to wind down this way? Why not call us home when we’ve reached our peak?
Perhaps our peak is not His peak. Perhaps His goal for us is that last casting of ourselves on Him, resourceless, spent, needy, willing to ask for help, and willing to accept it.
I think aging is another way our heavenly Father helps us to become like children.
As we lose our ability to influence the events around us, take care of ourselves, and even think clearly, we cling more and more tightly to the control of our own destiny.
“Miriam will learn many things in the life ahead of her, not the least of which is the fact that much of life is out of our control and cannot be so easily fixed.”
Now in the later chapters of life, Solomon recognizes that he is losing more and more control. Solomon seed his life slipping away and he can do nothing about it. Then Solomon acknowledges that everything is in God’s hands.
Transition To Body
Transition To Body
King Solomon coming to the realization that he is not really in control. Verses 1-4 offer the context of a king being in control. Solomon was not even in control of the transition from him being on the throne to his son Rehoboam being on the throne
Body
Body
Life Experience Reveals It’s Uncontrollability(vv1-9)
Life Experience Reveals It’s Uncontrollability(vv1-9)
Uncontrollability of the king (vv2-5)
Uncontrollability of the king (vv2-5)
Someone else who is greater and higher up is in control
Uncontrollability of the future(vv6-7)
Uncontrollability of the future(vv6-7)
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Uncontrollability of death (v8)
Uncontrollability of death (v8)
No power (ultimate control) to restrain God from taking back what belongs to him- Our Spirit
No power to control the day of our death
Uncontrollability of human power (v9)
Uncontrollability of human power (v9)
Life Experience Reveals It’s Unfairness (vv10-15)
Life Experience Reveals It’s Unfairness (vv10-15)
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Evil Runs Rampant Because Justice is slow
Evil Runs Rampant Because Justice is slow
Evil appears To Have The Upperhand
Evil appears To Have The Upperhand
But God’s Time Will Prevail
But God’s Time Will Prevail
Injustice Happens To The Just
Injustice Happens To The Just
So Enjoy God’s Gift Of Life (v15)
So Enjoy God’s Gift Of Life (v15)
And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.
commend joy = sing praises, laud
Don’t live your life in bitterness
Life Experience Reveals Our Finiteness (vv16-17)
Life Experience Reveals Our Finiteness (vv16-17)
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Transition To Gospel Message- It’s In God’s Hands
Transition To Gospel Message- It’s In God’s Hands
The LORD God who is in control of everything:
The LORD God Creator-
The LORD God Deliverer- Egypt
But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him.
The LORD God Provider- wilderness
The LORD God Promise Keeper- promise land
The LORD God even when we in exile- apart from Him
The LORD God who is in control of everything
The LORD God redeemer and savior
The LORD God justifier
The LORD God sanctifier
The LORD God glorifier
The LORD God Emmanuel- With is
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Matthew 6:
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Colossians
The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.”
The LORD God Creator-
1 Samual
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
The LORD God Deliverer- Egypt
The LORD God Provider- wilderness
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The LORD God Promise Keeper- promise land
The LORD God even when we in exile- apart from Him
Matthew
The LORD God redeemer and savior
And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
The LORD God justifier
Luke 22:
Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
The LORD God sanctifier
The LORD God glorifier
The LORD God Emmanuel- With is
Gospel Message Conclusion- Let’s talk for a little while about this God with us
Gospel Message Conclusion- Let’s talk for a little while about this God with us
but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
;
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
Close- And he died and was raised from the dead!
Close- And he died and was raised from the dead!
And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
John 15:1-
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 15:12-
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”