God is Great - Sep 27

Based on "You Can Change" by Tim Chester

God’s not worried, so why do I worry? - Song “I’ll Give Thanks”

Why do we do good things?

Story, the carrots and the horse

God is Great

Universe

Greatness of God’s Word

Isaiah 40:12 HCSB

12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand? Who has gathered the dust of the earth in a measure or weighed the mountains in a balance and the hills in the scales?

look at your hand. the whole universe fits into God’s hand.

Jesus sustains all things by his word

Hebrews 1:3 HCSB

3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of His nature, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Everything works in harmony with God’s will

Ephesians 1:11 HCSB

11 We have also received an inheritance in Him, predestined according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will,

Even evil things work as a part of God’s plan.

Q - What is the most evil thing that has ever happened?

A - The cross. It was always part of God’s plan.

Many times in our own lives, we look at our dissapointment, and wonder if God is in control.

Times that our actions imply that God is not in control.

When we fail

When others fail us

When things don’t work out the way we would have liked

In Mark 4-5, we see examples of times when God is in control, but the people still get scared.

In the Middles of a Storm

Mark 4:35–41 HCSB

35 On that day, when evening had come, He told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the sea.” 36 So they left the crowd and took Him along since He was already in the boat. And other boats were with Him. 37 A fierce windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38 But He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him up and said to Him, “Teacher! Don’t You care that we’re going to die?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 Then He said to them, “Why are you fearful? Do you still have no faith?” 41 And they were terrified and asked one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Why were they terrified?

How would it have looked for those in the boat to have faith?

-Look at Peter for an example, he joined Jesus in faith.

Jesus is Great. He had control over nature.

Mark 5:1-20

Demon possessed man, lived in the cemetry

the entire surrounding village was terrified of him.

super human demonic strength. Could snap chains.

Mark 5:6–8 HCSB

6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and knelt down before Him. 7 And he cried out with a loud voice, “What do You have to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You before God, don’t torment me!” 8 For He had told him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!”

The demons requested to enter a herd of 2,000 pigs.

They overpowered the pigs, and they imediatly ran off the side of a cliff and drowned in the water beneath.

God is greater than any spiritual power

the possessed man’s life was in shambles before he met Jesus. No friends, no life. No one could seem to help him.

Why was Jesus able to help the man?

A - God is greater than any other name, power or force in the world.

No matter what you are up against, or what is up against you, God is more powerful. And he is in control.

Mark 5:21-43

A synagogue leader approaches Jesus, his daughter is sick and is about to die.

-Jesus agrees to go and help.

-On the way, a lady touches Jesus.

Mark 5:27–33 HCSB

27 Having heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His robe. 28 For she said, “If I can just touch His robes, I’ll be made well!” 29 Instantly her flow of blood ceased, and she sensed in her body that she was cured of her affliction. 30 At once Jesus realized in Himself that power had gone out from Him. He turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My robes?” 31 His disciples said to Him, “You see the crowd pressing against You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” 32 So He was looking around to see who had done this. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came with fear and trembling, fell down before Him, and told Him the whole truth.

Jesus was in control of the great power that he possessed. He knew that she would touch him. He knew that he would heal her. He is God after all. Even in secret, he healed. Even in secret, his power was changing lives. But then it was brought out into the open for everyone to see.

Mark 5:35–36 HCSB

35 While He was still speaking, people came from the synagogue leader’s house and said, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher anymore?” 36 But when Jesus overheard what was said, He told the synagogue leader, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe.”

We’ve seen Jesus with power over nature, over the supernatural and over disease. Now, he is up against death.

Jesus, 3 of his disciples, and Jairus (the girls father) proceed to the home.

The funeral has already begun. Mourning, wailing, durges, etc.

Mark 5:39 HCSB

39 He went in and said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.”

They started laughing at Jesus, and so he sent them all outside. Then the girls parents took Jesus to her bedroom, and there she was, dead on the bed.

Mark 5:41–42 HCSB

41 Then He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” ). 42 Immediately the girl got up and began to walk. (She was 12 years old.) At this they were utterly astounded.

God is Great.

He is greater than the forces of nature.

He is greater than any spiritual force.

He is greater than any sickness.

He is greater than death.

God is Great, so I don’t have to be in Control.

Sometimes we don’t trust God’s Rule?

You might wear yourself out with busyness or frustration

You might make security and wealth more important than God.

You might fall into a pattern of worry

Luke 12:25–31 HCSB

25 Can any of you add a cubit to his height by worrying? 26 If then you’re not able to do even a little thing, why worry about the rest? 27 “Consider how the wildflowers grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these! 28 If that’s how God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will He do for you—you of little faith? 29 Don’t keep striving for what you should eat and what you should drink, and don’t be anxious. 30 For the Gentile world eagerly seeks all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be provided for you.

You Can Change: God's Transforming Power for Our Sinful Behavior and Negative Emotions 5 What Truths Do You Need to Turn To?

We often associate the sovereignty of God with theological debates. But for all of us it’s a daily practical choice. For me, the issue is escapism. I have to choose between a fantasy in which I’m sovereign and the real world in which God is sovereign, between my false sovereignty and God’s real sovereignty. When I feel like running away, I have to choose to find refuge in God.

Jesus trusted God the Father all the way to the cross. He was willing to die. Why, because he trusted his Father’s will.

What are you holding back from God? Where is worry making a dent in your faith.

God is Great, so you don’t have to be in control.

This week, keep your eyes open for God’s greatness. Next week, we will ask, “Where did you see God’s greatness”. It might be how he is working in your life, or in someone elses. It might be in the news, or some other place. God’s greatness is on display though, and every time that we see his amazing work, we can be reminded that we don’t have to be in control.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

-Retell the story of the Carrot and the Horse.

-Why should we try and do good things?

-What are some wrong reasons for trying to please God?

-What are some of the powerful forces that are against you this week?

-What does it look like for you to act like God is in control?

-What are some things that you need help with?

Read Ps 27 together as a group.

You can take this Psalm with you this week, and be reminded of God’s greatness.