God Always Works
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
So much changed over the last 12 months.
I was planning a ski trip with pastors, Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando, and a mission trip to Malawi.
Worked from home almost as much as I worked from office.
Wearing Masks
Eating in Cars when away from the house
Lived in an RV for two months.
New Ministry/ New Home
How have you done over last twelve months?
Are you thriving or just surviving?
Is your relationship with Christ better now than it was before COVID?
Are you here today pretending or living in God's presence?
Henry Blackaby in Experiencing God says “God is always at work around us”.
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?
Isaiah 63:7-14
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.
8 For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely.” And he became their Savior.
9 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.
10 But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them.
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,
12 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,
13 who led them through the depths? Like a horse in the desert, they did not stumble.
14 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 We Must Recognize
Recognize When God is Working (7)
Recognize When God is Working (7)
Isaiah 63:7
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.
Psalm 136
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;
4 to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever;
10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever;
17 to him who struck down great kings, for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed mighty kings, for his steadfast love endures forever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his steadfast love endures forever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan, for his steadfast love endures forever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures forever;
22 a heritage to Israel his servant, for his steadfast love endures forever.
23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 he who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven, 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.
Isaiah 63:18-19
18 Your holy people held possession for a little while; our adversaries have trampled down your sanctuary.
19 We have become like those over whom you have never ruled, like those who are not called by your name.
Philippians 4:6-7
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 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)
Isaiah 63:8-9
8 For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely.” And he became their Savior.
9 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- helps us through difficult days.
Recognize When you Do Not See God Working (10-14)
Recognize When you Do Not See God Working (10-14)
Isaiah 63:10
10 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)
Isaiah 63:11
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"- 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)
Isaiah 63:11-13
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,
12 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,
13 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
Jericho
ILL- Youth Prayer meeting leading to a revival service at Vamoosa Baptist Church.
Preaching on Mountain in Malawi.
When God is present in our life, God is glorified.
God works through you. - New Testament- through the power of the Holy Spirit.
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.
When God is present, it is obvious to everyone, all the time.
CONCLUSION
Is God working though you?
Today- do you see God working?
Are you missing God working?
Our separation from God is because of sin?
Have you accepted the gift of Jesus which reconciles us with God.
