God's Provision
Notes
Transcript
Intro:
Have a board with some screws in it. Then ask them to get the screws out. Then give them a screw driver, then give them a drill.
God’s provision is like the drill, sure I could probably figure out how to get the screw out with my hands by using what’s around or I could definitely get it out with a screw driver, but when I have the right tool, things work so much easier even in the most difficult of situations.
God’s provision in our lives is much the same, when we do it His way with His tools man life sure gets more simple and easier. When I trust in His way, man things sure work out for the best, just look what it says in in
So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt,
where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
Pray
God’s provision is evident at so many points in Scripture. Sometimes it is so hard for us to trust in that because we want to do things our own way. I think about my girls learning to ride their bikes. They refused to let me take the training wheels off for so long. They just couldn’t understand why I wanted to put then in danger like that and they were so afraid. Well one day, they decided to give it a try, to do it my way. In 5 minutes they were off and running and not afraid anymore. Sure, they fell once or twice but I was there to pick them up. The joy that came to them when they just did it the way I knew would be better, made them feel confident and secure. God’s provision is the same, He knows what lies ahead and He knows what we will have to endure, but if we do it His way, the joy that comes is so awesome. Joseph and Mary’s obedience to God during Jesus’ earlier years is the same, like when they escaped to Egypt.
Escape to Egypt
Escape to Egypt
A. Took Action - vs 13&14
When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt,
1. Get up
a. Joseph Got up
b. Didn’t question God
2. Action toward God’s Provision
a. When we move sometimes it doesn’t make since
b. God knows where His provision lies
B. Remained There - vs 15
where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
1. Sometimes we must be still
a. In this case protection
b. God is still moving in our stillness
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
2. God has it worked out
a. God already knows
b. God knew where they were headed next
c. When you know everything timing is always right
Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace.
A. Escaped Death - Vs 16
When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.
1. Herod’s Rage
a. Evil doesn’t find its target for those in God
b. We need to have the vision of God
For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.
2. What do I trust in
a. The stillness of God or business of men
b. Trust in what is unchangeable and steadfast
Bri’s Special Circumstance
Trust in men said she wasn’t going to make it
In stillness I trusted the Lord
died she would be in heaven
but she lived and now is in the Lord
Escape to Israel
Escape to Israel
A. Brought Home
Matt 2:19-22
1. To Israel
a. Coming to the Jews
i. Word comes to them first
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
b. Fulfill prophesy and promise of God
i. He would rescue His people
2. Appearances
a. God provides even when we don’t see
b. Seems unsafe but could never be safer
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
B. Preparing the Way
and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.
1. Prophesy Fulfilled
a. God Knew it all along
b. His provisions are promised
i. If we stay in His provision
ii. Saw King Saul step out of God’s provision
2. Why Jesus is know by so many names
a. Nazarene, from Bethlehem, Son of David, Son of God, Son of Man
b. God provisioned all these things in advance
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
My friend Sheryl - California was not great for me or my marriage, but it proved two things. One my marriage cannot stand except for on a strong relationship with Christ. Two, even when I am weak in faith and don’t do the right things, I can still plant seeds. I look back now and see the provision God gave me there, I realized my wife and I needed a strong relationship with Christ and my friend Sheryl came to the Lord later on because I stood, even weakly on the promises of God.
God’s Provision
God’s Provision
and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.
A. Provision of protection
1. Times we think its money
a. Does God provision money sometimes
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
i. All things in His will
2. God’s main provision is protection
a. He is my Shield and my fortress
b. He guards my ways and my steps
c. He ensures the success of my mission for Him
B. Provision of Success
1. God’s Word never fails
2. God’s plans never fail
3. Just like for Jesus, Joseph and Mary
a. Never did He fail them
b. Never will He fail you
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
C. God has Provisioned You
1. Same as Christ
2. Different great mission
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
a. See far more people come to the kingdom
b. Jesus was only alive for so long
c. We get to witness a lifetime of people coming to Him
3. All comes through His provision
a. Give you the words
b. Give you the works
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.
c. If you try to do it yourself, you won’t make it
I remember my boss had a few great military sayings that stick with me:
When we were prepping to fly one day everything seemed to be going right, we had made the perfect plan and I as much told him, he responded with, “Perfect plans aren’t.” Just then one of our flyers shut down and the crew chief waved us over
I remember being in a security plan meeting for one of our exercises and as we were wrapping up, someone said, what a great plan we have in place and the head of the board said, “No plan survives the first contact.” And it was true, everything always flew to pieces after the first problem.
These are why I try to rely upon the plans of God and not the plans of men.
Conclusion:
Joseph was quick to follow the Lord’s provisions and plans. What am I waiting for. Sometimes in life it looks like we are trying to remove the screws from the board with our bare hands. When we struggle with sin, when we struggle with finances, when we struggle with relationships, when we struggle with the tough times, the dark times, are we relying on our way out or on the provision of Jesus Christ when never fails, never gives up and never forsakes. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!