Getting to Know God (3)

God is Always at Work

2000055

Subject: attitude/work

Introduction:

A. 1 Cor. 1:18-21 – the world at large is ignorant of God.

1. by itself, the world did not come to know God. Could not find Him on their own.

2. as a result – God often not understood, made fun of, power doubted, the legitimacy of His story of redemption questioned.

3. Gal. 4:8 – b/f the Galatians were in Christ – they were slaved to their own imagination. Here they reminded of the position & consequences of not “knowing” God.

B. we must begin to look at God’s plan of action; we must seek to get to “know” Him.

1. Phil. 3:7-11

a) most important thing in Paul’s life? To know Christ. (3:7, 10) to know the power of Christ’s resurrection.

b) He willing to suffer; count all things as rubbish – so he could gain Christ. Threw away secular things for Christ.

C. I believe that God wants us to do more than ”know about Him” He wants us to know Him! He wants us to get involved with His plans – not so much ours.

D. To know God is to know that He is always at work around us. He has always been doing His work – and we must get on board with Him.

1. There are examples throughout the OT/NT that He is at work.

I. He has always worked “around” His people.

A. Some have mistaken idea that God (in OT) just cared about Israelites & Israelite concerns.

1. don’t know for sure if this exactly true. Every nation of people cared about by God.

2. Gen. 15:16 – text about Abram. But we get picture that God was still working for the Amorites. Still concerned about them – holding out for their repentance.

a) at this time, God not ready to take their land/destroy them. He was working w/them just as He was Abraham.

B. Amos 9:7 – consider the Philistines/Arameans.

1. Mission: to humble the Israelites. To help them realize the big picture.

a) do you Israelites think you are the only ones?

b) God dealt with other people. He was aware of them.

C. Jonah 4:9-11 – Jonah & Ninevah.

1. God demonstrated compassion on people of Ninevah.

a) Jonah sent to preach to them – when they respond positively: Jonah mad (4:1)

b) Goes out in desert – hoping to see God change His mind.

c) God teaches him lesson – God can have compassion on whoever He wants.

d) Why did God demonstrate compassion on Ninevah? Not told for sure.

2. Get an idea of God’s compassion in 4:10.

D. Acts 18:10 – people in Corinth that God had His eye on.

1. Told Paul that he would take care of Him. He would be able to preach w/o any fear of harm.

a) God concerned about people – who not even Christians! Perhaps there were some in Corinth asking; seeking; knocking.

2. POINT: God is ALWAYS at work! He has always been at work.

E. He’s still working today to bring men to Himself! He wants men to respond to Him – wants us to be His children.

1. Jhn. 3:16 – His love for ALL men. See also Rom. 5:8-10.

2. 2 Pet. 3:9 – His desire that ALL come to repentance.

3. 2 Cor. 5:18-20 – God was working IN Christ.

a) Look at God’s desire (5:19) – to reconcile men to Himself!

b) Where was Paul’s focus? On himself? His abilities? His limitations?

1) could have. See Gal. 4:13-16; 2 Cor. 12

c) rather: Paul was on board with w/what God was ALREADY doing. He realized God’s plan & devoted himself FULLY to it!

4. Jhn. 5:17 – God/Christ working toward the effort of our souls being at home in heaven.

II. We can’t see His Work if the Focus is on Self.

A. Ex. 3-4 – Consider Moses. Finds himself in wilderness raising family/working for father in law. Probably content to stay in wilderness rest of life. God had other plans for him!

1. God’s will was for Israel. God intended to Moses to get on board with His plan.

2. Moses given an assignment.

B. At first, when Moses finds himself in midst of God’s plan – he felt that he couldn’t do it.

1. didn’t think he was gifted – so he resisted. 4 arguments offered:

2. can’t speak; won’t listen; won’t believe; I’m not important enough; etc.

C. God equipped Moses to do the job! God wanted him on board! God wanted to use Moses as a tool to accomplish His purpose.

D. It has always been the same:

1. David – assigned to be king. A shepherd boy. Father didn’t even think of him being king.

a) BUT: God equipped him – became greatest warrior/king Israel ever head. God didn’t depend on David to accomplish these things by himself – God equipped Him!

2. Ezekiel – a captive in another country – a refugee. God told him what to speak – even though he thought he was incapable.

3. The church – assigned as a pillar – 1 Tim. 3:15

a) it = a foundation/holds up truth/light before the world.

b) Consider who makes up the church – men – subject to shortcomings; setbacks; failures.

c) If it were only up to us – the church would NOT be what it needs to be.

E. God wants us to get on board with His plan – His agenda. He will equip the church to be what it needs to be!

1. Take the focus off of us – our limitations; our past; our shortcomings – and rely upon God. God EXPECTS US TO DO THIS!

2. Eph. 4:11-12 – gave men gifts to do these jobs. He equipped them to accomplish His purpose. He STILL equips us to do everything we need to do.

III. Do you focus upon “equipping” or “assignment?”

A. Moses resisted because he was not equipped/gifted/talented.

1. He limited himself by his own sight!

a) congregations can do the same thing!

1) checkbook

2) small numbers

3) poor facilities

b) We MUST be governed by Faith! Act upon it! 1 Cor. 5:7

3. Moses limited his willingness to do to past experience levels!

a) never done that before

b) have we tried? Willing to try?

c) By having such attitude – limit God from working through us.

d) Limit ourselves to OUR power; OUR glory!

4. Brethren: God does not need MY power; MY ability; MY glory!

5. Eph. 3:20 – God will equip us to do the job!

6. focus upon “equipping” we limit ourselves!

B. We can push our own agenda – or get into God’s work!

1. We can ask God to work with our work, family, finances, education, love, personal success.

2. God can use these things in His service – but if we limit everything to that – then we MUST rearrange priorities.

3. Israel had their own agenda – Judges 20 – failure.

a) engaged in civil war a/g Benjamin. They trusted in the goodness of their cause; multitude of army; went in w/o seeking the protection of God.

b) Until they realized their dependence on God – their need to follow His plan – they were destined to failure.

c) POINT: we often approach God w/the idea of what can He do for me?

d) Need to approach our Christian life: what can I do to help God accomplish His purpose/His task?

C. God is always working around us.

1. will you discover His work?

2. Will you get on board with His plan?

Conclusion:

A. Do you need to obey the gospel?

B. Are you already a Christian? But need to get onboard with God’s plan?

C. I N V I T A T I O N



Getting to Know God (3) God is Always at Work 2000055 Subject: attitude/work Introduction: A. 1 Cor. 1:18-21 – the world at large is ignorant of God. 1. by itself, the world did not come to know God. Could not find Him on their own. 2. as a result – God often not understood, made fun of, power doubted, the legitimacy of His story of redemption questioned. 3. Gal. 4:8 – b/f the Galatians were in Christ – they were slaved to their own imagination. Here they reminded of the position & consequences of not “knowing” God. B. we must begin to look at God’s plan of action; we must seek to get to “know” Him. 1. Phil. 3:7-11 a) most important thing in Paul’s life? To know Christ. (3:7, 10) to know the power of Christ’s resurrection. b) He willing to suffer; count all things as rubbish – so he could gain Christ. Threw away secular things for Christ. C. I believe that God wants us to do more than ”know about Him” He wants us to know Him! He wants us to get involved with His plans – not so much ours. D. To know God is to know that He is always at work around us. He has always been doing His work – and we must get on board with Him. 1. There are examples throughout the OT/NT that He is at work. I. He has always worked “around” His people. A. Some have mistaken idea that God (in OT) just cared about Israelites & Israelite concerns. 1. don’t know for sure if this exactly true. Every nation of people cared about by God. 2. Gen. 15:16 – text about Abram. But we get picture that God was still working for the Amorites. Still concerned about them – holding out for their repentance. a) at this time, God not ready to take their land/destroy them. He was working w/them just as He was Abraham. B. Amos 9:7 – consider the Philistines/Arameans. 1. Mission: to humble the Israelites. To help them realize the big picture. a) do you Israelites think you are the only ones? b) God dealt with other people. He was aware of them. C. Jonah 4:9-11 – Jonah & Ninevah. 1. God demonstrated compassion on people of Ninevah. a) Jonah sent to preach to them – when they respond positively: Jonah mad (4:1) b) Goes out in desert – hoping to see God change His mind. c) God teaches him lesson – God can have compassion on whoever He wants. d) Why did God demonstrate compassion on Ninevah? Not told for sure. 2. Get an idea of God’s compassion in 4:10. D. Acts 18:10 – people in Corinth that God had His eye on. 1. Told Paul that he would take care of Him. He would be able to preach w/o any fear of harm. a) God concerned about people – who not even Christians! Perhaps there were some in Corinth asking; seeking; knocking. 2. POINT: God is ALWAYS at work! He has always been at work. E. He’s still working today to bring men to Himself! He wants men to respond to Him – wants us to be His children. 1. Jhn. 3:16 – His love for ALL men. See also Rom. 5:8-10. 2. 2 Pet. 3:9 – His desire that ALL come to repentance. 3. 2 Cor. 5:18-20 – God was working IN Christ. a) Look at God’s desire (5:19) – to reconcile men to Himself! b) Where was Paul’s focus? On himself? His abilities? His limitations? 1) could have. See Gal. 4:13-16; 2 Cor. 12 c) rather: Paul was on board with w/what God was ALREADY doing. He realized God’s plan & devoted himself FULLY to it! 4. Jhn. 5:17 – God/Christ working toward the effort of our souls being at home in heaven. II. We can’t see His Work if the Focus is on Self. A. Ex. 3-4 – Consider Moses. Finds himself in wilderness raising family/working for father in law. Probably content to stay in wilderness rest of life. God had other plans for him! 1. God’s will was for Israel. God intended to Moses to get on board with His plan. 2. Moses given an assignment. B. At first, when Moses finds himself in midst of God’s plan – he felt that he couldn’t do it. 1. didn’t think he was gifted – so he resisted. 4 arguments offered: 2. can’t speak; won’t listen; won’t believe; I’m not important enough; etc. C. God equipped Moses to do the job! God wanted him on board! God wanted to use Moses as a tool to accomplish His purpose. D. It has always been the same: 1. David – assigned to be king. A shepherd boy. Father didn’t even think of him being king. a) BUT: God equipped him – became greatest warrior/king Israel ever head. God didn’t depend on David to accomplish these things by himself – God equipped Him! 2. Ezekiel – a captive in another country – a refugee. God told him what to speak – even though he thought he was incapable. 3. The church – assigned as a pillar – 1 Tim. 3:15 a) it = a foundation/holds up truth/light before the world. b) Consider who makes up the church – men – subject to shortcomings; setbacks; failures. c) If it were only up to us – the church would NOT be what it needs to be. E. God wants us to get on board with His plan – His agenda. He will equip the church to be what it needs to be! 1. Take the focus off of us – our limitations; our past; our shortcomings – and rely upon God. God EXPECTS US TO DO THIS! 2. Eph. 4:11-12 – gave men gifts to do these jobs. He equipped them to accomplish His purpose. He STILL equips us to do everything we need to do. III. Do you focus upon “equipping” or “assignment?” A. Moses resisted because he was not equipped/gifted/talented. 1. He limited himself by his own sight! a) congregations can do the same thing! 1) checkbook 2) small numbers 3) poor facilities b) We MUST be governed by Faith! Act upon it! 1 Cor. 5:7 3. Moses limited his willingness to do to past experience levels! a) never done that before b) have we tried? Willing to try? c) By having such attitude – limit God from working through us. d) Limit ourselves to OUR power; OUR glory! 4. Brethren: God does not need MY power; MY ability; MY glory! 5. Eph. 3:20 – God will equip us to do the job! 6. focus upon “equipping” we limit ourselves! B. We can push our own agenda – or get into God’s work! 1. We can ask God to work with our work, family, finances, education, love, personal success. 2. God can use these things in His service – but if we limit everything to that – then we MUST rearrange priorities. 3. Israel had their own agenda – Judges 20 – failure. a) engaged in civil war a/g Benjamin. They trusted in the goodness of their cause; multitude of army; went in w/o seeking the protection of God. b) Until they realized their dependence on God – their need to follow His plan – they were destined to failure. c) POINT: we often approach God w/the idea of what can He do for me? d) Need to approach our Christian life: what can I do to help God accomplish His purpose/His task? C. God is always working around us. 1. will you discover His work? 2. Will you get on board with His plan? Conclusion: A. Do you need to obey the gospel? B. Are you already a Christian? But need to get onboard with God’s plan? C. I N V I T A T I O N