Getting
to Know God (3)
God is Always at Work
FILING INFORMATION:
2000055
Subject: attitude/work
Preached
Originally: 09/24/2000 – Rapid City, SD
06/29/2003
– Rapid City, SD
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