But God (Week 4)

/

"But God"

We did not fully exhaust the 43 item list of instances where the Word of God makes the statement, “But God”.  But, hopefully, we have been reminded of just how unstable, miserable how wretched our plot in life would be had there been no movement of God toward us to aid or deliver us.  We will attempt this morning to look at a few final movements of God toward us in the words, “But God”

  • We are prone to fall to temptation, but God is faithful to provide an escape route. 
    1 Corinthians 10:13
  • We were dead in sins, but God who loved us, and is rich in mercy, brought us to life. 
    Ephesians 2:4
  • We may be sick, nearly dead, or sorrowful, but God is merciful. Philippians 2:27
  • We may serve with a right or incorrect motive, but God tries our heart. 1 Thessalonians 2:4

The knowledge gained from the studies of some of the instances where we find the phrase but God is intended to do two things…1 Hopefully it has caused us to be encouraged and strengthened knowing that regardless of the circumstance, however dark it may be, even if we feel like the only one left and that there is no one else who knows, understands, or
 

But God (Week 3)

/

"But God"

To truly understand the importance of the phrase, “But God” all one has to do is to remove the phrase and then consider the results.  Whatever is being considered before the phrase would still be true was it not for the action upon God’s part.  Please know this, however, many times the action on God’s part must be received as a gift before it can become effective to our condition.

  • A few might love me because of personal merits, or the closeness of our bond... But God loved me while I was being a sinner. Romans 5:8
  • I was enslaved to a cruel tyrannical Master... But God freed me to serve a loving compassionate master. Romans 6:17
  • I would have devised a plan of salvation that boasts of my wisdom and strength for my own glory... But God chose a "Foolish and weak" method, so that he gets the glory. 
    1 Corinthians 1:27
  • On my own, I would not accept the teachings of God's word as from God... But God through his spirit has reveled them to me. 1 Corinthians 2:10

Where would we be if it was not for “But God”  For those of you who as of this moment are not recipients of His actions on our behalf you are still there.  Would you not today accept the love of God in your heart and life?  For those of us who have would we not now show the world the radical change that can be brought to one’s life by receiving the love of God into our hearts?

But God (Week 2)

/

"But God"

Last week we were reminded of the power of the tiny word, “But”.  This week we will continue to look at the phrase But God.  Remembering that the way that this conjunction works is this, it takes a situation which seems so certain, so sure; or it sees a circumstance as so dire that there was no hope.  Then the conjunction but occurs and sets forth a means whereby what was certain or hopeless is now foiled and hopeful.

  • It will appear that all is lost, but God will win in the end. Isaiah 17:12-14
  • The world's attractions seem wise, but God says we are a fool to live for them.
    Luke 12:13-21
  • I may appear righteous and pleasing to God, but God sees and knows my heart. 
    Luke 16:1-15
  • I thought I knew and was doing God's word, but God showed me my error. acts 10:1-33
  • My hope, like Jesus' body, laid lifeless in a tomb of death, but God raised Him and my hope from the dead. Acts 13:15-42

o you have a personal relationship with this God who is so powerful to change that which seems so certain and so desperate to that which is truly certain and that which is filled with joy and hope.  Are we willing to fully submit ourselves to Him?
 

But God (Week 1)

/

"But God"

The next couple of Sundays will paint an incredible masterpiece.  Every stroke of the artist’s brush will show just where we would be and how dire our conditions would be, were it not for, “…But God…”

  1. My Flesh was going to sin... But God... Genesis 20:1-13
  2. You meant to cause me hurt.. But God... Genesis 45:1-8, 50:15-21
  3. My being thirsted... But God... Judges 15:14-19
  4. y enemies persistently lay traps for me... But God... 1 Samuel 23:1-14
  5. The grave is a formidable enemy... But God... Psalms 49:15
  6. My strength is utterly exhausted... But God... Psalms 73:23-28

erhaps you are here this morning and you can identify with one of these Bible characters.  Would you this morning come to this alter and find what you need more than anything …BUT GOD.  Are we willing to let God work in our lives as He did in Joseph’s?  Do we have the confidence in God to take him at His Word and just rest knowing that the storms may blow, the enemies my gather, my flesh might grow increasingly weary, all may seem lost, but alas it is not because there is always the simple little phrase,,,BUT GOD…

If Jehosheba Doesn't Get Him...Athaliah Will!

/

If Jehosheba Doesn't Get Him...
Athaliah Will!

Mothers and Mothers to be know this… some influential force WILL influence your children.  Will it by you or will it be some other force that will shape their lives? 

  1. Mothers, teach your children God's Greatness. Psalms 78:1-4
  2. Mothers, teach your children God's Word. Psalms 78:5-6
  3. Mothers, teach your children to trust in God. Psalms 78:7
  4. Mothers, teach your children to obey God. Psalms 78:8

Too many of today’s young people are being influenced by too many sports stars, actors & actresses, and musicians.  Many times it is because Moms and Dads are simply not feeling that spot in their lives.  If you don’t, know this, somebody else will, but it will be you that will be held accountable. 

But A Certain Samiritan

/

But A Certain Samaritan

Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a 4-year-old child whose next-door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who recently had lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap and just sat there. When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."

  1. A Self Confident Question
    • A) he question was asked to trap Jesus
  2. Counter Question
    • A) The question was asked in honesty to cause the lawyer to think
  3. A Justifying Question
    • A) The question was asked to justify a lack of love
  4. A Condemning Question
    • A) The question was asked to prick the heart
  5. A Compassionate Command
    • A) The command was personal
    • B) The command was continual
    • C) The command was to activity

Jesus asked the legal mind to determine which of the three to be a neighbor?  He then commanded him less like the priest and the Levite and to be more like the certain Samaritan.    Perhaps, God would ask you and I today which of the three are we most like?

The Error of Calvinism

/

The Error of Calvinism
John 12:27-36

This morning we will be reminded what the five points of Calvinism are as taught by those who believe that God has pre-selected some for salvation and others for eternal condemnation.  We will delve into the Word of God in an attempt to be honest and true in study of the Bible using proper interpretation skills to see if there is any Biblical support for the position held by those of Calvinistic  persuasion.  Finally, we will see what the Bible truly teaches concerning each point.  Due to time constraints we will look at the first three of the five points. 

  1. Total depravity
  2. Unconditional Election
  3. Limited atonement
  4. Irresistible grace
  5. Perseverance of the saints

I. Irresistible Grace

  • A. The Calvinist believe
    1. There is a general call of the gospel to all to come
    2. There is a second "inward of efficacious" call to the elect
    3. That the recipient of that call cannot be resisted
  • . The Bible teaches
    1. hrist ded for all
    2. Christ calls all in the same way
    3. That call can be resisted

I. Perseverance of the Saints

  • A. The calvinists believe
    1. od will never depart from the elect
    2. The elect cannot depart from God
  • . The Bible teaches
    1. he child of God is eternally secure, but not by his actions. By God's
    2. The child of God is a new creation/man, but still possesses the ability to sin

II. There are some major dangers within Calvinistic teachings

  • . Calvinism slights the character of God
  • B. Calvinism destroys missionary endeavors
  • C. Calvinism wrests the scriptures
  • D. Calvinism promotes spiritual pride
  • E. Calvinism makes God the author of sin
  • F. Calvinism undermines human responsibility and accountability.