Sermon Series
Dr. Gary VanDeWalker Evangelical
Free Church
10 Things That Annoy
Me About God
1. He takes everything personally.
Matthew 25:40 "The
King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least
of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
2. He thinks what He said 2,000 years ago
applies to today.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven
and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
3. He won’t let me take anything with me when
I die.
1 Timothy 6:7 For we
brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
4. He allows evil to continue.
Psalm 74:10-11 How
long will the enemy mock you, O God?
Will the foe revile your name forever?
Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the folds
of your garment and destroy them!
5. He isn’t impressed by what I do.
Romans 4:2-3 If, in
fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not
before God. What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was
credited to him as righteousness.
6. He is way too generous with my possessions.
Matthew
7. He doesn’t justify Himself to me.
Job 38:4 Where
were you when I laid the earth's foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
8. He won’t let me earn my way to heaven.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For it
is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it
is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
9. He won’t prove His existence to the world.
Luke
10. He isn’t politically correct.
John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one
comes to the Father except through me.“
I
may be overstating my case a bit. These
10 things no longer annoy me, but in the past they have. At different times in my life I have
questioned why God does some of the things He does or why He has set up the
world the way He has done. I’ve had more
than 10 annoyances; however, these 10 are the ones I have found I have most in
common with other people.
As I have thought about God, I’ve
wondered…why is He so touchy about things?
Why so dogmatic? Don’t the things
I do count for something good in His eyes?
If He is all-powerful, then why does evil exist? He could explain Himself to me and prove
Himself to everyone, so why doesn’t He? Sometimes,
He seems out of touch with the real world.
I love finding answers when I
can. Questions bother me. When I have a question I pursue an
answer. I haven’t found answers to all
the questions I have. But to these 10
things, I have discovered amazing truths about God and this world.
For the next 10 weeks, I invite you to
join me in the adventure of probing into these issues and discovering why what
once annoyed me about God has drawn me into a closer and more personal
relationship with Him.
--Pastor Gary
1. March 30
He takes everything personally.
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for
one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
1. The
Prisoner
2. He counts what you do as if you are doing it to __________.
--When they are hungry and thirsty
--When they friendship
--When they need clothes
--When they are in prison
3. He takes things personally because each person bears ________________
--Its
not looks, its _______________ (2
Corinthians
--To devalue a person is to devalue ___________________
4. When I value people, I value God
--Its measured in:
…Your __________ (James 3:5)
…Your
__________ (James
…Your
__________ (James
5. He sets a personal example through _______________
--By meeting your spiritual hunger and thirst
---By being your friend
--By clothing you with righteousness
--By meeting you in your bondage.
This week, I will see the face of
Jesus on people by:
1. March 30
He takes everything personally.
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for
one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
1. The
Prisoner
2. He counts what you do as if you are doing it to Him.
--When they are hungry and thirsty
--When they friendship
--When they need clothes
--When they are in prison
3. He takes things personally because each person bears His image
--Its not looks, its character (2 Corinthians
--To devalue a person is to devalue God
4. When I value people, I value God
--Its measured in:
…Your words (James 3:5)
…Your actions (James
…Your compassion (James
5. He sets a personal example through Jesus
--By meeting your spiritual hunger and thirst
---By being your friend
--By clothing you with righteousness
--By meeting you
in your bondage.
This week, I will see the face of Jesus on people by:
Bible Study 1
1. Read Matthew 25:31-46
2. Think of something other people do that really bugs you. Why do think that annoys you?
3. Do you have any habits you think annoy other people?
4. When you read Jesus’ teaching in this passage, does it seem more like a parable or a prophecy?
5. Jesus lists six acts on which He basis his judgment. What are they?
6. What do you think about the fact that Jesus takes these actions personally?
7. What does this passage say about Christian responsibility towards others?
8. If we are saved by our faith, why does this passage focus in on our works?
9. Consider these Scriptures and what they mean, then answer question 8 again:
10. How do you react when you see someone:
--who is hungry?
--who is thirsty?
--who is a stranger?
--who needs clothes?
--who is sick?
--who is in prison?
11. Why is it hard to put the face of Christ on these people?
12. Which of these would be the hardest for you to do? The easiest?
13. What are some other ways you can serve Christ in your service to other people, beyond what Jesus has mentioned here?
14. What is one thing you can do this week to serve Christ better in these areas?
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