10-30-08-am

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 5:40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.

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 16:31 He said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead. "

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

May 4

He is way too generous with my possessions.

Matthew 5:40

And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.

1. Widow in the Ozarks

2. You are a ____________________, not the owner

--From __________, God has designed you for stewardship (Genesis 1:28)

--Every _____________ thing you have comes from God. (James 1:17)

3. Stewardship requires you be ________________________.

--Every worker has to __________________ their craft (2 Timothy 2:15)

--You need the skill of a manager, knowing the ___________ of the owner

--You need to know how to use what you are given for the ____________ of the owner

--You need _______________

4. Be _______ in little, and you’ll be put in charge of much (Luke 19:11-27)

--When you are given more talent, more resources, or more time God has an expectation that you can be faithful in handling what you’ve been given

--God holds you ___________________ for what He entrusted you with. (1 Cor. 3:13)

5. This week, I will be a better steward by:

He is way too generous with my possessions.

Matthew 5:40

And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.

1. Widow in the Ozarks

2. You are a steward, not the owner

--From Creation, God has designed you for stewardship (Genesis 1:28)

--Every good thing you have comes from God. (James 1:17)

3. Stewardship requires you be skilled.

--Every worker has to learn their craft (2 Timothy 2:15)

--You need the skill of a manager, knowing the purpose of the owner

--You need to know how to use what you are given for the benefit of the owner

--You need wisdom

4. Be faithful in little, and you’ll be put in charge of much (Luke 19:11-27)

--When you are given more talent, more resources, or more time God has an expectation that you can be faithful in handling what you’ve been given

--God holds you accountable for what He entrusted you with. (1 Cor. 3:13)

5. This week, I will be a better steward by:

Bible Study

1. What is the most valuable thing you have ever possessed (other you’re your own life or another person)? How did you handle it?

2. What would you do if you all your debts were paid and you had $10,000?

3. Read Luke 19:11-27.

4. According to verse 11, why does Jesus tell this story?

5. What is the purpose of the man leaving and giving his servants charge of his wealth?

6. How does this purpose relate to Christ returning to heaven and the Christian?

7. How do people react to the man’s Kingship?

8. How did servants handle their stewardship?

9. In the parable, who is the man? The servants? The enemies?

10. What does the money represent?

11. Parables are told to make a single point. What do you think the single point of this story is?

12. What has Jesus entrusted you with?

13. What are you doing with what He has left in your care?

14. What does it say that He has left this part of His wealth with you?

15. How could you be an even better steward of what He has given you?

16. What would you like to see happen with the things under your stewardship?

New International Version (NIV)