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 


7.         May 11—Mother’s Day (Morning should center around the holiday)

            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.

            1.         Smile…or is this for real?

            2.         God’s _____________ are higher than your _____________________

                        --Be careful you don’t use words without ___________________

                                    Job 38:2

                        --Don’t presume to _______________________ God

                                    Job 38:3

            3.         God’s ______________ are higher than your __________________

                        --God doesn’t always see the best ________ as the way you would choose

                                    Job 3:3-4

                        --God’s has a better __________________ of the story than you do

                                    ...Job 19:25

            4.         Christianity is rational, but you still don’t _______________ everything.

                        --You need to remember the _____________ between yourself and God

                                    Job 40:3-5 

                        --It is alright to sometimes say you don’t ________________________

                                    Job 42:1-6

            5.         Lord, the area I need to trust you more in is:


7.         May 11—Mother’s Day (Morning should center around the holiday)

            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.

            1.         Smile…or is this for real? 

            2.         God’s thoughts are higher than your thoughts

                        --Be careful you don’t use words without knowledge

                                    Job 38:2

                        --Don’t presume to instruct God

                                    Job 38:3

            3.         God’s ways are higher than your ways

                        --God doesn’t always see the best path as the way you would choose

                                    Job 3:3-4

                        --God’s has a better view of the story than you do

                                    ...Job 19:25

            4.         Christianity is rational, but you still don’t know everything.

                        --You need to remember the difference between yourself and God

                                    Job 40:3-5

                        --It is alright to sometimes say you don’t know

                                    Job 42:1-6

            5.         Lord, the area I need to trust you more in is:


7.         Bible Study

            1.         What is the hardest question anyone has ever asked you?

            2.         If you could ask God any question, what would it be?

            3.         Read Job 40:1-24

            4.         What position does God take about being put on trial in verse 2?

            5.         What does Job realize about his position with God?

            6.         Why do people question God?

7.         Is it alright to ask questions of God?  If so, what is the problem with the way some people question Him?

            8.         In verse 8-14, what does God say about Job’s suffering?

            9.         What do this verses teach about justice?

            10.       In verses 15-24, what is the point God is making with the behemoth?

            11.       Job has questioned God, what is God trying to teach Job in His reply?

12.       When you think of hard times in your life, what sort of questions do you ask God?

13.       What do you do when you can’t find the answer?

14.       What do you think Job learned when God didn’t give him all the answers?

15.       Is God in control?  Can you trust His control?

16.       What is something in your life you need to trust Him more for that you don’t have all the answer for?


 New International Version (NIV)

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