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 


8.         May 18

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.

 
1.         Sparky

 
2.         Grace is ___________________

 --There is a ____________ grace everyone receives from God (Matthew 5:45

             --The way to God’s Kingdom is hard to _____________ (Matthew 7:14)

 --There is a ___________________ grace God offers you (John 3:16)

            3.         You can have the ultimate _____________________

                        --You can have _______________ (Ephesians 2:4-5)

                        --You can know God’s ____________________ (2 Corinthians 12:8-9)

            4.         God is concerned for His _________________, which is to your benefit

  --God _______________________ you for His glory (Isaiah 43:6-7)

 --You _____________________ of God’s glory (Romans 3:23)

--God’s ________________ for His glory is to your benefit (2 Corinthians 5:21)

            5.         I will take time out to thank God for His gift of grace this week by:


8.         May 18

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.

            1.         Sparky

            2.         Grace is amazing

                        --There is a common grace everyone receives from God  (Matthew 5:45)

                        --The way to God’s Kingdom is hard to enter (Matthew 7:14)

                        --There is a special grace God offers you (John 3:16)

            3.         You can have the ultimate gift

                        --You can have life (Ephesians 2:4-5)

                        --You can know God’s power (2 Corinthians 12:8-9)

            4.         God is concerned for His glory, which is to your benefit

                        --God created you for His glory (Isaiah 43:6-7)

                        --You fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23)

                        --God’s concern for His glory is to your benefit  (2 Corinthians 5:21)

            5.         I will take time out to thank God for His gift of grace this week by:


8.         Bible Study

            1.         What is best Christmas or birthday gift you ever received?

            2.         What is one of the worst gifts you’ve ever received?

            3.         Read Ephesians 2:1-10

            4.         What does it mean to be dead in your sin?

            5.         What causes spiritual death?

            6.         Before you knew spiritual life, what two leaders did you follow? (vs. 2)

            7.         How many people have been in this same condition? (vs. 3)

            8.         Why would God bother to do anything about us? (vs. 4)

            9.         When did God decide to save you? (vs. 5)

            10.       Why didn’t He let you save yourself?

            11.       Spiritually, where has God placed you?  (vs. 6)

12.       What is God’s purpose in placing you there?  (vs. 7)  What does that mean?

            13.       What is grace?  What is faith?

            14.       Put verse 8 and 9 in your words without using the words grace or faith.

            15.       What purpose has God restored us to?  (vs. 10)

            16.       Whose creation are you?  (vs. 10)

            17.       What does it mean that God has a plan for you?

            18.       What is a good work God is calling you to right now?

19.       Take a moment to pray together as a group and recommit yourself to God’s plan for your life.


 New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society


Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.