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 


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. "

1.         Antony Flew and the Great Reversal

2.         The Creation shouts out His _________________—Romans 1:18-24

            --People suppress His _________________________

            --God is clearly ____________________ in the creation

            --People give the Creation the ____________________ of the Creator

3.         His Word describes the real ________________________

            --__________ does not come from ___________________  (John 1:1)

            --It takes a leap of faith to be believe in a universe of _____________ (Heb. 11:3)

            --Something has always _______________________  (Revelation 1:8)

            --Human ___________________ comes from somewhere (Genesis 1:26)

4.         There is a difference between ___________________ and persuading.

            --Every one has a __________________, the question is, is it a good one?

—C.S. Lewis

            --His greatest proof is the _______________________

            --_______________________ is an act of the mind, will, and the heart

5.         This week, I will acknowledge the Creator by:


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. "

1.         Antony Flew and the Great Reversal

2.         The Creation shouts out His existence—Romans 1:18-24

            --People suppress His truth

            --God is clearly seen in the creation

            --People give the Creation the qualities of the Creator

3.         His Word describes the real world

            --Something does not come from nothing  (John 1:1)

            --It takes a leap of faith to be believe in a universe of chance (Heb. 11:3)

            --Something has always existed  (Revelation 1:8)

            --Human personality comes from somewhere (Genesis 1:26)

4.         There is a difference between proving and persuading.

            --Every one has a philosophy, the question is, is it a good one?

—C.S. Lewis

            --His greatest proof is the Resurrection

            --Belief is an act of the mind, will, and the heart

5.         This week, I will acknowledge the Creator by:


9.         Bible Study

            1.         What’s the best excuse you ever have given as kid?

            2.         What are excuses you’ve heard people give and for what things?

            3.         Read Romans 1:18-22.

4.         According to these verses, what is wrong with people’s relationship to God?

5.         What can be learned about God through the creation?

6.         How do these verses add to what Paul writes:

            --Psalm 8:3-4

            --Psalm 19:1

            --Psalm 139:13-15

7.         Do you think creation is plain about God?  Why or why not?

8.         Why do people turn to worshipping the Creation?  What ways do you see them doing this?

9.         What invisible qualities of God does the creation reveal and how?

10.       How good does God consider this evidence to be?

11.       Was there ever a time when you didn’t believe in God? 

12.       What convinces you most that God does exist?

13.       Based on what Paul has written, is faith is God expected to be blind?

14.       What do you find builds your faith and trust in God?

15.       What do you need to do to build up your faith?  What step will you take this week?


 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.