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 


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.

            1.         The Magic Chemical

            2.         There is only one way  (Matthew 7:13)

                        --The Way is a ____________________

                        --You are on a spiritual _______________________

                        --__________________ is the road you need to take

            3.         There is only one truth

                        --Truth is _______________________

                        --Jesus is the ________________ which is more than just fact (John 1:1)

                        --Jesus is the truth that sets you ___________________.  (John 8:32)

            4.         There is only one life.

                        --Jesus is _____________________ life (John 6:35)

                        --Jesus is _____________________ life  (1 Corinthians 15:52)

                        --Jesus offers _________________________ life  (John 11:25)

5.         This week I will grow along my journey by:


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. 

            1.         The Magic Chemical

            2.         There is only one way  (Matthew 7:13)

                        --The Way is a road 

                        --You are on a spiritual journey

                        --Christ is the road you need to take

            3.         There is only one truth

                        --Truth is absolute

                        --Jesus is the logos which is more than just fact (John 1:1)

                        --Jesus is the truth that sets you free.  (John 8:32)

            4.         There is only one life.

                        --Jesus is spiritual life (John 6:35)

                        --Jesus is physical life  (1 Corinthians 15:52)

                        --Jesus offers everlasting life  (John 11:25)

5.         This week I will grow along my journey by:


 10.       Bible Study

1.         Have you ever found yourself lost, in the physical sense?  How did you get “found”?

2.         What are different ways people use to find their physical location?

3.         Read John 1:1-14. 

4.         Where does Jesus tell the disciples to put their trust?

5.         What purpose does He give for His soon departure from them? 

6.         What information does He tell them they know?

7.         Do they know what He is talking about?

8.         How does Jesus describe the path they must take?

9.         What does it mean to say that Jesus is the way?  The truth?  The life?

10.       How does Philip respond to Jesus answer in verse 6?

11.       What does Jesus then teach the disciples about His Father?

12.       What does it mean that you will do great things than Jesus?  How can He make this claim?

13.       What does it mean to ask something in His name?

14.       How is Jesus your way?  Your truth?  Your life?

15.       What does it mean for you to ask for something in His name?

16.       How would you respond to someone who says there are many ways to God?

17.       What is a way that you can trust Christ more 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.