Stick to the Plan
November 30, 2008
Intro: Nothing takes God by Surprise. He is the Master Planner! Joseph discovered: When your family turns against you When your friends let you down When you finish up in trouble God still has a plan Looking back Joseph could say: Gen 50:19-20, “Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good…” Some of us are not sure that God has made up His mind about us. We keep trying to earn His favor Or we just try going it alone Give it up! Receive the truth that God, for Christ‟s sake, has decided to bless you. o Temporary situation don‟t change His mind o The actions of others don‟t change His mind o God want to bless you.
In Hardship and Difficulty = Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” a. In times of Testing we discover how faithful God is. b. God knows what we can handle. 1 Cor 10:13 “And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
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c. He will make a way through. i. Most of the time we want out ii. Most of the time His way out is THROUGH
It’s All Part of the Plan = Matt 27:45-50 (46)
“From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"-which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah." 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him." 50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.” Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him, yet He didn‟t stop him. He could have called 12 legions of angels to help Him on the cross, yet He didn‟t. (72000 angels). Under the weight of our sins He cried from the cross "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" a. You can be right in the middle of God‟s plan and at times still feel overwhelmed and alone. d. When God doesn‟t answer, stand on the Word He has given you. e. The pain of this season will give way. When you feel like you‟ve reached the end of the rope and you can‟t go another step, do what Jesus did – PRAY “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)
II. Keeping Your Eyes on Jesus = Matt 14:25-33 (28-29)
“During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." 28 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." 29 "Come,"
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he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." a. Before you get into something, make sure God is in it. i. If it‟s you, tell me to come. b. Don‟t expect everybody in the boat to go with you. i. “Water-walking” can be a lonely calling. (A life of obedience) ii. It sets you apart from the timid and security minded people. iii. It tends to bring criticism. iv. You are making others look bad by your contrast. c. If you wait for good weather you‟ll miss the moment. i. When Jesus said come they were in the middle of a storm. ii. We would all like the stars to line up for us. iii. All the pieces to fall into place before we make a move. iv. But how often does that happen? d. Don‟t expect a perfect, mistake-free, performance. i. None of us are perfect, at least not all the time. ii. Hebrews 11 = “The Hall of Faith” Heb 11:32-34 “And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.”
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III. Walking With Christ = John 15:4-8
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” a. Pray and Believe that Christ is walking you. b. The Day of Miracles is not past. i. There is not a „day of miracles‟ but a God of miracles. Heb 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” c. Deal with sin; it can sabotage your confidence. d. Stop looking at the situation and look at the Savior. Heb 12:2 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
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