The God Who Stoops

New Creation Church

The God Who Stoops

October 20, 2024 • Pastor Joe Sabolick Ph.D. • Psalm 113:6–8, Ephesians 2:4–10, Luke 15:4–6, Luke 15:11–32, Psalm 139:7–8

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The God Who Stoops

We often believe that if we live good enough, then God will bless us.

If we clean ourselves up, get rid of bad habits, or stop failing,

then God will show us favor.

The reality is:

We all make mistakes and fall short.

Condemning voices may say,

"You blew it.

It's your fault.

God will never help you now."

But that's not who God is.

When we can’t come up to His level,

He says, "Don't worry, I'll come down to yours."

He is a God who stoops,

who comes down into our mess.

I. God Stoops to Lift Us Up

Psalm 113:6-8

"He stoops down from the heavens to look at the earth. He lifts the poor from the dirt and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes.”

God doesn't just bring us out of our mess;

He honors us and elevates us.

He comes to the messy places—not to condemn…

But to Restore and

Set us on A New Path.

God doesn’t hold our mistakes against us.

He takes what was meant for harm and uses it for our good.

Ephesians 2:4-10

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

He Pulls us Our of The Sin of Deception~

Self, Relational, Physical, Mental, Spiritual and Emotional Deception and by His Great Love Says~

I LOVE YOU~

I HAVE A GREAT PLAN AND PURPOSE FOR YOU LIFE ~

AND WHEN YOU RESPOND TO ME I RESPOND TO THAT RESPONSE~

Some don’t even know All That God Has Saved Them from-

Or Have forgotten-

Titus 3:5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy

2 . God Comes to Find Us in Our Lowest Moments

Luke 15:4-6

4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?

5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them,

‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my Lamb which was lost!’

Parable of the lost sheep:

“He leaves the 99 to go after the one.”

God doesn't stay with the ones who are safe;

PEACHING TO THE ONES TO NEED JESUS

WE PRAY CHURCH

He goes after those who are lost, even if they are in the messy places of life.

Example of the Prodigal Son:

God goes to the hog pen to rescue him

Luke 15:11-32

He'll come into

Dysfunction,

Failure,

Compromise

To Find Us.

Psalm 139:7-8: 7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?

8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

No matter how low we fall,

God’s presence is always with us to lift us.

3. The Grace That Stoops

JOHN 8:2-12

THE WOMAN CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF ADULTERY

JOHN 8:2

2 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him;

and He sat down and taught them.

3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst,

4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act.

5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?”

6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him.

But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.

7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”

8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last.

And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman,

He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours?

11 Has no one condemned you?”

She said, “No one, Lord.”

And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

Saul’s Conversion (Acts 9:3-6)

Saul was the church’s biggest enemy, persecuting Christians.

Yet, God stopped him in his tracks, not to condemn,

but to call him into his destiny as Paul, the apostle.

God's grace is “amazing”

It Goes Far Abundantly and above our furtherest Imagination

Romans 5:15 meaning it is unrestrained and goes to anyone—no matter their condition.

God's grace is not limited by our failures or shortcomings.

It pursues us even in the darkest places of our lives.

Romans 5:20: "Where sin increased,

grace increased all the more."

God gives you Power To Overcome~

Because of God in His Great Mercy When you come to Christ your Past does not determine your Destiney~

4. God’s Stooping Grace for Everyone

Zacchaeus

Luke 19:1-10

Jesus chose to dine with Zacchaeus, a notorious sinner and tax collector.

The religious leaders didn’t understand why Jesus would associate with someone so "unworthy."

But Jesus stoops down to people others would overlook or condemn.

GOD DOES NOT OVERLOOK YOU-

We must recognize God not only as all-powerful and holy,

but as the God who stoops low to lift those who others deem unworthy.

He Makes You Worthy-

Matthew 9:12-13

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’

For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Repentance is a Part Of Your Salvation~

IT’S THE TURNING POINT

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT-

It’s Agreeing with God That You Need His Life for Your Life~

Self deception is the Worse

Kind of deception the devil

Uses to keep people from their destiny…

"Ruled by their senses" is a phrase that refers to people who are guided by their five physical senses rather than by Faith-

Before You come to Christ you are ruled by what you

See

Touch

Feel

Smell

Taste

People who are ruled by their senses are only guided by what they can

see,

hear,

touch,

taste,

and smell.

Those who live a Sense Driven Life

Will be more likely to be

distracted,

Addicted, and Attached to things that can cause pain

and justify their anti-Holy Spirit life-

Gal 6;7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, that they will also reap.

8 For those who sow to their physical senses (flesh) will of the flesh reap corruption, but those who sow to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Stay In The parameters of God’s Word and Be Blessed- reject them for a temporary short lived life-

Duet.30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live-

God is not condemning you He’s Calling YOU~

Loving Arms~

1 John 3:4

Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.

Galatians 5:19-21

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, hostility , strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.

I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Genesis 4:7

If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

1 John 1:8-10

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Psalm 32:5

I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

5. We Are Called to Be Like the God Who Stoops

Galatians 6:1:

God’s mercy is an example for us to follow.

We should extend grace and mercy to those who are

hurting, broken, and off-course…

"If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently."

We are never more like God than when we help the hurting and lift the fallen.

There's enough judgment in the world—let’s be lifters and restorers

6 God’s Amazing Grace Redeems Our Past..

2 Corinthians 5:17:

"If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

No matter our past or present mess, God redeems us, lifts us up, and restores our purpose.

God doesn't stop at just rescuing us;

He promotes us and gives us influence, as He did with Saul becoming Paul.

God will not let you get in a problem that

He won’t get you out of.

Isaiah 61:7-9

Instead of your [former] shame you will have a double portion;

And instead of humiliation your people will shout for joy over their portion.

Therefore in their land they will possess double [what they had forfeited];

Everlasting joy will be theirs.

he God Who Stoops Will Finish What He Started

Philippians 1:6: "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

God is faithful to finish the work He started in your life. His grace is coming to lift you from where you are to where He’s destined you to be.

No matter how far off course you feel, no matter how messy life has become, remember: He is the God who stoops, and He’s coming to lift you up.

Don’t write yourself off—God hasn’t written you off.

Surrender your brokenness to the God who stoops.

Allow His grace to restore, redeem, and set you among princes.

Extend that grace to others, being a vessel of God’s mercy to those in need.

Preplanned Promise

November 17, 2024 • Pastor Joe Sabolick Ph.D. • John 15:5, Acts 2:23, Genesis 50:20, Ephesians 2:10, Proverbs 4:18

Preplanned For Purpose You are Created in the image of God For A Purpose You are more important than all the stuff, The Things, The Fads, The Latest This The Latest That~ As Far as Things go… All things on earth. only exist in different stages of becoming garbage. Your home is a garbage processing centre, When you buy new things, bring them into your house. and slowly trashify them over time. You Bring it home to be put on a display in a visible living area and from there they eventually get demoted into drawers and closets. That’s why we have those- So we can hide our mistakes that we’ve made- From There They eventually get to the garage one of the longest phases of your trash processing center- The word garage is just another form of the word garbage Offer Up, Ebay is the only short term delay Let’s mail our garage back and forth to each other Once it goes to the garage, it’s never coming back into the house! It’s just going to hang out there till God knows when~ It just sits there… Worse than that. They go from the Free rent garage to paying rent for trash prison- That’s your so-called Storage Unit locked away because you’ll never use again- only to be visited occasionally until it’s next trip to the dumpster!’ But Back to your purpose~ Your LIFE COUNTS Often, we feel like we have to make everything happen in life: Pursue our dreams, Force open doors, Win others' approval. This can be stressful and discouraging, especially when we face obstacles That look too big to overcome. Good News: We are not doing life alone; God has a preplanned purpose for us. Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 1 Created with Purpose and a Preplanned Path Ephesians 2:10 “We are created to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God has already pre-arranged an abundant life for each of us, Aligning people, Opportunities, and Solutions for us… Isaiah 49:16. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your souriundings are continually before me. Prov. 4:18 But the path of the righteous …shines brighter and brighter.. When we trust that God has ordered our steps, We can live with peace instead of worry. It’s not all on us to make things happen. John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. You Are Born Again With Him You Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens You~ God Has Placed His Spirit in You~ You have Two Natures Your Old Led by your senses Your New Led By the Holy Spirit~ God Says There Is More Here For You And I Will Lead You~ Prov.3 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. God Is the ultimate planner, organizing every detail of your journey before you arrived… 2 Setbacks Are Part of the Plan Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God~ Verse: God knew what would happen, and His prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed… It was For You, It was for Me and It was for the Whole World Who ~ GOD LOVES There are Two Things To Remember~ Our Authority ~ Don’t give that to anyone for any reason~ John 10:10 The devil is a Liar and He came to Kill Steal and Destroy~ Corinthians 4:18, which says, “For the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are unseen are eternal… Number 2 ALWAYS REMEMBER GOD IS ABLE TO CHANGE IN A DAY WHAT WE CANT IN A LIFETIME AND HE IS CAUSING ALL THINGS TO WORK TOGETHER FOR GODD~ ~ Point: Challenges, Disappointments, and Setbacks don’t surprise God. GOD IS SETTING YOU UP FOR A COMEBACK AND YOUR COMEBACKS ARE ALWAYS GREATER THAN YOUR SETBACKS~ They’re part of His plan to bring us to a greater purpose. God is Not Shocked ~ Illustration: Just as Judas’ betrayal played a role in God’s plan for salvation, our own setbacks are prearranged and will be used for our good~ JOSEPH AT THE END OF HIS HORFIC TRIALS WHEN IT WAS ALL SAID AND DONE~ Genesis 50:20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. 3 Known and Formed for Purpose Psalm 139:16 “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Point: God knew us even before we were formed, and He has written out a plan for our lives, filled with potential, gifts, and talents. You did not come from your parents you came through them` You have been given your own unique DNA Your own thumb print ~ There are things in you that you haven’t seen yet~ Ordained by God Blessed By God~ Psalm 139:13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you. Illustration: Like genes that lie dormant until the right moment, God has placed potential in us that will activate at the appointed time. 4 Treasures in Ordinary Vessels 2 Corinthians 4:7 “We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” Point: God often uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things, placing His treasures in "earthen vessels.” Moses: A shepherd who led the Israelites out of Egypt after God called him from a burning bush David: A shepherd boy who defeated Goliath Nehemiah: A cupbearer who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem Esther: Used her royal position to save the Jews from extermination Peter and John: Ordinary men who were known to spend time with Jesus during his ministry The apostles: A group of men that included fishermen, tradesmen, physicians, and a tax collector Other people that God used include: Abraham, Elijah, Joseph, Job, Gideon, Samson, Rahab, Samaritan Woman, Noah, and Jeremiah Power comes from the Lord Illustration: Mary, an ordinary young woman, was chosen to bring Jesus into the world; similarly, God uses us despite our flaws and limitations. 5 Called to Fulfill Our Purpose Ephesians 2:4 "God who is rich in mercy” Ephesians 1:11 "God works all things according to the counsel of his will” God Has A specific Plan And Purpose for Your LIFE~ You have seeds of greatness in you right now! Seeds of blessing seeds of favor You are body soul & spirit- The right nutrients give health Proverbs 3:5-10 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall [a]direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your [b]flesh, And strength[c] to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. 1 cor 6:19 do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit Don’t lay dormant allow The Holy Spirit To Reveal To You The Great Things God Has Called You to Do~ From one adventure to the next Glory To Glory~ Joshua 1:5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. AS I WAS WITH MOSES, SOI WILL BE WITH YOU. I will never leave you nor forsake you. David's Anointing - 1 Samuel 16 God chose David, an unlikely candidate, as the future king of Israel while he was just a young shepherd… Point: God sees beyond outward appearances, Choosing those with a willing heart over outward qualities. David was humble and was being faithful in doing what God had called Him to Do~ God desires us to be faithful~ Faithfulness Develops Faith. ... Faithfulness Proves the Reality of God. ... Faithfulness Builds Families and Relationships. ... Faithfulness Gives a Clear Conscience. ... Faithfulness Produces Fruit. Luke 16:10 "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much" Illustration: When David faced Goliath, Dormant courage and skill emerged, proving God had pre-planned David’s victory and calling. God’s Plan Supersedes Our Failures Jonah ran from God’s command to go to Nineveh, but God intervened, sending a storm and a fish to bring him back. Maybe you have ran from God or You are still Running~ Come Back Home~ Verse: "God who is rich in mercy" (Ephesians 2:4) and "God works all things according to the counsel of his will" (Ephesians 1:11). Even our mistakes and detours can’t derail God’s plan for our lives if our hearts remain turned toward Him. Illustration: Jonah was given a second chance; He ran from God And His Call~ God’s mercy ensures that His purpose will prevail despite our failures. God’s Prearranged Purpose Is Unstoppable Paul's Conversion - Acts 9, Galatians 1) Story: Saul was a fierce persecutor of Christians until a divine encounter on the road to Damascus transformed him. Verse:Galatians 1:15 “God in his kindness chose me before I was born”. No past or present failures can stop God’s preplanned purpose from unfolding. Illustration: Paul’s transformation from a persecutor to a Ordained by God to Set His Church In Order~ author of the majorty New Testament books shows God’s power to use anyone for His purpose. Walk with Confidence in God’s Preplanned Purpose We are not defined by our weaknesses, Our Past or Mistakes, but by the treasure God has placed within us. Don’t worry about forcing things to happen; God has everything arranged. GET READY~ “You’re about to step into prearranged blessings and the fullness of your destiny

Peace With A Plan

November 10, 2024 • Pastor Joe Sabolick Ph.D. • Isaiah 55:8–9, Romans 11:33, Proverbs 3:5–6, Jeremiah 29:11, Hebrews 12:2

"Peace With The Plan" The Earth In It’s Orbit is Spinning 1000 MPH Traveling 67,000 MPH THAT’S 18.5 miles a second Earth to the Sun, about 93 million miles~ If we were a mile closer we would burn up If We were a Mile Further we’d freeze ———————— Your body has about 6 quarts of blood That circulates through the body three times` every minute. Your blood travels a total of 12,000 miles in one day The blood vessels in your body if you tied them all together they circle the Earth 2 1/2 Times in Diameter~ The 37 trillion Cells in your Body are all fabricated in your DNA No DNA is the same or remotely resembles another~ You Didn’t just Happen~ This is Your Life This is not a dress rehearsal~ If you you have XX chromosomes You Are A Female If you have XY Chromosomes You Are A Male Nothing can change that~ if you are a female you have a wider pelvic than a man so you could have children~ YOU ARE MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD- Asking Where did God Come From Displays You are thinking of the Wrong god~ The God Of the Bible is not affected by Time- Space- Or Matter~ If He is affected by Time Space Or Matter He would Not God Time Space and Matter Is What we call a Continuum~ All of them Have to come into existence at the Same Time~ For Instants Because if there was Matter But No Space Where Would You Put It? If There was Matter and Space and No Time When Would You Put It? You Cant have Time Space Or Matter Independently~ They have to come together Simultaneously The Bible answers The in Ten Words Genesis1:1 In the Beginning TIME God Created The Heavens SPACE And The Earth MATTER Time Space Matter A Trinity of Trinities Time- Past Present Future Space- Is Length Width Height Matter- Has Solid Liquid Gas A Trinity of Trinities created instantly~ And The God Who Created Them Has To Be Outside Of Them If He is Limited By Time Then He’s Not God If Your Brain Is Just a Random collection of Chemicals that Formed Over Billions of Billion of Years How on Earth can you trust your own reasoning Processes and the Thoughts That you Think? The Question Of Where Did God Come From Is Assuming A Limited God~ And That’s The Problem! The God That I Worship Is NOT limited By Time Space Or Matter If I could fit The God Of Creation In my 3 pound Brain He would not be worth worshiping~ We are Not Just Some Random Cells that happened to form Billions And Billions Of Years~ 1 The order and the structure of the cosmos Points to an intelligent mind 2 Moral Absolutes!! Point to some Moral law giver Without Moral Absolutes Humanity would destroy itself~ And That of Course Is Where It Is Heading 3 Life Comes From Life I’ve never once Have I’ve seen Life come from Non life 4 FREE WILL If there is no God You’re just hunk of biochemical Reactions You’re not free You’re determined by your biochemical reactions- God is A God Of ORDER~. He Has An ORDER FOR YOUR LIFE~ He won’t try to Control you He gives you the Power of Self Control~ God want’s you to trust Him~ He Has Given You All Things and A Divine Nature~ Ecc 3:11 God Makes All Things beautiful in His Time~ In the mist of all you are dealing with~ God Knows every detail of your life~ He has the Power To Cause All Things in spite of how things might they look or feel~ You can have a Savior You can Have~ "Peace With The Plan" 1 Frustration with Unmet Expectations- Isaiah 55:8-9 – "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! ‘ How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! Psalm 25:14 The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant. We often get discouraged when our plans don’t work out, but God’s plan is higher and better. Psalm 91~ He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. To find peace, we must release our expectations and trust in God’s plan. Plans don’t get spoiled in the Kingdom Of God they get preserved! Jesus Said Seek First The Kingdom Of God~ You have to get to a place` Psalm 84:10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked… Luke 12:32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. Psalm 84:11 "For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly~ 2 Trusting Beyond Our Understanding Proverbs 3:5-6 – "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” We often place God in a box, expecting Him to work in our way and our timing. The average person spends 6 months waiting for a red light to turn green~ 80 hours a year looking for misplaced keys~ Psalm 91:2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. You have to Say it~ Use your voice~ “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so” is a phrase from Psalm 107:2 We have to Trust God To Know Your Life Has Gods Plans~ Psalm 37:23 – "The steps of a good person are ordered by the Lord.” Proverbs 3:5-6 – "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Let go of your plan and embrace God’s purpose. Following Him by Faith~ Listening to His Holy Spirit~ 3 The Beauty of God’s Plan Jeremiah 29:11 – "For I know the plans I have for you... plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God’s plan may involve challenges and delays, but it leads to our ultimate good. Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” is a verse from the Bible, The God Who Holds the Cosmos together holds you in the palm of His Hand~ He knows your Past~ Eph. 2:2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience Vs. 19 19Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, Psalm 46:10 – "Be still, and know that I am God." We must surrender our exceptions to God~ Believing they WILL BE BIGGER AND BETTER THAN WE COULD EVER IMAGINED Jesus’ Example in Gethsemane Luke 22:42 – "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." Jesus models surrender by releasing His will to the Father’s plan, trusting in the greater purpose. NEVER THE LESS YOUR WILL BE DONE~ IT WAS NOT ENDING AT THE CROSS~ “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” is a quote from the Bible, John 12:24. Jesus used this image to illustrate his point, and it has multiple meanings: Biology: Jesus' death will lead to new life for himself and others. Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and FINISHER OF OUR FAITH For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Dying to self is about letting go of anything that keeps us from greater freedom to follow Jesus~ THERE ARE THINGS YOU GIVE UP WHEN YOU COME TO CHRIST BUT WHAT YOU GIVE UP IS NOTHING TO BE COMPARED TO WHO YOU RECEIVE IN THE LONG RUN~ In our difficult times, we too must say, "Not my will, but your will be done." Trusting God in the Fire: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Daniel 3:17-18 – "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us... But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods." The fire may be part of God’s plan, and even in the fire, BUT IF GOD IS FOR US WHO CAN BE AGINST US~ God is with us. Trust God even when the path includes trials and fires; He’s working out a greater purpose. Letting Go of the Plan AND CLING TO THE HOLDER OF THE PLAN~ FATHER KNOWS BEST~ The Story of Abraham and Isaac Genesis 22:2 – "Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering.” God may ask us to lay our most precious dreams on the altar, but He has a greater plan in mind… THERE ARE DREAMS I HAD THAT GOD HAD BETTER ONES~ Abraham’s faith and BELIEVING led to God’s provision. HEB.11:10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Lay down what you had in mind, and trust God’s provision. GOD ALWASY PROVIDES WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR~ 4 God Turns Question Marks into Exclamation Points 1 Corinthians 13:12 – "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face." We may not understand God’s plan now, but in time, He will reveal His purpose. Joseph With His Brothers THEY MENT IT FOR EVIL BUT GOD MENT IT FOR GOOD~ Paul In Prison~ THE GREAT BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT Like punctuation, God can straighten our "question marks" into "exclamation points" through faith… GOD IS A STATEMENT GOD~ HE SHOWS HIMSELF STRONG ON OUR BELALF~ Trust that God is at work even when it doesn’t make sense; He’s turning our struggles into testimonies. Embrace Peace with the Plan "Hold tightly to your dreams, but hold loosely to how it’s going to happen.” Trust that God is working, and He will turn your question marks into exclamation points, leading you to new levels in your destiny. In Jesus’ name,

You Lack Nothing

November 3, 2024 • Pastor Joe Sabolick Ph.D. • 2 Corinthians 12:9, John 11:40, 2 Peter 1:3, Exodus 4:2, Exodus 4:1

You Lack Nothing Sometimes, we see ourselves at a disadvantage, thinking we lack what’s necessary for success— more talent, personality, resources, or opportunities God has already provided everything we need to fulfill our purpose. 2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” 2 Peter 1:4: "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, When we trust Him with what we have` He takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinary. He puts His Super on your Natural and it becomes Super natural Every one Of you Have Great gifts that are just waiting to Go to the Next Level~ 1. Moses’ Encounter: God Uses What’s in Your Hand Exodus 4:2 – "Then the LORD said to him, 'What is that in your hand?' 'A staff,' he replied." Moses felt inadequate, Yet God took something as ordinary as a staff and transformed it to do miraculous things. "What do you have in your hand?" What Has God Given to You? When God Called Moses He had a long list of excuses~ Fear of Rejection: Moses was afraid the Israelites wouldn’t believe him. Exodus 4:1 What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you?’” You have to get the what ifs out of your vocabulary What if they do… He doubted his speaking ability. Exodus 4:10 “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent... I am slow of speech and tongue” Just an excuse… Moses was learned in the Egyptian culture…He spoke Egyptian and Hebrew~ But He felt It wasn’t Great~ He looked at his Past Failures: Exodus 2:11-15 -His previous attempt to defend his people led to what he thought was failure and his fled from Egypt to the Desert~ He Felt Insignificant: After 40 years as a shepherd, Moses felt unfit for a grand mission. No matter what you feel about it~ No Matter what your mess ups are No Matter What the Enemy Lies About you~ God IS FOR YOU~ IF GOD IS FOR YOU WHO CAN BE AGINST YOU ~ “What Do You Have in Your Hand?”: God used the ordinary staff in Moses’ hand as a sign of His power. Exodus 4:2. “Then the Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ ‘A staff,’ he replied” God transformed I this simple tool into a means to perform miracles, emphasizing that God uses what we already have to fulfill His purposes.. Moses Had to Place his Dependency on God: God assured Moses, Exodus 3:12 “I will be with you” Making it clear that divine power, not human ability, would lead the mission. God often uses those who feel weak or unqualified,… 2 Corinthians 12:9 God’s strength is made perfect in our weaknesses God can turn what seems ordinary in our lives into something powerful ~When we give what we have, BELIEVE God steps in to do the Supernatural… John 11:40 that if you would believe you would see the glory of God 2 Doing the Ordinary for Extraordinary Results John 11:39 – "Jesus said, 'Take away the stone.’" Jesus at Lazarus' tomb …If you would have been here our brother would not have perished~ What seemed Jesus Being 4 days late Went to bring Sick to Being Dead! But Jesus Said I am the Resurrection And The Life~ John 11: 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” Then Jesus Proceeded- Jesus asked the disciples to remove the stone, an ordinary task, as He could perform the miracle. At the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus, surrounded by mourners, was ready to perform a powerful miracle. Yet, instead of immediately calling Lazarus out, John 11:39 He first asked the onlookers to “Take away the stone” Though Jesus could have moved it Himself, He involved others, Inviting their participation and faith in what was about to happen… Luke 18:8, Jesus asks, "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?". Speak to the Mountain- Jesus’ instruction to remove the stone reflects a principle: GET INVOLVED WITH HIM~ AND WATCH THE MIRACLES God calls us to act in faith, even in small, practical ways, before revealing His supernatural power- Stepping out of your seat and coming forward Stepping out of a bad relationship that is pulling you down- Stepping out of a stale relationship with God Stepping into A Sold out relationship with God- This small step stirred their faith and anticipation, aligning them with the work God was about to do. Faith, Even in small steps, sets the stage for greater works and shows our willingness to trust God actively…. When we act in faith—moving the “stone” in our lives by taking small, obedient steps— What stones do you need to remove from your life to see God Raise from the Dead YOUR DREAMS & DESIRES? Remove the stones of hate bitterness resentment… God does the supernatural. Sometimes, these small acts may be seeds of faith, seemingly minor but essential for the larger miracle. When you Step Out in Faith~ In your giving In serving God In His Church In reaching Out to tell someone of God’s Love In Reaching out to a lost friend or family member~ As We Begin to Roll away the Stones God RAISES THE DEAD~ This encourages us to ask, What simple step of faith can I take today? I am Going to Plant a Seed Of Financial Blessing To God’s Church~ In doing the natural, we sow seeds of faith, making room for God’s greater work. You Have What You Need for Your Unique Calling~ =God will use your everything you have~ Don’t compare yourself to others or feel you’re lacking. Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not lack. WITH THE LORD IS YOUR SHEPHERD YOU WILL NEVER LACK~ What you need for your journey has already been given by God. ROLL AWAY THE STONE 3 Defeating Challenges with the Ordinary Samson and the Jawbone Judges 15:15 –He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and killed a thousand men with it. The Armies of the Philistines Who were trying to Destroy God’s People God Told Samson to pick up a Jawbone of a donkey~ Samson and the Jawbone "Finding a fresh jawbone of a donkey, he grabbed it and struck down a thousand men." God used a common jawbone to deliver Samson from his enemies. God uses ordinary means within our reach to fulfill His purpose. What you need is often closer than you think. Your gift- Something you think in the natural many times is over looked in the unnatural` Well I don’t sing, I don’t Preach, I Don’t I Don’t I Don’t I Don’t And you probably DON’T See because you are to focused on the DON’T~ It was the first thing that was available~ God Said Grab it~ He did not argue with God~ Well, This is not the average weapon that is used… I need more like Pro-Sword… I need what all the others are using~ NO~ You Go With What God Has Given You~ 4 Faith Over Deficit: The Widow and the Jar of Oil -Elisha, the prophet, is approached by a widow whose husband was a man of God but has recently passed away, leaving her in debt. The creditors are coming to take her two sons as slaves to pay off what her family owes. In her desperation, she turns to Elisha for help… 2 Kings 4:2 – "Elisha replied to her, 'How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?' 'Your servant has nothing there at all,' she said, 'except a small jar of olive oil.’” The widow’s response to Elisha Well what do you have? Elisha's response is profound: he asks her what she already has in her house. At first, the widow thinks she has nothing of value, replying, "Your servant has nothing there at all," but then she remembers a small jar of olive oil. This humble jar, though small, becomes a key element in the miracle that God is about to perform. Whatever little seed you have God can Multiply it~ Elisha's question prompts the widow to look at her situation with new eyes. What she perceives as insignificant becomes a resource through which God can work. Obedience Of Faith- involves both belief and action, Romans 16:25–27, Elisha then instructs her to collect empty jars from her neighbors and pour her little oil into them. Miraculously, the oil continues to flow until all the jars are filled, Providing her with enough to sell, pay her debts, and support her family… She had to WORK in FAITH To SEE THE GLORY OF GOD~ This story teaches us that God can use what we already have, even if it seems small, to bring about a solution that is beyond what we could imagine. When you plant seed it will GROW~ Everything on the Planet Stats With A SEED~ God Blesses Seed~ "He who supplies seed to the sower" is a verse from the Bible, 2 Corinthians 9:10 It encourages us to trust that God sees value in what we bring, no matter how insignificant it may appear, and that He can multiply it when we place it in His hands. When you give to the Lord You might think I Pray This Makes A Difference IT WILL AND IT DOES~ FAITHFULNESS TO GIVE GOD GIVES MORE~ God’s provision often starts with what we already possess. God multiplied her small jar of oil to meet her needs and more. Application: Even when we think we’re at a deficit, God can multiply what we already have. Small acts of obedience open doors to great miracles. 5 Trusting God with Small Things for Big Miracles The Feeding of the 5,000 Scripture: John 6:9-11 – "'Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many? ' ... Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted.” The Feeding of the 5,000 In John 6:9-11, we see an example of how God uses faith, even when we have very little. Here, Jesus is with a large crowd of people who are hungry, and all they have to feed them is a small boy’s lunch: five small loaves of barley bread and two small fish. The disciples see this tiny amount of food and think it’s nowhere near enough to feed thousands of people. When you give to God’s Church You God Blessed it and reaches thousands~ But Jesus shows that even a small offering, when given in faith, can lead to a great miracle. He takes the little food, gives thanks to God, and starts passing it out. Miraculously, the food multiplies, and everyone in the crowd eats as much as they want, with plenty left over. This story shows that when we bring whatever we have to God—even if it seems like “not enough”—He can multiply it to do much more than we expect when we give to Him IT STEPPING OUT Faith isn’t about having a lot; it’s about trusting that God can use whatever we bring. It reminds us that with God, even the smallest offering can become a great blessing when given with a willing heart. : God used a small lunch to feed thousands. God does not need much; He asks us to trust and offer what we have. Offer God what you have, even if it feels small. He can multiply it beyond what you imagine. Conclusion Reflect on what’s in your hand and what’s in your house. No matter how common or insignificant it seems, trust that God can use it. Declaration: "I am not lacking; I am equipped, empowered, and anointed." I Believe that God will turn the ordinary into the extraordinary and provide in abundance. Philippians 4:19 – "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Trust in God's provision and walk boldly, knowing He has given you all you need to fulfill your