“Who Is My Equal?”
7/4/10
Isaiah 40:25-26

Introduction: A couple of summers ago my family and I went to the Black Hills in South Dakota for a family reunion. Some of Tami’s dad’s family and some of her mom’s family were there (24 of us total). It just so happened that the grand son of Tami’s dad’s cousin had gotten the flu. He wasn’t there initially, but the grandpa had been around him, and he was there. Well, to make a long ordeal short, 21 out of the 24 people got the flu over the next few days! This was one of the worst flu’s I have ever had. It made me (and whoever else got it) very weak.
I mention this, because there are many times in our lives where we are weak. Sickness can make us weak; tiredness can make us weak; mental exhaustion can make us weak. But the good news is that we have a God who is strong; who never gets weak. A God to whom there is no equal. Our question this morning comes from God Himself, who asks: “Who Is My Equal?”

I. To whom will you compare me? (Isaiah 40:25, 31; 2 Cor. 12:9-10)
a. The Rookie- Example: In the movie “The Rookie,” starring Dennis
Quaid, which is based on the true story of Jim Morris, Morris is a high school baseball coach in a small town in Texas. His team gets him to agree to try out for the major leagues at the age of 39 after he realizes he has regained his arm strength and is able to throw the ball 98 miles per hour. He signs a contract, but finds himself toiling around in the minor leagues away from his wife and children. In this scene I’m going to show you, Morris is frustrated at not getting the chance to go to the majors, and he is thinking of calling it quits. At this moment he hears sounds from a little league baseball game, and goes over to check it out….VIDEO CLIP
This moment reminds Jim Morris that baseball is a GAME that he gets to play. This rejuvenates him, and a little later he gets called up to the major leagues where he has some success!
b. When I am weak- Whether it be baseball, or life, we tend to
compare ourselves against others and wonder if we are as good, as competent, as strong. But in doing this we lose the focus of where our minds should be; God should be our focus, and seeking out God’s strength should be our goal. We are meant to have fun in life, and with God’s help this can happen all the more.
Instead of letting life knock us down, stress us out, or overwhelm us, we can overcome the challenges with God’s strength. As God says in Isaiah 40:25- “To whom then will you compare me?” OR as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, “…Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” In fact, just a few verses later, in the Isaiah 40 passage, in verse 31, Isaiah reminds us, “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

II. Who Is My Equal? (Isaiah 40:25-26; 1 Chronicles 16:25-27;
2 Samuel 22:33; 1 Kings 8:22-23; Job 38:1-19)
a. Comparisons- Isaiah 40:25 then challenges us with the question of
the day: “Who is my equal.” The answer to this question is an implied “no one.” The answer is that there is no other person, king, or supposed god that is God’s equal. As 1 Chronicles 16:25-27 tells us, “For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. 26 For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. 27 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place.”
There is a poem called “The Six Men of Indostan,” by John Godfrey Saxe's ( 1816-1887), which says: It was six men of Indostan, To learning much inclined, Who went to see the Elephant, (Though all of them were blind), That each by observation, Might satisfy his mind. The First approach'd the Elephant, And happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side, At once began to bawl:
"God bless me! but the Elephant, Is very like a wall!"
The Second, feeling of the tusk, Cried, -"Ho! what have we here, So very round and smooth and sharp? To me 'tis mighty clear. This wonder of an Elephant, Is very like a spear!" The Third approached the animal, And happening to take, The squirming trunk within his hands, Thus boldly up and spake: "I see," quoth he, "the Elephant Is very like a snake!" The Fourth reached out his eager hand, And felt about the knee. "What most this wondrous beast is like, Is mighty plain," quoth he, "'Tis clear enough the Elephant Is very like a tree!" The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, Said: "E'en the blindest man Can tell what this resembles most; Deny the fact who can, This marvel of an Elephant Is very like a fan!" The Sixth no sooner had begun About the beast to grope, Then, seizing on the swinging tail That fell within his scope, "I see," quoth he, "the Elephant Is very like a rope!” And so these men of Indostan, Disputed loud and long, Each in his own opinion, Exceeding stiff and strong, Though each was partly in the right, And all were in the wrong!
You see here, that depending on what part of the elephant the blind men were touching, they believed the elephant to be different than the others. People believe this to be true of the different religions; that based on how they experience God, they see him differently than others. In this thinking, there is either one God, with different ideas of God, or there are many gods that all represents the same thing; a higher power.
b. No equal- The problem here is identifying God as the elephant.
We are assuming that just as all the people were touching the same elephant, so all of the people are experiencing the same God, when in fact this is not true. We are comparing one idea of God, to what needs to be the true understanding of God. All religions cannot be true at the same time, because their teachings are completely different from one another. They cannot all be right.
It really all plays out in and through Jesus Christ; the Son of God; the Messiah; the Savior of all. The different religions do not believe Jesus to be the same person the Bible teaches Him to be. The Bible makes it clear that Jesus was God in the flesh who died for our sins to bring salvation to the world. This is really where we see the great power of God at work, and how God brings His power and strength to us, His people.
The Jesus of Islam was not the Son of God who died for the sins of the world; neither is the Jesus of Mormonism or Christian Science. The Jesus of these religions are not the Jesus of the Bible. Even though many religions might seem to be the same, when you delve into their teachings, you see that the god they believe in is not the God of the Bible at all; it is not the same elephant. And if the God of the Bible is the only true God, then these other gods do not compare in any way.
We are told in 2 Samuel 22:33, “It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect.” OR 1 Kings 8:22-23, which says, “Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven 23 and said: ‘O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way.’”
We need to understand that God is not like any other God. One of the best passages that helps us to understand this is in the book of Job, where God gives Job a little talk to put things in perspective. It is found in Job 38:1-19, “Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said: 2 "Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? 3 Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. 4 "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand. 5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? 6 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone- 7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? 8 "Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, …? 12 "Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place, …?… 18 Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know all this. 19 "What is the way to the abode of light? And where does darkness reside?…” God goes on for another 69 verses. Then the heading of Job, chapter 42 is, “Job is Humbled and Satisfied.” At this point, Job understands his place, and God’s place; Job understands the power and strength of God. Job understands that there is no God like his God; the One true God!

Conclusion: I am amazed at how people don’t honor and revere the name of God and the power of God. I am amazed at how people can say they believe in God and worship God, but they do not have a right perspective of who God is. So many don’t understand that as Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of this world and our lives, God is to reign over all. Maybe it is because people follow the old adage “out of sight, out of mind.” Because God isn’t visibly present here on earth, people forget about who God really is, and the place He is to hold in their lives.
When God asks, “Who is my equal?” what do you say? Does God hold the place of king and ruler of your heart and mind? Do you honor God with your actions, thoughts, and beliefs? Do you let other teachings enter into your understanding of who God is, watering down the truth? There is no equal to God; God alone reigns supreme. God alone is to be worshiped. God alone is to govern our lives. Anything that takes precedence of God in our lives begins to hold equal status to God for us. This is not right. We must keep God securely on the throne. We must let others know that God is the only true God. We must not have anything else that equals God. Let us hold fast to this truth, today, and every day. Amen.

“Is There No Great Physician?”
Jeremiah 8:18-22
Sunday, June 27, 2010

Introduction: Sickness is a reality of our world. We would like it better of that was not true, but it is. It is nice when we can be healthy and feel good, but there are many times in life when we don’t feel good. In those times, we need help; we need healing. However, there are many kinds of sicknesses, and many reasons why they are caused. The prophet Jeremiah says in chapter 8, verse 18: “My joy is gone, grief is upon me, my heart is sick.”
What is causing his sickness? He tells us in the next few verses: there are many who have turned to idols; the sins of the people are great; the people are feeling crushed; this and more is causing the prophet to feel sick. But where does the healing come from? The prophet is feeling like there is no one to heal this sickness. He knows there is, and that person is God, but so many are not willing to turn to Him.

I. Physical- (Genesis 2:17; 2 Corinthians 12:7-9; James 5:14-15)

a. Sin and sickness- The most obvious kind of sickness is physical.
Physical sickness can come from issues we have at birth, such as inherited condi-tions. It can come from birth defects. It can come upon us through viruses that are passed from one person to another. Stress can lead us to health issues, as well as overworking, bad diet, or lack of exercise. A pathogen, or biological agent can infect us and cause us to get sick.
One thing we need to understand is that without sin coming into the world, there would be no sickness. It is because of the sin of Adam and Eve, that not only sin exists, but sickness and death exist as well. In reality, all sickness and suffering can be traced back to the result of original sin. As the Lord tells Adam in Genesis 2:17, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in that day that you eat of it you shall die.” God was being literal here with Adam. It’s like a parent telling their child, ‘If you touch that hot pan, you will get burned.’ Then they touch it and they get burned. It is not a surprise that this happened.
Because of the fact that evil came into the world, so did evil behavior. This evil behavior led people to do things that created conditions for sickness to come upon people. This sickness was then passed on biologically over time. So, our sinful behavior can lead us to physical sickness. And because of sin, it is not God’s will for everyone to be healed. If this were so Jesus would have healed everyone that was sick when He was on the earth.
We see this in the life of Paul. Paul ended up being the greatest missionary of all time. Paul was completely committed to serving the Lord. And yet when Paul had a condition, and prayed for healing, the healing did not come. Paul surmised this in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.” In this day of sin, Paul understood that sometimes God can use our physical imperfections for good.
b. The healer- We do know that God can heal, because it has been
shown many times in the Bible this is true. In fact, after Paul was blinded, Ananias came to him, prayed over him, and he was healed of his blindness. When Jesus was here, He did heal many people. The Bible tells us to pray for healing. In James 5:14-15 we are told: “Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray for him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick…” I have personally seen healing come to others and myself when I prayed for them.
1. My friend Glen, who needed surgery on his knee
many years ago, had our small group pray for him; and he was healed. The next day when he saw the doctor, the doctor couldn’t explain it, but told him he no longer needed surgery.
2. My own foot: I injured it badly one day playing
soccer. I was going to go counsel at a youth camp the next day and needed to be healthy, so I prayed for healing, and the next day my foot was all better.
3. Margaret Jones is another example. She was
literally on her death bed, when I received a call one night to go to the hospital. The family had gathered at the hospital after the doctor told them he couldn’t do anything else for her. I went and prayed over her. It took a couple of months, but now she is very much alive and still active in church!
And yet there are many who I have prayed for who haven’t been healed; including my own migraines and back condition.
Along with God being a healer, we also have doctors and medicines, which heal us. This is wonderful how we have come to this place where we understand so much about the diseases and illnesses that exist. So many of the conditions that used to kill people can be dealt with by medicines when you get sick, or even inoculations that are given to us when we are young.
A combination of prayer and medicine can be even more powerful. There was a study shown in a hospital, where some patients were being prayed for and others weren’t. The patients didn’t know if they were being prayed for or not. By a wide percentage, those who were prayed for got better faster than those who were not. God allows us to have gifts and skills to heal people of their physical ailments.
God is the healer, the Great physician, but let’s us play a part as well!

II. Emotional-

a. The cause- Along with physical sickness, there is mental and
emotional sickness. Emotional and mental sickness can be brought on through physical issues (such as abuse or lack of love), it can be passed on genetically, or even through sins we commit or are committed against us. Emotional and mental sickness is to be taken as seriously as physical sickness. Mental health professionals can consist of social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, and ministers, just to name a few. And over the last 70 years great advancements have been made in helping those with a mental illness.
In regards to our health mentally and emotionally, it is important to have a stable, loving environment. It is believed that more and more children are dealing with mental and emotional issues because there is a lack of stability in so many homes. When we are regularly placed in an unhealthy environment, we WILL be affected in our emotional well-being.
Part of the challenge of emotional sickness, is that you can’t just put a band-aid on it, or have some surgery. There are medications available that can help, but the medications don’t always help, and it can be tricky business trying to figure out what medication will work. Sometimes a person will be taking one medication, and then the body adapts to it and the medication needs to be changed.
As I counsel people, it is always more challenging to help someone go through an emotional crisis, than a physical one. In regards to this challenge, think for a moment about a time you got something in your eye….
Illus. Several years ago Tami was helping decorate for Palm Sunday. She was placing some of the palms in the church. As she was placing one of the palms up on the post, she felt a piece of the palm fly into her eye. Because of this her eye got infected and she had to get some special eye drops from the doctor. However, due to this injury her eye is scarred and it still affects her from time to time.
This reminded me of how our words can affect others emotionally and mentally. We can choose to be kind and loving, or hurtful and mean. Through our words we can impact the emotional well-being of others. And these emotional hurts can scar us for years to come. They can pop-up without any warning.
b. The healer- As I said before, there are many kinds of mental
professionals that can help heal people of their mental and emotional hurts. Yet, because it is not an exact science, full remission is challenging…..
People have experiences that are damaging which can impact their thinking and cause them to be distorted. Mental health professionals seek to challenge cognitive distortions, negative thought patterns, and irrational thought patterns. They try and re-visit the trauma of the patient and provide corrective emotional experiences. How affective are mental professionals? They are helpful in many ways, but there are great limitations because of the clients’ limitations and the therapists’ limitations and the kind of trauma they have experienced. While helpful, there is much a professional cannot do to help.
There are other ways that people can receive help and healing. Being placed in a loving, secure environment is often helpful and healing. Even receiving a nice gift can lift up a person up from their emotional distress. We just recently got a wonderful letter from someone in regards to our Binky ministry. Our Binky’s make blankets and then take them to the police department and fire station and hospitals to hand out to children in high stress situations. Let me read the letter…
We had a tragic call, where two young boys were affected, and we were able to use the blankets to help the kids a little bit. The call was a suicide where a father of three children, ages 5, 2, and newborn, killed himself inside his house while his kids played outside. The scene was understandably chaotic when Officer Ly and I got there. The kids' mom was totally overcome with grief, yet was still trying to take care of her newborn baby while dealing with what was happening. That left the two young boys standing next to their mom watching the scene unfold in front of them. Relatives were on the way, but we were waiting for them to arrive and help with the kids.
The blankets are available in the sergeant's vehicles & a sergeant was on scene. I grabbed a selection of blankets and let the two boys look at them and choose the ones they wanted. The 2 year old picked a purple blanket with a basketball pattern, and the 5 year old picked a blue/green one with some characters on it.
The blankets provided a nice distraction for the boys at a time when they needed it. By the time we left the scene relatives had already arrived. The kids' grandmother was holding the 2 year old in front of the neighbor's house and I saw he was still tightly clutching his purple sports blanket.
While God is the Great Healer, God can use people, and blankets to help.

III. Spiritual- (Jeremiah 8:19-21)

a. The spiritual issue- Let me read this mornings text for you again,
and as I do, try and listen to how the need for healing is really a spiritual one… I’m going to read Jeremiah 8:19-21: “‘Why have they provoked me to anger with their images, with their worthless foreign idols?’ 20 ‘The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved.’21 Since my people are crushed, I am crushed; I mourn, and horror grips me…” The feeling of sickness is real, as Jeremiah says that he is crushed, and that horror grips him. But the sickness is not physical; it is spiritual. Although it affects him physically, mentally, and emotionally, what Jeremiah is really dealing with here is a spiritual issue.
What are the issues? They are spiritual in nature: There are many who have turned to idols; the sins of the people are great; the people are feeling crushed. Because of this Jerusalem was destroyed as Jeremiah had predicted. Jeremiah took no pleasure in having his prophesy come to pass. Instead, it made him sick. This is because it could have all been avoided. They didn’t need to turn to idols. They didn’t need to give in to their sinful nature. They didn’t need to allow themselves to be crushed. They had prophets who were warning them. They had princes and priests who could have reformed the nation. But the people were willful and were not willing to turn to the Lord.
Jeremiah is asking this question knowing all along that the answer is that God is the great physician, but they did not listen to God; they did not turn to God for help.
b. God is the Great Physician-
STORY: GOD'S ROSEBUD- A new minister was walking with an older, more
Seasoned minister in the garden one day. Feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, he asked the older preacher for some advice. The older preacher walked up to the rosebush and handed the young preacher a rosebud, and told him to open it without tearing off any petals. The young preacher didn’t understand what this had to do with his concerns, but out of respect attempted to open the rosebud while keeping the petals intact. It didn’t take long for him to realize that this was an impossible task. With this the older preacher began to recite a poem, which said:
"It is only a tiny rosebud, A flower of God's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals With these clumsy hands of mine."
"The secret of unfolding flowers is not known to such as I.
GOD opens this flower so easily, But in my hands they die."
"If I cannot unfold a rosebud, this flower of God's design,
Then how can I have the wisdom to unfold this life of mine?"
"So I'll trust in God for leading each moment of my day.
I will look to God for guidance in each step of the way.”
"The path that lies before me, Only my Lord knows.
I’ll trust God to unfold the moments, just as He unfolds the rose.”
There are some things that only God can do. One of them is heal us
spiritually. This is true, because we do not have the knowledge or the power to heal our spiritual issues. Like the Israelites in Jeremiah’s time, we tend to go off on our own, making idols, giving in to our sinful ways, and allowing ourselves to be crushed by so many issues of this world.
And the sad thing is that it can all be avoided. If we carry forward on this willful path, then we too will have destruction like Jeremiah’s people. If we do not listen to the word of God, the cry of God’s leaders, the wisdom that God places in our hearts, then we too will be spiritually sick calling out for a Great Physician.
It is like a doctor who tells his patient that he is sick, but his sickness can be healed by changing his diet and taking some medicine. The patient goes away and decides not to listen to the doctor’s advice. In time he gets sicker, and then wonders why he is in this condition. ‘Is there no great physician?’ he wonders.

Conclusion: Jeremiah knows that God is the Great Physician. Jeremiah knows that it is the willfulness of the people that have led them to their sickness. Jeremiah knows that God can still heal this nation and bring them back to wholeness. As God’s prophet, Jeremiah speaks these words to the people to try and wake them up from their slumber, and get them to repent and turn back to God.
What is it that troubles you? Are you physically sick in any way? Are you emotionally and/or mentally sick in any way? Are you spiritually sick in any way? The good news is that whatever our condition, be it small or great, we have help. We have doctors who can help, medicine which can help, a minister that can help, friends that can help. But most importantly, we have a God who cares deeply about us and is there to help. God is always present, and always willing to lift us out of our troubles. The healing might look different than we expect, but it will be there, and it will take us to the place God wants us to be; able to serve Him and love Him. Amen.

“Why Have You Forsaken Me?”
Psalm 22:1-8
Sunday, June 20, 2010

Introduction: In life there will be times when we are looking for someone to help us. We think we want to be independent, but if we were completely independent, then we would be very lonely. The truth is we get into situations where it is helpful to have someone there to assist us; really to deliver us. WE NEED A DELIVERER. A couple of weeks ago, when I was in the airport, I was glad for the many security guards who are making sure that the airport and the plane flight is safe from terrorists. When you go to a hospital, you are glad to see a skilled physician capable of taking care of you. If you need a lawyer, it is important to find the help of one who is very capable. In their own ways, they can be deliverers for us.
Even more, we need a deliver from problems greater than these. There are spiritual problems we face that are bigger than what a lawyer, a doctor, even a minister can handle. This morning in our “Great Questions of the Bible” series, we look at the question: “Why Have You Forsaken Me?”

I. The Psalmist Cries Out- (Psalm 22:1-8; Matthew 27:46)
a. Feeling forsaken- The psalmist, King David, starts out with the
question of the day: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” To be forsaken, one has to feel like they have been unhelped and unheard. David is crying out to God for help, and feeling like he has been abandoned. Whatever his condition is, he needs help, but he feels like God is not answering his call; God is choosing not to help him.
This is different than last week’s question, where the Israelites questioned if God even existed. David here knows that God exists, but for some reason is choosing not to help. The cry is by day and by not; it is constant. And because of this, David is not at rest; David is not at peace; David is in great distress.
And is this not similar to Christ on the cross? Christ Himself called out this same question in Matthew 27:46. On the cross Christ was feeling great distress and pain and heartache. He felt like He needed a deliverer; someone to help him in His time of need. But God had turned His face from Christ due to the sin of the world placed upon Him. At that moment God, being holy, could not even look upon Christ. In this way Christ, our Savior Himself, knows what we feel when we feel like we have been forsaken; when we are walking in great pain with no relief in sight!
b. God saves His people- David then gives some contrast
when he gets to verse 3, where he not only acknowledges the attributes of God (being holy and enthroned in heaven), but also acknowledges how God delivered David’s ancestors. This is a common theme in the Old Testament, where there is acknowledgement of God freeing the Israelites from their slavery. The contrast is evident: God freed his ancestors, but is not there to free him.
In verses 3 to 5 we see that David, deep down knows that God is not inhuman, unjust, or unkind. This is what is causing him great confusion. God is one who saves His people. God is one who exhibits great love. God is one who is just. For these reasons He doesn’t understand why God will not come to his aid.
He recognizes that God’s glory was seen in the freeing of the Israelites in Egypt. Because of this they were not put to shame. They trusted in God, and they were delivered. So you see the back and forth thinking, as David looks at how God answered the Israelites cry, but is seeming to be silent now.
Haven’t you felt that at times? I know I have. I feel like I’m experiencing a problem that needs God’s help. So I go to the Lord, just like He asks, and I call out to Him for help. But He doesn’t seem to answer. So I question if He has heard, or if He really cares about me and my situation. In those times, I too feel forsaken.
c. I am but human- Because of this there is great lament by David.
His problem is so overwhelming for him that he responds in verses 6 & 7: “But I am a worm, and not human; scorned by others, and despised by people. All who see me mock at me; they make mouths at me, they shake their heads.” These are extremely descriptive words. He likens himself to a worm; one who is scorned, despised, and mocked. When people see him they just shake their head at him.
It is not uncommon for people to think so lowly of themselves when they are depressed or feel as if things are hopeless. Without the Lord there to help him, he feels hopeless. He imagines himself lower than any human being, so low that he is not human, but a mere worm. It’s almost as if he feels that he deserves to be trampled on like a worm, or he deserves the scorn he receives from others.
In my ministry I have come across people in this frame of mind. It would be easy for me to dismiss their thinking, or just tell them to snap out of it. But what they think and what they feel about themselves is real. And with the thought that God is not there to help, there is really no hope for their lives. In this place they imagine that everyone else around them feels the same about them as they do!
d. Commit your cause to the Lord- Yet, even in the depths of despair,
David does not give up hope. David still believes in who God is, and what God can do for those who put their faith in Him. David stays faithful in a way similar to Job. We see this as he utters the words in verse 8: “Commit your cause to the Lord; let Him deliver—let Him rescue the one in whom He delights.” ‘Commit your cause to the Lord….’ David says. Whatever that cause may be (finances, improved relationships, need for a job), commit it to the Lord.
There is a wonderful picture about prayer that I love. The picture is this: on the one hand, we tend to seek to give our prayers and concerns to the Lord with palms face up; but when the Lord reaches out to take them from us, we quickly close our hands and draw back. We don’t seem ready to truly give them over to the Lord. INSTEAD, we need to give our prayers and concerns to God with palms facing down, so that when we open our hands to give them to God, they fall away, and we cannot snatch them back!!
More often than not, we think we have given our causes to God, only to realize that we are still holding onto them. God cannot and will not rescue us until we have humbled ourselves before Him, and give ourselves over to Him. It is then that the Lord can rescue and deliver us. It is then that He delights in us, because we have allowed God to be in that full relationship with us, and we with Him.

II. How Does God’s Help Come?- (Philemon 1:1-22; Proverbs 3:5-6)
Story: “A Tale of Two Students,” (Reality Changers)- Chris Yanov is the name of one of my old high school students in my ministry at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Camarillo, California. Chris always had a deep faith and a yearning to do something great for God. Even as a student he was planning activities that would draw non-Christian kids. A number of years ago he established a ministry in San Diego called “Reality Changers.” The mission statement for Reality Changers reads: “The mission of Reality Changers is to provide inner-city youth from disadvantaged backgrounds with the resources to become first generation college students by supplying academic support, financial assistance, and faith-based leadership training.”
Chris has affected many kids’ lives; changed their lives forever. Let me give you an example of one student whose life he has changed, and one who chose not to let it be changed; two kids whose lives were so similar, but have now become so much different… JULIO: was born on September 21, 1988. He lived on 29th and A street in a one bedroom apartment. There were 5 people that lived in this apartment. In seventh and eighth grade he would sit next to his friend named Miguel. His middle school GPA was 1.17. Between the eighth and ninth grades he joined Reality Changers. As part of Reality Changers he had a chance to go to the University of California at San Diego’s Academic Connections and to Forest Home Christian camp. He started taking ESL classes, and was able to move into the advanced placement classes in high school. After high school he got an all expense paid scholarship to attend UC Santa Barbara. The yearly cost of his tuition was $25,000 a year. He became the first person in his family to ever graduate from college.
On the other side you have MIGUEL: was born on the same day, September 21, 1988. He lived on 28th and A street in a one bedroom apartment. There were 5 people that lived in this apartment. In seventh and eighth grade he sat next to Julio. His middle school GPA was 1.17 as well. Between the eighth and ninth grades, he chose not to join Reality Changers. During his high school years he spent much of his time ditching class and selling drugs. He dropped out of school in the eleventh grade and not too long after he was arrested and jailed for first-degree murder. The yearly cost for him in jail is $49,000 a year. He has been given 50 years to life.
Such a difference between two kids, who grew up right next to each other, but whose lives took different paths. Why the difference? I believe it is because one sought out God (although not directly at first), and the other didn’t! These 2 lives give us a good example in answering the question Where does our help come? Ultimately, it needs to come from God, but in those times when it feels that God has forsaken us, there are other places where God is actually sending us help.
a. God’s help comes from others- One place where help comes is
from others. God uses other people to work in people’s lives. God used Chris Yanov in Julio’s life. When we are not aware of this help, then we think God has forsaken us. In the Bible we see this time and time again. And often the help comes from a person you might not expect. Like Saul, a Christian hater, who was healed through prayer and given his calling by a Christian named Ananias. If Ananias had had not been obedient to the Lord, or Saul had not been willing to receive Ananias’ help, then Saul would not have received the help he needed.
Or Onesimus, who was a slave who was mistreated by his master Philemon. As a Christian he did not feel that he should be treated in this manner, so he ran away. The apostle Paul wrote a letter to Philemon telling him to welcome Onesimus back without punishment, and to treat him as more than a slave, but as a Christian brother.
God puts people in our lives all the time, who are there to help us as if it were God Himself helping us out. We have to be aware of how God is using others in our lives, and how God wants to use us to help people as well.
b. God’s help comes from ourselves- Along with other people, God
gives us the ability to help ourselves. Julio helped himself by getting involved in Reality Changers, whereas Miguel did not. There are many times in life where we can choose to help ourselves, or not. How many people are capable of working, but do not seek to work, and then complain that they don’t have the money to sustain themselves? How often do we see people complain about having no friends, but they constantly are isolating themselves? How often do people complain about their life, but they aren’t becoming active in ways that will better themselves?
God gives us gifts when we become a Christian, and these gifts can really alter our lives. These gifts alter our lives in that they allow us to do great things for the kingdom of God, and give our lives purpose. These gifts alter our lives in that they can lead us to the place and/or the job God wants us to have, and in doing this work we are more fulfilled. They alter our lives by putting us in a place where God can reach us, and deliver us, and rescue us.
c. God’s help comes from choices- Thirdly, God helps us by leading
us to make good choices. So many problems that people face are because of their own poor choices. Maybe they’ve chosen the wrong person to marry, and this person has led them to great despair. Maybe they have spent their money foolishly, or invested their money in the wrong place, and it has led them to financial ruin. Maybe they have chosen to start taking drugs, and the drugs have ruined their life.
Julio chose Reality Changers. Julio chose to go to the UCSD academic connections. Julio chose to go to Forest Home. Julio chose to improve his grades, take an ESL class, and seek a scholarship. Julio chose to do his work, try hard, and go to college. Consequently, Julio is on a path of blessing.
Miguel chose to not get involved with Reality Changers. Miguel chose to not work hard in school. Miguel chose a life of drugs and gang violence. And now Miguel will probably spend the rest of his life in jail!
Proverbs 3:5-6 says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
d. God’s help comes from opportunities- One of the great questions
for a Christian is: “What is God’s will for my life?” More often than not, God does not give us the answer to that question straight out, but rather a little bit at a time. God opens this door and closes that door. God give us this opportunity, and helps us to see the possibilities that lie ahead of us. The question is, are we going to have eyes to see? Are we going to have the determination to persevere in the difficult times? Are we going to be able to walk forward when the time comes?
If you talk to many people who feel that they are successful, they will tell you that they are successful because they took advantage of the opportunities they have. Now not everybody has the same opportunities, but those who trust in the Lord will definitely have opportunities.
EX. In the movie “The Blind Side,” it is a story of Michael Oher, a homeless and traumatized boy who got an opportunity to go to a private Christian school. While at that school he was befriended by the Tuohy family. He also got the opportunity to play football. These opportunities led him to be able to go to college on a football scholarship, and then become an All American football player, and a first round NFL draft pick…. God gave Michael Oher opportunities, and he took advantage of them. He could have complained about the terrible life he had before he met the Tuohy’s, but he didn’t!

Conclusion: Where in your life do you feel like God has forsaken you? Maybe you feel like you have so many problems, and you have had them for so long, that it feels like God has left you to become like a worm. Because God’s answers are not the same as ours, God’s timing is not the same either. If you are feeling forsaken, you need to stop feeling sorry for yourself, and make yourself ready for the people, the choices, and the opportunities that God will give you. They will come. Just be ready!
Maybe you don’t feel like God has forsaken you. I hope this sermon can be encouragement to you for that time when you might feel this way. Even more, that you will use the information in this sermon to be prepared to help someone who does fell this way. Let us commit our cause to the Lord, and know that in all things, and in all ways, He will deliver us, and rescue us from our troubles. AMEN!

“Is the Lord Among Us?”
Exodus 17:1-7
Sunday, June 13, 2010

Introduction: In 1992 four policemen were acquitted in the accused beating of an African-American motorist named Rodney King. After this verdict was given there was rioting in the Los Angeles area over the next six days. As a result of this rioting/ looting, arson and more took place. Many people were injured, and many buildings were damaged. This was caused by the discontent and anger that was experienced by those who felt justice was not done.
This morning we look at another kind of discontent from the Hebrews; God’s people. They had been in slavery for many years, but then finally freed by God through Moses. They were led out into the wilderness where they were to have a time for preparation and training so that they could become a nation that could stand on their own. However, the life was difficult, which led them to feel much discontent. This morning we look at the question, “Is God among us?” A question they posed to Moses because of their discontent.

I. Quarreling and Complaining- (Exodus 17:1-3)
a. The cause- We have to understand that every day for the Hebrews
must have been difficult. It started out with them supposedly being freed from their slavery to the Egyptians when Pharaoh agreed to let them go after his son was killed by the angel of death in the last plague. But once his grief was passed, he realized he had let his workforce go, and so he pursued the Hebrews with his army. What a terrifying time this must have been for them.
Yet, God’s people regularly saw God’s power: from the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire at night guiding them along, to God, through Moses parting the Red Sea so that they can cross safely, and once they were across, the sea comes upon the Egyptians killing them. They journeyed on, and when they got to Marah, they discovered the water was bitter and they could not drink it, so the Lord had Moses throw a piece of wood into the water and the water became sweet, and they could drink. They then struggled with food to eat, so the Lord rained down Manna for them to eat… Time and time again, the Hebrews saw the glorious power of God at work. But life was not easy at all. Each day had its new set of challenges.
In chapter 17, the next issue they have to deal with is the lack of water. This is even more serious than no food, because you cannot survive long without water. You would think that after all that had transpired, all the miracles they had seen God do, they would have had great faith trusting that God would provide for them. You would think that there would be a sense of community that would band them together and seek out the Lord’s help. You would think that they would understand that life is full of challenges and hurdles to overcome, and the Lord was with them to help them conquer all that they experienced.
Instead of faith, there is doubt. Instead of thankfulness, there is discontent. Instead of praising, there is complaining and quarreling.
b. The result of discontment- In this discontent, they challenged
Moses, and quarreled with him, saying to him in verse 2: “… ‘Give us water to drink.’…” Do you notice the attitude behind the statement? This is not the attitude of supporting your leader. This is not the attitude of working together. This is not the attitude of faith and trust. This is the attitude of a mob. They are demanding from Moses that he give them water.
EX. In a much lesser way, I remember last fall, I was managing Tyler’s baseball team. We had a game on Halloween day. It was a Saturday; it was warm; and I could tell the kids did not want to be there. I could see their discontentment written all over their faces. Even worse, the team they were playing was far superior, and they were getting beat badly. So I called time and went out to have a team meeting. I was hoping to give them a pep talk and try to energize them in some way. When I got to the pitcher’s mound I started in by being encouraging to them, and challenging them to stay focused. But this did not lift them up at all. So I asked them, ‘What is wrong.’ One kid summed it all up, when he said: ‘It’s Halloween, and we don’t want to be here.’ In his statement, I could see that they had given up! Their discontent caused them to give up, and in essence quarrel with me.
Moses knew that the people had lost their focus. Moses knew that he had a serious situation on his hands when instead of just expressing concern they said: “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” These are strong words; accusing Moses of trying to kill them. Moses was concerned for his life, as he expressed to the Lord that they were ready to stone him. Moses believed that if the Lord didn’t do something soon, the scene could turn ugly.
Moses needed to find a way to provide for the people, and turn their focus back to God and the tasks that they had ahead of them.
Yet, was this really the way that they should have been handling their trial?

II. Moses and the Elders- (Exodus 17:4-6)
a. Doing it together- Unlike the Hebrew people, Moses knows where
to go when he is in a jam; to God. So we see Moses again go to the Lord and seek Him out for help. Maybe this is why the people keep coming to Moses when there is a problem, because of Moses’ relationship with God. Moses tries to help the people see that it is God whom they should seek, and that when they complain to Moses about their situation, they are really putting the Lord to the test!
Have you ever had someone come to you with a great problem; a problem beyond you? What is your response? Do you feel inadequate? Do you struggle to know how to respond to them or know what to do? Do you try and put them off, not wanting to get involved? I have this happen to me often, where people think that my going to the Lord will get them a better answer. They seek me for the purpose of me seeking the Lord. And I get concerned, because the problem is greater than me. Fortunately, they are not quarreling with me, or accusing me of causing their problem, or out to stone me.
Moses is concerned, but knows to go to the Lord, as he asks: “What shall I do with this people?” God is not concerned: “The LORD answered Moses, ‘Walk on ahead of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.’” God tells Moses what He is to do next, and how this will take care of their situation.
Do you see what God is doing here? God is helping Moses, and the people see that it is not all on Moses. There is to be a community of leaders that the people are to trust, and respect. Moses needs to know that he doesn’t have to do it all by himself. They respond in faithfulness by going out to Horeb, and they are to strike a rock. Do you wonder if they were a little concerned that the water that was supposed to take care of the thirst of over a million people was going to come from a ROCK? Do you think the elders were questioning Moses about this the whole way?
b. God at work again- Regardless of any doubts they might have had,
they DID trust God, and they DID go out together, and Moses DID strike the rock, and water DID come out of it. Moses did this in the sight of the elders, and a well was brought about by the power of God from a rock at Horeb!
In this whole discourse we see the great forbearance and patience of God. At this you would think that God would be growing tired of His people. They have seen great miracles, but still are quick to panic and doubt. They have been freed from slavery, but still they feel like slaves to their condition. They are questioning God in their fear by asking: “Is God among us?”
Illus. Does God Exist?
A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: 'I don't believe that God exists.' 'Why do you say that?' asked the customer. 'Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain? I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things.' The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.
However just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. The customer turned back and entered the barbershop again and he said to the barber: 'You know what? Barbers do not exist.' 'How can you say that?' asked the surprised barber.
'I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!' 'No!' the customer exclaimed. 'Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside.'' Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me.' 'Exactly!' affirmed the customer. 'That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! That's what happens when people do not go to Him and don't look to Him for help. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world.'

III. Water from a rock- (Exodus 17:6-7; Hebrews 11:1-6)
a. Testing the Lord- In the beginning of this passage, when the
people first came to Moses, Moses asked the people why they were testing the Lord. Moses is a man of great faith. Moses didn’t test God, he trusted God. He trusted God with taking the staff, which lifted him up to be the leader of the people. He trusted God when he went before the Pharaoh to ask the Pharaoh to let the people go, even though his knees were probably trembling greatly. He trusted God after each plague, and the Pharaoh did not relent. He trusted God when the Hebrew people were blaming him, and not the Pharaoh, because their work was made harder. He trusted God when day after day went by, and there didn’t seem to be an end in sight. I think you get the point, Moses trusted God.
But the people tested God. They tested God when they grumbled about having no food. They tested God when God told them to collect a double portion of Manna on the sixth day, for they were not to work on the seventh (including getting food from the ground). But instead of getting a double portion, many of them only got a single portion on the sixth day, and when they went out for their food on the seventh day, there was none to be found! And now they tested God in regards to their complaints of no water.
Their testing spirit, and complaining attitude did not bring them closer to God, but farther away. Their testing spirit was making it more difficult for them to grow together as the people of God, and be prepared to be the nation God wanted them to be. Their testing spirit was going to be their undoing, because they had no focus and no purpose!
b. Trusting the Lord- In bringing the water to the people by way of a
rock, God was again showing His power! He was showing His power in that water doesn’t normally come out of a rock. If God simply directed Moses to a spring, or some other water source, the people might not have seen it as coming from the Lord.
Isn’t this true of you and me? How often do we complain to the Lord, and then the situation takes care of itself. Depending on how it got taken care of, we either take credit for it ourselves, or we give thanks to some other source (perhaps a friend, or family member, or the government). We rationalize it away, thinking that it would have happened, even if we didn’t pray about it.
NO, God wanted the people to be certain that this was a miracle, and that it came from God. God wanted the people to be humbled by this act. God wanted the people to realize that they were foolish in their complaining, and grumbling, and quarreling. Producing water from a rock was a way to make a bold statement!
And isn’t that what faith is all about? We are told in Hebrews 11:1-6, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for. 3By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 4By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. 5By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” It is in faith that we show the Lord we trust Him. God was telling the people, they needed to show greater faith.

Conclusion: Let’s think about today’s question for a moment: Is God among us? This question, in one sense, is pretty surprising because the Hebrews had seen God at work so in so many ways, and at so many times. God’s work was very obvious and present. It is one thing to get frustrated, or wonder if God had taken a break from caring for them. But it is a big jump to go from frustration to blame and even questioning God’s motives. And yet, don’t we do this all the time. How many people do you know who seemed to go to church, believe in God, pray, but then get to that place where they question God’s motives, or even more question God’s existence?
We all have times when we are frustrated with life; where we are frustrated at God seeming to abandon us. But if we exhibit the faith that is indeed in us, we will come to that time where we again see God’s hand at work, and we will no longer doubt that God is here with us. I encourage you to persevere in your faith, this day, and every day, and see the results that come. Amen.