But God!

TextPhil. 2:25-27

INTRODUCTION:

A.      SOME OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PHRASES ARE THE SHORTEST.

          1.       "Jesus wept"( John 11:35 ).

          2.       "If" phrases( Ex. 19;  1 John 1:6-7, 9 ).

          3.       One factor added to an equation will completely change the result.

                   a.       2+2=4 vs. -2+2=0.

                   b.       "But," antithesis, contrasts - Naaman( 2 Kings 5:1 ).

B.      A FACTOR WE OFTEN LEAVE OUT - GOD.

          1.       Someone counted the expression "But God"( or equivalent )  163 times.

          2.       It reminds us that God in our lives can completely change our destiny.

I.      THE DIFFERENCE GOD MAKES WHEN LEFT OUT.

A.      Luke 12:16-21.  THE RICH DELUDED FOOL.

B.      John 15:5.  UNFRUITFUL.

C.      Rom. 1:18-32.  IMMORAL.

D.      Eph. 2:12.  WITHOUT HOPE( 1 Thess. 4:13 ).

E.      GOD'S WILL SHOULD BE THE CENTER OF OUR LIVES( James 4:13-15 ).

II.     MAN NEEDS THE FACTOR OF GOD IN 3 AREAS:

A.      MAN IS LOST IN SIN - BUT GOD!

          1.       Eph. 2:1-7.

          2.       Rom. 5:6-8.

B.      MAN IS BURDENED BY SORROWS - BUT GOD!

          1.       Acts 7:9 - "but God was with him," (KJV).

          2.       2 Tim. 4:16-17.

C.      MAN IS SUBJECT TO DEATH - BUT GOD!

          1.       1 Cor. 15:35-38.

          2.       1 Cor. 15:12-20.

          3.       Acts 13:27-31.

CONCLUSION:

A.      GREATEST MISTAKE, PLAN LIFE WITHOUT CONSIDERING GOD.

B.      WHERE DOES GOD FIGURE WITH YOU?