Trusting God's Unchanging Nature Amidst Doubt
Summary
In this sermon, I was reminded of the deceptive nature of the enemy, who thrives on creating confusion and doubt about God's word. The enemy's goal is to make us believe that God is a liar and cannot be trusted. However, I was reassured that God is truth, and He will never go against His nature. This means that when God promises something, I can trust that He will come through. I was also reminded that God's character is unchanging, regardless of the circumstances of life. Even in the midst of pain and struggle, God's love and compassion remain constant.
The sermon also addressed the reasons why some people believe God lies. One reason is that their experiences with God do not line up with their expectations. However, I was reminded that healing is available for all people, but it is all within God's timing. Another reason is that the devil's deceit can lead some to view God as dishonest. However, I was reminded that the devil is the father of all lies and his goal is to make us doubt God's existence or His faithfulness.
Key takeaways:
- God's promises can be trusted because He is truthful and will never go against His nature ([34:54]).
- God's character is unchanging, regardless of the circumstances of life. His love and compassion remain constant ([35:37]).
- Healing is available for all people, but it is all within God's timing. Regardless of what we experience in life, we can hold on to the fact that God is a healer ([36:16]).
- The devil's deceit can lead some to view God as dishonest. However, the devil is the father of all lies and his goal is to make us doubt God's existence or His faithfulness ([36:50]).
- Our personal experiences of pain and struggle simply confirm that we are human beings in a fallen world. However, God can use these experiences to build us up and redirect our paths ([37:33]).
Study Guide
Main Points from the Sermon:
1. The fulfillment of prophecies in the Bible is a testament to its divine origin and truthfulness. The probability of even eight prophecies being fulfilled is so astronomically low that it points to a divine hand at work. This shows that the Bible is not a product of human will but is inspired by God. ([16:49])
2. People often question God's truthfulness due to the deception they experience from others. This skepticism is often a projection of our human tendency to lie onto God, forgetting that unlike humans, God is incapable of lying. ([21:31])
3. Our limited human understanding often leads us to doubt God. We struggle to comprehend God's ways because His thoughts are higher than ours. This struggle is a reminder of our humanity and our need for a God who is beyond our comprehension. ([31:13])
4. The devil's deceit can lead some to view God as dishonest. The devil's primary tactic is to sow seeds of doubt about God's word and His character. However, Jesus declares Himself as the truth, affirming that God is incapable of lying. ([32:34])
Bible Chapters for Group Reading:
1. 2 Peter 1
2. Isaiah 46
3. John 8
4. Genesis 3
5. John 14
Discussion Guide:
Observation Questions:
1. In 2 Peter 1, how is the origin of prophecy described?
2. How does Isaiah 46 describe God's ability to predict and fulfill the future?
3. What tactics does the devil use in Genesis 3 to sow doubt about God's word?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the fulfillment of prophecies, as discussed in the sermon, affirm the divine origin of the Bible?
2. In what ways does our human tendency to lie and deceive influence our perception of God's truthfulness?
3. How does the devil's deceit in Genesis 3 mirror the doubts and skepticism we often have about God's word?
Application Questions:
1. How can we apply the understanding of God's truthfulness in our daily lives, especially when we face doubts and skepticism?
2. Can you recall a time when you doubted God's word because of deception from others? How did you overcome this?
3. How can we guard ourselves against the devil's deceit and stand firm in the truth of God's word?
Devotional
Day 1: Trust in God's Promises
God's promises are not a matter of "yes and no", but a confident "yes". His promises are guaranteed and we don't need to question them. God's truthfulness is questioned due to the deception of others, but we must remember that God is not a liar. [20:46]
2 Corinthians 1:18-20 - "But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ."
Reflection: Reflect on a promise from God that you are holding onto. How does knowing that God's promises are a confident "yes" strengthen your faith?
Day 2: God's Unchanging Character
God's character never changes. Regardless of our circumstances, whether in good times or bad, God remains the same. His love for us is constant and unwavering. [40:12]
Exodus 34:6 - "And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness."
Reflection: How has the unchanging character of God been evident in your life recently?
Day 3: The Impossibility of Prophecy Fulfillment
The fulfillment of prophecies in the Bible is not a mere coincidence or human orchestration. It is a divine act that only God could have put together. This affirms the truthfulness of God's word. [18:45]
2 Peter 1:21 - "For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."
Reflection: Reflect on a prophecy in the Bible that has been fulfilled. How does this strengthen your trust in God's word?
Day 4: God's Truthfulness Amidst Deception
In a world where deception is rampant, God's truthfulness stands firm. The devil's deceit can lead some to view God as dishonest, but we must remember that God is not a liar. [33:13]
John 8:44 - "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
Reflection: How can you guard your heart and mind against the devil's deceit and hold onto God's truthfulness?
Day 5: God's Sovereignty Over Our Understanding
We cannot fully comprehend God's ways because His thoughts are higher than ours. This does not make God a liar, but rather affirms His sovereignty. We must trust in His wisdom even when we don't understand. [31:54]
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."
Reflection: Reflect on a situation where you didn't understand God's ways. How did you see His wisdom unfold in that situation?
Quotes
1. "What God reveals will also be fulfilled. If he wants something to take place, he will coordinate, put this person in this place, he will make sure personally that it's fulfilled, it's accomplished the way that he wants it to take place." - 20:03
2. "When it comes to the promises of God, it's a confident yes. It's a sure thing. When it comes to the promises of God, the things God says, you don't have to question it, you don't have to look around twice, you don't even have to ask twice, it's guaranteed." - 38:09
3. "God is divine, he has god-like DNA, he cannot go against his DNA, he cannot go against his nature, he cannot go against his god-like characteristics, he will always be God, he cannot change who he is." - 08:13
4. "God cannot lie, God has never lied, and God will never lie. And as true as that is, some of us still doubt the validity of that very statement." - 12:26
5. "Skepticism about the Bible will lead you to distrust God. You see, there's a group of people here who, when I said God doesn't lie, they'll say 'of course you would say that, you're a pastor'." - 12:26
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