"The God We Take for Granted"
- Opening Statement: The Problem in Our World
- The world’s issues are not due to God, who is faithful from generation to generation.
- The true problem lies in the hearts of evil men who take God for granted.
- Scripture Foundation: Psalms 78:5-8 – God’s commands for generational faithfulness and the consequences of disobedience.
- God's Faithfulness vs. Human Forgetfulness
- Psalm 78 Context: Despite God’s kindness and miracles, Israel repeatedly took God for granted.
- With every gift from God comes responsibility.
- Reference: 2 Timothy 3:5 – Warning against having a form of godliness but denying its power.
- Modern Parallels: Empty acknowledgments of God and the push to remove His name from public life.
- The Idol of "Science" in Place of God
- Historical Example: Science once sought truth (Isaac Newton’s law of gravity).
- Current Misuse: Science is often manipulated, promoting beliefs that deny God’s created order.
- Choice: Trust in God or bow to societal pressures (e.g., “Trust the science” replacing “In God we trust”).
- A Plea for Faith in God
- Encouragement to put trust in El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One.
- Worship God in holiness and praise His greatness.
- Scriptural Basis: God has overcome the world (John 16:33).
- God's Miracles for Israel and Human Ingratitude
- Psalm 78 Miracles: Deliverance from Egypt, parting the Red Sea, provision of manna and water.
- Reflection: How dare we take such a good God for granted?
- Question for Self-Examination: Are we any different from the Israelites in our ingratitude?
- Christ's Sacrifice and Our Freedom
- Just as God freed Israel from Egypt, Christ freed us from sin.
- Spiritual Gifts: Forgiveness, freedom from fear, poverty, sickness, and sorrow.
- Challenge: Have we used our freedom to honor God, or have we taken it for granted?
- Warning Against Testing God’s Patience
- Psalm 78:18 – They tested God, asking for “the food of their fancy.”
- Significance: Rejection of God’s provision in favor of worldly desires.
- Application Today: Are we pursuing God’s will or our own?
- The Wrath of God in Disobedience
- Deuteronomy 28: Blessings for obedience, curses for disobedience.
- Current Issues: Lawlessness, economic instability, droughts, and international challenges.
- When we take God for granted, we bring consequences upon ourselves.
- It’s Not Worth It: Consequences of Disobedience
- Living without God’s blessings results in loss of joy, peace, and protection.
- Choice: Life and blessings or death and curses (Deuteronomy 30:19).
- A Call to Fulfill Our Responsibility
- Psalm 78:5-6 – Generational teaching and the importance of telling future generations.
- Personal responsibility to uphold and pass down God’s truth.
- Revelation 12:11: The power of testimony in overcoming the world.
- Work Required to Uphold Responsibility
- Living in obedience to God’s word requires effort and intentionality.
- The question: Will we stand for God or yield to the pressures of this world?
- Outcome: Freedom and blessing or bondage and curse.
- Joshua’s Example of Faithfulness
- Joshua 24:15 – “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
- Joshua’s testimony of God’s miracles and faithfulness.
- The choice to serve God should stem from gratitude for His past blessings.
- Remembering and Thanking God’s Goodness
- In light of God’s faithfulness:
- Thank Him for health, family, provision, and guidance.
- Thank Him for freedom in Christ and the truth of His word.
- Call to Action: Do not take God for granted but live in continuous gratitude.