Where Is God In All Of This? (Covid-19 Special Message) Series

OUTLINE

My Phillipians series was cut short for COVID-19. I'm coming back to Phil 3 and 4 with some special messages. The messages are shorter and I intend to preach no longer than 25 minutes due to livestreaming.

The Way of Joy

Philippians 3:7-11 (ESV)

What is God’s Will in all of This?

Steele Creek Church, Eastfield – Dr. Tom Bartlett

April 19, 2020

What is God’s Will in All This?

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (Vs. 7-11)

GOD’S WILL IS

• A relationship with you

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Philippians 3:7 (ESV)

• Your personal growth

that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

For this is the will of God, your sanctification. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 (ESV)

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:5-7 (ESV)

Salvation prayer:

“Dear God, I need You.

I want my sins forgiven

And a relationship with You

I turn away from my sins

I believe in You

And I accept Your payment for my sins

Save me, and direct me

My life is Yours

In Jesus’ name A-men”

MANUSCRIPT

The Way of Joy

Philippians 3:7-11 (ESV)

What is God’s Will in all of This?

Steele Creek Church, Eastfield – Dr. Tom Bartlett

April 19, 2020

Good morning and welcome to the live-streamed service of Steele Creek Eastfield Campus, I’m Tom Bartlett, the campus pastor here.

Now, I have many tools to share with you today, so let me first say, that if you don’t catch them all, we will be continuing the announcement presentations for 15 minutes after the service.

I think it was early this past week when I started thinking to myself, “I’m over this about right now.” I mean not only do I miss you all but there’s so many other things too. But, as I started to go there with my thoughts, I remembered, my suffering is nothing compared to others. I often think back to times in our world when people hid from danger for their lives.

ILLUSTRATION: On August 4, 1944, after 25 months in hiding, Anne Frank and the seven others in the Secret Annex apartment were discovered by the Gestapo, the German secret state police, who had learned about the hiding place from an anonymous tipster (who has never been definitively identified). 25 months hiding out in an attic for their lives.

ILLUSTRATION: Around 250AD Decius, the roman emperor mandated sacrifices to himself and the Roman gods. The Christians who would not comply were tortured and killed, many fled to the catacombs you may have heard of and practiced their faith in hiding.

Let’s see, I can still run through a drive through and grab fast-food, I can work-out and walk the neighborhood, I’m sleeping indoors with power. I have cable TV and internet.

Why yes, I think I can make it through this and so can you. BUT maybe God wants us to do more than simply endure this time? Maybe there’s a bigger plan at play?

So, I’m going to ask the question that many have thought and several have asked.

What is God’s Will in All This?

Now, I want to share with you what I believe the overarching principles of knowing God’s will are, but for each of us it will come down to applying those principles to our own lives.

Philippians is the letter of joy and encouragement in the midst of adverse circumstances. Adverse? Are we in adverse times? Yes, I’d say so.