Part 5 -- What A Mighty God We Serve Series

WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE

HABAKKUK 3:3-15

INTRODUCTION: Habakkuk is one of the shortest books of the Bible, yet it is a book dealing with significant and profound issues; Sin, “Inactivity of God”, the morality of God’s actions, and God’s attributes of sovereignty, majesty, and faithfulness. This morning, we will be looking at the God we serve; His might and faithfulness.

TRANSITION: Follow along with me as we explore this passage of Habakkuk, seeing in the verses the greatness of our God!

1. OUR MIGHTY GOD

Habakkuk 3:3 God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth.

a. God is a God of DELIVERANCE

i. This verse speaks of God coming from Mount Sinai to Moses in order to deliver the people of Israel from the Egyptians.

Exodus 3:7 The Lord said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.

ii. God was about to answer the cries of His people and perform a great deliverance in their lives.

iii. The same God that delivered Israel is the God who has and will deliver you!

1. God delivered you from sin and hell.

2. God delivered you into heaven and His presence

3. God watches you and keeps you from adversity.

4. God delivers you through trial and refines your character.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

5. Some insights from the words of Jesus to Peter

Luke 22:31-32 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

a. You is plural. Satan wants us all

b. “Sift you like wheat” – put through difficult times

c. Our faith does not have to fail.

d. Our result is a new strength that can be passed on to others.

b. Go is a God of PROTECTION

Habakkuk 3:4 His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden.

i. Beautiful illusions hear to the glory of God and how it is displayed.

1. As the sun with its rays

2. The Shekinah Glory of God as seen by the people of Israel

a. Pillar of cloud by day

b. Pillar of fire by night

ii. Protected the nation of Israel as they crossed the Red Sea

iii. Protected the nation of Israel as the crossed the desert to the Promised Land.

iv. God protects his people

1. The believer is protected from the “sting of Death”

2. The believer is protected from the loss of salvation

3. The believer is protected by the presence of the Holy Spirit.

WE WALK AROUND IMMORTAL TILL GOD CALLS US HOME

WE WALK AROUND EVERLASTING FOR ETERNITY

WE WALK AROUND EMBODYING THE WORDS OF PAUL

(For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain)

c. God is a God of SUPERIORITY

Habakkuk 3:5 Plague went before him; pestilence followed his steps.

i. God is an All-powerful God – nothing is beyond His ability to control

ii. God is an All-loving God.

iii. God is also a God who is full of grace, glory, might, and majesty

iv. God will not play second fiddle to anyone or anything.

Exodus 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before me.

v. Every act upon the nation of Egypt by plague was a declaration of God’s superiority over the gods of Egypt.

WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT GOD WILL NOT TOLERATE A SECONDARY PLACE IN OUR LIVES. IT IS ALL OR NOTHING

Luke 16:13 "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

Luke 9:62 Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

WE NEED TO DECIDE IF WE WILL ACCEPT GOD’S SUPERIORITY OVER OUR LIVES AS OUR SAVIOR AND CREATOR

d. God is the God of CREATION

Habakkuk 3:6 He stood, and shook the earth; he looked, and made the nations tremble. The ancient mountains crumbled and the age-old hills collapsed. His ways are eternal.

i. The earth shakes at the presence of God

ii. The mountains crumble

iii. The nations tremble

iv. The God we serve the creator, not the creation!