But God
by Rev. Tim Porter
Genesis 37:22-37:27
Introduction:
Friends, each of us have encountered situations where we just felt like throwing in the towel. We felt like the whole world was against us. We felt like no matter what we did things would turn out bad. We’ve often said to ourselves, “No matter what I do things still won’t change”. Or we feel that we have gotten so far down that there is nothing that can bring us up. I want you to know this evening that this is not so.
Those of us who have a hope in Christ don’t have to feel this way. We have to realize that because we serve a risen Savior, we can live victorious lives. Brothers and sisters I want to speak to you this evening on the subject “but, God”. There are a number of powerful 2-word phrases found in God's Word. Phrases such as: Healed all; gathered in; cast out; raised up and pulled down.
Each of these phrases are used in context with the power of God. However, there is one phrase used some 43 times in Scripture that surpasses them all. And that phrase is “BUT, GOD”! This small two-word phrase communicates a tremendous message to all that hear it. It is God’s response to Satan’s challenge! It is the bottom line! It is the last word! It is all over but the shouting!
“But, God”, when viewed in relation to the challenges of life, is what up is to down; what life is to death; what in is to out. “But, God” stands totally opposed to the negative roar of the world. The world says no — “But, God” says yes! The world says can’t — “But, God” says can! The world says won’t: “But, God” says will! The world says stop — “But, God” says go! The world says don’t — “But, God” says do!
The world says defeat — “But, God” says victory! “But, God” climbs the highest mountain; crosses the darkest valley; and sings songs of victory in the midnight hour! “But, God” exclaims, “I’m going to the enemy’s camp and I’ll take back what he stole from me!” “But, God” is courageous, confident and conclusive!” Brothers and sisters you have to realize that I’m speaking to you this evening from God’s perspective!
Too many times we look at things through our own eyes and can only see failure. “But, God” tells us to look at it as God sees it! Brothers and sisters I’m encouraging you this evening to put your Kingdom glasses on and see things as God sees them! I want you to know it’s not over until God says it’s over! Sometimes when we go to a sporting event or watch it on TV, if our team is not winning as the end draws near we leave before it’s over not knowing that we might see a miraculous ending!
I’ve come to urge you brothers and sisters to stay for the entire game — wait until the last seconds tick off the clock; wait until the “home team” has had its chance! Wait until the last out is made! If you quit too soon, you’ll leave before victory is seen! I want to tell you this evening that the jury may still be out in your situation — all the votes are not in -- the fat lady has not sung — God hasn’t had His final say!
I’m preaching to you this on the subject “But, God”! I’m telling you this evening that in that book of miracles we read from everyday, there are many instances where our adversary is confounded and confused. There are stories of his elaborate schemes going wrong, because he failed to realize that God would have the final say! The devil had worked so hard to get everything just right, yet just when he thinks he is victorious, he hears “But, God”!
As we look at our text brothers and sisters we are reminded of the story of Joseph. How he had been humiliated by his brothers and sold into slavery.
How he had been slandered by the wife of Potiphar yet stood steadfast. How he had been forgotten by the chief baker after interpreting his dream yet was faithful. The life of Joseph is perhaps the best Old Testament example of the accuracy of the verse in:
Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”.
The sale of Joseph as a slave was meant for harm by his brothers. The end result was Joseph becoming prime of Egypt, becoming reunited with his family, and saving their lives. Joseph endured many trials and tribulations. Satan had done so many things to him that were meant for bad, “But, God” meant it for good! So many times the devil throws things our way, things that are meant to make us stop trusting God!
Things that are meant to make us feel sorry for ourselves! Things that are meant to make us give up! Things that are meant for bad, “But, God” means them for good! God takes us through things to make us stronger! I don’t know if you realize it or not but among the thorns you generally will find a beautiful rose! Yes Satan means it for bad, “But, God” means it for good! Those times when everything is going well in our lives and then all of a sudden it seems like the bottom falls out remember Satan means it for bad, “But, God”!
Whenever husband and wife seem to be on the opposite sides of the room; Satan means it for bad, “But, God”! When it looks like you children just don’t hear what you say; Children when you think your parents just don’t understand. Yes Satan means it for bad, “But, God” means it for good! Brother pastor, when it seems that the deacons don’t want to work with you and the members refuse to do as you say; Satan means it for bad, “But, God”! All the things that happened to Joseph, to the average man it would have seemed like too much.
I can hear Joseph saying, “My brothers, my own flesh have betrayed me and sold me as a slave. My master’s wife has accused me and caused me to fall out of favor with him and have me thrown in jail. The chief butler, whose dream I interpreted has forgotten me and left me here in this prison”. Yes to the average man it might have seemed quite bleak. But Joseph knew that no matter what was thrown at him, no matter what was done to him, no matter how Satan attacked, the God he served, would allow him to say “I may be down now, “But, God”!
Hey! Friends listen! that is the type of attitude that we need in the church today! We need to understand that no matter what we may go through, no matter how bad things might get, no matter how the enemy may attack us, always remember It may look dark now, “But, God”!
You see the devil always tries to bring confusion when there is order. If good things are happening he wants to break it down. The devil thinks he has it all worked out, “But, God”! He Thought He Could Stop the Plan of God! “BUT, GOD”! He Thought He Could Stop the People of God, “BUT, GOD”! All of us used to be just as those in the world! Our lives expressing the evil within us, doing every wicked thing that our passions or our evil thoughts might lead us into!
Brothers and sisters we started out bad, being born with evil natures, and were under God’s anger just like everyone else! “But, God” is so rich in mercy; he loved us so much that even though we were spiritually dead and doomed by our sins, he gave us back our lives again when he raised Christ from the dead--only by his undeserved favor have we ever been saved and lifted us up from the grave into glory along with Christ, where we sit with him in the heavenly realms--all because of what Christ Jesus did!
Church listen! I’m just trying to tell you today that no matter what the situation, no matter how bad it might look, no matter how bad you have been, no matter whether it is day or night; remember that whatever comes, “But, God”!
My bibles says in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
My brothers and my sisters, Satan says, “such were some of you”, “But, God” says “ye are washed, ye are sanctified, ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God”!
Satan says, “you can’t make it on you own”….“But, God” says, “If I am for you I am more than the world against you”!
Satan says, “Hold on to all your problems for no one can help you”….“But, God” says, “cast all you cares on me for I care for you”!
Satan says, “Take the easy way out”…. “But, God” says, “the race is not given to the swift of to the strong but to the one that endureth until the end”!
Satan says that your enemies have you surrounded come out with your hands up”…. “But, God” says, “I’ll make your enemies your footstool”!
Satan says, “Sickness will follow you”… “But, God” says “by His stripes we are healed”!
Satan says, “There’s nothing else the doctors can do”…. “But, God” says, I can change the diagnosis”!
Satan says, “I will make you a slave to sin”…. “But, God” says, “for God so loved the world that He gave His only Son”!
Satan says, “I’ll take your Son and hold Him in the Grave”…. “But, God” says, “After three days I will rise again”!
Satan says, “I’ve got Him now”…. “But, God” says, “Death where’s you sting, grave where’s you victory”?!
Church don’t listen to the lies and disparaging words of our enemy! Realize that God has the final word! See things from the Father’s perspective! Incline your ear and hear “But, God”! Satan says defeat, “but, God” says victory! Satan says disease, “but, God” says healing! Satan says hate, “but, God” says love! Satan says destruction, “But, God” says restoration! Satan says division, “But, God” says unity! Satan says abandonment, “but, God” says redemption!
Brothers and sisters Satan meant it for bad, “But God”! Every time you feel low lift your spirits by thinking, “But God”! Whenever it seems like the devil has his foot holding you down, realize that you can’t beat him, “But God”! If this Old World has gotten you down and you can’t find no way up, remember the phrase, “But God”!
Because no matter what the situation, no matter what the problem, no matter how bad it may be, “But God” can make it better! You see I could have been:
1. An alcoholic:
2. A drug user:
3. A child abuser:
4. On my deathbed:
5. Out of my mind:
6. Without a roof over my head:
7. Without food to eat:
8. Without money in my pocket:
9. Without a friend:
10. Lost and on my way to Hell:
“But God” loved me so much that he saved my soul! He sent His only Son to live and to die as the payment for my sins! And that’s what we have to do is make it personal! He died for you and He died for me! “But God”, early one Sunday morning got up with all power in His hands! He didn’t get up with black power! He didn’t get up with white power! “But God” got up with all power in the palm of His hands! That’s why I can stand here tonight and say, God will take care of you!
We might think that we have it all figured out! We might think that we know what is best! “But God” has a plan for every life in here and all we have to do is seek after His will! The bible says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death”.
Church , I'm here to tell you this evening, that if you follow His ways, if you let Him lead you, if you seek after His will, you will find that there’s nobody else that can do like He can, “But God”! He can open doors that have been shut; he can close doors that no man can open! Nobody else can do that “But God”!
He can give sight to the blind! He can make the lame man walk and the dumb man talk! Nobody else “But God”! “But God” can do anything but fail!
