“BUT GOD!!”
As I mediated before the Lord regarding the message for this morning and the words “BUT GOD” radiated in my mind and soul gave a different understanding of those words. Now in Romans 5:6-8 For when we were yet without strength in due time Christ died for the ungodly, for scarcely for a righteous man some would even dare to die. But GOD commendeth his love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Before I dig deep into this message here is some history of the Book of Romans. The author is none other than PAUL (Formally SAUL OF TARSUS) this book is dated in the area of 56AD it is collection of letters written to the Gentiles Church in Rome. The Book of Romans is all about understanding and living out the Christian Faith. It provides us the want to know, what to believe, what is the truth and how to walk answer as we live day to day in this world. One thought about the author we have remember is he had the “BUT GOD” experience as traveled to persecute the Christians in the city of Damascus.
There are three important points I must address in this message.
1. What is STRENGTH
2. What is FAITHFULNESS
3. What is BUT
When we think of the word strength what is the first thing that comes to mind. “Physical Strength” which is good but to have the quality of Strength is to have the fortress of GOD which is our Spiritual strength. Strength is defined as the quality or state of being strong. Look back in our lives there were times we thought we were stronger than life. In our younger days we would display our strength to impress a young lady or young man yet that strength was only physical or mental never was it spiritual. As we grew closer to our LORD our views on strength changed and we gained spiritual strength yet there are times we allow weakness to overtake us when troubles, storms, situations, medical, financial, and anything in our day to day living affect us or shall I say take us off our GAME. Is when things happen to get us frustrated, we get upset, we get angry, and we sometimes just throw up our hands and give up. “BUT” when we pray and turn it all over to GOD is when his STRENGTH carries us through the storms of life. In 1 Chronicles 16:11 We are to look to GOD and seek his face. If we really read in the word of GOD how many times did his Prophets, Priests, Leaders, People of Israel face adversity in their walk with GOD yet they all overcame each trial by standing upon his promises for through Jesus it is clear that Micah 5:4 HE will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD in the majesty of the Name of the Lord his GOD. Luke 10:2 He answers: Love the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and whit all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself. These two scriptures tell us to rely on STRENGTH In the LORD for it is that strength that carries us through all of the challenges that life can bring before us. Here goes my TOPIC Keep in BUT GOD! For in 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, MY Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness, therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me. Understanding Strength brings about the FAITHFULNESS there is a quote I read that gives me a understanding of Faithfulness it is simple as this “Listen to the mustn’ts child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossible, the won’ts, Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me- Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.” Shel Silverstein now in this quote we have to understand that our faithfulness is in GOD for his plan for each of us is for greater then our plans or goals in life. Yet as I stated before there are times we allow weakness to still our strength and take our faithfulness. Faithful is having or showing true and constant support or loyalty. In just the definition of the word it is clear that we must submit unto GOD in true loyalty for this where he proves his faithfulness unto each us. For in Hosea 2:20 I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD. We have to realize that God’s faithfulness is so powerful and extraordinary because no matter of the you will never, not yet, cannots, we shall overcome just by us internalizing Gods unwavering faithfulness and strength into our lives all because of his LOVE. Yet we have to continue to be steadfast in our faithfulness unto GOD. For when we live in Faithfulness, we become more conscious of how we trust in GOD. For in James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Therefore we must understand that each experience we have in life rest in the strength of GOD and the FAITHFULNESS OF GOD.
Which takes me to my closing point WHAT IS BUT in the Word of GOD; now as we dive deep into this message today I must ask the question do you know how many times the word “BUT” appears in the Bible it is 3757 times and the combination of BUT GOD is 584 times. We must understand that this word is a strong word that is used especially when used in the statement BUT GOD. Let me expound on the word itself it has two definitions the conjunction unless, if not, except that; the preposition with the exception of, save. Now in this statement BUT GOD it is used as the preposition therefore we must understand that Strength and Faithfulness are contributing to our BUT GOD experiences in life. Has there been a time in your life where you wanted to do something all by yourself with no help from no one yet you had problems doing that very thing. Not realizing that when GOD stepped in to help you it was a BUT GOD experience. There are many times GOD does just that he presents his strength and faithfulness to each of us and allows for his BUT to step into our lives. See the But GOD demonstrates his awesome love towards each of us, in that while we are still sinners in this alone is our atonement from our heavenly father. We must understand that we must be thankful for the BUTS in the scriptures for in that God displays his love for us in spite of ourselves. No matter how much we strive day by day we are still human therefore we still sin. And we seek his forgiveness every second of the day. Take the time to read these few passages
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. (Genesis 50:20 ESV) I’d bet ya Joseph’s brothers were thankful to hear this “but!”
And David remained in the strongholds in the wilderness, in the hill country of the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand. (1 Samuel 23:14 ESV) I’m sure King David was thankful for this “but!”
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26 ESV)
And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” (Acts 9:4-6 ESV) I'm sure Saul was glad to hear this "but!"
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from the law, has been made known, to which the law and the prophets testify. (Romans 3:20-21 ESV)
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person - though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die - but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8 ESV)
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience - among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:1-5 ESV)
Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:12-13 ESV)
Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
(1 Peter 2:10 ESV)
I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense - Jesus Christ, the righteous one. (1 John 2:1 ESV)
Understand but for these biblical “BUTS” were would the people of God be? What would have happened to King David? What about Saul/Paul? And where would we as sinners be without his imputed righteousness, atoning death, and grace and mercy? A composer of music may add grace notes to the score; though not essential to the melody they are gratuitous these notes add a flourish whose presence would be missed that is just our LORD is with each of us he adds to our lives as we yield unto him daily. There is another quote I read that made a loud statement which is “When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable: this is the key to Christianity. Now church it clear that Gods plan is for us to walk in his Salvation. Moreover breathen, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. The doors of the church are now open is there one that is willing to turn your life over to GOD and enjoy the BUT GOD EXPERIENCE.
