1. I am more and more aware that God is often quiet in our day to day lives
a. I would love to have a special revelation and words from God like the prophets have had.
b. Elijah’s still small voice may have been mere “baby talk” and not discernible to Him.
2. It is important to remember that God is near – an important reason to study
Isaiah 57:15
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
“I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly,
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
a. We may interpret His silence as distance or insignificance (or maybe sinfulness)
b. God spoke regularly to Moses and occasionally to the people
• Moses in the Tent of Meeting
• The people at Sinai
• ALWAYS through His word via the priests – Nehemiah 8:8 8 They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
c. To US:
• God speaks regularly to Jesus and occasionally to us via HS
• Always via scripture – we are all priests teaching and learning
3. 2 Samuel 7:4-17
I. Our Plans
A. David’s Big Idea
1. Logical
2. NOT from God – 2 Samuel 7:1-3
B. God’s Gracious Permission – 2 Samuel 7:4-5
C. Our Plans vs. God’s Plans – Philippians 3:2-11
2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 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 9 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—10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
1. Paul knew the system of traditions and teachings of men
a. Knew about God but did not know God and the power of His resurrection
b. EVEN though he had the best education – Gamliel
c. All of his degrees and learning were useless to him
2. I’ve learned a little of what Paul had in mind
a. As a new member of the CoC I learned our system of traditions and teachings
b. I learned the “Right” arguments for all of our positions
c. I learned History and Culture – some of these things are important
d. I earned 4 Bible degrees; church growth strategies (small groups; even prayer)
e. I’ve planned special events – Friend Days, etc.
f. BUT, NO ONE taught me how to know God – most of what I have devoted to has been loss – time, effort, even money
3. What does it matter if we build a big crowd at worship services and we don’t have God? Like lives without love we are a clanging symbols, etc. (1 Corinthians 13)
4. Even when we get off track God is near, seeking us and leading us to know Him – David’s plan on God’s terms; alabaster box; given from love which comes by knowing Him
II. God’s Plans
A. Illustrated in David (2 Samuel 7:8-11)
1. David’s Story of God’s Presence
2. David’s Legacy with God’s Presence
B. Seen in the Plans He has for YOU – your gifts and maturity – Jeremiah 29:10-14
10 “For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
1. Get to know Him via Scripture (Jeremiah 29:11)
a. Get to know Him in Jesus, whom scripture reveals and the Holy Spirit teaches
b. A thought – if we are not getting the interaction with God we seek, maybe He holds back because we aren’t listening to what He has already said in scripture
c. Maybe if we seek Him find HIM – not just “things” we crave
2. Get to know Him via Prayer (Jeremiah 29:12)
3. Get to know HIM (Jeremiah 29:13)
1. Sometimes He is quiet, but He is ALWAYS concerned.
2. He is always at work – Romans 8:28
3. He is not far – Acts 17:26-27
26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,
