Comfort in the Greatness of God
Keith Harms
livingWORD Assembly of God
INTRODUCTION:
Bret Farve steps up behind the center. A short hut! - hut-hut! And the ball is snapped. Immediately there’s a violent blend of yellow and green with navy and orange as the Bears defense pushes the Packer offensive line back and back. Some of the offensive line holds their positions while others force the defense out past the sides of the offensive play. As the mayhem forms a circle around him, Farve stands firm in the pocket - his comfort zone. He has confidence in the greatness of his linemen.
PROPOSITION or THESIS:
God’s children can find comfort in the greatness of God
INTERROGATIVE:
As a quarterback stands firm in the pocket, Christians need to rely on God.
TRANSITION:
Why don’t Christians have the same confidence in God that Bret Farve has in his offensive line? I think Christians simply don’t see God, therefore they have a difficult time relying on His greatness. Today, through His WORD in Isaiah 40: 12-31 you will discover comfort in the greatness of God.
DIVISION 1:
Isaiah 40:12 - God is Greater than the Earth
vs.12a - "Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand," The average man can only hold three teaspoons of water in his hand. It is estimated that the earth has 139 million square miles of water three miles deep - but God measured it all in the palm of his hand. Still, Isaiah 41:13 tells us that God will hold our right hand.
Vs. 12b - "Measured heaven with a span. And calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance." It is estimated that the landmass of our planet weights in the neighborhood of sixty-six sextillion tons. Although He holds the earth in place, God tells us in Isaiah 41:10, "I will uphold you with My right hand."
TRANSITION:
God is so big He holds the earth in one hand and our hand in the other. Yet, you continue to wonder if God is bigger than your current problems. God says look up into the expanse of the heavens.
DIVISION 2:
Isaiah 40:26 - God is Greater than the Heavenlies
Vs. 26b - "Who brings out their host by number, He calls them all by name," I often have trouble remembering people’s names, but God not only knows your name, He knows the names of each of His stars. The smallest sparrow, the brightest star and yes, YOU are important to God.
Vs. 26c - "By the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one is missing." We can experience comfort when we rely on God’s strength.
Vs. 26a - "Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things." God likes happy people! He’s telling us, "Don’t spend all your time looking at your worldly troubles." Look UP! He’s the God who created all things and cares for you.
TRANSITION:
Now you might agree with me that God is a BIG God! Still, in the back of your mind you question, "God may be big enough to control the universe, but is He truly able to care for me and my shortcomings?"
DIVISION 3:
Isaiah 40:27-31 - God is Greater than our Weaknesses
Vs. 28 - "He never faints or gets weary." In Isaiah 40:1, God calls us "My people." God never tiers of "His people."
Vs. 29 - "He gives power to the weak and to those who have no might He increases strength." Webster defines comfort as: to give strength and hope to. God in His strength gives us comfort.
Vs. 31 - "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength . . ." Several translations replace the word "wait" with the word "hope." They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength!" Put your hope in Jesus - He is your comfort zone!
TRANSITION:
God is greater than the earth. God is greater than the heavenlies! God is greater than our weaknesses!! When you find yourself outside the comfort zone, look to God and rejoice! His WORD says though it may seem dark to us, darkness and light are the same to Him. When we see dark, disheartening times and look harder toward God, the God of progressive revelation shows Himself to us as our comfort zone.
CONCLUSION:
Bret Farve steps back into the pocket - sometimes it’s a comfort zone and sometimes he’s forces to run out of the pocket. We don’t have to worry like Farve if the pocket, his comfort zone will last. We have a God who has called us His people and is greater, bigger than the earth and sky and yet He holds our hand. He is bigger than all our problems, fears and weaknesses. All we need to do is place our hope in Jesus Christ.
