BUT, GOD!
TEXT: Various
INTRODUCTION. There are a number of powerful 2-word phrases found in the Word of God. Phrases such as: Healed all; gathered in; cast out; raised up; pulled down. Each of these phrases are used in context with the power of God. However, there is one phrase used 43 times in Scripture that causes my spirit to leap for joy. That phrase is: BUT, GOD!
This small two word phrase communicates a tremendous message to all who will hear. 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; life is to death; in is to out. “But God” stand diametrically 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; traverses 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!”
I’m speaking to you this morning from God’s perspective. I’m encouraging you to put on your Kingdom glasses and see things as God sees them. I want you to know it’s not over until God has His say. I’ve come to exhort you to stay for the entire game – wait until the last seconds tick off the clock; 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 morning 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 speaking to you this morning on the subject “But, God . . .”
May I tell you this morning that in that book of miracles you hold in your hand, there are many instances where our adversary [Satan] is confounded and confused. There are stories of his elaborate schemes going awry, because he failed to realize that God would have the final say. Poor devil! He had worked so hard to get everything just right, yet just when he thinks he is victorious, he hears “But God!” Let’s look at a few of his defeats this morning.
I. He Thought He Could Stop the Plan of God . . . BUT GOD [Acts 7:9; Gen 38-44]
And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: BUT GOD was with him,
A. Pit [Gen 37:22-24]
B. Potifer [Gen 39:1-6a]
C. Prison [Gen 39:7-20]
Echoes of his brothers: “. . .now let’s see what happens to your dreams.”
D. Palace [Gen 41:25-32]
1. Notice Gen 39:21 & Acts 7:29 “But God was with Joseph!”
II. He Thought He Could Stop the People of God . . . BUT GOD [Eph 2:3-6]
All of us used to be just as they are, our lives expressing the evil within us, doing every wicked thing that our passions or our evil thoughts might lead us into. We started out bad, being born with evil natures, and were under God’s anger just like everyone else. 4 But God is so rich in mercy; he loved us so much 5 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-- 6 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. [TLB]
A. Perfect [Gen 1:26]
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
B. Putrefied [Eph 2:3]
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Created to be kings, they now find themselves as paupers. Once were friends with God – now are enemies. Mind once filled with thoughts of God, now has become breeding ground for lust and evil. Once were rulers – now are slaves. History’s greatest tragedy.
C. Promoted [2:6] --- BUT GOD!
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
III. He Thought He Could Stop The Power of God … BUT GOD [Acts 13:28-20]
And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. 29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. 30 BUT GOD raised him from the dead:
A. Pierced [Isa 53]
B. Planted [John 19:38]
And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
For something to bloom, it must first be planted!
C. Powerful [Matt 28:18] – BUT GOD!
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Born in a stable, His mother a virgin, raised in a carpenter shop
His parents were poor His people were slaves, His friends were a lowly lot
His chances in life seemed so very slim, He’s expected to be a slave.
But people in darkness saw great light in Him And hope of freedom He gave.
All of the power of heaven and earth God had invested in Him.
He’s to die on the cross, descend into hell, Meet the devil, take the keys from Him.
He yielded Himself to the death on the cross, Cried it’s finished and slumped to die, in the regions of hell the devils celebrated, We’ve destroyed the king they cried!
In the midst of the celebration footsteps were heard Walking through the corridors of hell
Then the shouting stopped as a voice rang out A voice rang out, a voice that rang like a bell
Satan then trembled as he recognized Him Who had come to deliver His own.
"Shut and lock the gates", he cried "Don’t let Him ascend to His throne!"
CONCLUSION: 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.
Etc.
