Putting God In A Box

Putting God in a Box

March 25, 2012 Evening Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: We cannot force God to do anything; He tells US what to do.

Focus Passage: 2 Samuel 7:1-7

Supplemental Passage: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9 NASB)

Introduction: In the frigid waters around Greenland are countless icebergs, some little and some gigantic. If you'd observe them carefully, you'd notice that sometimes the small ice floes move in one direction while their massive counterparts flow in another. The explanation is simple. Surface winds drive the little ones, whereas the huge masses of ice are carried along by deep ocean currents. When we face trials and tragedies, it's helpful to see our lives as being subject to two forces--surface winds and ocean currents. The winds represent everything changeable, unpredictable, and distressing. But operating simultaneously with these gusts and gales is another force that's even more powerful. It is the sure movement of God's wise and sovereign purposes, the deep flow of His unchanging love.

I. David had been blessed by God

a. David was at rest, at home

b. No one was chasing him; he was pursuing no one

II. David sought counsel to build a temple

a. David had, what he thought was, a good idea

b. Instead of going to God, he went to his friend, who also thought it was a good idea

c. The friend didn’t seek God either. He spoke to David under his OWN authority; not God’s authority

III. God said that He never told them to build a temple

a. God spoke to the friend, who then spoke as a prophet and not a friend

b. God said that he never told anyone whom He chose as leaders to build Him a house

c. Even IF He were to have a house, it wasn’t going to be David that would build it for Him

Conclusion: Sometimes we think we know what God wants. Sometimes we think we know what God can or cannot do. God is God. He is greater than us. He is mightier than us. He is wiser than us. Rather than just starting up something, let us seek God’s counsel to see if it is something HE wants.

A Song of Ascents, of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.

(Psalms 127:1 NASB)

Invitation: