Series: Limiting The Holy One Of Israel (Part 1 An Introduction - Can We Limit God's Move In Our Lives?)

SERIES: LIMITING THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL (PART 1 - AN INTRODUCTION - CAN WE LIMIT GOD'S MOVE IN OUR LIVES?)

PSALM 78: 19 Yes, they murmured against God: They said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness? 20 Behold, He struck the rock, So that the waters gushed out, And the streams overflowed. Can He give bread also? Can He provide meat for His people?” 21 Therefore the Lord heard this and was furious; So a fire was kindled against Jacob, And anger also came up against Israel, 22 Because they did not believe in God, And did not trust in His salvation. 23 Yet He had commanded the clouds above, And opened the doors of heaven, 24 Had rained down manna on them to eat, And given them of the bread of heaven. 25 Men ate angels’ food; He sent them food to the full. 26 He caused an east wind to blow in the heavens; And by His power He brought in the south wind. 27 He also rained meat on them like the dust, Feathered fowl like the sand of the seas; 28 And He let them fall in the midst of their camp, All around their dwellings. 29 So they ate and were well filled, For He gave them their own desire. 30 They were not deprived of their craving; But while their food was still in their mouths, 31 The wrath of God came against them, And slew the stoutest of them, And struck down the choice men of Israel. 32 In spite of this they still sinned, And did not believe in His wondrous works. 33 Therefore their days He consumed in futility, And their years in fear. 34 When He slew them, then they sought Him; And they returned and sought earnestly for God. 35 Then they remembered that God was their rock, And the Most High God their Redeemer. 36 Nevertheless they flattered Him with their mouth, And they lied to Him with their tongue; 37 For their heart was not steadfast with Him, Nor were they faithful in His covenant. 38 But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, And did not destroy them. Yes, many a time He turned His anger away, And did not stir up all His wrath; 39 For He remembered that they were but flesh, A breath that passes away and does not come again. 40 How often they provoked Him in the wilderness, And grieved Him in the desert! 41 Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel. 42 They did not remember His power: The day when He redeemed them from the enemy, 43 When He worked His signs in Egypt.

INTRODUCTION: SERIES - LIMITING THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL (INTRO) Teach

The Chief Questions This Series Will Project Are: In What Ways Do We Limit God? In What Do We Limit God? Why Do We Limit God? How Do We Take Off The Limits? The Results Of A Life Without Limiting God. Some Examples Of From Scriptures And Even In Our Own Lives.

Psalm 78:41 Is An Astounding Statement. We are told that by their sins and foolishness, God’s people actually ‘’limited the Holy One of Israel’’. But can man limit God? Can the church limit His purpose & intention? Yes! Within the context of this psalm we see that these people did limit Him –- and you and I may do the same. Two Great Principles In Psalm 78:41:

1. God Is Ready And Longing To Do Great Things For And Through His People. The whole psalm demonstrates this: God is waiting to be our sufficiency and to use us in blessing to the world.

2. God Is Frequently Prevented From Proving His Sufficiency In The Lives Of His People. Why? Because of How they see him.

WHAT IS A LIMIT?

What Does It Mean To Limit Something? A limit is a point or level beyond which something does not or may not extend or pass. The terminal point or boundary of an area or movement; the furthest extent of one's physical or mental endurance, a restriction on the size or amount of something permissible or possible, etc. E.g. The limits of presidential power; the city limits, trying someone’s patience to the limit, etc.

CONSIDER WHOM IT IS WE ARE LIMITING.

We Are Limiting God The Creator, Sustainer And Redeemer Of Mankind, The Sovereign God. Matthew 19:26 We are limiting the One with whom all things are possible. Genesis 18:14 We are limiting the one with whom nothing is too hard. Hebrews 13:8 His power is just the same today as it was yesterday.

EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE GOD USES AND ENABLES

The Bible Harbors The Record Of God Using Ordinary People: David, Joseph, Little Maid of Israel (2 Kings 5 – Naaman), Daniel & His Friends, Boy with His Lunch (John 6), Peter, Paul, Gideon, Jepthath, Moses, Esther, Elisha, Jacob, Samuel, Elijah, Mary, etc.