Isaiah 14:24
God has set purposes for the world, nations, and individuals, and prayer opens the door for God's will to be done.
Chuck Smith emphasizes that God's purposes are unchangeable and will ultimately prevail, regardless of the moral decay seen in society today. He discusses how God has established specific purposes for nations and individuals, and while these purposes may be delayed, they will not be disannulled. Smith highlights the importance of prayer, noting that it does not change God's plans but opens the door for His will to be accomplished. He reassures that God's loving purpose for each person is for their highest good, urging individuals to align their will with God's. The sermon calls for recognition of God's sovereignty and the necessity of seeking His will in our lives.
Text
"THE PURPOSES OF GOD"
Intro: God has established certain set purposes for the world, nations, Individuals.
I. THE PURPOSES OF GOD SHALL STAND, "WHO SHALL DISANNUL?"
A. We see the world today moving toward judgment.
1. MoraI decay was prophesied as a prelude to that judgment.
a. The movie industry has made sin fashionable, and glamorous.
b. Some producers now turning to blasphemy.
1. Passover Plot.
2. New movie to portray Christ as a sex pervert.
B. God has purposed to judge this world and when it comes the angels declare "true
and righteous are thy judgments."
1. The purposes of God can at times be delayed. What is time to God?
a. Revival in Nineveh delayed its destruction.
b. Only hope for the U.S. is a great revival.
C. The Bible shows how God raises up nations to fulfill His purposes, then sets
them aside.
1. Within our context it speaks of the fall of Assyria and Babylon.
2. Both nations used as instruments of God to fulfill His purpose, then
set aside when purposes fulfilled.
D. This should tell us something about prayer.
1. The force of prayer is never to change God's purposes.
2. The purpose of prayer is to open the door for God's will to be done.
a. God chooses not to violate my free choice.
3. How does it make me feel to know that my prayers do not alter the
purposes of God?
a. Very secure.
E. We have been speaking of the set purposes of God for the world and for nations.
II. THE OPEN PURPOSES OF GOD FOR MAN.
A. "God is not willing that any should perish."
1. Yet there are millions who have perished.
2. God has made man in His image giving Him the power of choice, now
God respects the choice you make.
B. God has a loving purpose for each of our lives.
1. He seeks for our highest good to bring us to His purpose.
a. He uses pressure and persuasion.
b. He will at times make you miserable.
c. You can go against His purpose, but it isn't easy nor
is it smart.
C. God's purpose for your life is best. The wisest prayer is,
"Not my will, Thy will be done."
Sermon Outline
- I. THE PURPOSES OF GOD SHALL STAND
- A. The world is moving toward judgment
- B. God has purposed to judge the world
- C. The purposes of God can be delayed
- D. God raises up nations to fulfill His purposes
- E. Prayer opens the door for God's will to be done
Key Quotes
“God is not willing that any should perish.” — Chuck Smith
“The purposes of God can at times be delayed. What is time to God?” — Chuck Smith
“The force of prayer is never to change God's purposes.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Prayer is not to change God's purposes, but to open the door for God's will to be done.
- God respects the choice man makes, giving him the power of choice.
- God's purpose for your life is best, and the wisest prayer is 'Not my will, Thy will be done'.