The Ground Where We Stand or Fall

Introduction 

The Ground where we stand

Matthew 7:24-31

Theological Truths

The Sharpness of truth

The SOVEREIGNTY of God

Daniel 2:20, 21; Daniel 4:34, 35; Isaiah 46:3-11

The LOVE of God

1 Chronicles 16:34; Lamentations 3:22-24; John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:7-11

 Love is not mere sentimentalism

Love is not mere permissiveness

Love is strong in its purposes

The aim of the love of God is not to coddle and spoil. Divine love is committed to the maturity, transformation and deep joy of his people. As such, divine love functions in the midst of suffering and flourishing and uses both in the shaping of our lives.

The PRESENCE of God

 Genesis 28:10-17; Hebrews 13:5, 6; John 14:15-18

The PROMISE of God

 Ephesians 1:11-14; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Strength and Stability

Broken Tables...

• Breakdown 1 - God is not in control and can do nothing…But loves you, is with you and offers you a future
• Breakdown 2 – God is in control…but doesn’t love you, is with you and offers you a future
• Breakdown 3 - God is in control, loves you…but abandons you in tough spots but offers you a future
• Breakdown 4 - God is in control, loves you, is with you but this life only is what you get.

Community Meditation Questions

• In this message we discussed four foundational truths about God: 1)God’s sovereignty 2)God’s love 3)God’s presence and 4)God’s future promise.

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  • Which of the four truths about God encourages you the most? Do you find any of them troubling? 
  • In what ways can our hearts resist believing these truths?
  • In what ways might we misunderstand the love of God? Could God’s love for us permit us to have difficulty? Why?

• Discuss the four “broken tables” mentioned at the conclusion of the message.
• Read Matthew 7:24-31 together. Where will you stand when you begin to “freak out”?