Andy Stanley One Prayer Week 4 “God is in Control”
*Message 1 ‘Nothing New’ from Andy’s “He’s Still* Got the Whole World in His Hands” Series
The Upper Room – Disciples celebrate Passover with Jesus. Passover was a remembrance meal where the Jews would remember what happened years ago when the Israelites were in Egyptian slavery and were having their last meal before the next morning when they all would walk out of Egypt. All they had known for over 400 years was slavery. After 400 years worth of prayer, God sent them Moses who said “tomorrow we are leaving.” The Angel of Death passed over Egypt and killed the first born from every family who did not have the blood of a lamb on their door post. The Israelites took Moses’ words true and did what he said and they were delivered, left Egypt and headed for the Promised Land. So, 1400 years later (things were not going well), Jesus and The Disciples gathered for the Passover (Last Supper): Mark 14:17-30: 17When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me." 19They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, "Surely not I?" 20"It is one of the Twelve," he replied, "one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born." 22While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body." 23Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. 24"This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. 25"I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God." 26When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27"You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written:
" 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered. 28But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." 29Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not." 30"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times."
Can you trust God and can you maintain faith in Him, when there is absolutely now evidence of His activity in your life? Our answer to that question will determine our response to the continuing uncertainty in our lives.
If you could ask the Disciples when the darkest moment was when they followed Jesus. Answer probably would be at the Last Supper. All 12 ended up betraying Him, one of them 3 times, and then they watched Jesus be tried and killed. But, those very same hours, when it seemed as if God was inactive and doing the least, in those darkest hours God was actually doing the most. The darkest hours were the epicenter of the salvation of mankind. In the moment it looked like a lost cause, but in reality it was the time that people now look back on to see God’s goodness and grace.
God seems to take broken things, and do amazing work.
God seems to wait until the last moment to do His amazing work.
God shows up in His timing, not the way we choose.
The most amazing works of God are often times launched during time of personal or national brokenness.
Will we maintain faith when we cannot see His hand?
Now more than ever, The Bible is the place to go.
It was birthed during times of extraordinary darkness and extraordinary uncertainty.
It allows us to embrace uncertainty with the certainty of knowing that God is still in control.
Although life is uncertain, God is not uncertain. He still has the world in His hands.
YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO THE STORY HE TELLS AT THE END OF THE MESSAGE. IT GIVES ME CHILLS……..
“and we know, that in all things God works to the benefit of those who love him” ……but sometimes it takes Him a while.
LISTEN TO THIS MESSAGE NOW!
HERE: http://tiny.cc/Y1GTC
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