Did God Really Say… He is in Control of Everything?

Introduction:

God Says That He Is... (Isaiah 45:5-12 & 46:8-11)

1. The one and only LORD: I cannot overestimate His Sovereign Reach (Isaiah 45:5-7)

   1 John 1:5 - God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all.

   Genesis 45:8 - “So it was not you who sent me here, but God.”

   Genesis 50:20 - “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”

   Acts 2:23 - “this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.”

   Romans 8:28 - And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.

2. The one and only Creator: I cannot question His Actions . (Isaiah 45:8-12)
3. The one and only Almighty: I cannot thwart His Purposes . (Isaiah 46:8-11)
   • Decretive will
   • Preceptive will

   Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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Small Group Discussion
Read Isaiah 45:5-12 & 46:8-11

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. What does it mean that God is sovereign? Why is this good news?
   

3. What is the difference between groaning to God and grumbling against God? How do you see yourself grumbling and complaining in this current season of life?
   

4. What are you anxious about right now? How can you fight against the temptation to worry about the future?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Did God Really Say… Every Other Religion is Wrong?

Introduction:

God's Final Word on Religion (Isaiah 44:6-20):

1. There is absolutely No One Like Him (Isaiah 44:6-8)
2. Idolatry is absolutely Destructive . (Isaiah 44:9-20)
   1. Because it leads to Nothing But Shame (Isaiah 44:9-11)

      John 14:6 - “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

   2. Because it is the Height of Self-Deception (Isaiah 44:12-20)

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Small Group Discussion
Read Isaiah 44:16-20

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. What are some examples of living as if God doesn’t actually exist?
   

3. Why is it so hard for people to accept that there is only one way to eternal life and a relationship with God?
   

4. What is idolatry and why is it so destructive? Where do you see idolatry in your life and what can you do about it right now?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Do It Afraid

Introduction:

Do It Afraid: (Isaiah 43:18-19)

Isaiah 43:18-19 - "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way..."

God's timing is just as important as His direction.

Ezekiel 37:14b (NIV) - "Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken, and I have done what I said. Yes, the Lord has spoken!"

Matthew 6:26 (NIV) - "Look at the birds of the air. They do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

When God guides, He will always provide.

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Small Group Discussion
Read Isaiah 43:18-19

1. What is one thing that God revealed to you personally during the sermon?
   

2. How are you going to obey what God revealed to you?
   

3. What is an example of something you’ve done afraid?
   

4. “God’s timing is just as important as His direction.” What does this statement mean to your and your current circumstances?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

This is Who We Are: Pillar 3

Introduction:

We Believe Firmly in the Power of Prayer.

Matthew 7:7 - Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

James 5:16 - The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

The Testimony of Hezekiah and Literally Everyone Else Who Believes Firmly in the Power of Prayer (Isaiah 38):

1. Desperation leads me to prayer. (Isaiah 38:10-14)
2. Prayer leads me to Provision . (Isaiah 38:15-17)

   The Testimony of Hezekiah and Literally Everyone Else Who Believes Firmly in the Power of Prayer (Isaiah 38):

   1. New Perspective
   2. Your Answer
   3. Forgiveness
3. God's provision leads me to Worship . (Isaiah 38:18-20)

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Small Group Discussion
Read Isaiah 38

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. Tell of a time you experienced a clear and direct answer to prayer.
   

3. Why does God often employ “medical means” to bring about healing (Isaiah 38:21)?
   

4. Why did Hezekiah pray as he did, recounting his good works (praying “in his own name”)? Explain what it means to “pray in Jesus’ name” (See John 14:13-14)?

Breakout
Pray for one another to grow as pray-ers.

This is Who We Are: Pillar 1

Introduction:

We proclaim the authority of God's Word without apology.

Isaiah 55:10-11 - For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but sit shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Romans 10:17 - So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Psalm 19:7-9 - The law of the LORD is perfect, previving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.

The Life Stages of the One Who Receives God's Word (Psalm 19:7-9):

1. New Life . (Ps 19:7)
2. Wisdom for living. (Ps 19:7)
3. Joy . (Ps 19:8)
4. Light for my path. (Ps 19:8)
5. Clear Conscience . (Ps 19:9)
6. Confidence . (Ps 19:9)

How to Let the Word Rain on You (Psalm 19:10-14):

1. Want it. (Ps 19:10)
2. Apply it. (Ps 19:11)

   John 13:17 - If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

3. Ask for God's help with it. (Ps 19:12-14)

1 Corinthians 1:24 - but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Isaiah 55:10-11 and Psalm 19:7-14

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. In Isaiah 55:10-11, God's Word is compared to rain. How is God's Word like rain?
   

3. Suppose someone asks you, “Why does HBC only do expository (verse-by-verse) preaching?” How would you respond?
   

4. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you desire the Word of God? (1 = not at all, 10 = I constantly want it). Specifically, how can you want it more?

Breakout
Pray for one another to grow in your hunger and application of God's Word.