Big God Redemption

Everything happens For a reason

Not everything has a Spiritual Cause

Not everything has a Spiritual Cause But it can be redeemed For a greater Purpose

Nothing is wasted with God Except that which is not Yielded to God

Empty time Nothing happening Wasted… Have you been there?

David…

..Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David…and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power - 1 Sam. 16:1-13

And then! Nothing - Keeping Sheep - Running Errands - Playing music

Wasted time…

Until… A God-moment

"Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" - 1 Sam. 17:26

Where did he learn to sling?

Protecting sheep Faithful in the little things And praising God

God can use that!

God can use that! God redeems it For his glory And his people's safety

And that's just the beginning Of David's road to the throne

If you will be faithful Where you are With what you have God will redeem wasted time For his glory and your joy

Nothing is wasted with God Except that which is not Yielded to God

Corollary: Don't wait for life to begin Until…

Life hurts sometimes Seasons of pain Hardship and trial

Life hurts sometimes "Everything happens For a reason…"???

"Everything happens For a reason…"??? Tell me again how that miscarriage was God's fault…

Life hurts sometimes Easy to project forward And dream of the day Or curse every moment

Pain exists It's real and it hurts

Pain exists It's real and it hurts (And God doesn't always stop it)

…Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him

When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him… - Genesis 37

"What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him…

…after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood." His brothers agreed - Gen. 37

Painful Years Continually faithful In all things

Slave and Object of Desire

Slave and Object of Desire Prisoner and Trustee

Slave and Object of Desire Prisoner and Trustee Interpreter/Prisoner

Slave and Object of Desire Prisoner and Trustee Interpreter/Prisoner Interpreter

Slave and Object of Desire Prisoner and Trustee Interpreter/Prisoner Interpreter 2 nd in Command and Savior

Painful time 13 years gone, stolen As a slave and prisoner Yet he's faithful

20 years later 37 years old Saves his family

Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God?”

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives - Genesis 50

God didn't cause the sin And the painful years But he redeemed them For his purposes, Joseph's joy And our blessing

God redeems Joseph's pain For the saving of his people And the eventual birth of Christ

The snakebite of Paul? Opened to door to the gospel In Malta

The only thing God doesn't Redeem Is what we won't give him

Nothing is wasted with God Except that which is not Yielded to God

The question isn't "Am I in pain?" But "Can I trust God Through this pain?"

The trials And the cross are painful But God uses it to redeem us Nothing is wasted with God

Time is a Stewardship… - Brief - Responsible to God

But I sin Which takes time And it's an abuse of the time God has given me…

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat

…but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers"

Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death”

[Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will"] - Matt. 26

Jesus is choosing a weak guy Full of pride To strengthen other weak guys Full of pride

Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me” - Luke 22:31-34

Desire to do good + Pride = Sin

So Peter Falls…

The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.

Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times…"

And he went outside and wept bitterly - Luke 22:54-62

And he runs…from, not to

Jesus chases him down

Nothing is wasted with God Except that which is not Yielded to God

Feed my lambs Take care of my sheep Feed my sheep

How is God Redeeming that?

Never again see That self-confident pride And desire to brag So he's finally ready to lead

God uses Peter's wasted time In sin and brokenness To grow him so he can Pastor The first church ever

The issue isn't what you've done But whether you've repented And are walking in forgiveness

Wasted time Painful time Sinful time

When given back to God Becomes his glory Our joy and Other's blessing

Not everything happens For a reason But in Christ Everything can have purpose Beyond itself

How do I know? - Chip on shoulder - Continual memories - Insecurity - Resentment toward God

God will redeem Everything that's given over To him What do you need to let go of?

The gospel is an exchange A releasing of one thing So you can gain something Much better

Christmas Offering Please pray!