God is Greater Than My Limits

Welcome to Southwest!

• Glorify God, Love Others, Make Disciples.

God’s Greatest Plans

• God’s greatest plans don’t always make much earthly sense. But God always comes through.
• Examples: Abraham and Sarah, Moses, David, Mary, etc.
• God is able to accomplish the impossible because he is greater than every obstacle that stands in the way — including our personal flaws that we think rule us out.

New Sermon Series: “Our God is Greater.”

• God loves to do extraordinary things through ordinary people, even if they have fears, doubts, and failures (2 Corinthians 12:9).
• Our goal for this series is to come to a greater conviction that since God is greater than our circumstances, he’s able to give us the strength we need to serve him faithfully.
• Scripture: Ephesians 3:20-21: God is more powerful than we realize, and his power is at work in us so that we can give him glory.

Today’s Message: God is Greater than Our Limits.

• The Story of Abraham and Sarah.
• The Sermon in One Sentence: God can accomplish great things through us, despite the physical circumstances or human limitations we face.

God’s Promises to Abraham

• “I will make you into a great nation” (Genesis 12:2)
• “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:3)
• “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them. So shall your offspring be.”  (Genesis 15:5)
• Question: How would you respond if you heard a promise or plan from God that you knew wasn’t possible due to the circumstances of your life?

God’s Plan for Abraham and Sarah Clashed with the Physical Limitations they Had.

• Sarah was unable to conceive (Gen. 11:30)
• Abraham was “as good as dead” (Hebrews 11:11-12). 
• Abraham was 75 years old when he was called and 86 when he took matters into his own hands with Hagar. By age 99 years he still did not have a child with Sarah.

Despite The Circumstances, God Kept Making Promises About their Descendants.

• Scripture: Genesis 17:1-8, 15-19
• The unbelievable promise begins with a reminder of God’s power: “I am God Almighty.” 
• What is impossible for us is possible with God — if it is God’s will.

The Promise Comes True

• Scripture: Genesis 21:1-7
• Abraham and Sarah tried to force God’s plan to come true their own way, in their own timing (Hagar and Ishmael), but God stayed focused on fulfilling his promise on his schedule.
  • • After years of waiting, the promise came true, even though there was no earthly way it should have been possible. 

What should we do when God’s plan clashes with our human limitations?

• Trust that his power is greater than our limits (time, resources, abilities, age, etc.)
• Abraham was too old; David was too young; Gideon was too weak; Ruth was too poor; Lazarus was too dead — but God used them anyway.
• If God calls us to do something, he will empower us with what we need to accomplish his purpose, despite the limitations we face.

Remember: All Things are Possible with God.

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” -Matthew 19:26

• We have a big mission, but we serve a mighty God.
• New Year’s Mindset: Trust that God will give us the strength we need to serve him faithfully no matter what this new year brings.

Study & Reflection:

• Read 2 Peter 1:3-11. Were there any words or phrases that you were drawn to as you read? How does this verse relate to where you are in your relationship with God right now?
• Verse 3 tells us that through the power of God, we have everything we need to live a godly life. What are some of the spiritual blessings or resources God has given us to help us on our journey?
• Verse 4 mentions the promises that God gives us in the Bible. What are some examples of God’s promises that are especially encouraging to you? If you’d like some reminders, read Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 28:20, or Psalm 91:3.
• Verses 3-4 focus on what God has done and is doing for us in our journey of faith, but in verses 5-7 it shifts to our responsibility. What are some of the main things we can do so we can grow to become more like God and accomplish his plan for our lives?
• What do you think God has in mind when he talks about being productive and effective in our knowledge of Jesus?
• Now read Ephesians 3:14-21. This will be our main passage for the new sermon series.    What are some of the big goals God has for us as disciples, and how does he empower us to accomplish them?
• Based on the two passages you’ve read, write down some thoughts about the ultimate goal(s) God has in mind for us as his followers. What does a mature, healthy, growing disciple look like?
• Example: Christ is dwelling in our hearts (Eph. 3:17)