Problem Solver – 6 – Unsolvable Problems vs Unstoppable Promises

Welcome

 

Problem Solver

Last week: Loneliness

 

What do you do when the problem is not…
-faith
-prayer
-Christian life
-sin
-serving

Unsolvable Problems

Important subject – effects everyone

Aria

 

I prayed, but it still happened
-Healer
-Rescuer
-Guide
-Companion

 

Unsolvable problems feel like broken promises
-Stage 4 cancer
-Divorce papers
-Kids
-Finances
-Funeral

It feels like problems get in the way of promises.

 

Unsolvable problem/broken promises often lead to
-Anger
-Confusion
-Sadness
-Broken trust/faith

The answer to an unsolvable problem is an unstoppable promise

Pray.

 

How do we make Promises?

-Pinky Promise
-I swear… Cross my heart
-Kids often get parents to promise…

 

Swear by something greater.
-Hand on the Bible
-Name on the dotted line
    -Swear by your name
-Swear on the life of your mama..

 

How does God make a promise?

-Giant Bible?
-Pinky promise?

Hebrews 6:13-15 (NIV)
13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

 

None greater – He swears by himself.
-No one great.
-No greater name.
-No greater power.

The promise made, worked, and kept is in God
God does not hand off his promise to priests, pastors, and prophets.

His promises are self-contained within himself.

Ark of the Covenant represents God as a container.
-Inside are 3 promises, made, worked, and kept by God.
-Want to know more? ..Bible study

The promise made, worked, and kept is in God

Now wait… that promise to Abraham.
Hebrews 6:14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”

Has this promise been fulfilled?
-Yes.
Did Abraham ever see this promise fulfilled?

 -Abraham saw 2 grandchildren.

 

Is the promise still true, when you don’t see it?

Abraham hardly saw any promises fulfilled in his lifetime.

Believed the promise

 -Faith
-Righteousness (right standing)

 

Faith is trusting that God will come through on every promise.

One of our big problems…

Fake promises

 -Cleanliness is next to Godliness
-God helps those that help themselves
-God will not give me more than I can handle
-Easy life

God never said it.
It messes up faith to hold God to promises he never made.

 

Here is a promise from God…
John 16:33 (NIV) In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

The promise made, worked, and kept is in God

God does not hand off his promises to someone else. They are self-contained within Him.

So explain this..
2 Corinthians 1:20
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

 

God’s promises are made, worked, and kept in Jesus
Jesus is God

  -Not someone else
  -God Himself

 

The answer to an unsolvable problem is an unstoppable promise

The promise made, worked, and kept in Jesus.

You can’t solve the problem… but Jesus can.
 

Like Abraham – we may not see the promise fulfilled… but we can believe.

“Even when I don’t see it, You’re working
Even when I can’t feel it, You’re working
You never stop, You never stop working
You never stop, You never stop working”

Aria – Good news.

It did not turn out like we wanted… but..
The promise is contained within God… not us.

 

The answer to an unsolvable problem is an unstoppable promise

What should you do with this?

What are your unsolvable problems?
  -Death & disappointment
  -A relationship that won’t reconcile
  -Mistake you can’t fix

Write down your unsolvable problem.

Find a promise of God…

Strength, Rest, Peace, Love, Redemption, New Life, Victory, Eternal Life, Wisdom, Healing, Forgiveness, Friendship, Blessing, Freedom,

Consider how that promise is made, worked, and kept in Jesus.

Write it down.
 

Action: By faith bring your problem and your promise and come pray.