Let God Be God
Pastor Erickson preaches from Psalm 68:1 and John 1 that we must let God arise, giving him room to work instead of trying to be the Christ of our own lives, as John the Baptist refused to be. Using Hebrews 11, the father of the prodigal son and the widow's pot of oil, he urges people to stop carrying burdens they cannot fix, to trust God by faith and to come to the altar so that he may increase.
The message in 6 points
Let God arise
He reads John 1:19-20 and Psalm 68:1. The word let means to permit, so it is up to us to give God the opportunity to rise up in our trouble instead of trying to help him, as Sarah did with Hagar, Moses did striking the rock and Uzzah did reaching for the ark.
1:03:51By faith, not by our ability
From the Hebrews 11 hall of faith he shows that Noah, Abraham, Moses and the others won not by their own power but by faith in a God who does the impossible. Paul says our battle is spiritual, and God's enemies must be scattered.
1:08:37John said I am not the Christ
John the Baptist had fame and disciples, yet when the priests asked who he was, he said he was not the Christ and that Jesus must increase while he decreased. He warns the church not to act as if it has all the answers and plays the savior of its own life.
1:18:04Stop blaming yourself
Because we are not the Christ, we must stop blaming ourselves and making ourselves sick over things we have no power to fix. God wants to be the one who steps in, heals, delivers and makes things new.
1:26:49The father of the prodigal
The father in the parable did nothing wrong when his younger son left. He tells parents of wayward children not to give up, to keep watching the road, keep a compassionate heart and keep the robe, ring and shoes ready for the day their child comes home.
1:28:32What do you have in the house
The widow facing creditors could not save herself, but she gathered vessels by faith and God filled them with oil. When God is involved nothing is impossible, so he urges people to cast their cares on him, let God be God, and come to the altar to say he must increase.
1:36:28
In his words
“We got to give God the opportunity to step into our predicament, but it's up to us. It does not say that God will arise, it said let God arise.”
“John could simply say I am not the Christ, which means I can't blame myself for anything that happens because I'm not the one that can do anything about it.”
“It doesn't seem possible, it doesn't seem likely, but when God is involved nothing is impossible.”
Taken word for word from the video, with punctuation added.
Scripture
He reads
John 1:19-20
19And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? 20And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
King James Version.
Psalms 68:1
1Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.
King James Version.
Hebrews 11:7
7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
King James Version.
Hebrews 11:29-30
29By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. 30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
King James Version.
Hebrews 11:32-33
32And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
King James Version.
John 1:21
21And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
King James Version.
Luke 15:21-23
21And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
King James Version.
1 Peter 5:7
7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
King James Version.
Psalms 68:35
35O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.
King James Version.
He also points to
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