GOD HAS A PLAN

Sermon Notes, July 27, 2014

Rev. Mike McCulley

            Rev. McCulley, a friend of Major Will’s, from Covington VA, spoke to us from Jeremiah 29:11-15.  His sermon was titled “God Has a Plan.”  He quoted Hannibal Smith of the old TV show “The A-Team” who said “I love it when a plan comes together!” 

God knows us.  (Jeremiah 1:4-5)  Before He formed us in the womb, He knew us; before we were born He set us apart for His purpose.  Our plan should be to rely on Him.  God puts people, situations, temptations and trials in our paths to make us more like Him.  

God plans for us to help people.  He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion. (Philippians 1:6)  He won’t let us down; He’s got our backs.  Proverbs 27:17 says that as iron sharpens iron, one person sharpens another.  Silver and gold have to be refined to be beautiful and useful—so do we.  We need to remember God’s call on our lives, and that everything that happens to us is designed to make us more like Jesus.

God rewards us.  2 Timothy 4:7-8 tells us what to expect after walking with Him.  Paul talks about fighting the good fight, finishing the race, keeping the faith, and receiving the crown of righteousness.  Our trials and tribulations are to build us up and to edify us.  We don’t know what effect our lives will have on others; we are just called to be faithful to what God has called us to do.

Work on the plan: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)   Preach the Gospel, and if you have to, use words.  We’re Holiness people: we fight on our knees.