Sermon Discussion Guide
Sunday, July 18, 2010
The Holiness of God: Mysterious
How can I trust in a mysterious God?
I can trust in a mysterious God if I’m willing to believe even when I cannot see.
I can trust in a mysterious God if I’m willing to believe He always wants and always works for the best for me and all His children.
I can trust in a mysterious God because in Jesus God shows us His heart - He reveals the mystery of His heart.
1.) Read Isaiah 40:25. In what ways have you found the Lord, who is the Holy One, and cannot be compared to anyone or anything, to be mysterious? Can you share an experience that caused you to think of God as mysterious?
2.) Read Psalm 77:16-20 and Romans 11:33. As you think of the account of the Israelites crossing through the Red Sea (full account found in Exodus 14), do you think you would have gone through that sea, with walls of water piled up high on either side of you? Why, or why not? In Psalm 77 we read that the Lord led them through the sea, yet His “footprints were unseen.” In Romans 11 we read that the ways and judgments of the Lord are beyond our searching out or scrutinizing. Are you willing to believe and trust in the Lord even when you cannot see what He’s doing? Why, or why not? Does believing without seeing make sense? Why, or why not?
3.) Read Daniel 6:1-5; Daniel 6:19-22; Daniel 6:25-27; Romans 8:28. What makes it so very difficult, at times, to believe that in everything God is working for the good of His children? How would you define the word “good” as it is used in Romans 8:28? Pastor Craig stated that if you are willing to believe, then you will be able to believe. Do you agree with that? Why, or why not?
4.) Read Colossians 2:1-3 and Colossians 1:27. How is the mystery of God revealed in Jesus? In what ways have you seen the heart of God in the stories of the things that Jesus did while He walked this earth? Pastor Craig told the story of meeting his wife Lisa who was beautiful, fun, exciting, and mysterious. He couldn’t figure her out, but as they got to know each other she shared her heart with him. Though we never totally figure anyone out, if the person you fall in love with does not reveal his or her heart to you, but simply remains mysterious, you cannot trust that person enough to marry. In the same way, if God had not revealed His heart to us through Jesus, we would not be able to trust Him; because His ways remain mysterious to our limited minds. Do you agree with this? Why, or why not?