"SEPARATED FROM GOD"
When prayers are not answered or things go wrong, how quick we are to blame God. There
can be several reasons, selfish motivations. God's will delay.
I. "THE LORD'S HAND IS NOT SHORTENED, THAT IT CANNOT SAVE."
A. The problem is not on the upper side.
1. God is able "His hand is Mot shortened."
a. Surely He who formed the body from the dust of the earth is
able to make minor adjustments or major for that matter.
b. Key to Abraham's faith, "being fully persuaded..."
c. Paul's confidence in God's ability.
1. "For I know whom..."
2. "Now unto Him who is able..."
d. Sometimes when prayers not answered we think "Maybe that's
too much to ask."
2. God can save us from any crisis.
a. Maybe the problem is that He can't hear.
3. "Neither is His ear heavy that He cannot here."
a. Elijah to prophets and priests of Baal, "Cry louder perhaps
your god is sleeping."
1. This is never the case with Jehovah, "He who watches
Israel neither slumbers or sleeps."
b. He hears the prayers of our hearts.
1. Eleazer, "before I had finished speaking in my heart,"
Rebekah.
II. "YOUR INIQUITIES HAVE SEPARATED BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR GOD."
A. The problem lies at our own door.
B. Separation from God is the inevitable consequence of sin.
1. In garden of Eden "Adam where art thou?"
a. Not the call of an arresting officer but the cry of a heart
broken Father.
b. When God laid on Jesus Christ "the iniquities of us all" the
cry "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me?"
2. This is not difficult to grasp. If God would continue to answer my
prayers while I was deliberately walking in sin, He would be condoning
my sin. God cannot look upon sin" i.e.
C. "He will not hear."
1. It's not that He cannot hear.
D. Many of the things we have asked for, God desires to give to us.
1. God.wants to save you.
2. God delights to answer your prayers.
3. "Let the wicked man forsake His way and the unrighteous man..."
I. Peter-prayers hindered. (?)
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Chuck Smith (1927 - 2013)
Pastor Chuck was used in the Jesus People revival where he was used along with others to minister to the hippy young people. They saw a work of the Spirit where many were added to the church and discipled. He has raised up many pastors who are a part of the Calvary Chapel movement now and where he pastors the large Costa Mesa church in California.The Calvary Chapel movement is based of simple principles that Chuck Smith taught over the years such as: The priority of agape love, Simple fellowship amongst the saints, the breaking of bread, the teaching of God's word chapter by chapter and verse by verse. And lastly and most importantly the principle not by might nor by power but by my spirit saith the Lord.