Sermon Summary

• This study explores the tension between our desires to follow God and the excuses or struggles that often hold us back—usually introduced by the word "but." Through key scriptures, we see that our “buts” often reveal what we value most in the moment, especially when we're tired, overwhelmed, or afraid. God invites us to recognize that tiredness is not failure but a call to rely on His strength rather than our own. Rather than letting excuses keep us from growth, healing, and obedience, we’re called to shift our perspective and choose the “but” that leads us closer to God: “But I will trust,” “But God is with me,” “But I choose to rest in Him.” Scriptures like Psalm 59, Matthew 11, remind us that God offers rest, strength, and purpose when we bring our exhaustion and struggles to Him. The true path to peace and transformation isn’t striving harder, but surrendering deeper—living not from self-sufficiency, but from God’s love and power.

Scripture References

• Psalm 59:16-17 ESV, “16 But I will sing of Your strength; I will sing aloud of Your steadfast love in the morning. For You have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.17 O my Strength, I will sing praises to You, for You, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.”    

Matthew 11:28–30, John 16:7, John 16:33, Numbers 13:30–31, Psalm 18:29–30

Sermon Practice

• Take 5 to 15 minutes to slow down and process all that you have been feeling lately. Then, take time to reflect and answer the discussion questions on your own.

Discussion Questions

What is one “but” in your life that’s keeping you from doing what you know is best?

In what ways has tiredness (emotional, physical, or spiritual) affected your connection with God lately?

Are you relying on your own strength, or are you learning to rest in God’s strength when you’re overwhelmed?

What practical steps can you take this week to replace excuses with surrender and trust in God’s promises?

This sermon, “The God Who Is Available,” emphasizes that God has made Himself accessible to us through the Holy Spirit, offering salvation, strength, and help in times of trouble. Using Psalm 46:1 as a foundation, the message highlights how the Holy Spirit empowers believers to overcome obstacles that would otherwise be impossible on their own. The sermon explores three key questions: What has the Holy Spirit made available? (Salvation), How is He made available? (Through belief), and Why is He made available? (To lead us into worship). Salvation is not just an escape from eternal death but a transformation that empowers us to live with purpose today. Through scripture, the sermon reassures that God’s presence is a guarantee, transferring believers from darkness into His Kingdom, and calls for a response of faith and worship. Ultimately, it challenges the listener to recognize their need for salvation, believe in God’s power, and worship Him in gratitude for His availability.

Will we let our feelings and circumstances keep us from experiencing God and His Promises? As we begin a new year at GStudents, God is inviting us to remember who He is so we can discover more of who we are as we learn to pray together. Through prayer, we can “jump over the walls,” in our lives because it’s the defensive and offensive movement. Prayer can be defined as the opportunity to have friendship with God through our feelings and circumstances as we talk and listen to Him about anything and everything;  through anything and everything. 

Sermon Guide
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vM7PM5DY9jpMwShFLp3eOAsoJebiGDvhhaMJtTEu7U0/edit?usp=sharing

Will we let our feelings and circumstances keep us from experiencing God and His Promises? Or will we learn to Pray and Worship through the Walls of our feelings and circumstances? God is our Father, so that we can pray to Him about anything and everything. God has shown us that His love is enough so we can worship Him through anything. As we begin a new year at GStudents, God invites us to remember who He is and discover more of who we are. We can “jump over the walls” through prayer and worship because Jesus rose from the dead!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NcvHVuRf2Q-j4zQ4YfS-J4_-yBS9TExs3FkzTTjrt-A/edit?usp=sharing

Have you ever felt unworthy of God’s love?The greatest issue will not be our discipline, our focus, our performance in becoming the best version of ourself, in becoming someone who is “worthy….” The greatest issue will be believing the TRUTH that even in our worst state.. God still chooses us.

Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬, “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” ‭‭