Under Authority

The Main Idea: God’s Covenant with his people means he supplies them with a fit Savior.

*The Big Question: What should God’s Covenant People learn about God’s great desire to reclaim them?

*The Central Point: God’s Covenant DEMANDS he give us a SAVIOR that is:

1.) SKILLFUL (vv. 1-6) – (Application: If you need wisdom, TURN to JESUS)

2.) STEADFAST (vv. 7-12) – (Application: If you need support, TURN to JESUS)

3.) SUFFERING (vv. 24-30) – (Application: If you need empathy, TURN to JESUS)

The Main Idea: God’s Covenant with his people puts on display his great patience.

*The Big Question: What should God’s Covenant People learn about God’s great desire to reclaim them?

*The Central Point: We LEARN that God is PATIENT even when we are:

1.) INCONSISTENT (vv. 1-14) – (Application: God’s PATIENCE doesn’t mean no requirements)

2.) UNFAITHFUL (vv. 15-23) – (Application: God’s PATIENCE doesn’t mean no consequences)

3.) HYPOCRITICAL (vv. 24-30) – (Application: God’s PATIENCE doesn’t mean no repentance)

The Main Idea: God’s Covenant with his people leads them through the valley of the shadow of death.

*The Big Question: When facing the pangs of death, what should God’s Covenant People do?

*The Central Point: We TRUST God’s Covenant through FAMILY:

1.) CREDULITY (vv. 12-17) – (Application: Rest in God’s Sovereign Control)

2.) CRUELTY (vv. 18-24) – (Application: Look for God’s Sovereign Intervention)

3.) CUNNING (vv. 25-36) – (Application: Lean into God’s Sovereign Faithfulness)

The Main Idea: God’s Covenant with his people leads them through the valley of the shadow of death.

*The Big Question: When facing the pangs of death, what should God’s Covenant People do?

*The Central Point: We TRUST God’s Covenant through FAMILY:

1.) CREDULITY (vv. 12-17) – (Application: Rest in God’s Sovereign Control)

2.) CRUELTY (vv. 18-24) – (Application: Look for God’s Sovereign Intervention)

3.) CUNNING (vv. 25-36) – (Application: Lean into God’s Sovereign Faithfulness)

The Main Idea: God’s at Work to Remake His Covenant People through Focus on His Truth.

*The Big Question: How should God’s Covenant People respond to God’s truth?

*The Central Point: We should TRUST & OBEY God’s truth regardless of the vessel’s:

1.) RIGHTEOUSNESS (vv. 1-2) – (Application: We just might need to COMPARE & CONTRAST!)

2.) RANK (vv. 3-4) – (Application: We just might need to CHECK ourselves!)

3.) RANKLING (vv. 5-11) – (Application: We just might need to WONDER why…)

The Main Idea: God’s at Work to Remake His Covenant People through Focus on His Rule and Presence.

*The Big Question: Where’s God’s COVENANT when evil grows?

*The Central Point: He’s EMMANUEL even though EVIL GROWS in:

1.) TIME (vv. 1-14) – (Application: We ENDURE)

2.) TRIBES (vv. 15-30) – (Application: We WISE UP)

3.) TERRAIN (vv. 31-43) – (Application: We TRUST)

The Main Idea: God’s at Work to Remake His Covenant People through Focus on His Rule and Presence.

*The Big Question: Where’s God’s COVENANT when evil grows?

*The Central Point: He’s EMMANUEL even though EVIL GROWS in:

1.) TIME (vv. 1-14) – (Application: We ENDURE)

2.) TRIBES (vv. 15-30) – (Application: We WISE UP)

3.) TERRAIN (vv. 31-43) – (Application: We TRUST)

The Main Idea: God’s at Work to Repair and Remake His Covenant People through Hurt.

*The Big Question: How does God keep his COVENANT when we’re hurt?

*The Central Point: He WALKS US through:

1.) SADNESS (vv. 16-21) – (Application: In faith we can mark our sadness)

2.) SHAME (vv. 22-26) – (Application: In faith we can accept our shame)

3.) SORROW (vv. 27-29) – (Application: In faith we can stand in our sorrow)

The Main Idea: God’s at Work to Repair and Remake His Covenant People.

*The Big Question: What can we expect from God if we are IN COVENANT with him?

*The Central Point: Like a Friend that Sticks Closer than a Brother, He:

1.) STIRS UP (vv. 1-4) – (Application: Move on in Christ, even when you don’t have all the answers)

2.) STAYS BESIDE (vv. 5-8) – (Application: Have confidence in Christ wherever you are going)

3.) STANDS WITH (vv. 9-15) – (Application: Receive encouragement from Christ when he gives it)

The Main Idea: The Boomerang to the Flesh Does Great Damage to God’s Covenant People.

*The Big Question: How can we tell we’re giving into the FLESH in our interactions with others?

*The Central Point: QUESTIONABLE Ways Lead to COMPLICATED Days:

1.) DETESTABLE THINGS (vv. 1-12) – (Application: Check your LOOSENESS in making TIES with unbelievers)

2.) DECEITFUL DEALS (vv. 13-24) – (Application: Sowing the WIND; Reaping the WHIRLWIND)

3.) DISGRACEFUL MESSES (vv. 25-31) – (Application: When doing NOTHING and doing SOMETHING without consulting your covenant-making God leaves you vulnerable…)