But, God!

There are a number of powerful 2-word phrases found in the Word of God. Phrases such as: healed all; gathered in; cast out; raised up; pulled down. Each of these phrases is used in context with the power of God. However, there is one phrase, used 43 times in Scripture, that rises above them all. That phrase is: BUT GOD!

Satan has worked so hard to get everything just right, yet just when he thinks he is victorious, he hears “But God!” Let’s look at a few of his defeats this morning.

The Plan of God

 . . . BUT GOD Acts 7:9; Genesis 38-44

And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: BUT GOD was with him,

Pit

Genesis 37:22-24

Potiphar

Genesis 39:1-6a

Prison

Genesis 39:7-20

• Echoes of his brothers: “now let’s see what happens to your dreams.”

Palace

Genesis 41:25-32

• Notice Genesis 39:21 & Acts 7:9 “But God was with Joseph!”

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The People of God

 . . . BUT GOD Ephesians 2:3-6

All of us used to be just as they are, our lives expressing the evil within us, doing every wicked thing that our passions or our evil thoughts might lead us into. We started out bad, being born with evil natures, and were under God’s anger just like everyone else.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Perfect

Genesis 1:26

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Putrefied

Ephesians 2:3

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Created to be kings, they now find themselves as paupers. Once were friends with God now are enemies. Mind once filled with thoughts of God, now has become breeding ground for lust and evil. Once were rulers - now are slaves. History’s greatest tragedy.

Ephesians 2:6 — BUT GOD!

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

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The Power of God

 ... BUT GOD Acts 13:28-30

And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. BUT GOD raised him from the dead:

Pierced

Isaiah 53

Planted

John 19:42

• For something to bloom, it must first be planted!

Powerful

Matthew 28:18 - BUT GOD!

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Conclusion

It is God’s response to Satan’s challenge.

It is the bottom line

It is the last word.

• The world says No—

“But God” Yes.

• The world says Stop—

“But God” says Go.

• The world says Defeat—

“But God” says Victory.