GOD WITH HIS HANDS TIED

TEXT: Psa 78:40 How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!
Psa 78:41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.

INTRO: As a nation, we have sometimes been frustrated with hostage situations. Plenty of power available, but not able to use it. We sometimes watch helplessly as our children or our friends spoil their lives. They need help but won't accept it. Imagine how God must feel as He stands ready to bless mankind and is rejected!

I. God does have the power-
A. To bless nations.
Psa 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
Psa 89:14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
Psa 89:15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
Psa 89:16 In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.
Psa 89:17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.
Psa 89:18 For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.

B. He has the power to save sinners.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

C. He has power to restore backslidden Christians.
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

D. He has power to make churches spiritually strong.

II. Only one thing can tie God's hands in these matters. It is a waste of time to search anywhere else for answers. THE WILL OF MAN!
A. Psa 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

B. Isa 65:2 I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;

C. Mat 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

D. The WILL keeps sinners from being saved.
1.Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
2. John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
3.Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Isa 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
God has freely offered His Son, empowered His Church, convicts by the Holy Spirit, woos and waits, but His hands are tied and he can only grieve at the fate of the wicked.
Ezek 33:11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
Joy in Heaven would be so much better, BUT His hands are tied!
Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

E. Man's will can keep him from enjoying God's blessings after salvation.
1. He had the answer to the problems of the churches of Asia. It was up to them to listen and apply the answers.
Rev 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Rev 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Rev 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Rev 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev 3:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev 3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
2. To seek answers elsewhere is to tie God's hands! Many Christian lives are wasted by turning to men for answers when only God can give answers with Power. When we are not willing to accept God's Word, we must settle for a second-rate and potentially ruinous answer.

III Dare to Loose God to work in your life!
1. Accept Christ with NO reservations.
2. Follow the instructions of the WORD wherever it may lead.
3. Dare to repent and put God first in your affections and your life. The record in Acts is not the story of a group of Super-Christians, but the account of everyday, bumbling, garden-variety Christians who had the courage to unleash God by submitting their wills to Him! Have you the courage? God's power awaits!