I Peter 2:21-25 (NKJV)

21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:22 “Who committed no sin,Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;

I Peter 2:21-25 (NKJV)

24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

I PETER 2:21-25

A God Of Nothing

A God Of NothingWe often hear sermons about the goodness of our God

Many preachers will preach about God’s great blessings

Just this morning we looked at the great blessing of hope which we have in Christ

A God Of NothingThere is no doubt that we serve a God mighty in good works

The blessings He gives us are simply innumerable

The many times He has answered our prayers is more than we can truly appreciate

A God Of NothingWhat about when God does nothing?

How often do we stop to think about that?

Do we praise God when He does nothing as we praise Him when He does great things?

Let’s together appreciate the nothing…

A God Of Nothing1. What did Christ do wrong?• Nothing!• He was falsely accused, but he did

nothing wrong or deserving of death (Matt. 26:58-60)

• Christ was tempted like us (Matt. 4; Heb. 4:15)

A God Of Nothing1. What did Christ do wrong?• Although He did face temptation, He

never sinned (I Pet. 2:22)• It is for our benefit that He remained

sinless throughout His life• Through His sacrifice, He reconciled

us back to God (Rom. 5:10; I Pet. 3:18)

A God Of Nothing1. What did Christ do wrong?• The fact that Christ did nothing

wrong should cause us to rejoice• While we think of all the great things

He did, it was important that He not sin

• His sinless life leads us to other blessings as well

A God Of Nothing2. What does God hold against a faithful Christian?• Nothing!• When Christ died, a new covenant

took effect between God and the saved

• “I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more” (Heb. 8:12)

A God Of Nothing2. What does God hold against a faithful Christian?• Through faith, repentance, confession

and baptism, we can have our sins washed away (Acts 2:38; 22:16)

• Once we are a Christian, if we walk in the light then the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin (I Jn. 1:7)

A God Of Nothing3. What does a Christian lack that he needs?• Nothing!• God has promised to take care of our

needs• Jesus spoke about the necessities of

life and said God would take care of us just as He does nature (Matt. 6:25-34)

A God Of Nothing3. What does a Christian lack that he needs?• Paul certainly believed that• He said that we should, with

thanksgiving, let our requests be made known to God (Phil. 4:6)

• He then said God would supply all our needs (Phil. 4:19)

A God Of Nothing3. What does a Christian lack that he needs?• God is a Father to us and cares for us

(Matt. 7:7-11; I Pet. 5:7)• The necessities of life (air, water,

food, clothing, shelter), God provides for us so that we will not lack

A God Of Nothing4. What thing can separate us from God’s love?• Nothing!• Romans 8:38-39• There are a lot of “things” on that list

(some are very powerful) that Paul gives there

A God Of Nothing4. What thing can separate us from God’s love?• Yet still none of those things can

separate us from God’s love• Jesus said no one can take His sheep

from His hand (Jn. 10:28-29)• There is nothing powerful enough to

pull us away against our will

A God Of Nothing5. What should worry a Christian?• Nothing!• When Jesus spoke of our needs in

Matthew 6:25-34, He also spoke of worrying about such things

• The message was simple, do not worry about the things in life

A God Of Nothing5. What should worry a Christian?• Paul gives a similar message in

Philippians 4:6-7• He tells us to be anxious for nothing• How do we accomplish that?• Through thankful prayer!