“Is the Lord’s Hand Waxed Short?”

Text: Numbers 11:23; Isaiah 59:1

Introduction: Discuss the occasion that prompted this question. Let us notice:

  I. It did not wax short in the Jewish dispensation.
     A. Saved Israel from Egypt. Exodus 14
        1. Raised up Moses. Exodus 2, 4.
        2. Gave him miracles. Exodus 4; plagues – Exodus 8-
           12
        3. Must follow Moses. Exodus 4:29-31; cross the Red 
           Sea – Exodus 14:19-22.
     B. En route to Canaan.
        1. Provided manna, water, guidance, law, place of 
           worship.
        2. Crossing Jordan River – Jericho, armed city. 
           Joshua 6
        3. Destruction of Ai. Joshua 7, 8
        4. Conquest of Canaan – Received all the land. 
           Joshua 21:43-45.
     C. When in captivity. Daniel 3, 6.

 II. It did not when man was lost in sin. Romans 3:23; 
     Ephesians 2:11-12
     A. Brought the world a Savior. Hebrews 7:25
        1. According to promise. Genesis 12:1-3; 49:10.
        2. In fulfillment of prophecy.
           a. Deuteronomy 18:15
           b. Isaiah 9:6; 28:16
        3. In spite of Satan’s opposition.
           a. You can trace the trail of the serpent 
              throughout the Old Testament.
           b. Yet Jesus came on schedule.
           c. Defeated Satan:
              a. Matthew 4:1-10
              b. Hebrews 2:14
           d. Able to save to save completely. Hebrews 7:25
     B. Gave the world a perfect guidebook – the Bible.
        1. Product of inspiration.
           a. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10
           b. 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
        2. Complete in Him.
           a. Colossians 2:9-10
           b. 2 Peter 1:3
        3. Needs no creeds – Romans 1:16; Revelation 22:18-
           19.
     C. Gave us an all-sufficient church. Ephesians 5:23; 
        3:10, 21
        1. It reached the lost. Acts 2; 8:4; Colossians 
           1:23.
           a. No human societies authorized nor used.
        2. Pillar and ground of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:14-
           15.
        3. Help the needy saints.
           a. Acts 6:4; 11:27-30
           b. No human organizations involved.
        4. Educated its members. Ephesians 4:11-15

III. Has God’s hand waxed short today?
     A. Men make it appear so by:
        1. Not trusting in God – Like Israel. Zephaniah 
           3:2; Jeremiah 2:13.
           a. Many trust in the flesh. Psalms 33:16; 44:6.
           b. Some trust in riches. Luke 16
        2. Changing God’s plan:
           a. of induction – “just invite Christ into your 
              heart.”
           b. of arousing interest – entertainment, 
              socializing.
           c. of teaching – 2 Timothy 4:1-5; 1 Corinthians 
              2:1-3.
              (1) Doctrines of men.
              (2) Substitute current events, book reviews, 
                  etc.
              (3) Don’t teach on basic Christian doctrines.
           d. of worship:
              (1) Instruments of music.
              (2) Choirs instead of congregational singing 
                  (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).
              (3) Formality.
              (4) Show.
           e. of work of the church:
              (1) Evangelism – substitute Missionary 
                  Society, sponsoring church, etc.
              (2) Benevolence – substitute orphanages, old 
                  folks home, whom to help, etc.
              (3) Edification – Schools, colleges.
     B. It has not and will not wax short.
        1. God’s plan is complete.
           a. Colossians 2:9-10
           b. Romans 1:16
           c. Hebrews 7:27
        2. Faithful will be rewarded, Revelation 22:14; 
           wicked punished, Revelation 22:18-19.