THROUGH IT ALL
4/4/18
So...........
You graduated from high-school; some of you went on to further your educations; -
(either way, you have forged your way into the future!)
Tonight, we’re going to look into some situations of ‘survival’ that EVERYBODY
encounters at one time or another! The Good News is: God has His eyes on us at all
times; and he has given us instruction through His Holy Word as to how we’re
supposed to live. Sometimes doing the “right” thing sucks!! But, the truth is: WE’RE
ALWAYS REQUIRED TO DO THE “God Thing” — not just the ‘right thing’!!
-------------------------------------
1. NEED VS. GREED
Luke 12:15 (NIV) THEN HE SAID TO THEM, "WATCH OUT! BE ON YOUR GUARD
AGAINST ALL KINDS OF GREED; A MAN'S LIFE DOES NOT CONSIST IN THE
ABUNDANCE OF HIS POSSESSIONS."
Wanting to succeed is NOT ‘greed’! Ambition is God’s way of prodding us into action.
If you need a car to go to work in, for example, it is perfectly alright to seek the Lord
regarding your request. But if the car absolutely MUST be a Mercedes - you need to
consider rearranging your priorities. You may - very well - come to the point in your
career where an extremely expensive automobile is completely understandable. But
you must EARN the ‘right’ for such luxury through hard labor, etc.
Our prayer should always be that God will help us to distinguish between ambition and
greed! And that He will show us how to appropriately use our talents.
2. TEMPTATION
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV) NO TEMPTATION HAS OVERTAKEN YOU EXCEPT
SUCH AS IS COMMON TO MAN; BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL, WHO WILL NOT ALLOW
YOU TO BE TEMPTED BEYOND WHAT YOU ARE ABLE, BUT WITH THE
TEMPTATION WILL ALSO MAKE THE WAY OF ESCAPE, THAT YOU MAY BE
ABLE TO BEAR IT.
Temptations come in all sizes and shapes, from the seven deadly sings to sneaking a
second dessert when you’re home alone! As the verse says, God has seen them all!
And to top it all off - even Jesus was tempted!
You see: it’s NOT the temptation that makes it ‘sin’. You have to GIVE IN to the
temptation to earn that label. AND many times He actually shows us how to get ‘out’ of
certain situations. But - I will tell you this: HE WILL NOT FORCE YOU INTO
OBEDIENCE! That’s entirely your call!!
So, we must thank the Father whenever we’re tempted; and remember to enforce the
Scripture from 1 Corinthians to boost you beyond that place!
3. AFFLICTIONS OF A BELIEVER
Psalms 116:10-14 (NKJV) I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE, "I AM GREATLY
AFFLICTED." 11. I SAID IN MY HASTE, "ALL MEN ARE LIARS." 12 WHAT SHALL I
RENDER TO THE LORD FOR ALL HIS BENEFITS TOWARD ME? 13 I WILL TAKE
UP THE CUP OF SALVATION, AND CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD. 14 I
WILL PAY MY VOWS TO THE LORD NOW IN THE PRESENCE OF ALL HIS
PEOPLE.
Now, there’s no doubt that being a “Believer” brings certain afflictions from time-to-time.
As you know, Believers are being murdered in some countries under the “favorable
command from their rogue god! And these people think they’re doing “Allah’s”
bidding!!! Well - they are. Do you want to know why?..........because the REAL name
of that particular ‘god’ is Satan!
Some believers feel called to witness through words, others through a Scriptural picture
with God’s Word on a Tee-shirt. Others prefer to act as examples, witnessing through
their acts and deeds.
But - you must be aware of this ‘truth’: every time Believers say something or show
devotion, they’re open to “minor-martyrdom”! And that means that you are now on the
enemy’s radar-screen! Still - affliction is not the worst thing in the world. You can be
afflicted by disease, poverty, war, a tyrant of a boss and on....and on.....and on!
The whole situation is tied up in this Truth: afflictions WILL come; but you must ask the
Lord to give you courage in the face of ALL afflictions. HE WILL supply ALL your
needs according to His riches in Glory! Amen!!
Part of Jeremiah 31:16-17 (NKJV) says: THUS SAYS THE LORD: "REFRAIN YOUR
VOICE FROM WEEPING, AND YOUR EYES FROM TEARS; FOR YOUR WORK
SHALL BE REWARDED, SAYS THE LORD, AND THEY SHALL COME BACK FROM
THE LAND OF THE ENEMY. 17 THERE IS HOPE IN YOUR FUTURE, SAYS THE
LORD, THAT YOUR CHILDREN SHALL COME BACK TO THEIR OWN BORDER.
4. A PURE LIFE
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (NKJV) FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD, YOUR
SANCTIFICATION: THAT YOU SHOULD ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY; 4
THAT EACH OF YOU SHOULD KNOW HOW TO POSSESS HIS OWN VESSEL IN
SANCTIFICATION AND HONOR, 5 NOT IN PASSION OF LUST, LIKE THE
GENTILES WHO DO NOT KNOW GOD
Listen: avoiding sexual immorality does NOT come ‘naturally’ - it is LEARNED - and
there are very few teachers you can count on to have integrity. Society, at large is
pretty useless, issuing plenty of warnings about disease, free contraceptives, abortion,
un-Godly behavior through homosexuality, etc. But there’s very few who stand for
righteous principles directed to us in Holy Writ.
So.............who should we count on to teach us these valuable lessons of purity? Well -
the BEST teacher is God, Himself! You have - at your disposal - great Concordances,
many translations of the Bible, etc., to aid you in your ‘search’ for the Truth. You can’t
obey laws you don’t know exist. But the Bible is FILLED with instruction in the ways of
God! Besides that - God will give you the STRENGTH you need to control your own
body and live a pure life. ASK FOR HIS HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT!
5. SIN NO MORE
Psalms 39:1 (NKJV) I SAID, "I WILL GUARD MY WAYS, LEST I SIN WITH MY
TONGUE; I WILL RESTRAIN MY MOUTH WITH A MUZZLE, WHILE THE WICKED
ARE BEFORE ME."
Psalms 141:3-4 (NKJV) SET A GUARD, O LORD, OVER MY MOUTH; KEEP WATCH
OVER THE DOOR OF MY LIPS. 4 DO NOT INCLINE MY HEART TO ANY EVIL
THING, TO PRACTICE WICKED WORKS WITH MEN WHO WORK INIQUITY; AND
DO NOT LET ME EAT OF THEIR DELICACIES.
Listen:
Jesus was the only perfect person in the world. David, who wrote these verses, was as
sinful as the next man, yet God favored him over all other kings and chose his
descendants to be the earthly ancestors of Jesus!
Why? Because God knows we WILL sin! It’s our nature to do so. Not that you can
use that as an excuse, because you can’t!! But it is a fact that we live in a sinful world.
THAT’S why we need our SAVIOR!
God means us to live happy lives, not weighed down by unnatural burdens. Jesus
accepted that burden FOR us!! Give everything over TO Him, accept His sacrifice with
joy and go on with your life......... And change your life-style so that it aligns with God’s
commands!!
6. THE STRENGTH TO STAND
Mark 14:18-19 (NKJV) NOW AS THEY SAT AND ATE, JESUS SAID, "ASSUREDLY, I
SAY TO YOU, ONE OF YOU WHO EATS WITH ME WILL BETRAY ME." 19 AND
THEY BEGAN TO BE SORROWFUL, AND TO SAY TO HIM ONE BY ONE, "IS IT I?"
AND ANOTHER SAID, "IS IT I?"
Just the kind of firm Believers you’d like to have following you if you were about to face
the cross, right? Twelve men who aren’t even sure of their own hearts!
Listen: Jesus used these less-than-confident men precisely because they recognized
their own weakness!! God doesn’t look for self-sufficient disciples who never err. He
looks for those who KNOW they’re weak! AND they know Who to turn to-----JESUS!!!
So, if you’re facing trouble and feel you lack strength to stand firm, don’t waste your
time worrying. Instead - TURN TO JESUS! You’re in EXACTLY the right place!
7. THE GIFT OF GRACE
Acts 15:1 (NKJV) AND CERTAIN MEN CAME DOWN FROM JUDEA AND TAUGHT
THE BRETHREN, "UNLESS YOU ARE CIRCUMCISED ACCORDING TO THE
CUSTOM OF MOSES, YOU CANNOT BE SAVED."
People---- even some well-meaning Christians ---- have a hard time accepting grace.
They can’t believe they don’t have to add something to God’s work. So they set up
rules and regulations: “You have to do this, or you aren’t a Christian.”
The men who spoke those words were trying to follow the Old Testament law as well as
Jesus. They couldn’t accept that His blood had done it all and that, when they
accepted Him in their hearts (not their bodies) they WERE circumcised!
Listen: ‘fear’ leads to sin! God doesn’t want us to be afraid. He LOVES us! That’s why
He gave us our majestic Free Gift through the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ!!! NO STRINGS ATTACHED! So.........begin, today, to enjoy
that gift!
PAY ATTENTION NOW:
I, personally, have scores of candles. I’ve had them for years! I might light one once a
century; but I keep them put away so that they never BURN OUT!!
And that reminds me of some “Christians” who NEVER practice their Christianity
publicly; they don’t inter-act with others Christians; they don’t speak publicly about our
Lord - so as not to offend anyone; they don’t really have the true understanding of what
“GRACE” means!
Some folks who call themselves “Christians” are like my candles: if I take one down
from storage to use it - I first have to wipe away all the dust I’ve collected by HIDING
them!
8. THE LIGHT OF THE WORD
Psalms 119:105-106 (NKJV) YOUR WORD IS A LAMP TO MY FEET AND A LIGHT
TO MY PATH. 106 I HAVE SWORN AND CONFIRMED THAT I WILL KEEP YOUR
RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENTS.
Why should you read a book that’s thousands of years old? “What would those old
guys know about modern life?”
The fact is: plenty of people, even those who’ve walked down a church aisle to commit
themselves to Christ, have trouble spending time in the Bible. They might say, “I don’t
understand it.”
Others pick up Scripture and new truths leap out at them, answering questions that
have been on their hearts for a long time!
What’s the difference???.............COMMITMENT!!
If you spend regular time in the Word and seek out the teaching on it, THE LIGHT
GOES ON!
Lamentations 3:22-26 (NKJV) THROUGH THE LORD'S MERCIES WE ARE NOT
CONSUMED, BECAUSE HIS COMPASSIONS FAIL NOT. 23 THEY ARE NEW
EVERY MORNING; GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS. 24 "THE LORD IS MY
PORTION," SAYS MY SOUL, "THEREFORE I HOPE IN HIM!" 25 THE LORD IS
GOOD TO THOSE WHO WAIT FOR HIM, TO THE SOUL WHO SEEKS HIM. 26 IT IS
GOOD THAT ONE SHOULD HOPE AND WAIT QUIETLY FOR THE SALVATION OF
THE LORD.
9. GOD AIN’T NO WIMP!
Nahum 1:2 (NKJV) GOD IS JEALOUS, AND THE LORD AVENGES; THE LORD
AVENGES AND IS FURIOUS. THE LORD WILL TAKE VENGEANCE ON HIS
ADVERSARIES, AND HE RESERVES WRATH FOR HIS ENEMIES;
Lots of folks are perfectly willing to accept a wimpy kind of ‘god’ - a perfectly
inoffensive, powerless being who never interferes with their lives, never does anything
THEY don’t agree with, and NEVER gets angry!
Imagine the anger ANY father would feel at having his son slighted! Well - God isn’t
just ANY Father! He gave the Perfect Sacrifice in order to save varmints like us!!
Listen: God is Sovereign! You can’t ‘fool’ Him. You can’t get away with ANYTHING.
And He WILL bring about His ultimate plan for humanity!
Just think about it:
NO IDOL SHOWS ANGER, BUT GOD IS NO WIMP! IF PEOPLE WON’T ACCEPT
THE MOST PRECIOUS GIFT GOD HAD TO GIVE, THEY’LL PAY FOR IT
THEMSELVES–WITH THEIR OWN LIVES!!!
10. GOD’S POWERFUL SWORD
Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) FOR THE WORD OF GOD IS LIVING AND POWERFUL, AND
SHARPER THAN ANY TWO-EDGED SWORD, PIERCING EVEN TO THE DIVISION
OF SOUL AND SPIRIT, AND OF JOINTS AND MARROW, AND IS A DISCERNER OF
THE THOUGHTS AND INTENTS OF THE HEART.
Have you ever picked up your Bible, read the Scripture, and you KNEW God had
brought you to that specific ‘Word’ for that specific time?! It went straight to your heart
because you were living out that verse.
The Bible isn’t like any other book. Though you might enjoy cook-books, novels, and
you might learn a lot from a “how-to” book — neither reaches deep into your spirit-man
the way Scripture does. The Word of God gets straight inside you and cuts to the truth
in an instant!! The Holy Spirit can wield it like a sword, cutting sin out of your life!
Now, YOU have to hold still while He uses that sword. Otherwise, you’ll leave a painful
quiet time without the benefit of having the cancer of sin removed.
Allow God to have His way with you; and though the sword might hurt at first, healing
can come rapidly.
So...................
Our parting prayer tonight is:
“Holy Spirit, reach into my life with Your Word. Search out the places where sin
hides and remove it from my life, in Jesus’ Name.
So, tonight I will leave you with this:
BE BLESSED AND MAY JESUS BE YOUR PEACE!
|