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’!!

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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!