Barriers - To Strengthen Lesson 2 Series

A. INTRODUCTION

1. Working on grandfather’s farm, four weeks drought, carrying buckets of water from the stream.

a. I pitched a fit, “I hate rain.”

b. Uncle Sam said, “You better love that rain.” Principle: “always be happy when it rains, you don’t know the good it brings.”

c. Afterwards, I’d sit on porch delighted. Storm clouds, and lightning, and walls of water rolling over fields.

2. Secret to life, learning good things from barriers and storms, etc.

3. Barriers indicate where one thing ends, and another begins. Think of barriers as a safeguard from danger.

4. Jesus said, “On this earth you will face barriers and afflictions, but be encouraged, I will help you overcome them, because I have gone through them, and I was victorious (John 16:33, Amplified)

B. WHAT TO DO WHEN FACING BARRIERS

1. Don’t live in a world of failures, “you will not make it” or “close up shop and declare bankruptcy.”

2. Think of impossibilities. Think of the ways God solved a problem in Scriptures. “But God…”

a. Changed circumstances.

b. Changed people’s minds.

c. Set answers in motion that took time to solve.

d. God has other options or paths for you.

3. God promised Abraham a son, but he didn’t come for 50 years. “Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son” (Genesis 17:19). What was his response, “who against hope, believed in hope … and being not weak in faith … he staggered not at the promise of God … but was strong in faith … being fully persuaded that what God had promised, He was able also to perform” (Romans 4:18-21).

4. Your faith makes God bigger and your problems smaller.

5. Why does God allow trials/afflictions? The world says, “I didn’t promise you a rose garden.”

a. Illustration: fire in crucible produces pure gold. “That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7, NKJV).

b. Illustration: extreme pressure produces diamonds. “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12).

c. Jesus understands our struggles. “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first” (John 15:18, NLT).

d. Trials/Afflictions produces growth in character. “Rejoice … problems and trials … develop endurance … strength of character … confident hope”(Romans 5:3-5, NLT).

e. “When troubles come … your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow … you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing” (James 1:2-4, NLT).

f. God knows what He is doing. “God causes everything to work together … for your good, to those who love God” (Romans 8:28, ELT).

6. Examples of trials that produce winners.

a. Joseph. “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20, ELT).

b. Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego, plus Fourth.

7. Application:

a. For God to use you, He may have to first mold you.

b. When God wants you to be pure gold, He thinks fire.

c. When God wants you to be a diamond, He thinks pressure.

d. Be careful when asking God to make you holy, He will.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.

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