Sermon Central
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Encouragement For The Pursued
Contributed by Nathan Johnson on Nov 28, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: God teaches us a valuable lesson that keeps our spirits going when we become discouraged from the pressures and persecutions of our Christian faith.
C. The fourfold strategy of God we can rely on when the enemy comes after us:
i. God takes a personal approach to each child of God and their situation – 3
a. He protects us – He is our shield – Psalm 18:2 - The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
b. Restoration
• Negative (because of shame)– Job 10:15 - If I am wicked, woe to me; even if I am righteous, I cannot lift up my head. I am full of disgrace; See my misery!
• This is a symbol of triumph – Psalm 27:6 - And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
• Here in this text, the words lifts up my head express restoration to dignity and position. Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 1:793
ii. God hears and responds to the prayers offered by His children – 4
a. God ears are open to us - Psalm 34:4 - I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
b. He wants us to come to Him and ask Him - Matthew 7:7 - “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
iii. God gives rest and reassurance that everything is under His control – 5-6
a. fearlessness
iv. God defeats and depowers our enemy – 7
a. God has given us a different call – love your enemies.
b. We need to let God take care of the situation and not retaliate
c. A despondent woman was walking along the beach when she saw a bottle on the sand. She picked it up and pulled out the cork. Whoosh! A big puff of smoke appeared. “You have released me from my prison,” the genie told her. “To show my thanks, I grant you three wishes. But take care, for with each wish, your mate will receive double of whatever you request.”
“Why?” the woman asked. “That bum left me for another woman.”
“That is how it is written,” replied the genie.
The woman shrugged and then asked for a million dollars. There was a flash of light, and a million dollars appeared at her feet. At the same instant, in a far-off place, her wayward husband looked down to see twice that amount at his feet.
“And your second wish?”
“Genie, I want the world’s most expensive diamond necklace.” Another flash of light, and the woman was holding the precious treasure. And, in that distant place, her husband was looking for a gem broker to buy his latest bonanza.
“Genie, is it really true that my husband has two million dollars and more jewels than I do, and that he gets double of whatever I wish for?”
The genie said it was indeed true. “Okay, genie, I’m ready for my last wish,” the woman said.
“Scare me half to death.” Tom Nedwek, quoted by Alex Thien in Milwaukee Sentinel
c. Romans 12:19-20 - 19Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
