Finding Christ In Your Crisis

Finding Christ in Your Crisis

Inspired by the work of Jamie Wright & Joyce Rodgers

Sept. 2, 2007 FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, Pastor

Introduction

A How would you respond if the imperial guard of Iran army paratrooped 6,000 soldiers into Randolph County, attacked your town, killed many friends & family, shut down television/radio, water supply.

1 Forcibly took away your freedom to come & go as you please.

a Invaded your home, pilfered through your most treasured/ intimate possessions.

b How would you respond? React? Next move?

aa Resist the invasion, fight back, hide your treasures.

bb You won’t be taken/driven out without a fight.

2 When Jesus came into your life, He invaded occupied enemy territory (the enemy of your soul is the devil).

a Jesus came in, at your invitation, & invaded your life, heart, soul, & turned it upside-down.

b The enemy who occupied these places resists/fights back, because he doesn’t want to leave.

3 Is it any wonder/is there any doubt why when you get saved, rededicate, get involved with ministry that your world seems to be turned upside-down & inside-out?

a The enemy doesn’t want to lose ground, be the victim of a successful invasion.

b So he fights you, attacks you so you’ll give up this idea of living for Jesus, living in the power of the Holy Spirit...cut & run.

4 He expects me to fight back initially, but he is tenacious with his attacks & wars against me for a season.

a The battle is long, exhausting, we get fatigued & worn down.

b The devil will use this fatigue, weakness as an opportunity to distribute propaganda.

aa (IL) Leaflets in Vietnam, Iraq, Iran

bb Place doubt, destroy morale, weaken resolve

5 The enemy will do his worst to tear down our faith.

a He’ll make us doubt God’s character

aa If God’s so loving, caring, looking out for you...

bb At the time you need God the most, He’s MIA. Some God!

b He’ll make us doubt God’s promises in His word.

aa "Your condition will never change", "Things will only get worse" says the enemy.

bb You’re waiting in vain for God to come to your aid/rescue/deliverance.

B You have crises because the enemy doesn’t want to give up (he wants YOU to give up) or surrender (he wants YOU to surrender).

1 The more you fight, the more tired you become, you endure more battle fatigue...he’s good to wear you down.

2 There is Good News today, Jesus Christ has defeated the enemy for you, & wants you to have the victory!

3 I want to give you some tools today to see where Christ is in your crisis, BREAKTHROUGH.

C Pray

I He’s in the middle of your struggle. Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the crowd away. 46 After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray. 47 When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. 48 Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He came* to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them. 49 But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and said* to them, "Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid." 51 Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished Mark 6:45-51 (NASB)

A Jesus’ disciples were in a boat, going where Jesus sent them, & a storm comes.

1 Rowing & rowing, but not getting anywhere on their own strength.

a They were never out of Jesus’ sight, out of the will of God.

b Jesus was in the storm, struggle with them.

B You are never out of view, sight: He is in your struggle with you.

1 If a bird doesn’t fall out of the sky without His eye on it, what makes us think He’s taken His eyes off us?

2 While Satan may be behind your storm, you also know that Jesus is the master of the wind.

II He’s in the middle of your battle. But he took his stand in the midst of the plot, defended it and struck the Philistines; and the LORD brought about a great victory. 2 Sam 23:12 (NASB)

A Shammah was in the middle of the pea patch that God gave him, belonged to God, & the enemy came to take it away.

1 A battle broke out between the mighty man of God, Shammah, & the Philistines.