God’s "Be’s”

Some of these things we are constantly being warned about, such as:

• Air Pollution

• Noise Pollution

• Water Pollution

• Smoking

• Fast foods

Most of these dangers come with some warning. But something that can bring DEATH and MISERY to our lives are bees, and we very seldom hear any warnings about them.

For example, there are some folks that are allergic to a bee sting. Once they are stung:

• Some will end up in the hospital

• Some will end up in the graveyard

About the only warnings we hear about bees, concern the Africanized honey bees, popularly known as the "killer bees,"

• These killer bees have been migrating from South America since the 50's.

• The domestic bee has lived in harmony with human beings for hundreds of years.

• The “killer bees” are not comfortable being around people or animals. Any colony of bees will defend its hive, but these “killer bees” do so with gusto.

This morning I want to talk to you about some “BE’S” we find in the Word of God. These are “BE’S” we can embrace, we do not need to fear them. As we begin looking at GOD’S “BE’S” in our text, we see that we are to ...

I. BE VICTORIOUS

Look at 1 Cor. 15:57, we read, “...thanks BE to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.....” In this verse of scripture, Paul is THANKING the Lord for giving us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ…

That makes us ask a question: “If the Lord gives us victory, why are so many Christians living a defeated life?”

The Lord wants to teach us how to BE VICTORIOUS. Does this mean that -

• Every time we have a problem the problem will be eliminated?

• Every time we have sickness we are going to get well?

• Every time we have a debt we are going to have plenty of money to pay it?

• Every time we have an argument we are going to win it? (You husbands KNOW this isn’t true)

No, that is not what this verse of scripture is teaching us. Having the victory through Jesus Christ means that we are able to live above our difficulties and problems.

It does not mean our problems will disappear, but that our worries and discouragement will.

Illus: Dr. Odell Belger was conducting a funeral in January of 2004. Before the funeral, he was talking with a man that is a wonderful Christian, who at one time was a store manager for one of the K-mart stores in Columbia, S.C.. Dr. Belger asked him how he was doing. He said, “I am doing better now, I do not know if you know this, but I just had a heart attack!” Dr. Belger told him he did not know that, and was sorry to hear about it, and he asked him if the doctor now had him on a special diet and exercise program. He said, “Yes, but its not food and a lack of exercise that caused the problem.”

He began to explain that the problem occurred when K-mart had to declare bankruptcy and at the same time the stock market went down.

• He went on to tell how he was getting ready to retire and he and his wife had plans to travel around the world.

• He had inherited a lot of stock from his parents years ago when K-mart was doing so well.

• He had been having a thousand dollars a month taken from his check to buy stock in K-mart.

• He then said, “Pastor, I had over two million dollars worth of stock. I was fixed for life, but today all that stock is almost worthless, and today I work at the funeral home to survive.”

He said this was such a tremendous blow to him that his heart could not take it.

Listen, this dear Christian man faced a trial that some back in the depression could not take, and they literally jumped out of tall buildings, ending their lives.

But the Lord wanted to teach him that he can BE VICTORIOUS!

HOW CAN THE LORD MAKE HIM VICTORIOUS? By giving him all his money back? No!

• The Lord can help him realize that life is more than stocks and bonds

• The Lord can help him realize that he can be penniless and still be the happiest man on this earth

The problems won’t disappear, but God wants to teach us we can live above our problems through Christ.

Illus: Paul prayed three times for God to remove the “Thorn in his flesh”, but God finally told him, He would not remove it but would teach Paul that His grace is sufficient!