Knock Down, Not Knocked Out

Knocked Down, Not Knocked Out

Key Scripture: “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” – Proverbs 24:16

“they rise again”. - Though God permit the hand of violence sometimes to spoil his tent, temptations to assail his mind, and afflictions to press down his body, he constantly emerges; and every time he passes through the furnace, he comes out brighter and more refined.

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Introduction

• I was the clumsiest child my parents had. I couldn’t walk across the floor without falling. So, I learned at an early age, if I wanted to get anywhere, I had to get back up and try again. I remember the first time I went to ride a cafe. I was probably 6 years old, and our friends had a young cafe, and he talked me into getting on that crazy animal. I remember him telling me that whatever happened “Do not let go of the rope” that was around him, and to my regret, I didn’t. He started bucking and jumping and running under an electric fence, but I didn’t let go, until the electric fence hit me in the chin, then I let go, because it shook my whole body. But that didn’t stop me from getting on him again, this time in an open field.

• I remember another time. We had pulled up to our friend’s house, mom needed something Aunt May, that’s what we called her, and it was raining cats and dogs, and I was selected to run and get it. I got to the front door fine, I was feeling pretty good about that, but now that I had retrieved what Mom needed, it was time to make the dash back to the car, remember it was raining. I took off running as fast as I possibly could and I was just about to make it into the car, but I fell, nothing uncommon for me, but this time I hit the running board with my head, just above my eye. It took 6 stitches to close me up. I still have the scar to prove it. But that didn’t stop me from running. I loved to run.

• Transition: Life has a way of knocking us down. The question isn’t whether we’ll fall but whether we’ll get back up.

• Main idea: In our spiritual journey, we may face setbacks, failures, and discouragement, but God calls us to rise up and continue fighting the good fight of faith.

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Point 1: Falling is Not the End

Scripture: Proverbs 24:16 – “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.”

• Falling is part of the journey; it doesn’t define you. Even the most faithful stumble.

• Examples:

o David’s sin with Bathsheba: David, a man after God’s own heart, fell into grievous sin. He committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged for her husband, Uriah, to be killed in battle (2 Samuel 11). When confronted by the prophet Nathan, David didn’t stay down in guilt or denial. Instead, he repented deeply, writing Psalm 51 as a heartfelt plea for forgiveness. His fall was severe, but his repentance and faith in God’s mercy restored him.

o Peter’s denial of Christ: On the night Jesus was arrested, Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, denied knowing Him three times (Luke 22:54-62). After realizing what he had done, Peter wept bitterly. Yet, he didn’t let this failure define him. After Jesus’ resurrection, Peter was restored by Christ’s love and commissioned to “feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17). Peter went on to be a bold leader in the early church, proving that a moment of failure doesn’t disqualify us from God’s purposes.

• Application: When you fall, don’t let shame or guilt keep you down. Remember, God’s grace lifts us up.

Illustration: Share a story of a famous figure (e.g., Thomas Edison or a biblical figure) who failed repeatedly but eventually succeeded.

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Point 2: God Gives the Strength to Rise

Scripture: Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”

• We don’t get back up in our own strength; it’s God who renews and empowers us.

• God doesn’t expect perfection, but He does expect perseverance.

• Examples:

o Paul’s thorn in the flesh: In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul describes a "thorn in the flesh," a persistent struggle or weakness that he asked God to remove three times. God’s response was not to take it away but to remind Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Paul learned to rely on God’s grace rather than his own strength. This thorn, though painful, kept Paul humble and dependent on God, showing that even in weakness, God’s power can shine through.