Lessons From Humpty Dumpty

SERMON OUTLINE AND NOTES

Bridgewater United Methodist Church

Lessons from Humpty Dumpty

Pastor Don Hawks

1 Peter 2:1-5, 21-25

This suffering is all part of what God has called you to. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps. (v. 21)

"Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall;

All the king’s horses and all the king’s men

Couldn’t put Humpty Dumpty together again."

INTRODUCTION: The strongest people have been over comers, people with challenges so great that the strain of trying to hold up under the weight has broken their shell. But, when the shell was broken, and they asked God for help, miracles happened in their lives.

The way to overcome: Follow the perfect example.

(Jesus): "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

IF I WERE TO IMAGINE THAT I AM HUMPTY DUMPTY AND I’VE HAD A GREAT FALL. WHAT WILL I DO? ---

1—I will ____________________________________________________________________

If I go to the east, God is not there; if I go to the west, I do not see Him. When He is at work in the north, I catch no sight of Him; when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him. Job 23:8-9

Wait for the Lord’s help. Be strong and brave, and wait for the Lord’s help. Psalm 27:14

But God knows the way that I take, and when He tested me. I will come out like gold. Job 23:10

I hope that you can understand exactly what Job later understood: That no matter what you feel or what happens, no matter what happens, you can never be separated from God’s love. So even in the middle of all your heartbreak, tell God. “I’m going to hold on and wait for You to show me Your kindness and Your love, no matter what happens.” Wait for the Lord’s help. Be strong and brave, and wait for the Lord’s help.

If you do that, you will come out of all your pain and be a much stronger person.

2—I will_____________________________________________________________________

Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred. Proverbs 15:17

(Jesus said) "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).

Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).

Is this easy to do? No -- not without God’s help. And that’s why the first step I urge you to take is to turn to God and seek His forgiveness for all the ways you have hurt Him. When we understand how much we have hurt God, the hurts we have received from others begin to fade.

Then ask God to help you begin to see this person through His eyes. Yes, he has done wrong -- to you, and to God. But God still loves him, and wants to make his forgiveness possible -- just as He did for you. Don’t be enslaved by hatred any longer, but learn to "Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Colossians 3:13).

3—I will _____________________________________________________________________

"Thought is the blossom, language is the bud. Action is the fruit." – Emerson

“A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of every situation and action. Whatever the mind expects, it finds.” -- Remez Sasson

4—I will _____________________________________________________________________

But when they measure themselves by one another, and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. 2 Corinthians 10:12

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Hebrews 12:2

“Any human can conquer other humans. The true warrior is the human who conquers himself.” --Unknown

You are always sure to be disappointed if you make an idol of another person or you compare yourself with another human being, however much you may admire that person’s qualities and talents. Go to the perfect model of Jesus for your standard.

And, so we find Humpty on the other side of the wall. Humpty looks broken and hopeless because the horses and the humans couldn’t ultimately help…him but we know better now!

You and I can be a person who is looking to God for help.

God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

CONCLUSION:

“I Am God’s Image”

I am stronger than my fears,

I am wiser than my years,

I am gladder than my tears,

For I am God’s image.

I am better than my deeds,

I am holier than my creeds,

I am wealthier than my needs,

For I am God’s image.

God whose image thus I bear,

And whose likeness I shall share,

All God’s glory will declare,

Thru the “I”—God’s image."