#2 SHAKE IT OFF, GOD HAS A PLAN...
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
This is part two, a review and a progression in the thought.
I. WE ARE IN A WAR... WAR IS TERRIBLE... WE MUST GUARD OUR HEARTS AND
PREPARE OUR MINDS... MANY ARE WOUNDED...
TEXT:
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in
high places.
Ephesians 6:16 (KJV) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to
quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Ephesians 6:16 (NLT) In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery
arrows of the devil.
II. PAUL CLEARLY WARNS US... NOT ONLY TO BE PREPARED BUT TO NOT ALLOW
THE WAR TO BRING BITTERNESS AND CAUSE US TO LOSE OUR COMPASSION.
Hebrews 12:12 (KJV) Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but
let it rather be healed. 14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall
see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness
springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Hebrews 12:12 (MSG) So don't sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet!
13 Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole
and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it! 14 Work at getting along with each other
and with God. Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse of God. 15 Make sure no one gets
left out of God's generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or
two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time.
III. REVIEW: PAUL TEACHES US MANY LESSONS HE HAD TO LEARN THE HARD WAY...
PAUL WAS ASSURED NO MATTER WHAT THE ENEMY MUSTERED AGAINST
HIM, GOD HAD A PLAN... YOU ARE GOING TO ROME... FEAR NOT...
YOUR MINISTRY WILL THRIVE UNTIL GOD IS FINISHED...
Acts 23:11 (KJV) And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good
cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness
also at Rome.
Acts 23:11 (NLT) That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul.
Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good
News in Rome as well.”
Acts 23:11 (MSG) That night the Master appeared to Paul: "It's going to be all right.
Everything is going to turn out for the best. You've been a good witness for me here in
Jerusalem. Now you're going to be my witness in Rome!"
IV. MY WEAKNESS? VS HIS STRENGTH?
THORNS HAVE A PURPOSE AND GOD USES THE NEGATIVE THINGS TO TEACH
US... DO NOT PRAY TO REMOVE THE THORNS... PRAY TO LEARN FROM THE
NEGATIVE SITUATIONS.
A. PAUL PRAYED FOR THE THORN REMOVAL POWER OF GOD...
Yet the thorn was never removed...
By THE STAYING OF THE THORN, Paul's SPIRITUAL POWER INCREASED...
2 Corinthians 12:5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear,
lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was
given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above
measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses
for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
B. We need to search for the glory of the cross...
If God does not calm the storm, may He calm us through the storm.
V. HOW CAN WE TEACH OTHERS WHAT WE DO NOT KNOW?
EXPERIENCE TEACHES US TO HANG ON AND PRESS ON...
PAUL HAS MANY LESSONS TO LEARN BEFORE HE CAN TEACH AND PEN SUCH GREAT
SPIRITUAL TRUTHS...
A. How can Paul teach the lesson unless HE KNOWS...
B. WE KNOW? We know are things work together for the good to them that love
God and all called...
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to his purpose.
C. HOW DOES PAUL KNOW GOOD COMES OUT OF BAD?
Life has changed a man --- given him purpose ---
TAKEN HIM THROUGH THE SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS...
D. TAKEN HIM THROUGH THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF SUFFERING TO TEACH
PAUL TO TEACH US...
E. IT IS NOT CAN GOD? BUT GOD CAN.
Acts 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
F. PAUL NEVER SOLD LIFE TIME PARTNERSHIPS OR SURVIVAL GEAR...
Yet, Paul never looked upon his call as drudgery, Paul focused on JOY and he loved
the work God had called him to do.
VI. EASY? GET REAL? WE ARE NOT EXEMPT FROM SERIOUS PROBLEMS?
IF EVERYTHING IS EASY YOU BETTER CHECK --- YOU MIGHT BE DOING NOTHING...
THE BIBLE CLEARLY RECORDS THE GREATER THE WORK OF GOD, THE GREATER
THE TEST. THE GREATER THE TEST, THE GREATER THE TESTIMONY... !!!
A. 2 CORINTHIANS LIFTS THE GREAT VEIL OF THE COST OF LEADERSHIP...
AND WALKING THE CALLED MINISTRY TO REACH THE LOST IN GREAT DARKNESS.
2 Corinthians 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more
abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a
day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils
by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness,
in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold
and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care
of all the churches.
B. Most of the time many ministers feel they have to wear a MASK and hide their brokenness.
NOT PAUL, HE OPENS THE WINDOWS OF HIS HEART AND SHARES SOME VERY DEEP
SECRETS OF THE SPIRIT AND SOUL...
C. EAT NOW, A MIRACLE IS COMING...
All that stay with the ship will be saved...
Acts 27:21-25 (MSG) With our appetite for both food and life long gone, Paul took his place in
our midst and said, "Friends, you really should have listened to me back in Crete. We could
have avoided all this trouble and trial. 22 But there's no need to dwell on that now. From now on,
things are looking up! I can assure you that there'll not be a single drowning among us, although
I can't say as much for the ship—the ship itself is doomed. 23 "Last night God's angel stood at
my side, an angel of this God I serve, 24 saying to me, 'Don't give up, Paul. You're going to
stand before Caesar yet—and everyone sailing with you is also going to make it.'
25 So, dear friends, take heart. I believe God will do exactly what he told me.
VII. PAUL LEARNED MANY LESSONS, AND HE DESIRED TO TEACH THESE LESSONS...
HE LEARNED DO NOT WATCH PEOPLE... FOCUS ON THE CROSS OF JESUS.
WE MUST PONDER LOSING SIGHT OF OUR OBJECTIVE.
WE DO NOT WANT TO LOSE SIGHT OF THE GOAL.
Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I
do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which
are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
A. Listen to the story again that I read about:
In Atlanta, Georgia there was a CHURCH OF GOD GRILL... listed in the Yellow Pages...
A man called to enquire of how the RESTAURANT acquired such an unusual name.
The owner answered the phone... He answered: THE CHURCH OF GOD GRILL...
WELL, WE HAD A LITTLE MISSION DOWN HERE IN THE INNER CITY OF ATLANTA.
WE STARTED SELLING FRIED CHICKEN ON SUNDAY AFTER SERVICE TO
HELP PAY THE BILLS... WELL, THE PEOPLE LOVED THE CHICKEN SO MUCH,
OUR SALES INCREASED AND DID SUCH A GOOD BUSINESS, THAT WE CUT
BACK ON SERVICES TO SELL FRIED CHICKEN... SO WE CLOSED DOWN THE
CHURCH AND KEPT SERVING CHICKEN... THAT IS HOW WE GOT THE NAME:
CHURCH OF GOD GRILL...
1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any
means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
VIII. WOW, GOD WHAT IS GOING ON... FROM THE STORM, TO BEATINGS...
TO DIE OF A SNAKE BITE ON A LITTLE ISLAND... COME ON, GOD, WHAT ARE
YOU DOING?
A. You mean God has worked miracle after miracle for my ministry to cease before ROME?
Acts 28:1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.
2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received
us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. 3 And when Paul had gathered
a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on
his hand. 4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among
themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet
vengeance suffereth not to live. 5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they
had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said
that he was a god.
B. MY DEAR FRIEND DO NOT ALLOW THIS TERRIBLE POISON TO POISON
YOUR HEART AND DIE...
C. SHAKE IT OFF... SHAKE IT OFF, QUIT CRYING, SHAKE THE HARM INTO THE FIRE...
Isaiah 54:17 (KJV) No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that
shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of
the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
Isaiah 54:17 (NLT) But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will
silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord;
their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!
Isaiah 54:17 (MSG) but no weapon that can hurt you has ever been forged. Any accuser who takes you
to court will be dismissed as a liar. This is what God's servants can expect. I'll see to it that everything
works out for the best." God's Decree.
CONCLUSION:
Did you hear about the story of the farmer? The farmer had a precious mule that had been
a team member on the farm. The old mule plowed the fields. Pulled the wagon to town.
The children were raised with the trusted old mule. The mule's sight faded and one
day the mule fell down into the well. The farmer tried to rescue the mule, but there was no
way to lift the heavy weight out of the well.
The farmer said: I have been meaning to dig a new fresh well anyway. So as they dug
the new well, they threw the dirt down in the old well. Bucket, by bucket they threw in
the dirt.
The old mule could not believe his family was burying him alive. He was so hurt.
Each bucket of dirt came down. The old mule said, I WILL SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP.
So all day long the mule shook off the dirt, bucket by bucket he shook off the dirt.
Each time he would step up...
After several hours the old mule saw the sun light again, soon the mule stepped
out and the family gathered around and celebrated the return of their friend. And
they lived happily ever after.
Sure, I can not explain what you are going through? I honestly doubt we ever clearly understand
why? Why? Why did someone die? Why did that person hurt me? Why the ship wreck?
Why the bitterness and anger? My friend, just SHAKE THE POISONOUS SNAKE IN THE FIRE
AND TRUST GOD THAT NO WEAPON FORMED...
PAUL MY DEAR BROTHER --- THANKS FOR THE ASSURANCE THAT GOD KNOWS
WHAT HE IS DOING AND THAT GOD HAS A PLAN AND LEADS US THROUGH THE
DARKEST DAYS INTO THE GREAT LIGHT.
Times were SO BAD...There were times 'I DID NOT THINK WERE GOING TO MAKE IT..."
WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS BAD... TURNED OUT TO OPEN DOORS OF MINISTRY,
WELL, MY CHILD THE WORSE THING THAT HAPPENED TURNED OUT TO BE THE BEST
THING THAT COULD EVER HAPPEN... WE LEARNED TO TRUST AND RELY ON GOD... NOT
OURSELVES... Not things,not programs, not gimmicks, not people, we learned to trust
THE UNSEEN HANDS.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
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