WHAT IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WALL?
THE CHALLENGE: GOD'S PERSPECTIVE
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Titus 2: [13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and
our Saviour Jesus Christ;
1 Tim. 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust (hope) in the
living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
I. WHERE IS OUT FOCUS?
WHAT IS MY PERSPECTIVE?
A. FOCUS:
The point at which rays converge, clear understanding, a fixed point, the center of activity...
USE THE PROJECTOR TO DEMOSTRATE...
B. PERSPECTIVE:
How will I interpret the facts by experience, emotions, or what is before you right now...
How we mentally view things; the capacity to view things in their true relationship...
To have different meanings from same facts...
C. I am 6'2", my wife is 5'2"... we see things from different perspectives...
LIKE THE TOP OF THE REFRIGERATOR...
Experts says: Parents get down on the child's level and look them in the eyes...
II. WHAT IS OUR SHORT TERM FOCUS? WHAT IS OUR LONG TERM FOCUS?
A. LESSON OF THE GLASS:
The pessimist says: The glass is half empty...
The optimistic person says: The glass is half full...
The realist says: Just a half a glass of water...
A SMART PERSON JUST DRINKS THE WATER... WHILE THE OTHERS ARGUE.
B. PESSIMISM:
To expect the worse possible outcome, everything is evil,
The doctrine that bad overbalances happiness...
C. OPTIMISM:
The doctrine that this world is the best possible, inclined to anticipate the best
possible outcome.
D. REALISM:
Concerned with facts, the theory of sense nothing to do with idealization
E. Did you hear about OPTIMIST that fell out the window of the 100 story building?
He was heard to say as he passed the 50th floor: SO FAR SO GOOD!
II. BEWARE OF LOOSING THE PROPER FOCUS...
THE MAIN THING IS TO KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING...
1 Tim. 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor
trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all
these things shall be added unto you.
III. WHY CUMBER THE GROUND, LET US TRY AGAIN... CHANCE TO CHANGE?
WE MUST KEEP A GODLY PERSPECTIVE AND MAINTAIN A RIGHT SPIRIT AND
THE ATTITUDE ---THAT WILL KEEP US PERSISITENT THROUGH SEASONS OF
ADVERSITY, HEALTH TRIALS, AND MENTAL BATTLES...
A. MY FOCUS HAS NOT SEEN WHAT I DREAMED OF SEEING...
B. AM I WASTING MY EFFORT?
Luke 13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come
seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
[8] And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it,
and dung it:
[9] And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
C. LOVE THAT MOTIVATES TO TRY AGAIN...
MAY BE THIS HAS BEEN A DRY SEASON?
IV. CAN WE SEE THE CHALLENGE? CAN WE ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE?
I CAN NOT SEEM TO UNDERSTAND THIS SEASON OF TESTING?
MY FEELING AND EMOTIONS ARE TRYING TO DISTORT MY FOCUS.
A. WE MUST TRUST GOD, KEEP THE HOPE, BELIEVE THE PROMISE...
B. We must focus beyond the TEMPORAL and see the ETERNAL.
Job 19:21 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God
hath touched me.
[22] Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?
[23] Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!
[24] That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!
[25] For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon
the earth:
C. WE MUST ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE...
JOB WAS CHALLENGED AND HE BELIEVE WHEN HE WAS KNOCKED DOWN...
D. Will you accept the FOCUS CHALLENGE?
V. NEVER FOCUS ON THE ENEMY OR HIS PLAN OF DESTRUCTION!
WE MUST FOCUS ON GOD'S GREATNESS!
A. HOW CAN YOU SINK THROUGH A SOLID ROCK?
2 Samuel 22:2 And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
[3] The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation,
my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
[4] I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
B. ENGLISH IS A DIFFERENT KIND OF LANGUAGE,
MANY WORDS HAVE MANY MEANINGS... Love,a friend, a brother, my wife?
C. LET US LOOK AT THE WORD ROCK...
1. ROCK IN VERSE 2 IS SELA...
SELA MEANS SOLID,FIRM, SURE, NO CRACK, NOT BROKEN, RELIABLE,
WELL ESTABLISHED FINANICALLY...
2. ROCK IN VERSE 3: TSHUWR
A HIGH ROCK,
CLIFF, A STEEP, VERTICAL PLACE OF SAFETY
REFUGE, SHELTER, PROTECTION FROM DANGER,
VI. WHAT'S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WALL?
TO LEARN FAITH---WE MUST FACE SOME BIG WALLS...
IN MY GOD, BY MY GOD I CAN LEAP OVER A WALL...
WHAT IS A WALL? SOMETHING THAT STANDS BETWEEN ME AND GOD'S PROMISES
AND HIS BLESSINGS...
2 Samuel 22:7 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God: and he did hear
my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.
A. Does this problem or trial look bigger than my ability to overcome?
B. The walls of Jericho?
The walls of impossibility?
2 Samuel 22:30 For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.
C. Some see things the way they are and wonder WHY?
We must see things and wonder WHY NOT? LET'S JUMP...
VII. IF GOD COMMANDED YOU INTO THE BOAT, GOD WILL CARE FOR YOU...
JESUS KNEW THERE WAS A COMING STORM...
JESUS SAID: GET IN THE BOAT AND GROW YOUR FAITH...
Matthew 8:27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds
and the sea obey him!
Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible;
Luke 18:27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
but with God all things are possible.
CONCLUSION:
My friend, come let us leap over our walls and obstacles.
This is nothing to God. Let's take our promise!
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Pass it on?
