FIVE SPIRITUAL CHECKS YOU CAN TAKE TO THE BANK
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR: SOME PEOPLE JUST REPEAT EVERYTHING THEY HEAR!
1. In good weather, Anne Neilson’s friend Mark always let his yellow-naped Amazon parrot, Nicky, sit on the balcony of his tenth-floor apartment. One morning, Nicky flew away, much to Mark’s dismay. He searched and called for the bird, with no luck.
2. The next day when Mark returned from work, the phone rang. “Is this Mark?” The caller asked. “You’re going to think this is crazy, but there’s a bird outside on my balcony saying, ‘Hello, this is Mark.’ Then it recites this phone number and says, ‘I can’t come to the phone right now, but if you will leave a message at the tone, I will call you back.’”
3. Nicky’s cage had been kept in the same room as Mark’s answering machine.
B. POWER OF A BLANK CHECK
1. Think of the power of a BLANK CHECK! Now if it was MY blank check, it wouldn’t be worth much. But if it was a blank check belonging to Bill Gates, there would be the potential of $80 Billion to spend. That might be difficult to do!
2. But an even bigger thought is a blank check from God. We can’t even imagine how much it could be written for, for there would be an infinite amount to draw out!
C. THESIS
1. Tonight we’re going to look at and learn to draw on FIVE SPIRITUAL CHECKS from God’s Word.
2. The title of this message is “FIVE SPIRITUAL CHECKS YOU CAN TAKE TO THE BANK.”
I. THE PROMISE OF HIS PRESENCE
A. SCRIPTURE
‘For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Heb. 13:5.
B. COMMENT/ANALYSIS
1. What could be more wonderful than walking and talking with God forever? Think how incredible interesting it would be to get to talk to God every day forever! He’s so creative and unique and knows so much – you would never lack for something to talk about.
2. We may lose family members or friends (to death or moving away); but there is one Person will never leave us: Our Lord & God!
3. And this divine Person is someone who will always help us and comfort us. If fact, if we have this one relationship, we will be satisfied forever.
4. Isaiah said, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned….For I am the LORD, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior” Isa. 43:2-3.
5. What a tremendous comfort that when we are going through our most difficult trials, God is right there in the fire, or in the waters, and will preserve us and bring us through to victory!
2ND SPIRITUAL CHECK YOU CAN TAKE TO THE BANK:
II. THE PROMISE OF HIS PROVISION
A. SCRIPTURE
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” Phip. 4:19.
B. COMMENT/ANALYSIS
1. This Scripture was penned when Paul was in prison for many years. It’s amazing to me that Paul did not feel abandoned by God by being in prison for so long. Probably because he felt like he was in the center of God’s will.
2. Like the first promise, which had the infinite pledge “never”, this one contains the word “ALL.” That’s a pretty big word. It means without limit. Now God didn’t promise He would meet all our “WANTS,” but He did promise to meet all our “NEEDS.”
3. Another similar instance where God’s providing power was highlighted, was when Abraham was about to offer His son Isaac on Mt. Moriah. There was no way out. Abraham believed that God would have to raise Isaac – the promised child – from the dead after he was slain to fulfill God’s will.
4. But God had another plan: Isaac would not die – God would provide a substitute. The ultimate substitute was God’s Son, but the temporary one was a ram, caught in a thicket. God said, “I am Jehovah-Jireh,” “I am God your Provider.”
5. God hasn’t changed and His nature as our Creator and Provider hasn’t changed either. Be confident in taking ALL of your needs to Him.
3RD SPIRITUAL CHECK YOU CAN TAKE TO THE BANK:
III. THE PROMISE OF HIS POWER
A. SCRIPTURE
“I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me” Phip. 4:13.
B. COMMENT/ANALYSIS
1. I had in the first ppt slide a picture of a mouse holding up an elephant’s foot. Now we all know that’s impossible, but it represents the power we can exert with God as our helper.
2. The second slide has a man who has conquered the summit of a huge mountain. There are many “mountains” in life, many difficulties that seem impossible to overcome, but that is where this verse comes in.
3. “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me” Phip. 4:13. Notice again the BLANK CHECK: “ALL THINGS!” This is the promise of God’s power to overcome all the obstacles and challenges of life.
4. So whenever you face an insurmountable mountain in your life, remember that God has given you the strength – in Christ – to overcome it. Victory is assured!
4TH SPIRITUAL CHECK YOU CAN TAKE TO THE BANK:
IV. THE PROMISE OF HIS PERPETUAL LOVE
A. SCRIPTURES
“The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness” Jer. 31:3.
B. COMMENT/ANALYSIS
1. EVERLASTING LOVE. You won’t find it on this Earth. No matter how much your kids love you or your spouse – or even your dog loves you – none of them will live forever. Everybody is going to die.
2. But there is a Person Who has loved you from all eternity; from before time began. And when the bubble of time has been removed and there’s a new heaven and a new earth, this divine Person will love you still!
3. How do I know? He sent His Son to die so that you & I could be wth Him forever. John said, “This is love; not that we loved God, but that God loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
4. We love, because He first loved us. What a love story! Eternal Love!
5th SPIRITUAL CHECK YOU CAN TAKE TO THE BANK:
V. THE PROMISE OF PERSEVERENCE
A. SCRIPTURE
“And He [Jesus] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” 2 Cor. 12:9.
B. COMMENT/ANALYSIS
1. What a great promise! The promise of perseverance!
2. I’ve made several trips to Palo Duro Canyon, taking 3 teenage boys who had a ton of energy and growing muscles. There were many times that I wondered if I would be able to keep staying up with those boys!
3. On the powerpoint are two pictures of the Canyon – a general shot, and one of the Lighthouse. You can see how grueling the environment is. It’s a seven mile hike to the Lighthouse, but worth the trip!
4. There have probably been times when you wondered if your faith might fail, that you might not make it to the end of the spiritual race. But thank God there is a promise to keep you in the rough times.
5. Paul said, “And He [Jesus] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” 2 Cor. 12:9. This was at a time when Paul faced a physical problem that would not go away. Maybe some of you have such a physical problem.
6. If so, then this promise is for you! The weaker you feel, the greater is God’s grace to bring you through. Rely on God’s arm of power. He has never failed you; He never will.
7. What’s the unlimited aspect of this promise? Not that it’s grace, but that it’s “My”(God’s) grace! My own grace would run out in 30 minutes, but God’s grace will never run out! Draw on His grace to get you through!
8. This is another blank spiritual check you can cash at God’s bank. Will you draw on His resources?
CONCLUSION
A. ILLUSTRATION: The Pilot Smiled
1. You might be tossing about in a sea of despair. You might even feel as if your life may crash about you and you will never again be healed, whole or happy.
2. They say Robert Louis Stevenson told the story first. It's worth retelling: It seems a storm caught a seafaring vessel off a rocky coast. The wind and waves threatened to drive the boat to its destruction.
3. In the midst of the terror, one daring passenger, contrary to orders, made his way across the deck of the ship. Groping along a passageway, he found the pilot house.
4. There he beheld an intriguing sight; the ship's pilot was lashed to his post. Secure against the raging elements, he held the wheel fast, turning the ship, inch by inch, once more out to sea. The pilot saw the watcher and smiled.
5. The daring passenger found his way below deck where other passengers huddled. Encouragingly, he said, "I have seen the face of the pilot, and he smiled. All is well."
6. There are times we need to hear that. Especially when we feel tossed about by a raging storm, it helps to look up and see that Pilot Jesus is smiling! Everything is going to be OK!
7. Let not your hearts be troubled! The Master of the winds and waves is at the helm of your frail bark, an no ship can go down while He’s on board. So be of good courage: He has overcome the world!
B. ALTAR CALL
1. If you have an area of need in your life, would you signify that by raising your hand?
2. Do you feel discouraged? Does your life feel like it’s out of control? It’s time to bring it to Jesus!
3. I want you to take out your spiritual checkbooks (God’s promises). I want you to think of one thing: if you could ask God to do just one thing, what would it be?
4. Let’s stand and prayer and I want you to ask God for that one thing. Cast your burdens on the Lord. Let Him heal you and make you whole!
[This message is a takeoff of Mark Thornton’s messages with a similar idea.]
