OUCH! That hurts!
Romans 8:28-39
Faith that can’t be tested can’t be trusted.
William Seck “If Joseph had not been Egypt’s prisoner, he would have never been Egypt’s Governor. The iron chains about his feet ushered in the golden chains about his neck.”
Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors
o Paul wrote, prob at Corinth on 3rd missionary journey
o Greatly desired visit Roman church.
o However, could not because felt- must personally deliver collection taken among Gentile churches 4 poverty-stricken Christians of Jerusalem
o So instead he sent a letter to prepare them for his intended visit in connection w/mission Spain
o Easy for him to say.
o Paul was no sissy,
o In prison - ship wrecked – stoned left 4 dead…
o Scripture we like to wield around, sword
o At every difficulty – If not kept in the proper context- can back fire on you.
o Will be like trying to kill rhino- b b gun
o & we wonder why some get discouraged
In all this I am More than overcomer!
O- overcome your emotions & feelings by the renewing of your mind
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
1) The flesh must take back seat to the Spirit
Romans 8:38 I am FULLY persuaded- convinced
pi’-tho; primary verb; to convince or passive to assent (to evidence or authority), to rely (by inward certainty) :- agree, assure, believe, have confidence, be confident, obey, persuade, trust, yield.
a. Problem most are they not fully persuaded,
b. They don’t even consider it.
Rom 8:15 you did not receive the spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, you received the Spirit of son ship, whereby we cry Abba Father!
c. Instead of saying my Dads bigger than yours
d. I’m telling, …Da-ad
e. We just cry- ohh, waaa- what am “I” going to do
f. Should be asking -God what would you have me to do?
g. People rely on the worlds provision
h. Dr. prognosis, Dr. Phil says, Montel
i. People get scared, fear is a factor for many
j. Word “Fear” is mentioned over 400 times in Bible!
k. Enemy will capitalize on your emotions
So how do we renew our minds?
READ Romans 12:2 Do not…be transformed by renewing of your mind
VERSE 3 ALL about how you THINK of SELF!
1)Have faith
2)Junk out! God stuff in!
3)Bible- prayer - fellowship
(Missionary story @ banquet- no $)
U- Understand
a. Understand -Your life is not your own
b. Understand – your life… is no longer about you!
c. U- No room for selfishness
d. Don’t think more highly of yourself…
e. I’m too_ to help out w/VBS.
f. What you’re saying is you- or your _ is more important than making an eternal diff in the lives of our children!
g. Understand -U now have a bigger purpose, calling
h. U Passed from death to life! ETERNAL!
1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives (tv, golf, crafts) for our brothers
To live is Christ- to die is gain!
i. Understand your life w/out Jesus will be a mess with no hope!
HEAR ME!!!
j. Understand your life in Jesus may still have messes- but is now about God & His purposes
3 kinds of “messes”
1) Self inflicted- poor judgement
2) Sin inflicted- by us – or others
3) God ordained –Job – Meg’s mom (used her sickness to bring her wayward relatives to Christ)
k. Won’t lead you where His Spirit won’t keep you
l. He has not only a plan but THE plan!
m. Keep your eyes on JESUS & His plan!
n. Football team – all have parts to play
o. They take hit, after hit, head games, grrrrr, block the enemy from getting to the ball.
p. Yet they are just as important, as the Q-back
(some called intercessory prayer, to block enemy, from pastor, our church, services, ministries, families)
q. Rarely does center score a TD.
r. You are a part of the puzzle, not the puzzle!
(turn say you just a part, but you are needed)
How do you get understanding?
1) God gives it thru Holy Spirit. ASK FOR IT!
Psalms 119:73 Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands
1 John 5:20 We know also that the Son of God has come & has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true—even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life
2) As you obey God’s Word you will gain Understanding
Psalmist “I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.”
3) As you witness you will realize how good God is & gain understanding
Phm 1:6 I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
4) Your level of understanding should be evident in how you live.
James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
I am a scholar, bla, bla I understand the …
5) When you still don’t understand - PRAY!
Phil 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer & petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
The key to “understanding is…
“Standing – under” the shelter of the Almighty!
!!!!! When problems come…& they will you don’t have to figure it all out, you need to realize you can cry Abba Father, daddy God, you have a strong tower to run to, abide in the shadow of His wings, He’s your Rock, Strong Tower, Hiding Place! He’s the Alpha –Omega but what’s better than that is He is still the I AM. The here & now!
OUCH! Yes it still hurts. 3rd must realize…
C- Change is a part of life!
a. is inevitable
b. Some is anticipated –planned
c. Some is completely unexpected
d. God deals w/ each of us differently, sometimes changes things -makes them uncomfortable so we’ll obey!
Like in John 9 – Guy born blind -Mud was a agent to motivate the man to obey
People critical why didn’t you use oil?
My great grandpappy was a Pharasee he used oil, Moses used oil, Elijah used oil, why you gotta go & put mud pies in my eyes? (Sounds like country song)
When life throws a curve ball you must respond properly!
e. Romans 8:26 Holy Spirit helps
f. He knows mind & perfect will of God,
g. Helps pray according to His will,
h. Gives me grace to say “Not my will, but Yours be done”.
i. I firmly believe, if would ask Holy Spirit bring this truth real to our hearts, begin to see walk in this world, not burdensome trial, but preparation IN WHICH WE HAVE HIS HELP, & THRU WHICH HE WORKS W/US TO CONFORM US TO HIS IMAGE
j. Put some spring in step & greater sense of victory over all the circumstances of life.
k. By “and we know...” Paul is saying that by the indwelling, enlightening, interceding help of the Holy Spirit, we can know...
l. Not that God will make all circumstances in our life end on a happy note ...
m. But that IN and THROUGH all of our circumstances, His good purpose in us is being & will be accomplished!
God showed me His Word is true that…
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
GET THIS – that doesn’t necessarily mean YOU!
Look at Jesus! In the end its all good!
He didn’t die for His benefit,
God turned His face from His Son for the 1st time, only time in ALL INFINITY not for Christ’s benefit, but for yours!
Your life is bigger than you! Your pain- like Jesus- may be somebody else’s gain (spiritually), & that should be OK!
I see no “Good ship Lollipop” promises there. I do see, a promise that in all the circumstances of life, I have a helper.
ONE who comes along side to help me hoe the row... keep my eyes on the goal.
That is what we must do in times of change!
Don’t resist it- embrace it!
TLC’s Deadliest Catch, crabbing- storms- men died- others kept fishing, why?
There is still a harvest.
n. Life has pain, what are you doing?
o. There’s a harvest!
p. Put away the hats and cake –cancel the pity party friend THERE’S A HARVEST!
FINALLY…
H- hold on to the Words of God
Phil 1:12-27
1. captors were evangelized
2. colleagues were emboldened
3. critics exposed
4. Christ was exalted
Christ has a purpose for you to be in jail, until you do that purpose, guess what (you ain’t going nowhere)
Stop counting your scars, & saving you band aids
TIME TO GO ON!
Romans 8:6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;
When you hurt enough, had enough don’t cry uncle… cry Abba Father!
Its time to realize that your life is not yours,
Time to be convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord
That includes your mother in law, your neighbor, your spouse, boss, tooth ache, dog and your X best friend that stabbed you in the back!
In all this you are MORE than a conqueror in Christ Jesus
You need to hold your head up high and act like it!
You may feel like you strike out every time, never catch the fly ball, but the Word of God says you’re on the WINNING TEAM!
Even if you’re the newest – worst player – as long as your on the winning team…
ALTAR
Here w/out Jesus as good as your life is, you have made your bed over hell, you will never be fulfilled until you realize how damning sin is, how hot hell will be,
UNLESS you experience the Grace of God.
You are not saved…
If the was one 4 letter word to describe your life or any part of it is OUCH...
COME TO THIS ALTAR!
