Safe Zone Vs Faith Zone

THERE IS A RIVER --- SAFE ZONE VS FAITH ZONE?

PROBLEMS ARE OPPORTUNITIES

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com

I. INTRODUCTION:

DO WE ALLOW PROBLEMS TO DEFINE OUR LIMITATIONS...

Have you ever seen a dog that has been chained all his days?

There is a dirt ring around his house.

He has learned his limited space is defined by the length of his chain.

He will run until the chain jerks him?

I once was at a circus with my small sons.

We watched the animal trainer walk the huge elephant and my sons told me

how strong that elephant must be.

As the trainer finished the walk, he used a metal rod a foot into the ground

and attached a chain around the elephants foot. The elephant just stood around.

I was amazed that could hold the elephant.

I asked the trainer: THAT CAN HOLD THE ELEPHANT BACK?

The trainer replied: NO! THE ELEPHANT CAN PULL THAT OUT OF THE

GROUND WITH EASE... JUST AS HE MOVES HE FEELS THE TUG AND

HE QUITS TRYING THINKING HE IS CONFINED. He will stay there for days

if we do not move him?

SAFE ZONE VS FAITH ZONE?

II. WHAT DO YOU SEE? SON OF MAN DO YOU SEE?

THERE IS A RIVER...

THE RIVER FLOWS FROM THE ALTAR... SAFE ZONE VS FAITH ZONE?

Ezekiel 47:1 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters

issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house

stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house,

at the south side of the altar.

2 Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without

unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on

the right side.

3 And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand

cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.

4 Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the

knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.

5 Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters

were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.

6 And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to

return to the brink of the river.

A. I AM DROWNING IN THE GOODNESS OF GOD...

B. SAFE ZONE VS FAITH ZONE? WE COME TO SEEK MORE...

III. SAFE ZONE VS FAITH ZONE?

MY PROBLEMS HAVE BROUGHT ME TO MY KNEES ---

I AM HOPELESS --- MY LITTLE DAUGHTER IS GOING TO DIE...

A. We do not have any Tylenol, or Pepto-bismo ---

B. JAIRUS HEARD ABOUT A HOPE GIVER...

Mark 5:21 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people

gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.

22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when

he saw him, he fell at his feet,

23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee,

come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

C. NOW WE HAVE HOPE WITH OUR PROBLEM ---

JESUS IS WITH US...

IV. WELL, HERE WE GO --- LOOKS LIKE OUR RIVER HAS DRIED UP?

OUR PROBLEM IS HOPELESS --- SHE IS DEAD...

WHY BOTHER JESUS ANY LONGER... SAFE ZONE VS FAITH ZONE?

Mark 5:35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain

which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?

A. HAVE YOU EVER HAD YOUR HOPE DASHED AND THE PROBLEM GREAT WORSE?

WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH THE NEGATIVE NEWS?

Mark 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the

synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

B. YOU HAVE TO GET AWAY FROM THE NEGATIVE CROWD...

REFUSE THE WHISPERING FRIENDS... SAFE ZONE VS FAITH ZONE?

37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

C. YOUR EMOTIONS WILL PLAY GAMES WITH YOU MIND AND YOUR FAITH...

THIS PROBLEM CAN NOT DICTATE AND LIMIT OUR MIRACLE.

38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and