Life Principle 3

Sunday, September 16, 2012 10:30 AM

Hebrews 6:17-20 - New King James Version (NKJV)

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Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. I. Introduction: There are many different storms in life. You may be facing a conflict at work, financial trouble, or job loss. You might be struggling with poor health or a difficult relationship. The Father doesnt promise to deliver us from all adversity. But He gave us the Scriptures for our encouragement and comfort. Gods Word is an immovable anchor in times of storm. In the midst of hardship and pain, we can rely on the Bible for the stability, guidance, and security we need. What is the cause of storms? A. We can bring adversity on ourselves, through sin, poor judgment, or lack of experience. B. Some difficulty is caused by the wrongdoing of other people. C. Satan brings hardship in an attempt to draw us away from the Lord. D. The Lord causes some adversity. Whether or not the storm is from Him, He will always use it for our good.

Isaiah 40:8
New King James Version (NKJV) 8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.

Hosea 2:14 New King James Version (NKJV)

Therefore, behold, I will allure her, Will bring her into the wilderness, And speak comfort to her.

Psalm 119:71 New King James Version (NKJV)

It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.

Afflictions/Storms are not diseases/sickness

Revelation 3:10 New King James Version (NKJV)

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Romans 8:29 New King James Version (NKJV)

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Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Those who dwell upon the earth - "earthdwellers." This phrase is used eleven times in nine verses in Revelation (3:10;6:10; 8:13; 11:10 2xs; 13:8, 12, 14 2xs; 14:6; 17:8). "Earth dwellers" is a designation for 1. Those who missed the rapture 2. persistent unbelievers during the tribulation. Based on Matthew 6:21, you could say they are those whose heart is on the things below, not set on the eternal kingdom.

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Hebrews 5:8cNew King James Version (NKJV)

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though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. Persecutions - storms NOT SICKNESS

A friend often told me how he would always agree to tidy up his room, but then wouldnt follow through. After high school thehe joined the Marine Corps. When he came home for leave after basic training, his father asked him what he had learned in the service. Dad, he said. I learned what now means.

I heard this story about a man whose dog had just been killed in a forest fire. Heartbroken, the man explained how it happened. If you remain close to the Father, hardships will purify your heart and realign your life with His will.
1 John 4:4 New King James Version (NKJV) 4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Because he worked out-of-doors, he often took his dog with him. That morning, he left the animal in a clearing and gave him a command to stay and watch his lunch bucket while he went into the forest. His faithful friend understood, for thats exactly what he did. Then a fire started in the woods, and soon the blaze spread to the spot where the dog had been left. But he didnt move. He stayed right where he was, in perfect obedience to his masters word. With tearful eyes, the dogs owner said, I always had to be careful what I told him to do, because I knew he would do it.

Romans 8:31 New King James Version (NKJV)

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What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

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Through the great commission God has commanded his children to go into the entire world to take the gospel, teach the commands of Christ and make disciples.

This in itself is impossible to the natural man to do without Gods help. No one apart from God can do anything without God working with them. Nicodemus said of Christ, "no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him (John 3:2)

It is not by human power that one succeeds. but through the spirit. God needs to let us know that. He needs for us to know where we stand, what we will do in times of trouble.

When we face many trials and persecution from the world on a daily basis, with the help of the Holy Spirit , when we realize that we can stand against the pressure of the barrage of fiery darts of the devil, we learn the true meaning of what Emanuel means God with us; the truth is he is always with us. Look at his promises:

Do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."Joshua1:9

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. John 10:28

I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, Ephesians 3:20

1 Peter 5:10-11
New King James Version (NKJV) 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

What makes the Bible an anchor for our lives? A. It is the record of Gods unfolding revelation of Himself through the spoken Word, nature, history, and ultimately the coming of His Son Jesus Christ into the world. B. Most importantly, we know who God is because we see how Jesus lived (John 14:9-10). C. The Bible is infallible and inerrantwhich simply means its without error. God has given it to us as a guidebook.

How does the Word of God anchor us in times of storm? A. It comforts us. In the middle of heartache and struggle, try reading the Book of Psalms. For example, see Psalm 57:1-3.

Because He is omniscient, He knows where I am in the storm Because He is omnipresent, He is with me where ever I am in the storm Because He is omnipotent, He has the power to bring me through the storm
No matter what you are going through, there is a promise in the word of God that will match what storm you are going through

B. It reminds us of Gods promises. Scripture assures us of the Lords presence, power, and provision in our lives. (See Matthew 11:28 and Joshua 1:8-9). C. It is a compass for our lives (Prov. 3:5-6). D. It teaches us how the Father works. Reading about the saints teaches us how to make wise decisions, and the stories of Israels rebellion help us avoid similar mistakes (1 Cor. 10:1-13). E. It gives us Gods viewpoint. By studying how He used adversity in the lives of biblical characters, we can better understand how He may want to use our present struggles.

How does the Bible work as an anchor? A. You must read it. Just as a ships anchor does no good unless it is lowered, the Word of God cant encourage you unless you take time to study it. B. You must meditate on it. Think about the Lords promises and how He proved His faithfulness to believers in the past. C. Believe what it says. If you allow yourself to doubt Gods promises, you will never receive all He has for you. D. Apply it to your own life firstnot the life of someone else.

Ecclesiastes 10:10 New King James Version (NKJV)

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If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.

1 Corinthians 1:22-24 New King James Version (NKJV)

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For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks [a] foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

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wisdom of God.

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