January 13, 2008 Summit AM

Achieving Victory In Spite Of Adversity

Introduction

A. Text - 2 Tim.4:1-8

B. What is it that makes a champion?

            1. A Vince Lombardi or a NFL team that has an undefeated season?

            2. Helen Keller – rise above being blind, deaf & dumb?

            3. Joni Eric Entada – paraplegic with an optimist attitude paints with her mouth

            4. Joseph – sold into slavery; imprisoned & able rise to 2nd in command

            5. Moses – forgotten shepherd in desert becomes greatest leader of Israel

            6. Paul – Greatest enemy of Christianity becomes champion for Jesus

C. In every one of these examples – one common thread = able to overcome adversity

D. Pray

 

I. Reality – We Live In A Fallen World

            A. All around us is violence – corruption – adversity

                        1. Wherever we go we have to face adversity

                                    a. Natural dangers – creatures; Sea; wind etc

                                    b. Struggles among people – nations (wars & rumors of war)

                        2. God created this world good – sin corrupted it

                                    a. Now everything unable achieve God’s goal or propose

                                    b. Violence; decay; disease & corruption everywhere

                                    c. As beautiful as this world is – full of adversity

                        3. Bad things even happen to good people

                                    a. Jn.16:33 – in this world have tribulation

                                    b. Acts 14:22 – many struggles (hardships) enter kingdom

            B. So many want focus life trying to on removing all struggles

                        1. Not want children to have to struggle – pamper, spoil & coddle them

                        2. Many want a society where government makes everything right

                                    a. No individual responsibilities – provides all

                                    b. Politicians promise everything – utopia

                                                1) Vote for me & I will make it all better

                                                2) You don’t have to change – discipline self

            C. If going to be victorious – must learn to deal with adversity

                        1. 1 Cor.9:24-27

                                    a. Strict training – self disciple & restraint

                                    b. Run so as to win – struggle be the best

                        2. Titus 2:5 – must compete according to the rules

                        3. Everything in life takes work – discipline, struggling

 

II. Rising Above Adversity

            A. Face it with the right attitude

                        1. Most see adversity – run away – want it to go away

                                    a. Never see the purpose for it

                                    b. Never see the positive side – is good for us

                                    c. Caterpillar - struggling to become a butterfly

                        2. See God’s purpose in our adversities

                                    a. Uses it to get our attention

                                                1) Notice when people get serious about their health

                                                2) God’s greatest competition – cares of world

                                                            Chokes out His word – Mt.13

                                                            So busy with our plans – no time for Him

                                                3) Adversity comes – problems & pressures too big

                                                            Forces us to run to Him – cry out

                                                            Strength drained & God’s invitation more attractive

                                    b. Calling for us to do self-examination

                                                1) Heb.12:6 – whom Lord loves He disciplines

                                                2) 1 Cor.11:31,32 – examine self not be judged

                                                3) Covering up sin – destroys – Prov.28:13 (not prosper)

                                    c. So we can conquer our pride

                                                1) Pride always goes before a fall

                                                2) God resists the proud – drives them away

                                                3) 2 Cor.12:1-8 – Paul’s struggle hindered his spiritually

                                    d. To purify our faith

                                                1) Faith is absolutely essential spiritually – Heb.11:6

2) 1 Pet.1:6,7 – fiery trials purify faith

            a) They help us hate sin – Gal.6:7,8

            b) As realize how sin has robbed us of our potential

                                    e. So we will reevaluate our priorities

                                                1) Mt.6:33 – seek 1st His kingdom & righteousness

                                                2) When we don’t – spiritually vulnerable (easy prey)

                                                3) Ps.107:20 – sent His word to heal us (2 Tim.3:16,17)

            B. Learn to trust God’s graciousness

                        1. 2 Cor.12:7-10 – our suffering displays God’s grace

                                    a. God gave relief - not by removing the thorn but by giving grace

                                                1) Grace – unmerited favor (gives what we don’t deserve)

                                                2) 1 Cor.15 – enabled Paul as an apostle

                                                3) 1 Cor.10:13 – limits our temptations

                                                4) Rom.8:28 – God works all things for our good

                                                5) 2 Pet.1:3,4 – given us all that pertains to life – godliness

                                    b. In our weaknesses God’s strength is evident

                                                1) Phil.4:13 – can do all things

                                                2) 2 Cor.3:5 – our adequacy comes from God

                                                3) Here we learn to trust God’s power & His will

                        2. Until come to the point where our strength fails – never fully trust

                                    a. Up until that point – will rely on own strength

                                                Like Laodecia – need nothing

                                                Will pray - but little intensity

                                                Until we are out of answers – solutions = trust flesh

                                    b. Abraham & Sarah had to be beyond child bearing age

                                                Until then hoped Ishmael be chosen heir

                                                When all hope physically gone – God able show His power

                                    c. Jn.15:5 – without Jesus we can do nothing

                                                1) It’s only through struggling that we ever learn this

                                                2) Adversity in life purifies our faith

                        3. Isa.40:31 – they that wait on Lord renew their strength

                                    a. Standing at the Jordan - Israel saw only their strength & lost

                                    b. Heb.4 – Israel never entered God’s rest because of unbelief

                                    c. Will we also be barred because of our unbelief?

                                    d. Will we allow adversity to conquer us? Or will rise above it?

 

Conclusion

A. Having proper perspective on suffering is the cornerstone of Christian living.

1. Focusing all one’s efforts on removing difficulties is not the answer.

2. Believers need to embrace the trials God allows them to undergo

3. Need to realize that those trials reveal character & humble us

4. They also draw us closer to God & allow Him to display His grace and power B. We should all heed the admonition of James 1:2–4

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that

the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect

result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing”