Ask God about your priorities during Hard Times

Introduction:
One of the most difficult and complex tasks of the preacher is not that of understanding the scripture from which he gives the lesson. If he is honest and a true expositor of the Word, he will find, after prayer and study, the meaning of the text he is reading. This part of his sermon is very straightforward. Then, he finds, he must be aware of the times and culture in which he and the congregation lives, and how he must apply this text to real lives and situations.

A sermon on finances can quickly become a sermon on tithing. The text will begin in the book of Malachi. The congregation is warned about robbing from God. Is this all the Bible has to say about God and money? Did the people of Bible times suffer through a recession, depression, unemployment, loss of home, cars, or health insurance? “Health insurance,” you may exclaim. They didn’t have health insurance in Bible times. Many people would say that to be a very foolish statement.

The financial worries of the present are no more difficult than those of the past. Worries over making the utility payments are no more real than the concern over finding wood to heat the house during first century AD. Food cost money then as it does now. How a family can afford school clothes is no more a problem than being able to cloth children back then. The hard times of the present have been endured before. The last century presented the world with the “Great Depression.” In many lives, this recession is just as much of a depression now. In fact, these times are not unique to us; neither will they ever come again.

So the question presented today is not just one of asking God to give us more money. Many promises can and will be made to God. If you get me out of this slump, Father, I will give you a portion of what I have back to you. This is an easy promise to make, but a difficult vow to keep.

In this text, there can be found three steps toward understanding how God desires us to PREORITIZE our lives in financially difficult times.

I. We must REALIZE that our Priorities are wrong.
“To get all we can, can all we get, then sit on the can”, may be first in our thoughts. It is last in God’s


Luke 12:13 Then someone called from the crowd, "Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father's estate with me."
14 Jesus replied, "Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?"
15 Then he said, "Beware! Don't be greedy for what you don't have. Real life is not measured by how much we own."
16 And he gave an illustration: "A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops.
17 In fact, his barns were full to overflowing.
18 So he said, 'I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store everything.
19 And I'll sit back and say to myself, My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!'
20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get it all?'
21 "Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."

II. We must EMPHASIZE the true Priorities
The things we worry about will wear out. God’s priority for us is eternity.

22 Then turning to his disciples, Jesus said, "So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life-- whether you have enough food to eat or clothes to wear.
23 For life consists of far more than food and clothing.
24 Look at the ravens. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!
25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not!
26 And if worry can't do little things like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?
27 "Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith!
29 And don't worry about food-- what to eat and drink. Don't worry whether God will provide it for you.
30 These things dominate the thoughts of most people, but your Father already knows your needs.
31 He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.
32 "So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
33 "Sell what you have and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven have no holes in them. Your treasure will be safe-- no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.

III. We must PRIORITIZE our Priority of service
In these hard times, we can not let our worries about financial hardship derail the most important priority of our saved life. Serving the one who served us by giving all He had.
34 Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.
35 "Be dressed for service and well prepared,
36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks.
37 There will be special favor for those who are ready and waiting for his return. I tell you, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!
38 He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, there will be special favor for his servants who are ready!
39 "Know this: A homeowner who knew exactly when a burglar was coming would not permit the house to be broken into.
40 You must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected."
41 Peter asked, "Lord, is this illustration just for us or for everyone?"
42 And the Lord replied, "I'm talking to any faithful, sensible servant to whom the master gives the responsibility of managing his household and feeding his family.

In Conclusion:

Let me paraphrase the last part of the above text with a few QUESTIONS.

· Is money a priority to God?
· Does He worry about it?
· Does God love animals and flowers more than He loves His children?
· Has God ever, ever, ever, failed you?
· Could your problem just be one of Priorities?


The quickest way to not become depressed over the depression, recede into gloom of recession, or bail-out to your responsibility of service is to Turn to the Father in trust. Trust for salvation, then trust for life will get us past the recession to the reception of the Son when He returns.

Nothing ever surprises my heavenly Father. His priority will get us home.

Prelude to Heartbreak II Sam 18:33

Prelude to Heartbreak
II Sam 18:33

II Sam 18:33 The king was overcome with emotion. He went up to his room over the gateway and burst into tears. And as he went, he cried, "O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I could have died instead of you! O Absalom, my son, my son."

Introduction:

This passage reflects and echoes the trauma that a father feels at the loss of a child. No parent should ever have to bury his or her child. But, what can make the loss worse is the relationship between the child and father, which precedes the death.

Besides the constant question of the reason for the death, is the haunting memory of what could have been. Death can never be cheated. It is inevitable. But real remorse is produced by the failure of a father to properly raise a child in the fear and admonition of his heavenly Father.

I.Marriage is not only about the relationship between a man and a woman. The relationship of that man with his children is as just as important.

NLT 1 Chronicles 3:1 These were the sons who were born to David in Hebron: The oldest was Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam of Jezreel. The second was Kileab, whose mother was Abigail from Carmel.
2 The third was Absalom, whose mother was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur. The fourth was Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith.
3 The fifth was Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital. The sixth was Ithream, whose mother was Eglah.
4 These six sons were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven and a half years. Then David moved the capital to Jerusalem, where he reigned another thirty-three years.
5 The sons born to David in Jerusalem included Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. Bathsheba, the daughter of Ammiel, was the mother of these sons.
6 David also had nine other sons: Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet,
7 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,
8 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
9 These were the sons of David, not including the sons of his concubines. David also had a daughter named Tamar.

NLT 1 Kings 1:1 Now King David was very old, and no matter how many blankets covered him, he could not keep warm.
2 So his advisers told him, "We will find a young virgin who will wait on you and be your nurse. She will lie in your arms and keep you warm."
3 So they searched throughout the country for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag from Shunem and brought her to the king.
4 The girl was very beautiful, and she waited on the king and took care of him. But the king had no sexual relations with her.
5 About that time David's son Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, decided to make himself king in place of his aged father. So he provided himself with chariots and horses and recruited fifty men to run in front of him.
6 Now his father, King David, had never disciplined him at any time, even by asking, "What are you doing?" Adonijah was a very handsome man and had been born next after Absalom.

II. The lack of instruction by a father is seen in the everyday life of his children.

NLT 2 Samuel 13:1 David's son Absalom had a beautiful sister named Tamar. And Amnon, her half brother, fell desperately in love with her.
2 Amnon became so obsessed with Tamar that he became ill. She was a virgin, and it seemed impossible that he could ever fulfill his love for her.
3 Now Amnon had a very crafty friend-- his cousin Jonadab. He was the son of David's brother Shimea.
4 One day Jonadab said to Amnon, "What's the trouble? Why should the son of a king look so dejected morning after morning?"So Amnon told him, "I am in love with Tamar, Absalom's sister."
5 "Well," Jonadab said, "I'll tell you what to do. Go back to bed and pretend you are sick. When your father comes to see you, ask him to let Tamar come and prepare some food for you. Tell him you'll feel better if she feeds you."
6 So Amnon pretended to be sick. And when the king came to see him, Amnon asked him, "Please let Tamar come to take care of me and cook something for me to eat."
7 So David agreed and sent Tamar to Amnon's house to prepare some food for him.
8 When Tamar arrived at Amnon's house, she went to the room where he was lying down so he could watch her mix some dough. Then she baked some special bread for him.
9 But when she set the serving tray before him, he refused to eat. "Everyone get out of here," Amnon told his servants. So they all left.
10 Then he said to Tamar, "Now bring the food into my bedroom and feed it to me here." So Tamar took it to him.
11 But as she was feeding him, he grabbed her and demanded, "Come to bed with me, my darling sister."
12 "No, my brother!" she cried. "Don't be foolish! Don't do this to me! You know what a serious crime it is to do such a thing in Israel.
13 Where could I go in my shame? And you would be called one of the greatest fools in Israel. Please, just speak to the king about it, and he will let you marry me."
14 But Amnon wouldn't listen to her, and since he was stronger than she was, he raped her.
15 Then suddenly Amnon's love turned to hate, and he hated her even more than he had loved her. "Get out of here!" he snarled at her.
16 "No, no!" Tamar cried. "To reject me now is a greater wrong than what you have already done to me."But Amnon wouldn't listen to her.
17 He shouted for his servant and demanded, "Throw this woman out, and lock the door behind her!"

II Sam 13:20 Her brother Absalom saw her and asked, "Is it true that Amnon has been with you? Well, don't be so upset. Since he's your brother anyway, don't worry about it." So Tamar lived as a desolate woman in Absalom's house.
21 When King David heard what had happened, he was very angry.
22 And though Absalom never spoke to Amnon about it, he hated Amnon deeply because of what he had done to his sister.
23 Two years later, when Absalom's sheep were being sheared at Baal-hazor near Ephraim, Absalom invited all the king's sons to come to a feast.
24 He went to the king and said, "My sheep-shearers are now at work. Would the king and his servants please come to celebrate the occasion with me?"
25 The king replied, "No, my son. If we all came, we would be too much of a burden on you." Absalom pressed him, but the king wouldn't come, though he sent his thanks.
26 "Well, then," Absalom said, "if you can't come, how about sending my brother Amnon instead?""Why Amnon?" the king asked.
27 But Absalom kept on pressing the king until he finally agreed to let all his sons attend, including Amnon.
28 Absalom told his men, "Wait until Amnon gets drunk; then at my signal, kill him! Don't be afraid. I'm the one who has given the command. Take courage and do it!"
29 So at Absalom's signal they murdered Amnon. Then the other sons of the king jumped on their mules and fled.

II Sam 14:28 Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two years without getting to see the king.
29 Then Absalom sent for Joab to ask him to intercede for him, but Joab refused to come. Absalom sent for him a second time, but again Joab refused to come.
30 So Absalom said to his servants, "Go and set fire to Joab's barley field, the field next to mine." So they set his field on fire, as Absalom had commanded.
31 Then Joab came to Absalom and demanded, "Why did your servants set my field on fire?"
32 And Absalom replied, "Because I wanted you to ask the king why he brought me back from Geshur if he didn't intend to see me. I might as well have stayed there. Let me see the king; if he finds me guilty of anything, then let him execute me."
33 So Joab told the king what Absalom had said. Then at last David summoned his estranged son, and Absalom came and bowed low before the king, and David kissed him.

III. There comes a time when a father’s failures produce disaster to the point of destruction

II Sam 15:10 But while he was there, he sent secret messengers to every part of Israel to stir up a rebellion against the king. "As soon as you hear the trumpets," his message read, "you will know that Absalom has been crowned king in Hebron."
11 He took two hundred men from Jerusalem with him as guests, but they knew nothing of his intentions.
12 While he was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel, one of David's counselors who lived in Giloh. Soon many others also joined Absalom, and the conspiracy gained momentum.
13 A messenger soon arrived in Jerusalem to tell King David, "All Israel has joined Absalom in a conspiracy against you!"
14 "Then we must flee at once, or it will be too late!" David urged his men. "Hurry! If we get out of the city before he arrives, both we and the city of Jerusalem will be spared from disaster."
15 "We are with you," his advisers replied. "Do what you think is best."
16 So the king and his household set out at once. He left no one behind except ten of his concubines to keep the palace in order.

NLT 2 Samuel 17:1 Now Ahithophel urged Absalom, "Let me choose twelve thousand men to start out after David tonight.
2 I will catch up to him while he is weary and discouraged. He and his troops will panic, and everyone will run away. Then I will kill only the king,
3 and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride returns to her husband. After all, it is only this man's life that you seek. Then all the people will remain unharmed and peaceful."
4 This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the other leaders of Israel.

II Sam 18:5 And the king gave this command to Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: "For my sake, deal gently with young Absalom." And all the troops heard the king give this order to his commanders.
6 So the battle began in the forest of Ephraim,
7 and the Israelite troops were beaten back by David's men. There was a great slaughter, and twenty thousand men laid down their lives that day.
8 The battle raged all across the countryside, and more men died because of the forest than were killed by the sword.
9 During the battle, Absalom came unexpectedly upon some of David's men. He tried to escape on his mule, but as he rode beneath the thick branches of a great oak, his head got caught. His mule kept going and left him dangling in the air.
10 One of David's men saw what had happened and told Joab, "I saw Absalom dangling in a tree."
11 "What?" Joab demanded. "You saw him there and didn't kill him? I would have rewarded you with ten pieces of silver and a hero's belt!"
12 "I wouldn't do it for a thousand pieces of silver, " the man replied. "We all heard the king say to you and Abishai and Ittai, 'For my sake, please don't harm young Absalom.'
13 And if I had betrayed the king by killing his son-- and the king would certainly find out who did it-- you yourself would be the first to abandon me."
14 "Enough of this nonsense," Joab said. Then he took three daggers and plunged them into Absalom's heart as he dangled from the oak still alive.
15 Ten of Joab's young armor bearers then surrounded Absalom and killed him.
16 Then Joab blew the trumpet, and his men returned from chasing the army of Israel.
17 They threw Absalom's body into a deep pit in the forest and piled a great heap of stones over it. And the army of Israel fled to their homes.
18 During his lifetime, Absalom had built a monument to himself in the King's Valley, for he had said, "I have no son to carry on my name." He named the monument after himself, and it is known as Absalom's Monument to this day.
19 Then Zadok's son Ahimaaz said, "Let me run to the king with the good news that the LORD has saved him from his enemy Absalom."
20 "No," Joab told him, "it wouldn't be good news to the king that his son is dead. You can be my messenger some other time, but not today."
21 Then Joab said to a man from Cush, "Go tell the king what you have seen." The man bowed and ran off.
22 But Ahimaaz continued to plead with Joab, "Whatever happens, please let me go, too.” Why should you go, my son?" Joab replied. "There will be no reward for you."
23 "Yes, but let me go anyway," he begged.Joab finally said, "All right, go ahead." Then Ahimaaz took a shortcut across the plain of the Jordan and got to Mahanaim ahead of the man from Cush.
24 While David was sitting at the city gate, the watchman climbed to the roof of the gateway by the wall. As he looked, he saw a lone man running toward them.
25 He shouted the news down to David, and the king replied, "If he is alone, he has news."As the messenger came closer,
26 the watchman saw another man running toward them. He shouted down, "Here comes another one!"The king replied, "He also will have news."
27 "The first man runs like Ahimaaz son of Zadok," the watchman said."He is a good man and comes with good news," the king replied.
28 Then Ahimaaz cried out to the king, "All is well!" He bowed low with his face to the ground and said, "Blessed be the LORD your God, who has handed over the rebels who dared to stand against you."
29 "What about young Absalom?" the king demanded. "Is he all right?"Ahimaaz replied, "When Joab told me to come, there was a lot of commotion. But I didn't know what was happening."
30 "Wait here," the king told him. So Ahimaaz stepped aside.
31 Then the man from Cush arrived and said, "I have good news for my lord the king. Today the LORD has rescued you from all those who rebelled against you."
32 "What about young Absalom?" the king demanded. "Is he all right?"And the Cushite replied, "May all of your enemies, both now and in the future, be as that young man is!"
33 The king was overcome with emotion. He went up to his room over the gateway and burst into tears. And as he went, he cried, "O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I could have died instead of you! O Absalom, my son, my son."

Conclusion: From the fears of a failed life, come the tears of a parent.

NLT Psalm 3:1

Ask God About Freedom

I Cor 7:22-24

NLT22 And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, the Lord has now set you free from the awful power of sin. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ.
23 God purchased you at a high price. Don't be enslaved by the world.
24 So, dear brothers and sisters, whatever situation you were in when you became a believer, stay there in your new relationship with God.
NIV 22 For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave.
23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.
24 Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.


INTRO:
One of the very special days, holidays, of the summer season in the United States is that great day of leisure and relaxation, the Fourth of July. We take off from work, pop fireworks, go to the lake, make hambugers, grill hotdogs, and have a carefree time. Is that what your Fourth is?
For many of us, we take time to remember, even commemorate, the reason for this celebration. Over 200 hundred years ago our ancestors threw off the yoke of tyranny. They decided that it was time to tell the King of Great Britain that they would no longer live in bondage. It was time to be free.
Then, and down through the years, there has been a misconception of what freedom really is. It is not anarchy. When a person is truly free, he is not free to do without consequences. There is always responsibility. Freedom is not free. There is always a cost. Freedom is not whimsical. There is no sense of chaos in true freedom. Free people have a purpose.
This definition of freedom was not written first by our 18th century leaders. They wrote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” They believed that what they sought began in the heart of God.
In this morning’s text we see true freedom. For those of us who know Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we are reminded of three important aspects of spiritual, and true civil liberty. We have an Expected Responsibility that was purchased with an Extreme Cost for an Expedient Purpose.

I. Expected Responsibility – v22
NLT And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, the Lord has now set you free from the awful power of sin. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ.
NIV For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave.


Slave - doulos {doo'-los}
Meaning: 1) a slave, bondman, man of servile condition 1a) a slave 1b) one who gives himself up to another's will those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing His cause among men 1c) devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests 2) a servant, attendant

Freeman - apeleutheros {ap-el-yoo'-ther-os}
Meaning: 1) a slave that has been released from servitude, a freeman

Free - eleutheros {el-yoo'-ther-os}
Meaning: 1) freeborn 1a) in a civil sense, one who is not a slave 1b) of one who ceases to be a slave, freed, manumitted 2) free, exempt, unrestrained, not bound by an obligation 3) in an ethical sense: free from the yoke of the Mosaic Law

Application: It is our responsibility to live our lives serving others in the continuance of true freedom.

II. Extreme Cost - v 23
NLT 23 God purchased you at a high price. Don't be enslaved by the world.
NIV 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.

Bought; Purchased - agorazo {ag-or-ad'-zo}
Meaning: 1) to be in the market place, to attend it 2) to do business there, buy or sell 3) of idle people: to haunt the market place, lounge there

Price; High Price - time {tee-may'}
Meaning: 1) a valuing by which the price is fixed 1a) of the price itself 1b) of the price paid or received for a person or thing bought or sold 2) honour which belongs or is shown to one 2a) of the honour which one has by reason of rank and state of office which he holds 2b) deference, reverence

Application: True freedom bought with Blood.

III. Expedient Purpose – v 24
advisable, desirable, judicious, politic, prudent, tactical, wiseRelated Wordsadvantageous, beneficial, profitable; useful, utilitarian; feasible, possible, practicable, practical; opportune, seasonable, timely; opportunistic, self-seeking
NLT 24 So, dear brothers and sisters, whatever situation you were in when you became a believer, stay there in your new relationship with God.
NIV 24 Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.


Stay; Remain - meno {men'-o}
Meaning: 1) to remain, abide 1a) in reference to place 1a1) to sojourn, tarry 1a2) not to depart 1a2a) to continue to be present 1a2b) to be held, kept, continually 1b) in reference to time 1b1) to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure 1b1a) of persons, to survive, live 1c) in reference to state or condition 1c1) to remain as one, not to become another or different 2) to wait for, await one


Became a believer; Called - kaleo {kal-eh'-o}
Meaning: 1) to call 1a) to call aloud, utter in a loud voice 1b) to invite 2) to call i.e. to name, by name 2a) to give a name to 2a1) to receive the name of, receive as a name 2a2) to give some name to one, call his name 2b) to be called i.e. to bear a name or title (among men) 2c) to salute one by name

Application: Freedom is not ours to do nothing with.

Ask God About Heaven - I Thess 4:13-18

3 heavens
Paradise
Abraham’s bosom
New Heaven and New Earth
New Jerusalem
Milk and honey
Angel wings
Streets of gold
Dwelling place of God

Intro: Why do we think about Heaven? Is our interest in heaven based upon how it looks, where it is at, what it is called, or the quality and type of existence in heaven? Anytime the subject is broached, there is no lack of excitement or expertise on display. Hebrew culture speaks of three heavens; the sky, the planets, and the presence of God. ‘Paradise’ is a Syrian word which paints a picture of a large park-like place. Jesus spoke to the thief from the cross and promised him of the certainty of this place. “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” The place of the righteous dead was also known as Abraham’s bosom.

Most conversations about heaven are centered around facts that really are not. Nearly every movie made seems to contribute more authority to these conversations than the Bible does. What a movie says, or portrays, should not significantly influence what is believed or known about heaven, but many times these movies do. Floating clouds, beautiful angels, harps, and white robes are all props which are seen as things of comfort. The reason for this is that these movies and all conversations about heaven have one purpose. They attempt to give a happy ending or answer to the question that torments every person that has ever breathed the air of life. What happens when it is all over. Mankind may know many things, and is capable of learning many more. But among the multitude of unknown facts that haunt mankind is the glaring reality of ignorance which continues to raise its ugly head concerning death.

Death is a reality. No living thing looks into the face of death and says, “You don’t scare me. You have no control over me. I am staying here forever.” To all people, the closest thing to guaranteed eternity is that of memories. They soon fade. So, conversations and speculations about heaven are very much like the little boy who whistles as he passes the cemetery at night. It is not how heaven looks that concerns us. It is the fear that we are all like Rover. Because, when he dies, he dies all over.

Our heavenly Father knows that. He knows that because of our nature, our frailty, the short span of our lives, and the witness of everyone who leaves us in death, we seek comfort in our descriptions and discussions of heaven. The real desire which flames our desperate search for heaven is not aesthetic but fear.
The Hebrew word for grave, SHEOL, has a literal meaning of gaping hole. This hole takes their loved ones and never gives back. HADES is the nether world where both the righteous and unrighteous dwell. In this text, we see how God has answered those fears through His Son who will return to receive His own and take them to be in the Presence of the Perfect Father to dwell with Him Permanently. We find three assuring facts about heaven and what it means to us.

I. Heaven is in the Presence of God
Death
Separation
No Absence
II. Heaven is Perfect
Paradise Lost
Nothing lasts
Everything Dies
In this world nothing is sure but death and taxes
III. Heaven is Permanent
There is a truth. Pretty much, all change is resisted.
We get into our comfort zone. In this life, we yearn to live in a rut. But the rut still changes. It just gets deeper.

Only in the presence of a truly perfect God, do we reach true permanence.

Once More With Feeling - II Kings 13:10-21

The result of man's efforts in God's work is limited by man's faith in God's power. Faithfulness is a necessity by man in God's business.

Intro: Power is seen in many things. The Niagara river going over the falls, the throbbing thrust of a Titan II rocket as it pushes its payload to the far reaches of space, earthquakes, avalanches, an erupting volcano, and the sun which rises to impart its heat to the earth are just parts of the whole which God has set into motion and maintains. Man is a part of the power system of God. Through man God demonstrates His power. He illuminates Himself by this method of using men as a receptacle and outlet of His power in His dealings with mankind.

In this text we find 3 aspects of God's encounters with each of us.

I. The Empowering Touch of God's Commission
A. Isaiah's Commission
B. Church at Pentecost
C. Paul on the road to Damascus
D. The Holy Spirit in the Christian's life
Ill. A light switch opens the circuit to flow.

II. The Direct Word of God's Instruction
A. Moses on the mountain
B. Elijah in the storm
C. The Apostles on the shore
D. The Church at Pentecost
Ill. A raw recruit in basic training

III. The Limitations of Man's Failures
A. Independent, not God dependent
B. Moses smote the rock the second time
C. Elijah ran from Jezebel
D. Peter tried to limit the scope of the Gospel
Ill. A short circuit of electricity will shut the machine down.

Conclusion: God always has a plan for us in life. The difficulty of that plan turns on the receptiveness of man.

A Man In Trouble

A Man In Trouble Psalm 55

Intro: This is a Psalm of lament. The writer has been betrayed by a friend. This friend is a type of Judas, the great betrayer.

I. A man having difficulty with his Faith v. 1-3
In these times of recession, maybe depression, it is easy to sit in a corner somewhere and cry. Why is this happening to me, God? What have I done to deserve this kind of trouble? Are you listening to me, God? Do you care about me anymore?
A child may look to the parents they love and wonder why they are so upset. A child has been taught, in many instances, to always trust their parents. Shouldn’t their parents trust their heavenly Father?

II. A man having difficulty with his Feelings v. 4-7
This kind of mood can become overwhelming. There does not seem to be any direction that we can turn and not find bad things happening.
This is the reason that parents must be careful how they express themselves as they face trials in life. And if we are honest, something may come up each and everyday that is able to startle us in our faith. A child may understand the confusion that comes about when the unexpected happens.

III. A man having difficulty with his Fears v. 8-11
When our Faith is challenged, and we cannot control our Feelings, we imagine and see danger everywhere. Something that is really small becomes the extreme threat that seems to be the difference between life and death.
With a child, many of the events that an adult takes in stride, thunderstorm or temporarily being separated, is the breeder of nightmares. Adults must recognize the fact that when our children see us reacting in fear, this produces horrors beyond their control.

IV. A man having difficulty with his Friends v. 12-14
David adds one more difficulty in this lament. A man who was once a close friend has turned on him.
A child gains security and support from those who are closest. Parents are the first and largest ring of protection around the child. Likewise, a child’s support system is also made up of schoolmates and playmates. A child may not experience the same degree of betrayal that we see in David. But, a parent must be careful not to betray the trust of their children by displaying the difficulties that have been portrayed in this Psalm.

In Conclusion: Starting in verse 16, we see that once David gets these feeling off of his chest, he is able to recognize that God has not left him. There is no reason for a failure in Faith. God is always there. Our Feelings of fear are assuaged by a renewal of our Faith. And, even though there is a betrayal by a best friend, our truest best friend is there to save us.