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.