Being Strong When Others Aren't
Please Note: the full transcript is available in the Manuscript link above.
Psalm 138:3 - On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul.
1. Shoring up foundational areas in our walk with Christ and our church ministries that comprise the basis of godliness and effective community service.
2. Planning and praying for the construction of Faith West and the successful launch of a cluster of new ministries in West Lafayette.
3. Preparing for the next round of ministry dreaming as we embark on a new strategic planning process in 2013.
1 Kings 19:10 - He said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”
1 Kings 19:18 - “Yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
3 areas in the Christian Life where you might have an opportunity to please God first
I. Pray Faithfully When Others are Asleep
A. The solemnity of this hour
Luke 22:39 - "…as was His custom…"
B. Christ's repeated instruction
Luke 22:40 - When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
Luke 22:46 - and said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
Luke 22:45 - When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow,
C. His faithful example
1. Prayed honestly
Luke 22:42 - saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
2. Prayed intensely
Luke 22:44 - And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.
Daniel 6:4-5 - Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. Then these men said, “We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God.”
Daniel 6:10 - Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.
II. Act Biblically Even When Others are Distracted
A. Distracted by betrayal
Luke 22:47 - While He was still speaking, behold, a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was preceding them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him.
Luke 22:48 - But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
B. Distracted by anger
Luke 22:49-50 - When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear.
Luke 22:51 - But Jesus answered and said, “Stop! No more of this.” And He touched his ear and healed him.
Luke 22:52-53 - Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a robber? “While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power of darkness are yours.”
Proverbs 15:1 - A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 29:8 - Scorners set a city aflame, but wise men turn away anger.
Proverbs 29:22 - An angry man stirs up strife, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
III. Testify Courageously Even While Others are Afraid
A. Peter's stance
Luke 22:54 - Having arrested Him, they led Him away and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance.
B. Peter's opportunities
Luke 22:56-57 - And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, “This man was with Him too.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.”
Luke 22:58 - A little later, another saw him and said, “You are one of them too!” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!”
Luke 22:59-60 - After about an hour had passed, another man began to insist, saying, “Certainly this man also was with Him, for he is a Galilean too.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.
Luke 22:62 - And he went out and wept bitterly.
Luke 22:70 - And they all said, “Are You the Son of God, then?”
C. Jesus' testimony
Luke 22:70 - And they all said, “Are You the Son of God, then?” And He said to them, “Yes, I am.”