"DO HARD THINGS - TAKING A STAND"

Have you ever done things that go against the crowd?

Proposition - This evening we are going to be discussing the importance of taking a stand when others are not.

What defines you -

John 17:14–16 NASB95

14 “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16 “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

James 2:18 NASB95

18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

Doing what’s right even when it hurts -

We’ll always be glad we did -

Think about Joseph -

Genesis 50:20 NASB95

20 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.

Knowing when and how to stand -

Start with the Bible -

2 Peter 1:3 NASB95

3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

Examine yourself -

Matthew 7:1–3 NASB95

1 “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Listen to your conscience -

1 Timothy 4:2 NASB95

2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,

Romans 14:23 NASB95

23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.

1 Peter 3:15–17 NASB95

15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. 17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.

Seek godly counsel -

Proverbs 11:14 NASB95

14 Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory.

Be humble, loving, and bold -

Be part of the solution -

If you want to stand, stand now -

Mark 8:34–35 NASB95

34 And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 35 “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.

Luke 9:23 NASB95

23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

“Every time we do the right thing in God’s name, we flex and build our muscles.”

So What?

“If we can’t trust God with our popularity now, during high school, how will we ever trust Him with our lives on the mission field? If we can’t stand for Him now in the classroom, how will we stand for Him in the courtroom, when it really matters?”

Is there a stand you know you should be taking but haven’t?

Is there something in your life you know is wrong but continue to do?