Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Turn to 2 Samuel 10...

Open in Prayer

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INTRO: “BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE”

I WOULD DARE SAY: THAT ALL OF US AT SOME POINT in LIFE WILL FEEL LIKE WE’RE STUCK BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE.

Perhaps in past

Perhaps in future

Perhaps right now

THROUGH A HEALTH CRISIS,

A FINANCIAL CRISIS,

A JOB CRISIS,

A PERSONAL CRISIS

OR A FAMILY CRISIS.

&& FEEL THERE’S NO WAY OUT

TWO OPTIONS && BOTH = BAD

PERSONAL STORY W/ HEALTH CHALLENGES

CHEST PAIN & ACCOMPANYING “HEART ATTACK” SYMPTOMS

B4 COMING HERE—NO HEATH INSURANCE

HURTING & FEELING HELPLESS

ACCORDING to GOOGLE (& MY BODY)—EMERGENCY—RUSH to HOSPITAL

***P.S.A. DON’T GOOGLE SYMPTOMS UNLESS YOU HAVE TO.***

@ NIGHT,, PAIN WOULD BE INCREDIBLY BAD,, && REMEMBER FEELING I HAD 2 OPTIONS:

TAKE CHANCES,, HOPEFULLY FEEL BETTER TOMORROW,, HOPEFULLY NOT SERIOUS…BUT POSSIBLY ACTUALLY HAVE HEART FAILURE THIS TIME.

GO to HOSPITAL…GET CHECKED OUT in E.R. RACK UP MEDICAL BILLS & POSSIBLY BANKRUPT FAMILY

FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP = REALLY IMPORTANT to ME & THIS WAS a GREAT FEAR.

MEDICAL BILLS WITHOUT INSURANCE = #1 CAUSE of BANKRUPTCY

NO GOOD OPTIONS.

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FEELING TRAPPED

ENTRUSTING SELF to GOD—ALL I COULD DO & THANKFULLY HE BROUGHT ME THROUGH.

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TRIALS WILL TEACH YOU to TRUST GOD to a NEW EXTENT…ONE of the REASONS GOD ALLOWS THEM in OUR LIVES.

TRIALS AREN’T FUN

STUCK BETWEEN ROCK & HARD PLACE ISN’T FUN.

FEELING STUCK WITHOUT GOOD CHOICES ISN’T FUN.

SO HOW DO RESPOND?

HOW CAN WE PUT OUR TRUST in GOD DURING THESE TIMES?

NEED: THAT’S WHY WE NEED this TEXT TODAY—IT’LL HELP GIVE US SOME ANSWERS ON THIS.

WON’T MAKE IT EASY…

WON’T SOLVE ALL OUR PROBLEMS...

BUT I PRAY IT HELPS.

(T) BUT BEFORE WE BEGIN, I WANT TO OFFER A QUICK RECAP TO THOSE WHO WEREN’T HERE LAST WEEK.

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RECAP: “AT THE KING’S TABLE”

Last week:

ARGUABLY THE HIGHEST POINT IN KING DAVID’S REIGN.

Background:

DAVID HAS BEEN PROSPERING.

HIS KINGDOM HAS BEEN PROSPERING.

HE’S CONQUERED MUCH OF THE PROMISED LAND IN FULFILLMENT OF GOD’S CENTURIES’ OLD PROMISE TO ABRAHAM.

HE’S WALKING IN THE BLESSING OF GOD AND EXECUTING JUSTICE IN THE LAND.

>>> THERE’S A TASTE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON THE EARTH

THE KING OF GOD IS RULING JUSTLY

&& GOD’S PEOPLE ARE WALKING IN HIS LAWS.

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@ THIS HIGH POINT THAT DAVID REMEMBERS —> COVENANT WITH JONATHAN.

SON OF SAUL

BROTHER IN LAW && BEST FRIEND OF DAVID.

JONATHAN HELPED to SPARE DAVID’S LIFE FROM SAUL

THEY ENTERED COVENANT TOGETHER

JONATHAN ASKED: BE GOOD to ME & MY KIDS WHEN YOU’RE KING...

CULTURALLY: FORMER KING’S DESCENDANTS = TOAST

LAST WK: COVENANT B4 CULTURE

DAVID SEEKS OUT REMAINING DESCENDANT OF SAUL:

SHOW STEADFAST LOVE/KINDNESS— BEHALF of JONATHAN

SHOW STEADFAST LOVE/KINDNESS— “OF GOD”

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SERVANT: ZIBA… KNOWS JUST THE GUY...HIS NAME IS MEPHIBOSHETH.

HE’S A SON OF JONATHAN,

AND HE’S CRIPPLED IN HIS FEET.

THIS CRIPPLE....WHO SHOULD’VE BEEN TREATED LIKE AN ENEMY...IS GIVEN SEAT @ TABLE.

FROM BEGGAR to BEING TREATED LIKE a SON

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LEARNED: the KINGDOM of GOD = a KINGDOM OF KINDNESS...

GOD DESIRES FOR US to SHOWCASE HIS LOVE & GRACE TOWARDS THOSE AROUND US

BECAUSE DESPITE BEING GOD’S ENEMIES,,

WE WERE GIVEN a SEAT @ the TABLE...

(T) AND SO, AS DAVID IS PROSPERING IN HIS REIGN,

AND HE’S SEEKING TO SHOW KINDNESS TO OTHERS,

WE’LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

LOOK W/ ME @ CHAPTER 10, VS. 1,

THE TEXT SAYS,

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TEXT: (2 SAMUEL 10:1-19)

SETTING (V1)

2 Samuel 10:1–19 (ESV)

1 After this the king of the Ammonites died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place.

DOMESTIC SITUATIONS WORKED OUT (DAVID & MEPHIBOSHETH)

THE BIBLICAL AUTHOR = MOVING BACK to FOREIGN FRONT.

AMMONITES = BEEN A PROBLEM FOR ISRAEL in PAST UNDER SAUL.

ENEMY to the EAST (OPP. PHILISTINES/WEST)

HAVEN’T SEEN THEM LATELY...

BUT DEALINGS W/ AMMONITES = INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT FOR NEXT FEW CHAPTERS

**LARGER SETTING UNTIL CH. 13**

(T) SO, WITH A CHANGE OF LEADERSHIP ON THE FOREIGN FRONT, HOW’S THIS GO?

LOOK W/ ME @ VS 2

THE TEXT SAYS,

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INCITING INCIDENT (V2-5)

2 And David said, “I will deal loyally with Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father dealt loyally with me.” So David sent by his servants to console him concerning his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the Ammonites.

3 But the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, “Do you think, because David has sent comforters to you, that he is honoring your father? Has not David sent his servants to you to search the city and to spy it out and to overthrow it?”

4 So Hanun took David’s servants and shaved off half the beard of each and cut off their garments in the middle, at their hips, and sent them away.

5 When it was told David, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, “Remain at Jericho until your beards have grown and then return.”

DAVID ENDEAVORS TO SHOWCASE SOME LOYALTY/KINDNESS TOWARDS HANUN (SON)

SEEMS DAVID GENUINELY DESIRED to DO NICE THING

EXTENDING GRACE to SOMEONE MOURNING---SENDING SERVANTS to OFFER CONDOLENCES

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Last Wk: DAVID SHOWING LOYALTY/STEADFAST LOVE to MEPHIBOSHETH

Now: OFFERING SAME THING to FOREIGN RULER!

[[SAME HEBREW WORD HESED]

DAVID = SEEKING to CONTINUE in KINGDOM of KINDNESS

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LOCAL PRINCES CONVINCE HANUN --- THIS = HOAX

DAVID ISN’T BEING KIND

DAVID IS SENDING SPIES

WATCH OUT.

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DESPISE DAVID’S GRACE:

(Q) YOU EVER BEEN HERE?

HAD YOUR KINDNESS REJECTED?

ESSENTIALLY SPIT IN YOUR FACE?

HANUN MISTREATS DAVID’S SERVANTS:

SHAVING HALF BEARD OFF

CUTTING OFF GARMENTS,, LEAVING THEM EXPOSED.

**UTTERLY HUMILIATED**

DAVID COMMANDS: REMAIN AT JERICHO & GROW BEARDS

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PROBLEM:

DAVID WAS EXTENDING KINDNESS, BUT HIS KINDNESS WAS REJECTED.

(T) SO, WE WONDER, WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN LIGHT OF THIS CONTROVERSY?

HOW WILL DAVID RESPOND TO THIS?

LET’S SEE WHAT THE SCRIPTURE SAYS NEXT,

LOOK W/ ME @ VS 6…

THE TEXT SAYS,,

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RISING ACTION (V6-8)

6 When the Ammonites saw that they had become a stench to David, the Ammonites sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zobah, 20,000 foot soldiers, and the king of Maacah with 1,000 men, and the men of Tob, 12,000 men.

7 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the host of the mighty men.

8 And the Ammonites came out and drew up in battle array at the entrance of the gate, and the Syrians of Zobah and of Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country.

INTERESTING:

WE DON’T NECESSARILY SEE a RESPONSE FROM DAVID

DAVID DOESN’T IMMEDIATELY SEND MILITARY ENVOY.

INSTEAD: WE SEE a FURTHER RESPONSE from the AMMONITES.

DOUBLING DOWN on BAD CHOICE...

THEY DESPISED DAVID’S GRACE & INSULTED HIS MESSENGERS

NOW---PREPPING ARMY,, HIRING OUT SYRIAN/ARAMEAN HELP

>>> WAR = ON HORIZON.

MAJOR FORCES ON BORDER CAN’T BE IGNORED

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DAVID SENDS JOAB & MIGHTY MEN to HANDLE IT.

&& JOAB & MEN APPROACH CITY.... & FIND THEMSELVES in PICKLE...

AMMONITES in CITY

SYRIAN ARMY in FIELD

ISRAELITE SANDWICH BETWEEN TWO ARMIES

**NO ONE MINDS a SANDWICH WHEN YOU’RE the BREAD**

JOAB & MEN FIND THEMSELVES CAUGHT BETWEEN a ROCK & a HARD PLACE...

(T) AND SO, WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF STUCK WITHOUT GOOD OPTIONS?

LET’S SEE WHAT JOAB THE COMMANDER DOES,

LOOK W/ ME @ VS 9

THE TEXT SAYS

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CLIMAX (V9-14)

9 When Joab saw that the battle was set against him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Syrians.

10 The rest of his men he put in the charge of Abishai his brother, and he arrayed them against the Ammonites.

11 And he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come and help you.

12 Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.”

13 So Joab and the people who were with him drew near to battle against the Syrians, and they fled before him.

14 And when the Ammonites saw that the Syrians fled, they likewise fled before Abishai and entered the city. Then Joab returned from fighting against the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem.

JOAB DIVVIES UP FORCES

TAKES BEST FIGHTERS & PLACES THEM W/ HIM AGAINST STRONGER SYRIAN FORCES @ FIELD

GIVES REST of MEN to BROTHER/ABISHAI to FIGHT AMMONITES @ CITY

> FIGHTING BACK to BACK,, WHEN DESPERATE THEY CAN MOVE GUYS ACCORDINGLY...

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SITUATION = SERIOUS

SERIOUS PROBLEM

REMEMBER: REAL GUYS…REAL LIVES… W/ REAL FAMILIES

THIS = LIFE & DEATH

FURTHERMORE:

IF THEY LOST…COMMANDER & MIGHTY MEN DEFEATED…WOULDN’T BODE WELL FOR REST of ISRAEL

>>>IF DAVID LOST HIS BEST GUYS,, WHO’S to SAY ANYONE in ISRAEL WOULD BE SAFE??

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TENSE SITUATION… LIFE & DEATH FOR MANY...

WHAT DOES JOAB DO??

ARRAYS ARMY STRATEGICALLY in TWO CAMPS

ADMONISHES THEM to BE STRONG & COURAGEOUS

ON BEHALF of THEIR PEOPLE

& CITIES of THEIR GOD

MOST IMPORTANTLY: JOAB PLACES this SITUATION in GOD’S HANDS.

JOAB = RARELY EXEMPLARY… BUT THIS TIME HE GETS it RIGHT.

“MAY THE LORD DO WHAT SEEMS GOOD TO HIM” (V12, EMPHASIZED IN HEBREW).

LITERALLY: MAY THE LORD DO THE GOOD IN HIS EYES.

(Q) DO YOU SEE THIS INCREDIBLE TRUST AND HOPE??

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ONE of MY MOTTO’S in LIFE: “I’LL DO MY BEST, & LET GOD DO THE REST.”

OUR BEST is ALL WE CAN DO

THIS = WHERE JOAB’S AT...

WE’RE GOING to GO FIGHT

WE’RE GOING to BE COURAGEOUS

WE’RE GOING to DO OUR BEST.... && ENTRUST the RESULTS to GOD.

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SOMETIMES in LIFE WE’RE CAUGHT:

OPTION A (AMMONITES) = BAD

OPTION B (SYRIANS)= BAD

NO C’S to BE FOUND...

WE HAVE to DO BEST WE CAN…WITH WHAT WE’VE GOT…

& ENTRUST OUR LACK to GOD.

**I KNOW THIS = EASIER SAID THAN DONE** BELIEVE ME.

COMING FROM SOMEONE WHO = WORRY MACHINE,,

SIN I STRUGGLE WITH a LOT.

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IF YOU STRUGGLE W/ EXCESSIVE WORRY & ANXIETY ABOUT THINGS....

IT’S USUALLY BECAUSE the BALL is IN OUR COURT AS IT WERE...

IT’S an ACT of PRIDE to PUT THAT MUCH RESPONSIBILITY on YOUR SHOULDERS

FAITH & TRUST.... THEY PLACE the BALL in GOD’S COURT...

I’LL DO MY BEST,, BUT the OUTCOME is IN GOD’S HANDS.

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WE HAVE to TRUST,, GOD KNOWS WHAT is BEST...

GOD IS SOVEREIGN,

HE IS ALL-POWERFUL,

HE is ALL-KNOWING...

AND FURTHERMORE, HE IS GOOD.

>>> KNOWING THAT GOD IS BOTH SOVEREIGN & GOOD IS THE CHRISTIAN’S GREATEST COMFORT.

GOD KNOWS IT ALL… & HE’LL DO WHAT’S BEST

(Q) IF JOAB CAN DO THIS in a LIFE or DEATH SITUATION… HOW MUCH MORE SHOULD WE BE ABLE to DO THIS in SITUATIONS THAT ARE LESS SERIOUS??

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THIS ISN’T a PROMISE THAT IT’LL ALWAYS WORK OUT...

THIS ISN’T PROSPERITY GOSPEL...

I CAN’T PROMISE YOU’LL BE HEALED OF EVERY MALADY or SICKNESS THAT COMES YOUR WAY.

I CAN’T PROMISE ALL YOUR PROBLEMS WILL WORK THEMSELVES OUT

BUT WHAT I CAN PROMISE YOU is THAT NO PROBLEM, TRIAL, SICKNESS, ETC... COMES YOUR WAY... WITHOUT FIRST GOING THROUGH OUR LOVING & ALL-POWERFUL GOD.

&& ULTIMATELY,, IF THINGS DON’T WORK OUT as WE PLANNED…

WE MUST TRUST THAT IT WORKED OUT ACCORDING to GOD’S GOOD PLAN.

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SO WE CAN SPARE OURSELVES the WORRY.

WE CAN BELIEVE THINGS WILL WORK OUT & IF THEY DON’T THEN WE CAN REST ASSURED GOD WILL HANDLE IT.

IT’S EASY to WORRY ABOUT SO MANY THINGS...

& EVEN THINGS OUTSIDE of OUR CONTROL...

JOHN DELONY: “I DON’T HAVE a METEORITE PLAN”

SOME THINGS WE CAN PLAN FOR…

SOME WE CAN’T PLAN FOR.

WE WALK BY FAITH & TRUST in OUR GOOD GOD...

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IN THIS SITUATION (JOAB & ISRAEL)

IT SEEMED GOOD to GOD to DELIVER THEM

SYRIANS & AMMONITES FLEE BEFORE JOAB & ABISHAI RESPECTIVELY

>>> BUT I WANT YOU to SEE,, GOD’S GOODNESS DIDN’T DEPEND on THEIR PROBLEM BEING SOLVED.

REMEMBER—THESE GUYS DIDN’T HAVE that ASSURANCE in the MOMENT.

JOAB DIDN’T SAY “GOD’S GOING to GET US OUT of THIS!”

BUT RATHER: “LET’S DO OUR BEST AND KNOW GOD WILL DO WHAT SEEMS GOOD to HIM”

(HOPEFULLY THAT MEANS VICTORY,, BUT NEVERTHELESS, WE’LL TRUST in HIM.

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CHURCH, SOMETIMES GOD DELIVERS US FROM OUR PROBLEMS.

OTHER TIMES GOD USES OUR PROBLEMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS PURPOSE.

OUR JOB ISN’T to FIGURE IT OUT.

INSTEAD,, WE DO the BEST WE CAN WITH WHAT WE’VE GOT

&& WE TRUST the RESULTS to OUR GOOD GOD.

(T) AND NOW, OUR TEXT IS GOING TO CLOSE,

BEGINNING IN VERSE 15.

THE TEXT SAYS,

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RESOLUTION/CONCLUSION (V15-19)

15 But when the Syrians saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they gathered themselves together.

16 And Hadadezer sent and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the Euphrates. They came to Helam, with Shobach the commander of the army of Hadadezer at their head.

17 And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together and crossed the Jordan and came to Helam. The Syrians arrayed themselves against David and fought with him.

18 And the Syrians fled before Israel, and David killed of the Syrians the men of 700 chariots, and 40,000 horsemen, and wounded Shobach the commander of their army, so that he died there.

19 And when all the kings who were servants of Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and became subject to them. So the Syrians were afraid to save the Ammonites anymore.

THE SYRIANS....ONE LAST DITCH EFFORT.... GATHER THEIR FORCES TOGETHER TO FIGHT AGAINST ISRAEL.

ISRAEL GOES AHEAD…LED BY DAVID...

SYRIANS = SUBDUED BY ISRAEL

>> KINGS SUBJECTED to SYRIA SWITCH SIDES & SUBJECT THEMSELVES to DAVID,, THE LORD’S ANOINTED...

(T) AND SO, WE SHOULD LEARN FROM THIS PASSAGE, THAT,

HOMILETICAL IDEA:

WHEN WE’RE STUCK BETWEEN a ROCK & a HARD PLACE,

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN DO is PLACE OUR TRUST in GOD WHO WILL ULTIMATELY DO WHAT SEEMS GOOD TO HIM.

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GOSPEL: “NOT MY WILL, BUT THINE BE DONE”

NO BETTER EXAMPLE: JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF in the GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE.

ROCK & HARD PLACE?? IMAGINE THIS...

§ IN MATTHEW 26 JESUS = CRYING OUT in PRAYER

IS THERE ANY OTHER WAY??

“IF IT BE POSSIBLE, LET THIS CUP PASS FROM ME.”

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CAN YOU IMAGINE:

OPTION A:

OBEYING THE FATHER,

UNDERGOING THE WORST DEATH IMAGINABLE.

ALONGSIDE THE TORTURE,

ALONGSIDE THE TORTURE,

AND UTTER HUMILIATION.

IN ORDER TO PAY FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD.

OPTION B:

CHOOSE TO DISOBEY THE ENTIRE REASON HE HAD COME INTO THE WORLD.

CALLING A LEGION OF ANGELS TO HIS AID.

FAILING IN THE MISSION OF HIS PERFECT OBEDIENCE

AND LEAVING US WITHOUT HOPE.

CAN WE SAVE the WORLD FROM SIN WITHOUT the CROSS???

WOULDN’T YOU BE LOOKING FOR OPTION C???

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IF YOU THINK YOU’VE BEEN in a HARD PLACE

IF YOU THINK YOU’VE BEEN ANXIOUS/STRESSED OUT...

ANYONE HERE EVER SWEAT BLOOD?

ROCK & HARD PLACE = UNDERSTATEMENT of the CENTURY....

YET JESUS PRAYED: “NOT AS I WILL,, BUT AS YOU WILL.”

IN A SENSE, "FATHER,, I TRUST THAT YOU WILL DO WHAT SEEMS GOOD to YOU”

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&& IT SEEMED GOOD TO THE FATHER:

THAT HE MIGHT SEND HIS ONLY SON INTO THE WORLD

IN ORDER TO DIE ON BEHALF OF HOPELESS SINNERS

THAT WE MIGHT BE SAVED,

TO SECURE FOR US AN ETERNAL INHERITANCE

THAT WON’T PERISH OR FADE AWAY.

THAT WE MIGHT BE FORGIVEN BY A FREE GIFT OF GOD’S GRACE.

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GOOD WORKS COULDN’T SAVE US

RIGHTEOUSNESS WAS FILTHY RAGS

WHAT WE NEEDED WAS A SINLESS SAVIOR,, DYING FOR OUR SIN...

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LOOKING @ PASSAGE TODAY: I CAN’T GUARANTEE POSITIVE OUTCOMES to TRIALS in THIS LIFE...

I CAN’T GUARANTEE THAT YOU WON’T BE SQUISHED BETWEEN the ROCK & the HARD PLACE

I CAN’T GUARANTEE MUCH of ANYTHING THIS SIDE of ETERNITY

BUT WHAT I CAN GUARANTEE,,

IS THAT if YOU PLACE YOUR FAITH in THE SON of GOD

TRUSTING in HIM for RIGHT-STANDING BEFORE GOD…

NOT of WORKS/INHERENT RIGHTEOUSNESS....

BELIEVING CHRIST DIED FOR YOU & WAS RAISED....

TURN FROM LIFE of SIN,, PROFESS CHRIST as LORD,,

YOU CAN BE SAVED,, TODAY.

YOU CAN HAVE a LIVING HOPE

YOU CAN REST ASSURED THAT JESUS HAS PREPARED a PLACE FOR YOU...

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THIS HOPE IS SECURE,

THE ETERNAL INHERITANCE IS SECURE.

IT’S IMPERISHABLE,

UNDEFILED,

UNFADING,

AND IT’S KEPT IN HEAVEN FOR US.

o AND FURTHERMORE, GOD KEEPS US THROUGH FAITH TO ENSURE THAT WE OBTAIN IT.

>>> THIS IS ONE THING THAT WE CAN HOPE IN.

WE DON’T KNOW HOW IT’LL WORK OUT THIS SIDE of ETERNITY

WE JUST KNOW THAT GOD WILL WORK THINGS in ACCORDANCE W/ HIS GOOD PURPOSE...

BUT WE KNOW of a SECURE HOPE of ETERNAL LIFE

HAVE QUESTIONS,,

DON’T KNOW WHERE YOU STAND W/ GOD

TALK to US AFTER SERVICE.

(T) AND NOW, IN CLOSING, I’D LIKE TO SHARE SOME TAKEAWAY THOUGHTS WITH YOU ALL TODAY.

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TAKEAWAYS:

Learn about God?

GOD = BOTH ABLE AND WILLING TO DO WHAT SEEMS GOOD TO HIM.

GOD AS THE SOVEREIGN LORD IS FULLY CAPABLE OF DOING AS HE PLEASES,

AND BECAUSE HIS DISPOSITION TOWARDS US IS GOOD,

WE CAN HAVE HOPE.

(T) AND WHAT DO WE LEARN FOR US,

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APP: TRUSTING IN THE ROCK

I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU:

BECAUSE GOD IS BOTH SOVEREIGN

AND GOOD,

WE CAN PUT OUR TRUST IN HIM, DURING LIFE’S HARDEST TIMES.

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WE’LL ALL FEEL @ TIMES… WE’RE STUCK BETWEEN the ROCK & HARD PLACE...

GOSPEL GROUP (KINGDOM HEIRS): “THE ROCK’S BETWEEN THE HARD PLACE AND YOU”

THERE IS NO TRIAL.

NO PROBLEM.

NO ROCK.

NO HARD PLACE.

NOTHING THAT COMES TO US APART FROM OUR FATHER.

THEY ALL HAVE to GO THROUGH THE ROCK FIRST (NOT DWAYNE JOHNSON)

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HE’S FULLY AWARE OF ALL THAT WE GO THROUGH.

HE KNOWS IT ALL.

HE SEES OUR STRUGGLES.

IN THE MIDST OF THIS, HE DOES WHAT HE SEES IS GOOD.

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Encourage:

USE JOAB’S LANGUAGE YOURSELF

WHEN YOU FEEL TRAPPED WITHOUT GOOD CHOICES

WHEN YOU’RE ANXIOUS

WHEN YOU’RE SCARED

“MAY the LORD DO WHAT is GOOD in HIS EYES”

DO YOUR BEST, THEN LET GOD DO the REST.

IT’S ALL YOU CAN DO.

DON’T TAKE the RESPONSIBILITY on YOUR SHOULDERS to RUN the WORLD.

TRUST THAT GOD HAS it TAKEN CARE OF...

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WE MIGHT NOT WIN EVERY BATTLE, GOD HASN’T PROMISED THIS

>>> BUT THE WAR IS SURELY OURS AS BELIEVERS.

>>> THIS FINAL HOPE HE HAS PROMISED.

THIS ETERNAL HOPE SHOULD CARRY US THROUGH WHEN WE FEEL HOPELESS.

HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW, AND I KNOW THAT HE WATCHES ME.

HE’S A GOOD GOD,

AND IN A LIFE WITH TRIAL AND TURMOIL,,,

HE IS OUR ONLY HOPE.

AMEN?

Close in Prayer