Traps
Notes
Transcript
INTRO
INTRO
Looking for an adventure in Toronto? Look no further than the CN Tower! Enjoy breathtaking views of the city from the observation deck, or take a thrilling walk across the glass floor.
Feeling daring? Take a ride up to the SkyPod for a truly unforgettable experience.
Whether you're a local or a tourist, the CN Tower is a must-see attraction that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
let me tell you about my lifetime memory that the CN Tower gave me.
I do not like heights
but family visiting have to do this
I figured I can avoid certain areas
I was very releived to see that the glass floor was only a small section.
I allowed myself to be convinced that all i had to do was stand on it and walk off.
well the minute i caught a glimpse my legs buckled under me
memories to last a lifetime.....
To me this was a trap
I was lured into thinking that this is an experience of a lifetime, instead I am forever traumatized by this experience
TODAY WE ARE DOING JUST THAT EXPLORING THOSE TRAPS THAT WE ENCOUNTER IN EVERYDAY LIFE
AND AS WE TURN TO THE SCRIPTURES WE SEE THIS IS NOT A NEW THING
Nehemiah 6:1–3
1 When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates—
2 Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were scheming to harm me;
3 so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?”
Nehemiah suspected foul play. Why would they want him a day’s journey away from Jerusalem? Then he could not oversee the work, and by outnumbering him they might do him harm. Though he could not prove his enemies’ motives at the moment, he chose a method that would eventually demonstrate whether they were sincere. He simply sent messengers to tell them he was involved in a great (important) project and could not leave it unsupervised. By responding in this way Nehemiah was not openly questioning their motives. In fact he was giving them an opportunity to prove their motives were sincere, if they had really wanted to make peace.
The latin root for the word distraction comes from dis-, "apart," and trahere, "drag."
In other words you're being dragged away from your task.
DISTRACTIONS
In today's fast-paced world, we live in an era of constant distractions.
Our attention is constantly being pulled in different directions, making it hard to focus on the task at hand. With the advent of technology and social media, we are bombarded with notifications, messages, and updates that are vying for our attention.
The trap of distraction is a real issue in our society. It can impact our productivity, our creativity, and even our mental health. When we are constantly distracted, it can be challenging to get into the flow of work and produce quality output.
We may find ourselves procrastinating, jumping from task to task, and struggling to complete even the simplest of tasks.
Moreover, the trap of distraction can also affect our ability to form meaningful relationships with others. We may find ourselves constantly checking our phones, scrolling through social media, and responding to messages, rather than being present in the moment and engaging with those around us.
the trap of distraction can be seen as a spiritual issue that impacts our ability to connect with God and live out our faith.
With so many distractions competing for our attention, it can be difficult to cultivate a deep and meaningful spiritual life. We may find ourselves struggling to make time for prayer, Bible study, and other spiritual practices that are essential for our growth and development as Christians.
Moreover, the trap of distraction can also lead us away from God's plan for our lives.
When we are constantly distracted, we may miss out on opportunities to serve others, share the Gospel, and make a positive impact in the world.
We may become self-absorbed, focusing solely on our own needs and desires, rather than seeking to serve God and others. As Christians, it is important to prioritize our relationship with God and make time for spiritual practices that help us stay connected to Him.
This may include setting aside time each day for prayer and Bible study, attending church regularly, and finding ways to serve others in our communities. By staying focused on God and His plan for our lives, we can avoid the trap of distraction and live out our faith in a meaningful and impactful way.
SAMSON WAS DISTRACTED BY DELILAH-
DAVID WAS DISTRACTED BY BETHSHEBA - HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT DOING GODS WORK
Proverbs 4:25–27 (NLT)
25 Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.
27 Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
WELL THAT PLAN DID NOT WORK SO SANBALLAT TRIES A NEW TRICK. -
5 In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand.
6 In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king.
7 And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.”
8 Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.”
9 For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands.
When Nehemiah’s enemies realized he would not leave Jerusalem and meet with them, they tried another tactic. They put pressure on him, trying to force him to meet with them in the plain of Ono. Sanballat sent his servant to Nehemiah with an unsealed letter. The letter reported an alleged rumor that Nehemiah was trying to set himself up as the king of the Jews, which in turn would be a threat to Artaxerxes (the king).
This letter was insidious in several ways. First, the letter made it seem as if they had Nehemiah’s welfare at heart. The letter implied that their reason for conferring with him was to protect him.
Second, and more basic to their motive, they were attempting to get Nehemiah to respond out of fear, Third, the letter may have contained an element of truth. Possibly some well-meaning religious leader in Judah had interpreted Nehemiah’s presence as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies regarding the coming Messiah-King.
6:8–9. Nehemiah’s bold response demonstrated his trust in God. He outrightly denied the accusation. He told his fellow workers that the letter was designed to frighten them into thinking their wall-building would bring Artaxerxes’ wrath down on them. Then, as Nehemiah regularly did, he prayed, this time asking God for strength.
INSECURITY
insecurity can be a trap that keeps us from fully embracing the love and grace of God.
When we are insecure, we may struggle to believe that we are truly loved and accepted by God, and we may be tempted to base our sense of worth on our own accomplishments or the approval of others.
This can lead to a never-ending cycle of striving for perfection and seeking validation from others, which can ultimately leave us feeling empty and unfulfilled. Insecurity can also cause us to compare ourselves to others and feel inadequate or envious of their successes.
The Bible offers many teachings on how to overcome insecurity and find our worth in Christ.
One of the most important is to remember that our true identity is found in God, not in our own abilities or the opinions of others.
We are loved and accepted by God just as we are, and nothing we do or don't do can change that. Another key to overcoming insecurity is to focus on serving others rather than ourselves. When we are too focused on our own needs and desires, we can become trapped in a cycle of self-doubt and self-centeredness. But when we focus on serving others and living out our faith, we can find a sense of purpose and meaning that goes beyond our own insecurities.
Ultimately, the trap of insecurity can be overcome through prayer, meditation on God's Word, and the support of a loving Christian community.
By turning to God and seeking His guidance, we can find the strength and confidence we need to live a fulfilling and joyful life, free from the burden of insecurity.
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
SANBALLAT AND CO - SAW THAT THESE THINGS DID NOT HINDER NEHEMIAH.
HE ASKED GOD TO STRENGTHEN HIS HAND. TO KEEP HIS EYES FIXED ON WHAT GOD HAD CALLED HIM TO DO.
BUT YOU HAVE TO KNOW THAT THERE IS A RELENTLESS ENEMY OF OUR SOULS OUT THERE.
THE ENEMY WILL EVEN USE THINGS THAT ARE FAMILIAR TO US AND THEY HOLD EVEN A LITTLE BIT OF TRUTH.
NEHEMIAH FINDS HIMSELF AT THE HOUSE OF SOMEONE HE TRUSTS.
DECEPTION
the trap of deceit can be seen as a tool of the devil to lead people away from God's truth.
Deceit can come in many forms, such as lies, half-truths, and false promises. The devil uses deceit to convince people to sin by making them believe that the sin is acceptable or even necessary. Deceit can also create confusion and doubt in a person's mind, leading them to question their faith and doubt God's love and goodness. This can further lead them away from God and towards a life of sin and destruction. It is important for Christians to be vigilant against deceit and to seek God's truth in all things. This can be done through prayer, studying the Bible, and seeking wise counsel from other believers. By staying rooted in God's truth, Christians can avoid the trap of deceit and live a life that honors and glorifies God.
WE SEE IN ALL THREE OF THESE TRAPS A BIGGER PICTURE
OVERARCHING THEME OF FEAR
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." - Franklin D. Roosevelt.
"Fear is a trap that holds us back from achieving our goals and living our best lives." - Les Brown
WE ARE ONLY BORN WITH 2 FEARS -
FALLING
NOISE
Fear is one of the enemy's most powerful weapons.
The traps of distraction, insecurity, and deceit are all rooted in fear, and can keep us from fully embracing the love and grace that God has for us.
Distractions can cause us to lose focus on God's plan for our lives, while insecurity can lead us to doubt His promises and our own worth in His eyes.
Deceit, meanwhile, can be a way for the enemy to keep us in the dark and prevent us from seeing the truth that God has revealed to us.
That's why it's so important for us to turn to God when we're feeling fearful or uncertain.
Through prayer, reading the Bible, and seeking the guidance of trusted Christian friends and mentors, we can find the strength and courage to resist these traps and live in the freedom and peace that comes from trusting in God.
We can trust in His promises and His love for us, knowing that He has already overcome every fear and obstacle that we might face.
there are 365 scriptures that refer to fear
Some common synonyms of fear are alarm, dread, fright, panic, terror, and trepidation. While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage. fear of the unknown.
10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
THERE ARE ENOUGH SCRIPTURES TO REMIND US THAT GOD IS WITH US AND WE DO NOT NEED TO FEAR. BY KEEPING OUR EYES ON JESUS WE CAN CONQUER OUR FEARS.
THE GREATEST REMINDER OF ALL IS THAT GOD NEVER SET US UP, THIS IS NOT A TRAP, BEING A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST BRINGS FREEDOM TO US. ABUNDANT LIFE.
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11
The Message (MSG)
9-11 God didn’t set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we’re awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we’re alive with him!
9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.
11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
GOD CREATED HUMANITY
WE CHOSE TO SIN AND THERE WAS A CONSEQUENCE, WE WOULD BE PUNISHED FOR THAT SIN.
GOD LOVED US SO MUCH THAT HE SENT HIS SON JESUS TO LIVE AMONG US AND SHOW US THE WAY.
MAN KILLED JESUS BUT 3 DAYS LATER HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD PROVING POWER OVER SIN AND DEATH.
IF YOU BELIEVE THAT HE DIED FOR YOUR SINS AND ROSE AGAIN FROM THE DEAD YOU WILL BE WITH HIM.
PROGRESS