Realizing Our Full Potential
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This week I was able to spend some time with an old friend. We had been teammates and classmates at Apopka Jr. High and Apopka High School, but we hadn’t seen each other in over 30 years. We spent a few hours together talking about what has happened over the past three decades… talking about football, camaraderie, and how we got pushed to be better.
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
God Uses Adversity
God Uses Adversity
To teach us,
To discipline us,
To shape us into the Christians that He Created us to be.
We Are Not Alone
We Are Not Alone
SHARE ABOUT COSTA RICA… Ministry WAS the distraction… Our marriage was terrible. No other married couples in the church… no real eyes on us.
Satan will try to create distractions and cause us to stumble, but we have not been left to face challenges on our own. We have been given four incredible gifts to overcome Satan and to navigate life’s challenges.
God,
Isaiah 52:12 (ESV)
For you shall not go out in haste,
and you shall not go in flight,
for the Lord will go before you,
and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
2. Jesus,
Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
3. The Holy Spirit,
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
4. And each other.
Today we will focus on the need for us to encourage one another and bear one another’s burdens.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)
11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another…
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Proverbs 27:5–6 (ESV)
5 Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
Perseverance and Encouragement
Perseverance and Encouragement
Perseverance and encouragement go hand in hand. Throughout life’s struggles, God wants us to do three things:
Encourage one another 1 Thes 5:11,
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)
11 Therefore encourage one another
2. Bear with one another’s burdens Gal 6:2,
Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
3. Build one another up 1 Thes 5:11
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)
11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul refers to God as:
5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
No matter how difficult life may get, with God’s help there is no obstacle that we cannot overcome.
Conclusion:
None of us can make it on our own.
Fortunately for us, we do not have to.
As disciples of Christ and Children of God we have four things to help us navigate life’s challenges:
God,
Jesus,
The Holy Spirit,
and each other.
Consider the words of Jesus:
Matthew 25:35–40 (ESV)
35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’
37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Everyone needs encouragement!
Do not underestimate the value of a kind word or taking the time to listen to somebody and show them that we care.
Every day we have opportunities to lift others up and be an encouragement to them.
The question is, will we take advantage of the opportunities that God provides?
We will close out today’s lesson with Heb 3:13
13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.