Facing the crises of life!
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Introduction:
How would you feel or react if you would loose your job today?
If you were diagnosed with a very serious illness?
If you would lose a close relative?
What would you do in a crisis like that?… What would you do to go back to normality?
What would you do to go back to normality?
What is a crisis?
“A crisis is a situation that makes us or forces us to take a decision.”
The dictionary gives us three more definitions:
to take a decision
“a turning point for better or worse”
“an emotionally significant event or radical change of status in a person’s life”
“a crucial time or state of affairs in which a decisive change is impending”
Background:
Background
Jesus had been crucified 3 days before. Their leader was dead!
Their hopes had been destroyed.
The disciples were now facing a crisis. All were scared, some hiding, and not knowing what to do.
not knowing what to do.
These two mentioned here, were leaving town, going back to their village. Probably they never been in a crisis like this one!
Probably they never been in a crisis like this one!
CRISES IN THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN
What is this situation teaching us about crisis?
There are crises in the life of every Christian.
There are crises in the life of every Christian.
THERE ARE CRISIS IN LIFE OF EVERY CHRISTIAN.
Crises are unavoidable.
Crises are unavoidable.
Jesus said it very clearly to His disciples:
He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come!
No matter how good we are or behave, no matter how wealthy or poor we are, or emotionally stable we are, we will face crisis in life.
Crisis are not only unavoidable, but necessary!
Crises are necessary in life.
Crises are necessary in life.
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Crisis are like an instrument in God’s hands:
To develop our character.
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
:2
Grapes must be crushed to produce wine; carbon must be subject to great pressure and intense heat to become a diamond; steel must be heated and hammered to become a sword, and Christians must face crisis to become stronger in character.
2. To test our faith.
To test our faith.
If God is all-knowing (omniscient), do you think that you have to prove your faith to Him, like when a student takes an exam? The test of faith is to prove to yourself that you believe.
ILUST. ABRAHAM/ISAAC
Do you think that God did not know if Abraham had truly believed in Him?
Negative results of the crises.
Negative results of the crises.
When we do not know how to face the crisis, that crisis may bring or result in...
Discouragement & sadness.
Discouragement & sadness.
v.13-17
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 1161 Devil’s Best Tool
Devil’s Best Tool
The devil, according to legend, once advertised his tools for sale at public auction. When the prospective buyers assembled, there was one oddly-shaped tool which was labeled “Not for sale.” Asked to explain why this was, the devil answered, “I can spare my other tools, but I cannot spare this one. It is the most useful implement that I have. It is called Discouragement, and with it I can work my way into hearts otherwise inaccessible. When I get this tool into a man’s heart, the way is open to plant anything there I may desire.”
Discouraged, they were leaving Jerusalem, going back to Emmaus. 13
Discouraged, they were leaving Jerusalem, going back to Emmaus. 13
Jesus approached them, but their discouragement prevented them from recognizing Jesus. 16
They were talking about what had happened. When Jesus got close to them and asked them what they were talking about...
“...they stood still, looking sad.” v. 17b
Why were they leaving? Because discouragement always invite us to leave, to flee: from marriage, from church, from job, etc.
- Discouragement always invite us to flee
Disappointment in life.
Disappointment in life.
Disappoint: to fail to meet the expectation or hope of something.
Disappointed: being defeated in expectation or hope.
That was exactly the state of the two disciples. Look at the way they expressed:
“But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel.” v. 21
Unbelief.
Unbelief.
“But also some women among us amazed us… who said that He was alive.” v.22-24
Even the apostles did not believe the news: “these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them.” v.11
Have you met people who at one time claimed to be Christians and years later abandoned the faith they used to claim?
What happened to them? A crisis came to their life and they did not know how to face it. The easy option was unbelief!
Positive results of the crises.
Positive results of the crises.
Fire destroys, but it also purifies!
A more intimate knowledge of Christ.
A more intimate knowledge of Christ.
v.27-30
Jesus took them thru a Bible trip with all explanations about what had happened. Even they asked Him to stay longer with them. They wanted to hear more!
When you are in crisis, your heart is soften and ready to be molded.
It is during crisis that many receive the Lord as their Savior, and when the saved recommit their life to Jesus.
That’s why hospital and prisons are fertile ground for the seed of the gospel.
A delight when you listen the Word.
A delight when you listen the Word.
“Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” v. 32
Discouragement happens when we set our eyes on people or circumstances...
- "Discouragement disappears when we listen to Jesus"
But "Discouragement disappears when we listen to Jesus"
Are you discouraged? Listen to Jesus! Read the Word!
A renewed desire of spreading the news.
A renewed desire of spreading the news.
When the spiritual fire quenches, also the fire to share the gospel quenches!
The fire was renewed when they listened to Jesus and understood what had happened.
Immediately, they went tot the apostles and shared the news with them, saying, “The Lord has really risen… They began to tell their experiences on the road and how they recognized Him” v. 33-34
Conclusion:
There will be crisis...
We choose what side of the crisis we will focus at.
- We choose what side of the crisis we will focus at
Let's not forget that Christ is always present, He promises not to leave us nor forsake us.
- Let's not forget that Christ is always present, he
promises not to leave us nor forsake us.