Untitled Sermon (2)

Don’t Give UP

DON’T GIVE UP

Knowledge is a crucial part of our existence as humans. We tend to put a lot of value on knowledge in various fields that affect our lives. This is true for all the kinds of knowledge; however, we tend to look down on the most important source of knowledge- the word of God. People tend to look down on the knowledge from the bible as being old school. The truth is that the Bible can teach us the relevant things that we need to know in all areas of our lives.

Lessons on leadership, love, patience, relationship, as well as, other areas of our lives can be learned when we read the word of God.

This series will be dedicated to learning practical lessons from the bible. The bible is God’s guide for his children and it is important that we learn from it. Our God is limitless and he has provided all that we need to know. This chapter will look at the importance of not giving up on the promises of God for us.

In order to properly begin, I would like to share a real-life story of Justin Fairfax before going on to look at examples from the word of God. I believe that this is very important because the word of God is a shining light that only gets brighter by the day.

Let’s take a look at this story:

A lot of events happened in 1979- one notable event was the birth of Justin in Pittsburgh. His childhood started on a pretty rough note as his parents got divorced when he was five. Now, I can only imagine how that must have felt for little Justin. The collapse of the institution through which he came (marriage) was bound to have its toll on him. This was a crucial age in his life and this separation would have had an effect on his future relationships.

Another effect of the divorce was the fact that they had to move from Pittsburgh to Washington DC. He was the last of four children who had to live with his grandparents. Around that time, Washington DC will experience a shift. What formerly used to be a middle-class society had become a place where the life expectancy of an African male was very low. Education almost became a luxury and it was rare to see people thrive in the field.

However, this was not the case for Justin. Even after the events of his early life, Justin managed to overcome all obstacles that came his way. Eventually, this young man graduated from Duke Law School.

Despite all the setbacks he encountered, he never gave up on his dream. He remained focused and even after finishing from Duke, he got a degree from Columbia Law.

In 2013, he decided to run for the post of Virginia State attorney general. This was a very impressive feat for someone who you could have easily looked down on like a 5-year old. However, he lost his bid in 2013- he failed.

He must have felt dejected at this moment; his sterling portfolio and qualifications were not enough. Imagine someone with that kind of portfolio losing at his very first contest. That alone is enough to make him feel inadequate but through the grace and mercy of God, he was able to keep pushing.

Justin did not give up; in 2017, he contested for a post even bigger than the one he went for in 2013. He put his name in the hat for the post of lieutenant governor of the state of Virginia. He won and became the second African-American male since Justice Wilder to occupy an office in the state capital.

In spite of his childhood difficulties and surviving the streets of Washington DC, he was able to achieve this great feat. When you focus and refuse to give up then you will do things that you never imagined you could do. It does not matter what you have been through, you can come out victorious just like Justin. The secret is to keep pushing and never give up.

I am sure that you have heard this countless times in different places. Motivational speakers, friends, family, and so on may all have told you not to give up. For this reason, you may be quick to assume that this is one of those pep talks. This time, however, it is the voice of the Lord, telling you not to give up. God has too much ahead of you for you to give up. Your life is supposed to be filled with experiences that will make you a better person. That is God’s plan for you and this is why he is telling you not to give up. Take a minute to reflect on that old saying which says, “I have come too far to give up”.

Don’t give up on your dreams, finances, education, children, relationships, scriptures, society etc. As long as God is on the throne, he can turn things around. Do you know one thing that is amazing about our God? It is the fact that he can turn things around in the twinkle of an eye. This is not to say that things would not get hard, a lot of people often get lost in these times. There will be times when you'd bin tears but don't forget that tears and sorrow may last for the night but joy comes in the morning.

Most of the time when we are low, we fail to see what the future holds for us. By not giving up, you will become a breathing testimony of God’s greatness. You should not give up because God has not given up on you. This simple reason makes all the difference. If God, in His infinite mercies and grace has not given up on you, then you cannot afford to give up.

If God has not given up on you, then it simply means that something amazing can still happen for you and in your life as well. God believes in you as an individual and he will not give up on you. In vs 1, He sent Jeremiah to tell his people that he has not given up on them. In chapters 1 to 17 of Jeremiah, God was angry at the people. He saw the things that they did and He had to send Jeremiah.

In chapter 18, God, through Jeremiah, was able to reassure His people. Despite all that the people of God had done at that time, He did not give up on them. This is how God treats us as Christians. He sees our mistakes and is concerned but at the same time, He doesn’t give up on us. There are times when we go for momentary pleasures and ignore God but He still remains merciful. God will never give up on you regardless of the kind of situation you are in. No matter how much we sneak around God’s laws, he remains a merciful father. In the world today, there are a billion and one ways to sneak around God. It seems like the devil keeps getting craftier by the day. Today, there are several schemes that the enemy devises to take people away from God. Drinking, gambling, addictions and nudity are amongst the leading causes of a derailment from God.

These vices cause people to become ‘misfired arrows’ that cannot be efficiently used to aim successfully at a goal. What this simply means is that God cannot use efficiently when you turn your back on him. An example of a ‘misfired arrow’ is someone who works for God and takes the praise for it. Despite all these things, God will never give up on you. This is why it is essential for you to consistently keep striving to get back on the right path no matter what the situation may be.

Most of the times, it is convenient to blame God for the things that go on in our lives. God knows why you want to give up and He is telling you not to. We simply assume that God is aware and He allows these things to befall us. There is a reward ahead of you if you decide to remain focused and persevere. In life, you should never get carried away by circumstances- when you get carried away, you may begin to consider throwing in the towel which will prove to be disadvantageous in the end.

When people give up, it is often as a result of a hasty conclusion. Humans are quick to conclude that the present travails or the unpleasant situations that they face at a point in time. God can see the end of the situation and this is why he would not give up on you. As a matter of fact, by giving up, you are trying to limit God’s ability.

God rewards efficiently and he wants us all to have amazing rewards. These rewards do not always come without some effort on our side. We would need to go through various experiences in the quest to arrive at the point where the reward is. Personally, I think the period of trials and consistent victories is important for any Christian. It helps you build certain important traits that are necessary for a Christian.

"The end shall be better than the beginning…" this is God's promise to us and he has a lot in store for us. This is why it is important to not give up on the promises of God. God is worthy and he will not make a promise and fail to deliver. However, we need to understand the importance of patience and perseverance. Remember that vs 21 talks about how we should aspire to follow the example of Christ.

If God would not give up on you then you cannot afford to throw in the towel. We often fail to understand the kind of love that the father has towards us. God thinks you should chase those dreams and press on till you achieve your desired goals. You need to be persistent, determined, and consistent in order to hold on to your faith.

The understanding that comes with the knowledge of the fact that God who created the heavens and the earth is in your corner. God is vouching for you and rooting for you to achieve those amazing goals that you have set in line with his goals for your life.

Why does God allow me to suffer?

A lot of people are quick to lose faith during rough times. You may be quick to assume that how does God allow you to go through rough times. Well, this is simply because you have had the wrong perspective and I will set it straight to you.

There are certain lessons that come with experiences (both good and bad). In life, we need to understand how to survive through the good, bad and ugly without fear.

There are certain lessons that can be learned when you are in your low times. One crucial lesson that you can learn in your low times is the principle of casting your cares on God. There are times when God wants to teach you some lessons in certain situations. When you learn to see your experiences as avenues to get better in faith and action then you will understand better.

God’s will for us is never to make us suffer. People are quick to assume that God only cares about your spiritual life. We often assume that some aspects of our lives do not matter to God. This thinking often leads to the failure to recognize God as the captain of your life. We often get carried away by the things that happen to us that we forget who we are. As a child of God, you are the son or the daughter of a king and God is not like any earthly king.

God cares about the prosperity of your body and your soul. He is highly interested in all the things that concern you and this is why you should never consider giving up. God is not done with your story and he is in charge of handling everything correctly.

God wants to build us

The process of pottery is an amazing one that I have consistently marvelled at for the longest of times. I often tried to wonder how it was possible to get great artefacts from wet clay. The process of pottery is very similar to what God does with us. The process of turning soft clay into the hard pot is often tough on the clay; however, the result is often amazing. The potter is aware of the potential that clay has when it is properly heated and turned into a pot.

Similarly, God is the potter that is trying to carve us into the best versions of ourselves. God wants to build us and give us the ability to withstand pressure in all areas of life. The most significant part of the example of pottery is the fact that the hands of the potter are on the clay through these tough processes. God's hands would never depart from our lives no matter what the situation is.

God understands the importance of the processes that you have to go through until you become the best version of yourself. The amazing part of God’s love for us is that he holds us through these situations. The only thing that he is asking is that you do not give up because you cannot see the big picture.

God is an infinitely powerful God and he can handle the most difficult situations in people’s lives. For God, nothing shall be impossible; this simply means that God can handle anything that comes your way. Since God is so powerful and it is clear that he never stops working on you, what reason do you have to give up?

I have heard people that talk about the things that they go through and complain endlessly. We tend to forget the process that it takes for the clay to eventually become the beautiful pot that we love and admire. When it seems like you are going through circles in life then you should remember that God is busy working in your life. You need to trust that fact and continually live in the reality of your personality in Christ. When you recognize this fact that you will never feel like giving up, you will ultimately connect to the promises of God for your life.

The devil’s game plan is to ensure that you turn your back on God. This is why he often tries to find ways to make you give up. The devil is fond of putting ridiculous ideas in the minds of believers. This is why you need to ensure that you keep it moving and try to avoid all forms of distraction that will cause you to lose focus. People do not simply give up, it often happens as a result of a lack of trust in God.

One great example that I love in the bible is the example of Job. This man went through the worst of situations but his faith did not waver. He managed to consistently believe God’s promises for him and he eventually got his reward. You need to be like Job and believe that God is working on your behalf and as long as he is working, then you have nothing to worry about.

Like the potter does to the clay pot, God constantly works on every individual in order to ensure that we grow. The process of growth is not always a rosy one. There are certain vital lessons that you need to learn during your low times. God is so amazing that he can send down and push you up even higher (like you fell on a trampoline).

Remember the example that I opened with? If you reflect upon Justin’s example then you will realize the importance of staying committed. There are several times when you will feel like giving up and throwing in the towel. However, if you can push through these times then there are vital lessons that you can learn as a result.

In order to withstand the urge to lose focus, you need the grace of God. The grace of God helps us to stay focused no matter what happens along the line.

THE POWER OF GOD IN US

As Christians, we have the power of God constantly working to make us better. The power and grace of God strengthen us no matter how tough the situation may be. The power of God in us makes it possible to do the unthinkable and conquer new grounds. Fear only arises when we fail to recognize the importance of this power in our lives. God has a plan for us and it is impossible to miss this plan if we stay committed.

I have seen people who threw in the towel after a trial or two. While it is perfectly normal to feel discouraged, it is not enough reason to doubt the power of God and its viability. God is so powerful that he does not care about your qualifications before he sends his blessings. God does not choose to qualified but he ensures that he qualifies the chosen.

God’s grace is our ultimate weapons as Christians. It gives us the opportunity to become victorious regardless of what your past looks like. God’s grace can set you up for consistent victory in whatever you may do. However, this can only happen when you keep moving forward, you should never consider giving up as an option because God is on your side.

Do you know what it means to have God (in his infinite mercies and power) on your side?

This means that even during the tough times, God’s hands are always on you. He has not given up on you or any of the important areas of your life. He wants to see you grow and he never wants to see you throw in the towel. God will always come through for you no matter what the situation may be.

A lot of people miss vital opportunities because they give up halfway. If you believe in God then your best is yet to come. God works in amazing ways and it is not something that humans can totally comprehend. The almighty has consistently shown that he is a precise and purposeful God.

God has plans for you and since he is the ultimate potter then you can rest assured that you are in great hands. As with the analogy from the process of pottery, God can take your life and turn things around in your favour. For this to happen, you need to be a consistent and persistent believer. This is what the Almighty expects from you and me as believers.

God is more than capable of turning your life around and building certain crucial traits in you. Tough times are very helpful and they can help you build certain character traits that you need for the next level.

Another thing you need to understand is the fact that God sees all that you are going through. He is well aware of those things that you are going through and you always have 2 options;

1) Keep complaining and get nothing done or

2) Trust in God and never give up.

The latter option is always the more preferable option. When you put all your trust in God then life becomes much better regardless of where you may find yourself. Life has a way of making us wonder why the fight is necessary. There are a lot of various things that happen that cause us to doubt whether God is really on your side. The truth is that he is always there and he is always willing to do much more than we can ever imagine.

IMPORTANCE OF GRATITUDE

There are several questions that we may want to ask regarding the things that we go through in life. These questions often arise as a result of man’s forgetful nature. We tend to forget about God’s plans and instructions for us and this often causes a decrease in faith.

Dear reader, your best is yet to come and you need to trust God. You cannot afford to be distracted by the events of life and then forget what the ultimate goal for your life should be. In life, there are two kinds of people; the grateful and the ungrateful ones. While some are grateful for what they have, others are often dissatisfied. It pays to always find things to be grateful to the almighty for.

There is always a reason to be grateful to God if you look at the situation closely. The realization that God will never give up on you is enough reason to be eternally grateful. Gratitude will help you fight off the urge to give up.

It is important to ask God to rebuild your level of persistence, faith, determination, as well as, the spirit of determination. These are the pillars that will help you to stay focused on the amazing story that God is unfolding in your life. You will get amazing insights that will help you to constantly progress through life when you trust God.

PASTOR DWIGHT’S NOTE

God’s goal for every human is the constant development to the best of your ability. God is willing to grow with you through every step of the way if you allow him. The best way to allow God is to trust in him to secure your future. God wants us all to prosper and thrive in an atmosphere of love and you cannot afford to give up on his will for you.

God is infinitely merciful and powerful and he can turn things around for the better in your life. He never stops working on you in order to help you achieve those amazing dreams that you have.

You need to recognize that you are a child of God and since God has not given up on you then you cannot afford to. God always wants us to be aware of his presence and support for us in all areas of our lives.

Remember, God has not given up on you, cast your cares on him and you will find success and great happiness in life.

Cheers!

John 3:16 NIV84

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

john 3:16