Opportunity in the Obstacle
Opportunity in the Obstacle • Sermon • Submitted
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· 13 viewsStuff happens, but what are you going to do about it?
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Stuff Happens
Stuff Happens
If someone told you that by getting saved life would instantly become easier, they lied to you. Christians have just as many, if not more problems that non believers have. This shouldn’t come as a surprise though. We know that the enemy’s goal is to steal, kill and to destroy. When you align yourself with Christ, you put a target on your back. Satan is now going to target you at all your weak points. He’s going to target your insecurities, your addictions, your past, your doubts, your anger, you name it! These are all obstacles from living the life that you want to live for Christ. You have two choices when the obstacles and storms of life happen. You can turn around and not receive the blessing that God has for you. Or, you can tell that storm how big your God is and see the opportunity in the obstacle.
John 16:33 (NKJV)
33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Jesus gives us a heads up that we are going to have trouble in this world. But it’s not for us to worry about because He already has the victory! Paul says that these little things that we’re going through right now, they’re nothing compared to what we’re going to enjoy for eternity!
Romans 8:18 (NKJV)
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
All these petty little things that you’re going through right now aren’t worthy to be compared to our eternity in Heaven!
Man of God, stop telling God how big your problems are. Start telling your problems how big our God is!
Obstacles Have A Purpose
Obstacles Have A Purpose
Definition of an obstacle is a thing that blocks one’s way or prevents or hinders progress.
Matthew 17:20 (NKJV)
So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
The smallest amount of doubt can be the difference between victory and defeat.
Learn to embrace the suck!
Learn to embrace the suck!
There is a common phrase that we in the military community use. That phrase is “embrace the suck!” This phrase was used when something you or your squadron/platoon was doing that was just no fun at all, but you had to do it anyway because the job needed to be done. You could either whine or embrace the suck. The Bible has a similar phrase.
James 1:2–4 (NKJV)
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Verse 2 says whennot if. This says that its a matter of when not if you go through trials!
Philippians 4:11–13 (NKJV)
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Paul overcame the obstacles of being stoned, shipwrecked, falsely accused, and imprisoned. He became one of the greatest evangelists of all time and gave us half the New Testament. The only way he could have overcome that obstacle was by relying on God fully!
Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)
19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
God doesn’t just call you to do something and not equip you. In fact, a lot of the time, God will put you through something to prepare you for your calling!
Your preparation is part of the process
Your preparation is part of the process
Romans 5:3–5 (NKJV)
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Your problems give you more than just headaches. They give you experience.
Romans 8:28–30 (NKJV)
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
If all things are going to work for my good, then that means that God knew that the mountains would be there. And if He knew the mountains would be there that means there has to be a reason for it.
Just to summarize, those things that you’re going through are going to give you endurance,character,and hope
Endurance Equals Excellence
Endurance Equals Excellence
James 1:12 (NKJV)
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Your endurance in your trials will get you a reward! Keep the faith in God and you will be rewarded!
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
That thing you’re going through right now is nothing new. Solomon said that there is nothing new under the sun. Notice how it says that God will not allow you to be tempted what you are able. Some of you disagree with that but some of you underestimate yourselves or maybe you give up too easily. Pray today that God will give you endurance. He’ll put you through the fire, but He’ll also provide the extinguisher.
Character Defines You
Character Defines You
Matthew 7:16–20 (NKJV)
You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
We were created by God for God. We are commanded to produce fruit that lasts. If you wonder what someone is like, look at the fruit they’re producing. Is it rotten or fresh? Are they producing any fruit at all?
Galatians 5:19–25 (NKJV)
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
You ever wonder if you’re living the Christian life or not? If you want to live the best life you can, start studying the fruits of the spirit and live them. Avoid the works of the flesh.
Hope is Expectation
Hope is Expectation
Hebrews 12:1–2 (NKJV)
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hope is defined as a confident expectation and desire for something good in the future. When you hope in something you are expecting it to happen. You may have heard it said “Don’t get your hopes up”. I think we need to drop that mentality. If you’re not expecting something to happen with your hope, that’s called doubt.
Hope and doubt can’t live in the same house.
Growth Through the Obstacle
Growth Through the Obstacle
Its trials and tribulations that produces endurance. Its that endurance that you get from your obstacles that produces character. People see your character and either admire you for it or call you out on who you used to be. This creates more obstacles, but you know how that goes. That character makes you into a man that that you can be proud to look at in the mirror. It creates a man that you can be confident in to lead your wife and your children or those you have influence over. That character produces hope that expects divine protection and aid when the storms come because you already know, the storms will come. So look for the opportunity in the obstacles man of God, because the obstacles will come and you have one of two choices. You can stay put and pout to God about how big your problems are while missing out on the blessing, or you get up, tell that problem how big your God is and rely on the strength of God to grow through that obstacle. The choice is yours man of God. Choose wisely.