Witnesses To The Truth
gtcotr/ws040203
Key Scripture: Exodus 1:12
But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew.
Points To Ponder:
7. Don’t take a temporary situation and create a permanent problem.
25. The journey is your friend.
137. It may be bad now but trust me, you can make it worse.
179. It’s not what you are going through, but what you are going to that one must keep their eyes on.
* One cannot often determine what they go through, but only how they will go through it.
* Life challenges will serve to make you better or bitter - and the secret is - it is your choice.
Six times from Deuteronomy to Hebrews, including Jesus’ quote in Matthew
2 Corinthians 13:1 … In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
Witnesses To The Truth
I. Romans 5
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
A. John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
B. If Handled Properly
1. Tribulation Works Patience In Those Who Tribulate
2. Patience Works Experience (proof; evidence)
* Luke 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
3. Experience Works Hope
* Hebrews 6:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul
4. Hope Will Not Make You Ashamed
* Dishonor; Disgrace; Bring Shame; Regret
II. James 1
1 ¶ James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2 ¶ My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
A. Count it all joy when you fall into various temptations
B. Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation due to your own carnal weaknesses
C. Know this
1. The Trying Of Your Faith Works Patience
2. Let Patience Have Her Perfect (Complete; Full) Work
* do not preempt the process
* Patience will produce proof which will give hope …
3. So That You May Be Perfect & Entire, Lacking Nothing
III. 2 Corinthians 4
8 ¶ We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
A. Herein We Learn How To
1. Glory in tribulation
2. Count it all joy
3. Face life refreshed instead of fainthearted
B. It Concerns Our Perspective
1. v.18 We do not look at our temporary situations
Point #7. Don’t take a temporary situation and create a permanent problem.
2. Romans 4 - Remember Abraham
18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
Point #179. It’s not what you are going through, but what you are going to that one must keep their eyes on.
* Abraham staggered not
> James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering …
> James 1:8 a staggering, wavering man is unstable
> James 1:7 that man shall receive nothing from the Lord
Getting our eyes off Jesus and onto the problem produces instability
Giving undue consideration to the enemy’s power or ability is unproductive and can cause instability, hesitation and failure.
Be patience and consistent, trust God and do right and you will be victorious in the end.
Exodus 1:12 The more they were afflicted by their enemies, the more they increased in strength and numbers.
