Meadowbrook Baptist Church Tim Baker

                                                                                                                         Psalm 116:12-17 



I. Focus On What You Have. (vs. 13)

The psalmist was grateful for all God’s “goodness to me”.

The business world doesn’t want you to be content.

Greed kills gratitude.

Think of what God has blessed you with – salvation, forgiveness, a home in heaven, peace, joy….

II. Focus On Being A Blessing. (vs. 14)

The psalmist feels the need “to fulfill my vows to the Lord”.

As a recipient of great blessings, the psalmist feels he has a duty to help others.

“A shoulder full of responsibility has no room for a chip.”

As you invest in others you find purpose and fulfillment.

III. Focus On EternalThings. (vs. 15-17)

The psalmist realized that the death of one of God’s children doesn’t happen without great deliberation.

To a saint, death brings a freedom from earthly chains.

For a child of God, the end results of the Christian life far outweigh any present earthly trials.

CONCULSION:

“Forgive Me When I Whine”

Strive to live in the No-Whine Zone

                                                                                                             2 Kings 4:1-7

                                                                                                                            1 Kings 3:16-28

I. Real Moms Are Hardly Perfect.

God is concerned about every child.

Every mother should desire to model pure moral values.

There are no perfect moms. Just like there are no perfect people.



II. Real Moms HandleProblems.

Real moms have to deal with problems every day.

Children are curious, inquisitive, smart, and loaded with energy.

Motherhood is like wrestling a gorilla. You don’t get to quit when you’re tired. You quit when the gorilla is tired.

Moms don’t get to take a poll to see which way the wind is blowing.

III. Real Moms Have A Profound Love.



Solomon knew what he suggested would never actually happen. He knew the real mom would respond with sacrificial love.

Real moms make sacrifices before birth and every day after birth.

Don’t mess with real moms.

CONCULSION:



Real moms show up every day!

                                                                                                                 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4

I. To Become A Church To Boast About Growth Must Be A  Priority. (vs. 3a)

“Growing” carries the idea of vigorous growth, quick growth, rapid growth.

Growth must be a priority or decay and decline will take over.



Get into the word. Get into prayer. Get into service and witnessing.

II. To Become A Church To Boast About Love Must Be Allowed To Overflow. (vs. 3b)

“Increasing” carries the idea of water overflowing everything.

The early Christians knew how to love one another.

Some churches you go to make you feel like you’ve walked into a war zone. All churches should seek new ways to let the love of Jesus overflow.

III. To Become A Church To Boast About Endurance Must Be A Trademark. (vs. 4)

These Thessalonian believers experienced pressure and persecution from the beginning.

“Enduring” carries the idea of “to stay under”.

All they had to do to get out from under the persecution was renounce Jesus.

We must stay under. Hold on to Jesus. Hold on to your faith. Hold the course. Fight to the finish.

CONCULSION:



Help your church achieve boasting status by

growing, loving, and enduring.

                                                                                                                                   Romans 8:35-39



I. Remember Who You Are. “we are more than conquerors”

To conquer something or someone is to gain or acquire mastery by force. To be a winner, a victor.

“More than conquerors” means super, far above.

Rome was a city of conquerors. They were used to parades and celebrations of victories.

As a believer you are equipped to deal with whatever life brings to you.



II. Rejoice In WhoseYou Are. “through Him”

Because of Jesus believers have at their disposal the resources of heaven.

You are a part of God’s family. In you flows the rich, royal blood of heaven.

There’s never a time heaven loses sight of you.



III. Ravish In WhyYou Are. “who loved us”

“Loved us” is in past tense. That takes us back to one act that happened in the past that proves His love – the cross.

God’s love for us can’t let go and won’t let go.

Believers are “loved” people. We’ve been caught in His love, tied up, wrapped up and one day we’re going up.



CONCULSION:

Whatever you’re going through know this. Jesus stands on the other side of the tomb holding up two nail-scarred hands.

He is telling you – I love you – I’m for you.

Live like a winner!

                                                                                                            2 Corinthians 12:7-10

I. Let Difficulties Drive You To God In Prayer. (vs. 7-8)

Paul prayed three times. He prayed dramatically, correctly, confidently, sincerely, persistently and specifically.

It is a privilege for us to be able to take everything to God in prayer.



God answers all our prayers. He either says, “No”, “Yes”, or “Wait”.

II. Let Difficulties Direct You To God’s Grace. (vs. 9)

God promised Paul His grace. His grace would be enough. Paul was told God’s grace was personal, present, and plentiful.



God’s grace is not a disappearing cream you rub on your problems and they disappear.

III. Let Difficulties Help You Discover God’s Great Strength. (vs. 9b-10)

God not only wanted to display His grace to Paul, but He wanted Paul to discover His power.

When you reach the point there is no where else to turn but to God, then the power of God can flow.

Paul came to understand he would rather have the thorn and be covered by the power of God, than to be trouble-free, living on his own.

CONCULSION:

The problem with believers today is when troubles show up, we demand release and insist on our own way. We never really discover God’s great strength in our lives.

Paul did not permit his “thorn” to become a stumbling block.

He rather let it become a stepping-stone.