preparing for the storm matt. 7:24-27 “the storms” are the trials of life comes in various forms...
TRANSCRIPT
Preparing for the Storm
Matt. 7:24-27
“The Storms” are the Trials of Life
• Comes in various forms (Matt. 7:24-27)
• Death, sickness, aging, job concerns, economy, retirement, debt, drought, literal storms, children leaving home
• Our capability to deal with these trials varies by person and by storm
• Very few are completely under our control
Issues of Concern
Storms
Children's Behaviour
Health
Christian life
Work issues
Economy/ politics
Mother-in-law
Drought
Flying
Circle of Concern
Circle of Concern
(i.e. storms of life)
Circle of Concern
Influence
Beyond Influence
Personal Control
Personal Control
Influence
Beyond Influence
Controlling The Storms
• All are subject to trials
• We can’t stop most trials
• We can head off some
• We can influence many and reduce the force
• We can prepare for those that can not be avoided
We need an action plan!
Inappropriate Elements in the Action Plan?
• Do nothing
• Wait and see
• Ignore the warnings
• Procrastinate
Action Plan Item #1:
Become a New Creature!
• Not just obey the gospel, but…
• Gal. 2:20, Rom. 12:2– Find a new way of thinking– A new manner of decision making – Change the way we evaluate and react to
happenings
• Psalm 37:4-5 - New things make us happy
#2 Build Faith
• Hebrews 11 “Faith’s Hall of Fame”
• Where did these characters get this much faith
• Abraham offered up Isaac
• Faith was not built over a short period of time
Abraham’s Faith-Building Events
• Gen. 12:1-3 -- Divine call and promise• Gen. 12:4 -- 75 years old and no children• Gen. 16 -- Hagar and Ishmael, faltered
faith• Gen. 21 -- Isaac is born 25 years after the
promise (at 100 years old)• Gen. 19 -- Visit from the angels and
destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah• Gen. 22 -- Asked to sacrifice his son
Action Item #3:
Draw Near to God• James 4:8ff
– Draw near and He will draw near to us – Lament over our sinful selves, and change
• I Pet. 5:6-7– Humble yourself– Pray – Cast your cares upon Him
• Matt. 6:33 Seek God before all else
Action Item #4: Expand Your Influence
• Matt. 5:13-16 The Christians’ influence
• I Pet. 3:2 The influence of a wife on her husband as an example
• Be a part of the Church’s work (II Cor. 9:2)
• Stay “qualified” to pray (Jno. 9:31, James 5:16)
• Prayer enables us to influence all areas of the “circle of concern””
Personal Control
Personal Control
Influence
Beyond Influence
Action Item #5 The “Worst Case Scenario…”
• May be the best case scenario (Revelation 14:13)
• Be diligent to make your eternal rest sure (II Pet. 1:10-11)
• Won’t be done without a conscious decision and effort
• All things work together for good for those who love the Lord (Romans 8:28)
Action Item #6: Peace Beyond Understanding
Philippians 4:7
• Hear (Romans 10:17)• Believe (Romans 10:17)• Confess (Romans 10:9-10)• Repent (Acts 2:38)• Be Baptized (Acts 2:38)• Be Faithful Till Death (Revelation 2:10)