By: T.R. Kelley

 

BIBLE LESSON: VICTORIOUS IN SPITE OF CIRCUMSTANCES!

PHILIPPIANS 4:19 – “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

REMEMBER – Ideal circumstances do not guarantee victory and an overcoming lifestyle. FAITH in God brings VICTORY IN EVERY SITUATION!

SCRIPTURE READING:

ROMANS 8:38,39 “I am persuaded… nothing shall separate us from the love of God.”

GENESIS 50:20 “You meant it for evil… God meant it for good…”

JOHN 16:33 – “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but BE OF GOOD CHEER, I have overcome the world.”

LOOK AT WHAT WE FACE AS A CHILD OF GOD: NOT A LIFE OF EASE—

1. Life is a STRUGGLE–Matt.11:12 – ” violent take it by force…”

2. Life is a RACE–I Cor.9:24 – “..all run in a race..one receives the prize…”

3. Life is a WAR–I Tim.1:18 – “..war a good warfare..”(faith, good conscience)

I. SOMETHING A CHILD OF GOD NEEDS TO AVOID IS THE “IF ONLY SYNDROME.”

– “If only I had more money, I would be happy.”

– “If only I did not have to work with the kind of people I work with, I could be victorious.”

HOWEVER, whimsical desires to remove opposing circumstances does not lead to victorious Christian living; but LEARNING TO TRUST THE ALL-SUFFICIENT GRACE OF GOD WILL LEAD TO VICTORY!!!

***READ: II COR. 12:9***

II. IDEAL CIRCUMSTANCES ARE NOT THE ANSWER

Paradise? Utopia? Camelot? Places in man’s dreams which promise a tranquil and carefree environment to their inhabitants.

IS SUCH AN ENVIRONMENT CRUCIAL TO OUR SUCCESS? MUST WE HAVE A PLACE WITH NO PROBLEMS?

IMPORTANT: WE ARE GIVEN MANY OCCASIONS IN THE BIBLE WHICH NULLIFY THE THOUGHT THAT A LIFE OF VICTORY IS DEPENDANT UPON IDEAL CIRCUMSTANCES!!!

1. LUCIFER – Satan’s name before his fall from heaven. Isa.14:12-17

***He had the ability to create beautiful music. Eze. 28:13

HE LIVE IN HEAVEN!

***BUT, DESPITE ALL THIS, LUCIFER WAS TEMPTED TO REBELLION! HIS POSITION DID NOT KEEP HIM FROM TEMPTATION!!!

NOTE: Pride sometimes arises when a person’s circumstances are close to ideal. When we begin to think that what we have is through the labor of our own hands, or that we deserve it, we are on a fast train to
destruction!

**PRIDE IN ACCOMPLISHMENTS, TALENTS, SKILLS, LEADS US AWAY FROM A DEPENDENCY ON GOD.

***READ: PROVERBS 30:8.9***

2. ADAM – Adam was in paradise, the GARDEN OF EDEN. Adam had everything!

** Adam was given food in abundance — (Genesis 2:16).

** Adam was given authority — (Genesis 2:15).

THERE WAS ONLY ONE THING THAT WAS WITHHELD FROM ADAM, AND THAT’S WHAT HE
WANTED!

*** A PROBLEM WITH IDEAL CIRCUMSTANCES IS THAT MAN ALWAYS WANTS THAT SINGLE ITEM WHICH IS FORBIDDEN; IT BECOMES THE OBJECT OF ATTRACTION, AFFECTION!

NOTE: King Arab desired the vineyard of Naboth, though he owned every other vineyard around.

– He was unable to enjoy what he had because of what he did NOT have! (I KINGS 21)

** SOMETIMES, CHILDREN WHO ARE GIVEN MANY EARTHLY POSSESSIONS ARE NOT GIVEN THE LOVE AND AFFECTION THEY NEED, SO THE SEEK THIS AFFECTION THROUGH SIN & PROMISCUOUS WAYS, DRUGS, UNBRIDLED PASSIONS, ETC!!!

SO, THE ABUNDANCE OF GOOD THINGS ARE FORGOTTEN IN THE SEARCH FOR THAT WHICH THEY WERE DEPRIVED.

3. JUDAS, AMONG THE TWELVE – Judas was the treasurer of the disciples — (John 12:29). Judas used his position to steal money from the treasury – (John 12:6)

NOTE: While the other disciples grew in knowledge & power with God, Judas became more devious!

** When Mary anointed the feet of Jesus, JUDAS objected because of the cost of the alabaster ointment — John 12:5-6

PASTORAL NOTE: Judas’ reasoning was not motivated by care for the poor, but his greed for money!

— When making financial decisions for the church, don’t let your decision be based upon your unwillingness to give more money to the work of God.

SAD ENDING – Judas lost his apostleship, his life, and his hope for eternal life! (Acts 1:25)

III. VICTORY IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES

1. Joseph had a dream. There was jealousy in the hear of his own brothers!!

READ: Genesis 37:3.

REMEMBER, though, ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD! (Romans 8:28).

JOSEPH WAS: -Sold by his brothers.
-Servant in Potifer’s house.
-Potifer’s wife lied on him.
-Placed in prison.
-Interpreted Pharaoh’s dream.
-Became ruler in Egypt!!!

*** JOSEPH ACCEPTED THE DIFFICULTIES AS PART OF THE DREAM COMING TO PASS. HIS ATTITUDE THROUGH IT ALL SAVED HIM!!! READ: GENESIS 50:20

2. JOHN ON THE ISLE OF PATMOS — On the Lord’s Day, in spite of his circumstances and environment, John was “…IN THE SPIRIT…”

*** SOME PEOPLE CAN’T GET IN THE SPIRIT UNLESS THE MUSIC, OR SONG, OR MESSAGE IS JUST RIGHT!!!

IV. THE ATTITUDE OF THE CONQUEROR

There is an attitude of faith which stems from a trust in the love of God.

— Paul said, “I AM PERSUADED…”

** We must be PERSUADED before the trial ever comes! Then we don’t have to worry about making up our minds, OUR MIND IS ALREADY MADE UP!!!

NOTE: WE MUST NOT CHASTENING AS “JUDGEMENT OF GOD,” but as a signal of the LOVE OF GOD!!

– “FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVETH, HE CHASTENETH…”

– CHASTENING IS PROOF OF OUR SONSHIP — Hebrews 12:7-8

***WE CAN BE VICTORIOUS IN SPITE OF OUR CIRCUMSTANCES!***

(The above material was published by Calvary Tabernacle.)

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