Jesus will keep you from stumbling

Jude 1:24

Intro
In May 1954, Roger Bannister, a British athlete became the first person to run the mile in less than 4 minutes.
However, John Landy of Australia broke his record a month later by 1.4 seconds.
The two athletes met for a historic race on the 7th of August that same year.
All eyes were on the two runners to the dismay of the others.
John was ahead as they neared the finish line.
He looked over his shoulder to see where Roger was and stumbled….
Unfortunately, he missed the first prize.

All of us are in a race. Jesus will be waiting for each and every person at the finish line with a Reward in His hands.
However there is a huge possibility that we can miss the prize, just like John Landy did.
A fall/stumble cost him a gold medal. It can cost us eternity.
Don’t look around you or behind you. Look straight ahead of you, then you will live in eternity.
So what must you do when or if you do stumble? The reality is that you will stumble/ fall at times, but don’t remain in that position. Get up again and try again. Ask the Lord to strengthen you and to keep you from falling. Men of faith stumbled too, but in the end they were victorious.

Peter (See Matthew 14: 22-33)
He began to drown when he took his eye off Jesus and looked at the waves around him
Jesus was displeased with him, because he doubted.
“A negative focus can result in our entirely missing the possibilities placed in our path”
(Anne Wilson Schaef)

David ( see 2 Samuel  Chapter 11;)
He stumbled when he became idle. He sent the men to the battle ground whilst he was lazing around. 
God was displeased with David because he committed adultery and murder.
“Idleness is to the human mind like rust to iron” Ezra Cornell

Samson ( See Judges Chapter 13-16)
He stumbled because of his moral weakness/lust of the flesh.
All the women he got involved with, brought him into trouble.
The last one, Delilah cost him his eyesight and life eventually.
Samson started relying in his own powers instead of God
“Anything cracked, will shatter at a touch”(Ovid)

Obvious causes that will cause you to stumble in your spiritual walk:
Taking your eyes off Jesus/the Word
Idleness
Weaknesses

Causes that are difficult to recognise
Doubt
Sin committed in secret (envy, unforgiveness, strife, critical spirits, resentment)
Self-reliance

Conclusion
Galatian 5 :16-17
How can you be kept from stumbling?
Keep your eyes on Jesus through His Word NOT people
Fellowship with believers
Prayer
Commitment/Surrender to Jesus
Look ahead (forget the past)

Look & Live Hymn 372

Keys to unlock the doors of opportunity

Acts 16: 16-34

“Pleasure in the job leads to perfection in the work”(Aristotle)

Paul was a “mentally talented” /intelligent man.

He was a learned man in Greek Philosophy & Jewish Law, but he found Someone far greater than Philosophical Reasoning and Religious Rituals.

He met Jesus Christ and his life was turned up-side-down.

People have a misconception that spirituality and intelligence cannot blend together-it’s either or.

The mental and spiritual aspects are separate entities of the human body, but they can co-exist.

Paul is a classic example that it can.

He devoted his life, time, energy, mental talents to spreading the Gospel.

He was able to explain deep Theological truths in simple layman’s language, so that people can understand and implement it.

Even though the Gospel was simplified, some still found reason to argue and to be skeptical.

You must have a spirit of discernment-some are trying to win you over to their beliefs, it’s not that they want to know the truth.

 3 Keys to unlock the doors of opportunity

•         Prayer
•         Praise
•         Persecution

Prayer- Verse 25

Be faithful in the gathering of prayer sessions with other believers and by yourself

Jesus will make His Presence known (

Be  intentional-if there are no prayer groups in your workplace/neighborhood/family –start one!

Divine act-supernatural things happen when we pray

Praise –Verse 26

It lifts up the down-cast spirit/burdens

It opens the door for God to visit with us (He resides in the praises of His people)

It breaks yokes and sets people free

It creates opportunities for miracles

Persecution

Mathew 5:10-12

There are Cost implications to serving Jesus, but the rewards outweigh it .

Persecution is a cost you must pay if you want to be His disciple; some are paying with their lives/die, but they count it a joy

It prepares the way for miracles-as in the case of Paul

It prepares the way for provision-as in the case of Joseph

It prepares the Way for expansion-as in the case of the early church

It prepared the way for salvation-as in the case of Jesus

Don’t sit on the ash heap when you are persecuted at your workplace, in the family, neighborhood-

Start praying for them

Start praising God in the midst of the difficulties

Paul & Silas were imprisoned not for any wrong-doing, but for rebuking /reprimanding the slave-girl.

Her owners had them arrested because it messed up their finances

Why did Paul rebuke her when she spoke the truth?

Her heart did not agree with what her mouth was confessing (Romans 10:8-10**)

If she did she would not have been a fortune-teller

Conclusion

A great door for ministry is opening. Therefore:       

• Guard yourselves
• Be Steadfast in faith
• Be courageous
• Serve and do everything with love for God and His creation
• Endure persecution by changing your perception about the circumstances & situations to it
• Stay positive by committing your feelings/emotions to the Lord. Don’t become weighed down by it stand up and stand out in the midst of the persecution.

Paul took pleasure in His work as a servant of the Gospel. How about you?

By: Pastor Alicia Lawrence