WHAT CONFIDENCE!

November 26, 2000 PM

Phil 4:13

INTRO: There is no doubt that this life brings to us a vast array of experiences. Many of them come by reason, simply, of our humanity. We are here on this earth and subject to the same triumphs or problems as everyone else. Yet, for a Christian a whole new realm of experiences opens because of an entirely new relationship and perspective. Vastly more experiences - some with joy, some with sorrow, are found in the lives of committed, convicted Christians. We find, at times, ourselves enmeshed in what looks like impossible situations because we are Christians. So easily we lose hope in them. Yet, here is one amazing verse which literally oozes with confidence!

I. DO WE TRY TO GO IT ALONE IN LIFE?

A. Cannot our failures of conviction be right here?

1. human resources are indeed great, extensive

2. but we reach limits to our resources in some of lifes greatest crises!

3. solutions, explanations escape us yet, we so often continue to blunder through (and too often fail) drawing only on our strength, our knowledge, our vision

B. I have often wondered about Peters failures

1. Mt 14:28-30 failed when he looked away from Christ

2. Mt 26:69-74a failed when he isolated himself from God and put himself in secular company

3. Gal 2:11,12 failed when purely human fears overcame

4. I think he understood fully what he wrote in 1 Pet 5:7-9 ... and

2 Pet 1:10,11 indicates how much he had learned how far he had come in success through dependence

II. NOW, LOOK AT WHAT PAUL SAYS HERE

A. There is a positive spirit

1. we are often defeated by our own pessimism!

2. once we give ground to a negative spirit, the effect becomes cumulative, pervasive and contagious

3. who, more than Christians, should have positive spirit?

4. listen: Rom 8:28,31 ... Heb 13:5,6 ... Gal 2:20

5. Mt 17:20 aside from any other considerations, the positive spirit must prevail in triumphant Christians

B. There is acknowledgment of lifes realities

1. everything is not roses - 2 Tim 3:12

2. in no way have we been promised immunity from trouble, harm, trial, difficulty

3. I think some really feel that there is something magical about becoming a Christian which means that everything will just straighten out and be smooth sailing ... not so!

4. certainly, Paul could attest to this his real trials began when he obeyed the gospel

5. realities? family and friends desert him; physical pain; physical want; jail and death ... it is in all of this that the confidence he had sustains him! 2Cor 12:10

C. There is a power source

1. strengtheneth empowers is the meaning

2. 1 Tim 1:12 and 2 Tim 4:17 Lord was his power source!

3. perhaps so much of his life is recorded to demonstrate how he time and again experienced the Lords power in becoming an overcomer ... a victor

4. yes, he used all of his faculties, resources as indeed should we our minds, our strengths, our hands, etc.

5. but when he came to extremes wherein his resources simply could not prevail, he had the Lord

D. How does the Lord strengthen us for keeping on?

1. Lk 22:32 Jesus prayed for him (comment)

2. His word, His example, His grace (by which we have been saved), His promises, His cause ... and more

3. but perhaps the real answer is ... through our unswerving faith and total commitment (1 Pet 1:5)

4. at times I feel the how is really unimportant - it is my belief and confidence in the promise that is vital

CLOSE: Day by day I am learning the hard lesson that some things are really beyond my control. And it is a bit humbling to realize that I must be dependent ... on others, on the Lord. Yet, our success truly comes through confident dependence.

Cecil A. Hutson

26 November 2000