Resolving Personal Conflicts

Temple Baptist Church - 9-24-2025

1 Corinthians 6:1-8; Matthew 18:15-20

 

Introduction:

 

A. Within the Body of Christ, we find individuality, which is meant to be a blessing to the church but can become problematic at times.  We are all human!  Though our bond is perfectly joined in Christ Jesus, we are all perfectly different in our human nature.  

 

1.  The Blessing of Individuality within the Body of Christ.  The blessing of our individuality is found in our necessary and individual use within the body of Christ.  Each individual has specific responsibilities within the church to ensure its proper functioning.

 

1 Corinthians 12:12-18  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.  (13)  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.  (14)  For the body is not one member, but many.  (15)  Ifthe foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?  (16)  And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?  (17)  If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?  (18)  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

 

If every member were a Pastor, we would have a multitude of churches with NO congregations.

 

2.  The Potential of Individuality within the Body of Christ.    Though there is no problem intended in the Body of Christ by God, we are all human!  And Humanity is born in sin with a sin nature.  Therefore, we choose to do either the right or the wrong.

 

3.  The Problem of Individuality within the Body of Christ.  When personal conflict does come, and it will, we do not handle it Biblically!  We often, when settling or battling in personal conflict with another brother or brethren, rely on our own wit or desires to resolve the problem to our individual benefit.  

 

4.  The Correction of Personal Conflict with the Body needs to be done according to the Scriptures.  I have too often found that one party is good with Biblical intervention, but the other party is not.  This is normally because the one who will not come to the “table” is afraid of the outcome!

 

B.  Throughout the Bible, we find examples of personal conflict between brethren.  I will not deal with all this, but here are two specific areas of personal conflict that we will address.  

 

1.  Conflict in Fellowship.  Here we find the possibility that either or both parties may be wrong.  Do not enter into mediation without understanding this principle.  There is an old saying that “You cannot see the forest for the trees.”

 

Matthew 18:15-22  Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.  (16)  But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.  (17)  And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.  (18)  Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  (19)  Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.  (20)  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst ofthem.  (21)  Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?  (22)  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

 

a.  Verse 15.  First, try to resolve the issue with your brother or sister in Christ.  The fewer people involved, the easier it is to fix and the better the outcome.

 

b.  Verse 16.  Second, involve a trusted brother or sister who can be unbiased with you.  This will establish step three if it is necessary.  If it can be resolved through an impartial third party, then keep it quiet and move on.

 

c.  Verse 17.  Third, if the offended or offender refuses to listen to reason, bring the matter before the church, starting with pastoral involvement and proceeding to Church Discipline if necessary.

 

d.  Fourth, if the offender will not listen to you, the unbiased brother, or the church, FORGIVE HIM OR HER!  Be instant to forgive.  Learn to forgive and forget, even if the other is the guilty one or the unforgiving one.  Forgiveness is for you as well as for the other.

 

2.  Conflict in Finances.  This should never be an issue between brethren!

 

a.  Is it wrong for a Christian to go to court?  The answer is both yes and no.

 

1)  It is not wrong for a Christian to rightfully use the law.

 

a)  We are to obey the laws of the land, thus giving us the right to live within the protection of that law - Romans 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

 

Titus 3:1  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

 

1 Peter 2:13  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme.

 

2)  The Apostle Paul used Roman law as a means of self-protection - Acts 22:25  And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

 

Acts 23:3  Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

 

3)  This chapter deals with lawsuits between Christians, not the unsaved.  A Christian has the right to protect both himself and his interests in judicial law.

 

b.  It is wrong for a Brother or Sister to take another before a civil court.  I think that we are to understand also that these believers were of the same church and knew each other in both person and Christian testimony.  

 

1)  We live in a day of “generic” Christianity were everyone in the United States is supposedly one.  By the term Christian, I mean those with a Christian testimony.

 

2)  In dealing with the court system and the inability to know if someone is actually a Christian or not, we are to stay away from any civil suit that will in any way reproach the name of Christ.

 

b.  How then are we to protect ourselves against such disputes?

 

1)  It is not wrong for a Christian to rightfully use the law.

 

a)  We are to obey the laws of the land, thus giving us the right to live within the protection of that law - Romans 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

 

Titus 3:1  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

 

1 Peter 2:13  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme.

 

2)  The Apostle Paul used Roman law as a means of self-protection - Acts 22:25  And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

 

Acts 23:3  Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

 

3)  This chapter deals with lawsuits between Christians, not the unsaved.  A Christian has the right to protect both himself and his interests in judicial law.

 

c.  It is wrong for a Brother or Sister to take another before a civil court.  I think that we are to understand also that these believers were of the same church and knew each other in both person and Christian testimony.  

 

1)  We live in a day of “generic” Christianity were everyone in the United States is supposedly one.  By the term Christian, I mean those with a Christian testimony.

 

2)  In dealing with the court system and the inability to know if someone is actually a Christian or not, we are to stay away from any civil suit that will in any way reproach the name of Christ.

 

d.  How then are we to protect ourselves against such disputes?

 

1)  Never loan without being willing to suffer loss and forgive - Deuteronomy 23:19  Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy in brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thingthat is lent upon usury:

 

Luke 6:35  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

 

2)  Never borrow from a brother without making prompt payment - Proverbs 3:27-28  Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.  Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

 

3)  If you are a Christian businessman, do the best work that you can, but require payment under law - 1 Corinthians 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

 

4)  If you are dealing with a Christian businessman, make sure that payment is prompt - Luke 10:7  And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

 

5)  Never deal with another Christian without being willing to suffer defraud.

 

1)  The sin of defrauding - 1 Thessalonians 4:6  That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.  

 

Some will borrow and fail to repay promptly or not at all. I would reconsider his salvation for openly defrauding a brother who is commanded not to take him before a judge.

 

Mark 10:19  Thou knowest the commandments, Donot commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

 

2)  The suffering of defraud - Luke 6:34  And if ye lend tothem of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.  

 

If you cannot lend without risking fraud, do not lend!

 

Luke 6:35  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

 

Conclusion:  Learn to settle disputes within the boundaries of the Bible to be beneficial, not detrimental to the local church.  

Newness Of Life

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-27-2025

Romans 6:1-14

 

Introduction.

 

A. I missed being with you all at the services this past week. Barbara and I were out of sorts all day, though we watched and thoroughly enjoyed hearing Bro. Earl Green bring the messages.

 

B. Our text outlines the progressive aspects of salvation, which are a part of every believer's life.

 

1.  In Salvation, we have been saved from the Penalty of Sin.  Verse 2 – “dead to sin.” 

 

1 John 3:9  Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

 

2.  In Salvation, we have been saved from the Practice of Sin.  Verse 4 – “newness of life.” 

 

Ephesians 2:2-3  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  (3)  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

 

3.  In Salvation, we have been saved from the Power of Sin.  Verse 9 – “no more dominion.” 

 

Romans 6:14  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

 

4.  In Salvation, we will one day be removed from the Presence of Sin.  Verse 6 – “that the body of sin might be destroyed.” 

 

Revelation 21:27  And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

 

C.  But, from Good Wednesday to Resurrection Sunday, I thanked God that Christ Jesus came to pay our sin debt on an old rugged cross, was buried, and bodily arose from the grave.  Because He lives, we live also.  Because He lives, we shall one day forever live with Him.

 

In our text, Paul asks five questions concerning our resurrection from death to life: Verses 1, 2, 3, 15, 16.  This resurrection is not something that Christ did. It occurs after salvation, as we are all new creatures in Christ Jesus.

 

D.  This morning, I want to look at the intended results of the Resurrection. 

 

1.  The first result is the completion of the Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believeth, both Jew and Gentile.  One Gospel, one salvation. 

 

John 14:19  Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. Hallelujah! 

 

2.  The second result is made plain in Romans, chapter 6. This chapter defines the intended result that comes after our salvation. The resurrection of the believer from sin changes our relationship with sin. The sixth chapter of Romans is about our relationship with sin after being saved. 

 

3.  There is a significant difference between possession and profession regarding salvation, heaven, or hell. We need to be cautious at this point because only God can truly judge a person’s heart. Some believers behave like the world, and those who are unsaved act like believers. These situations should not exist; however, in the Laodicean Church age, they are realities we must consider. I use the word "consider" because this remains both a mystery and a disappointment.

 

4.  We live in religious times.  As we look across America, we find that God and Jesus Christ are mentioned from the pulpits, but few have a testimony of a changed life.  I know that I quote this verse often, but the Bible says, not this pastor says:

 

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

a)  This does not make you and me perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but if your life is not different, it would be smart to go back and examine what you have. Self-examination is demanded in the Bible.  I examine myself!

 

b)  In March 2024, Dr. Adrian Rogers, president of the Southern Baptist Convention (1979–1980 and 1986–1988), said that 21% of Americans say they attend religious services every week, 9% almost every week, 11% report attending about once a month, 36% seldom attend church, 25% never attend.

 

2 Timothy 3:1-5  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  (3)  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  (4)  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  (5)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

 

c)  What was Paul prophesying?  At the end of time, our day, people would profess to be saved while continuing to live unholy lives, while saying that they are saved.  Most people in the Bible Belt will tell you that they are saved if you ask, and what their denomination is.  Yet the churches are not full, and services are canceled.  Notice the phrase “denying the power thereof.”  Paul is speaking of the POWER OF A RESURRECTED LIFE!

 

Romans 1:4-5  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:  (5)  By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

 

d)  Our resurrection is found in our text.  Christ’s resurrection was a declaration of power according to the spirit of holiness, so our resurrection is our declaration of a changed life lived for Christ.

 

Romans 6:4-5  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  (5)  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

 

Romans 6:8-11  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:  (9)  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.  (10)  For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.  (11)  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

E.  I am not trying to get a saved person to think that they are lost this morning. But I do want you to make sure that you know for sure this morning.

 

2 Corinthians 13:5  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

 

Acts 8:39  And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

 

1.  The most important source of assurance is the Bible!  The Bible tells me that I am saved, and I believe that.

 

2.  The Holy Spirit assures me that I am saved because he bears witness.

 

3.  The Power of a Resurrected Life assures me that I am saved.  I have never been the same.  Failure, Yes.  Faults, Yes.  Falling at times, Yes.  But saved and forever I am.

 

James 2:17-18  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.  (18)  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.  

Life’s Solutions

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-3-2023

Psalm 69:13-36

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Last week, I divided this Psalm into two parts.  We must remember that this Psalm is both Davidic (David’s cry to God) and Messianic (Our Lord’s cry to the Father).

 

1.  Life’s Sorrows – Verses 1-15  I continue to say that life is hard and when you know that you can make it! 

 

a)  King David, a man after God’s own heart, suffered the ups and downs of life just as we do.

 

b)  Our Lord, the Son of God, suffered throughout His public life from the time of His baptism and identification to the cross upon which He died of the sin of the world.

 

c)  Therefore, if David and our Lord were allowed to suffer, we will not be exempt!

 

1 Peter 1:5-8  Who are kept by the power of God through faith (the substance hoped for, the evidence of things not seen) unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  (6)  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  (7)  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:  (8)  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

 

d)  We often lose sight of the Lord in our dark and seemingly endless times of suffering and turmoil.  Thus, these precious Psalms teach us both how to suffer and live a life of faith at the same time.

 

2.  Life’s Solutions – Verses 16-36.  When our life seems to be out of our control, we must remember that our life is STILL in His control.  Proverbs 3:5-6,  along with Romans 8:28, are verses Scripture that most of us can quote tonight. 

 

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 

Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 

a)  These verses are right!  Hard humanly to swallow at times when things go wrong, continue to go wrong, and open end waiting with no relief in sight.

 

b)  As the old preacher said, “Don’t mess with God’s toys.”  I do not say this irreverently, but the secret things belong to God, and we need to allow Him to do a perfect work instead of putting a “band-aid” on the problem. 

 

James 1:2-4  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;  (3)  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  (4)  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

 

B.  We have seen Life’s Sorrows, and there are many.  Now let us look at our verses and find Life’s Solutions.

 

1.  Verses 13-15.  Learning to Wait in Prayer to God.    “My prayer is unto thee”

 

a.  Verse 13.  David continues to make supplication to God.

 

b.  Verse 14.  David places his trust in God’s timing in answering his prayer.

 

c.  Verse 15.  David pleads for God not to let him sink or be overcome in the process.

 

2.  Verses 16-18.  Leaning on the Compassion of God.  “The multitude of thy tender mercies”

 

a.  Verse 16.  David’s recognition of the goodness of God ALL the time.

 

b.  Verse 17.  David’s recognition of the graciousness of God in our sinful times.

 

c.  Verse 18.  David’s recognition of the grace of God in our bad times.

 

3.  Verses 19-21  In the hands of the Enemies of God.  “Mine adversaries are all before thee”

 

a.  Verse 19.  David’s enemies defined.  Adversaries: foes, adversaries, enemies, antagonists, rivals.

 

b.  Verse 20.  David’s emptiness declared.  Brokenhearted, without comforters.

 

c.  Verse 21.  David’s enduring described.  Gall to eat and vinegar to drink.  Both irritate and make sore, i.e. to burn the stomach.

 

4.  Verses 22-28.  David’s desire concerning His Enemies.  “Let their table become a snare”  Imprecatory Prayers. 

It is both biblical and alright to pray AGAINST all those who refuse to get right with God and stop their ungodly works against the godly. 

 

I fully understand that the bible also tells us to pray for our enemies and do them good, but there are many examples in the Psalms imprecatory praying.  These verses are prophetic of what should be done to such of the enemies of God and His people. 

 

I pray imprecatory prays each do as I ask for justice (not revenge) in wrongs that need to be righted. 

 

I pray imprecatory prayers each day asking God to save Israel’s enemies but, if they do not get save and continue to destroy God’s people, let Israel take them down.

 

a.  Verse 22.  Let their table become a snare.  Their banqueting turned to ruin.

 

b.  Verse 23.  Let their eyes be darkened and lives fearful.  Let them suffer the same fear that they have brought upon others.

 

c.  Verse 24.  Let their way be painful.  Remove the joy of living from their ways.

 

d.  Verses 25-26.  Let their homes be destroyed.  Let them find no place of rest.

 

e.  Verse 27.  Let their iniquity come upon them.  Their sinful choices bring about spiritual consequences.

 

f.  Verse 28.  Let their eternity be damned.  The ultimate anathema. If they will not stop and get right, they have no right to live in God’s heaven.

 

5.  Verses 29-36.  David’s confidence in Jehovah God.

 

a.  Verse 29.  David’s salvation Assured.  As God must allow, God can also remove.

 

b.  Verse 30.  David’s song Returns.  The joy of the Lord is the strength and rejoicing of His children. He giveth songs in the night!

 

c.  Verses 31-33.  David’s sacrifice Offered.  The faithful faithfully return to worship and praise.

 

d.  Verses 34-36.  David’s surety of Life’s Outcome.  One day, all will once again be well and life worth living.

Discouraged Hearts

 Temple Baptist Church - 8-8-2021

Deuteronomy 1:23-33

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Part of being “heart healthy” is living an encouraged, victorious Christian life.  Yet, possibly the greatest obstacle that the believer faces is discouragement!  I do not want to focus upon the discouragement of the children of Israel because that is history, but we do need to study history so that we will not repeat it in our lives.

 

B.  In our text for this morning, we find the children of Israel still in the wilderness (Kadeshbarnea-Wilderness of the Fugitive or Wandering) but just a “hop-skip-jump” from stepping into the Promised Land—a land flowing with milk and honey! 

 

1.  And it was such a place.  “And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us …” 

 

2.  It was all that God said that it was!  In verses 20-21, Moses told the people to “fear not neither be discouraged”  Twelve spies were sent into the land and 10 gave an evil report while two gave a good one.  The “evil report” discouraged the heart of the people.

 

3.  Yes, there were wall cities to be breached; there were giants to be faced; there were wars to be fought; there was land to be taken; but the reward was found in the words: “It is a good land which the LORD our God doth give us.”  (Verse 25)

 

4.  Let us look at these verses:  Deuteronomy 1:29-30  Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them.  (30)  The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes; 

 

a)  An Encouragement Given – “Dread not, neither be afraid of them”

 

b)  A Promise Re-stated – “The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you”

 

c)  A History to be Relied Upon – “according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes”

 

C.  I want you to see what discouragement is this morning.  DISCOURAGEMENT IS A PERSONAL CHOICE!!  The children of Israel chose to become victims. 

 

1.  They heard an “evil report” (fake news if you will) and chose to allow it to be a source of discouragement.

 

2.  Then they blamed the 10 spies for the discouragement.  They chose to believe spies over God!  If you choose to be a victim, you can always blame someone else for where you are.  THEY KNEW WHAT GOD HAD DONE IN EGYPT, THEY SAW HIS LEADERSHIP IN THE PILLAR OF CLOUD AND FIRE, THE RED SEA, MARAH, MANNA, THE ROCK OF HOREB, AMALEK, AND WHAT HE HAD SAID AT SINAI!

 

D.  No one or nothing can cause you to be discouraged!  Either God is God, or He isn’t!  God either holds your life in His hand or He does not!  Either a sovereign God controls your circumstances, or He does not!  Discouragement is my fault; discouragement is your fault!

 

E.  The cost of their discouraged hearts was great.

 

1.  Discouragement Traded Eleven Days For Forty Years!  Vs. 2-3  Discouragement lengthens your trials and tribulations!  They had already made the 11 day trip and were in Kadeshbarnea!  All they had to do was cross over Jordan and the land was theirs.

 

2.  Discouragement Traded Victory For Defeat!  Vs. 40-46  Discouragement caused an assured victory from the Lord to become a devastating defeat because the Lord was not with them.  Discouragement destroyed their joy!

 

3. Discouragement Traded Canaan For The Wilderness!  Vs. 9, 25; 19, 35, 40  Canaan was truly a land flowing with milk and honey and the wilderness that they had come through was a barren, arid land.  Discouragement will keep your soul dry while denying you the milk and honey that God intended to flood your soul!

 

4.  Discouragement Traded Their Burying Place From Canaan To The Wilderness!  Vs. 34-40a  “But as for you!”  Israel died in defeat!  I don’t know about you, but I want my life to end right.  I want to die serving the Lord, not in discouragement and defeat!

 

F.  To put it plainly, their discouragement destroyed their lives and caused them to miss the Promised Land and die in the wilderness.  Discouragement destroyed their lives and, therefore, their usefulness.

 

G.  Thus, it is in our day.  You hear more people speaking in discouragement than you do rejoicing in victory.  We do face much in the way of disappointment in our day and much of it is because of the brethren as well as the world.

 

1.  Preachers are retiring or just plain quitting because of discouragement.  It is just not like it once was?  Have they not read their bible?

 

2.  People that were once faithful to God are quitting because of discouragement.  So many have been hurt; so many have been enticed by the world or worldly churches.

 

H.  I call Discouragement Public Enemy #1!  Their hearts were discouraged (vs. 28).  Sometimes, if you are not careful, you just get tired of the fight!

 

J.  We lose more people to discouragement than sinfulness.  We lose more people to discouragement than to apostasy.  We lose more people to discouragement than to division.  We so often lose more people that are added.

 

K.  I want to give you 5 areas for discouragement in our day.  You can choose to be discouraged in any or all of these things.

 

1.  Discouraged by our Faith – Not tired of the way but tired in the way.  Loneliness in service.  “Though none go with me, still I will follow.”  JUST STAY WITH GOD.  He has not changed.

 

2.  Discouraged by our Family – Disappointment in family.  We are often discouraged when we see the spiritual condition of our families.  JUST STAY WITH GOD.  He will walk with you.

 

3.  Discouraged by our Friends – King David spoke of “mine own familiar friend” forsaking him.  One that he ate with; one that he walked with; one that he went to “church” with.  JUST STAY WITH GOD.  He will never leave nor forsake you.

 

4.  Discouraged by our Finances – Today, we see inflation rising faster than wages.  JUST STAY WITH GOD.  He owns it all and has promised to supply ALL our needs.

 

5.  Discouraged by our Failures – This one is a “biggie” because all the other sources of discouragement that I mention are not as personal.  JUST STAY WITH GOD.  When you fail, He will not fail; when you fall, He will pick you up; when you sin, He is faithful and just to forgive your sins and restore you to a place of righteousness. 898uj

 

Conclusion:  How can we live a victorious Christian life without being discouraged?  Change the things that you can change and trust God with the things that you cannot change.

 

1.  Find your encouragement in the Lord, not in your circumstances.  He knows where you are in life and if God is “good with it,” then we ought to be good with!

 

2.  Learn to follow God, not man!  You will hear “evil reports” all your lives.  We live in an evil world.  Learn to live!  God will never let you down; He will always be there with you and for you.  I promise you; IT WILL BE ALRIGHT!

 

3.  Purpose to be an encouragement to others, not a source of discouragement.  “And exhorting one another” instead of “our brethren have discouraged our heart!”