[Biblemat] S> Our Comfort
ZekeFlores1 at cs.com
ZekeFlores1 at cs.com
Mon Oct 8 15:10:51 CDT 2007
Here's a lesson I worked up from an old article I found by Earl Kimbrough.
Hope you can use it.
Zeke Flores
Kiber Street church of Christ
Angleton, TX
www.angletonchristians.com
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Our Comfort
Isaiah 41:8-20
Intro: As Israel faced captivity by Babylon, God both warns
and comforts them.
A. Though they would be taken into captivity, God
promised a return to their homeland.
B. In the face of impending calamity He gives reassurance.
1. VS 10 is a sentiment repeated often throughout OT
2. Not for Israel only but for all who rely on God as
their strength in times of trouble.
3. The sentiment remains a reassurance today for
Christians who look to God to guide them through
the sorrows and catastrophes of life.
I. "Do not fear for I am with you"
A. Fear is a common emotion
1. Caused by various things:
a. Violence, sickness, loss of loved one, hardship,
the unknown, stress, weakness, old age, etc.
2. Christians are prone to the same fears as anyone
else, plus the persecution and distress brought on
simply by being Christ's disciple.
a. Fear instills loneliness, many feel isolated.
b. During his years as premier of the Soviet Union,
Nikita Khrushchev denounced many of the
policies and atrocities of Joseph Stalin. Once,
as he censured Stalin in a public meeting,
Khrushchev was interrupted by a shout from a
heckler in the audience. "You were one of
Stalin's colleagues. Why didn't you stop him?"
"Who said that?" roared Khrushchev. An
agonizing silence followed as nobody in the
room dared move a muscle. Then
Khrushchev replied quietly, "Now you know
why." (Today in the Word, July 13, 1993.)
3. Fear can silence us in the same way.
What to do? Remain isolated? Become a recluse?
B. Remember you're never alone!
1. The Lord promised His people then...
a. Matt 14:22-27, John 14:1-3, 18, 23,Acts 18:9-10
2. The promise is still true
a. Matt 28:19-20, 18:20
b. Heb 13:5-6, Rom 8:31-39
C. Nothing, not money troubles, sickness, sorrow, nor any
attempt by man can overtake you nor separate you from
the one who promised "Fear not, I am with you!"
II. "Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God"
A. "Be not dismayed" (KJV, NKJ, NIV) is to look around
in fear or bewilderment.
1. The result of anxiety, apprehension, discouragement.
a. Loss of confidence that leaves us perplexed and
uneasy.
2. There's an old fable about how once the devil offered
for sale all the tools of his trade. He had on a table
curious looking implements called "hatred, despair,
jealousy, greed" & on & on along with the
temptations that led to these. He had in his arsenal
every false doctrine and innovation that man could
invent. Off to one side was a funny looking
wedge-shaped tool. When asked, the devil said,
"That's not for sale! With this tool I can open almost
any door and it's so useful that once I'm inside, I
don't even need these other tools! I won't sell it!"
The tool is "discouragement!"
a. With this tool, Satan can turn happy homes in
to dark places of misery and despair; he can
turn once vibrant churches into divided
battkegrounds; he can turn faithful Christians
from the truth; and even prevent a sinner
from accepting Christ.
B. But God says, "I am your God." He's more powerful than
any attack the devil can plot. Our God is supremely ABLE!
1. "Ah Lord GOD! Behold, you have made the heavens
and the earth by your great power and by your
outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for you"
Jer 32:17
2. "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh;
is anything too difficult for me?" Jer 32:27
C. The Christian can know that whatever the world throws
at him, God will somehow bring him through it if he
just remains trusting and faithful.
1. 2 Cor 4:1-10, Rom 8:28
2. "The Lord knows those who are His" (2 Tim 2:19)
but those who are His must realize it too!
D. Our confidence lies not in our own ability, but in God's
power to help when we need it.
III. "I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold
you with My righteous right hand."
A. The Lord doesn't promise to remove the things that cause
fear and dismay, but He does remove fear by promising
the strength to deal with the problems.
1. 1 Cor 10:13
B. Though troubles WILL come, and the devil WILL work
to make us quit, God provides the tools we need to
fight and WIN.
1. Eph 6:10-18, Phil 4:13
Conc: The Christian has something the devil cannot take away.
A. The help of the One who created the universe is always
available.
1. "Let us draw near with confidence to the throne
of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find
grace to help in time of need." Heb 4:16
B. With assurance like this, why be afraid?
C. INV
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