Overcoming Adversity
1 Peter 1:3-7
1 Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His Abundant Mercy has begotten us again (BornAgain) to a living hope through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, :4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, :5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. :6 In this you greatly rejoice!!!, though now for a little while, If Need Be, you have been Grieved by various trials. (Temptations/Adversitites):7 that the Genuineness of Your Faith, (being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire), MAY BE FOUND: to Praise, Honor, and Glory at the Revelation of Jesus Christ,
Overcoming Adversities in our LIVES - Hardships, Difficulties, Trials, & Temptations.
Our Faith being on trial is a PRECIOUS thing to God!!
3 Ways We Overcome Adversity
#1. RESIST BECOMING SPRITUALLY LAZY- John 14:15
SCRIPTURES - WHEN USED OUT OF CONTEXT CAN BE USED TO "TAKE LIFE" WHEN THEY WERE CREATED TO "GIVE LIFE"!
Joh 14:15 "If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments.
John 14:23 Jesus answered him, "Those who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will go to them and make our home with them.
Hab 2:4 "Look at the proud one, His soul (mind,will & emotions) is not right within him, But the Righteous will LIVE by his faith [in the true God].
OUR TIME WITH GOD IS NEVER WASTED TIME!!
Hearing from God is a Top Priority in Times of Adversity
To Overcome Adversity we must:
#1. Resist Spiritual Laziness -
#2. Engage Spiritually -
1 Peter 5:6-7 Therefore Humble Yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in Due Time, 7. Casting All Your Care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Humble Yourselves - Who Does does the humbling? We Do!!! - Look to your Elders, Seek Counsel with Humility, Serving Others.
Casting your Cares on the Lord. Who Does the Casting? We Do!!!
Ephesians 6:10 -18- Starts out with.... FINALLY BRETHREN... Too many times we fail to Engage Spiritually. This
Chapter in Ephesians 6 Lists 17 specific Actions for the believer to Engage thier Faith to Overcome Adversities!!!
Take Some Time This Week, Ask God to Help you Apply these promises!! -
James 2:18-20 - :18 Another person might say, "You have faith, but I Do Good Things." Show me your faith apart from the good things you do. I will show you my Faith by the good things I do.:19 You believe that there is one God. That's fine! The demons also believe that, and they tremble with fear. :20 You fool! Do you have to be shown that FAITH WHICH DOES NOTHING IS USELESS?
#3 Spiritual Disciplines are Our Responsiblitiy -
Pro 4:13 Cling to Discipline!!! (Instruction). Do not relax your grip on it. Keep it because it is your life.
We are individually responsible for our PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT!!!
Whether we grow our FAITH or not, is ENTIRELY up to us.
Sowing to the Spirit is the primary thing that will produce Spiritual Maturity
Galatians 6:8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
1 Peter 5:7 Turn all your anxiety over to God because he cares for you.:8 Keep your mind clear, and be alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour.
Spiritually ALERT, Spiritually ENGAGED, Spiritually DISCIPLINED.
HOW DO WE OVERCOME ADVERSITY? --
#1. We Recognize that we can't afford to be Spritiually Lazy.
#2. We Engage Adversity Spiritually
#3. We Recognize that Spiritual Discplines are Our Responsiblitiy -