The spiritual obstacle. Verse Concepts. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.The counsel of God here refers to the complete Word of God which we now have in the 66 books of the Bible. Sometimes people who begin a ministry die or moved and there is not one else to carry it; they come to an end. Jesus Tells Us to Love the Lord Yes, our pain and our disappointments are real and valid. This can be seen in the call which He gave to the church of Smyrna in Revelation 2:10Be thoufaithfulunto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.It is also seen in the commendation which the servants received from the Lord in Matthew 25:21Well done, thou good andfaithfulservant: thou hast beenfaithfulover a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.. . The Bible says that the church is like a human body. Hard times expose our pride, because they highlight our need for God and for others. We serve not just because we want to serve but love man has to carry out; that we have a loving Creator, a true genuine Father in every sense of the word. But in serving God, there will always be obstructions and hindrances. Hebrews 4:12 states: His word is alive and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, able to pierce to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow and even able to judge the thoughts and the intentions of the heart. Gods Word is incredibly powerful and holds the key to many of our problems. Paul fulfilled his role well despite the many difficult challenges which he faced at Ephesus. It is, There is an important detail here which I want you to notice. But what do we see here? Preached at Life BPC 66th Anniversary service, 2016-10-16, As we thank God for His faithfulness today, let us be reminded that God requires faithfulness from us. First, we can have a rich God-accomplished relationship with God because of Jesuss sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1920). This is what Paul declared at Ephesus. Here are 4 barriers to getting through to God: 1) Harboring secret sin. Have you ever wondered why we get caught in the same sins over and over? Leaders should empower others to serve and not overwhelm themselves with every ministry. Paul belonged to Him alone, and so he lived to do the will of the Lord Jesus. (Hebrews 10:1922). In the earlier chapters of Acts we had seen that some are called to serve as deacons, some as evangelists, and some as teachers. This was a great thing happening. December 10, 2018. The problem: a complaint from the Grecian Jews (Hellenistic Jews). Trusting God gives us direction (Proverbs 3:5-6). This shows that Jesus was a very big part of Pauls life. 2. Discover steps to bring you closer to Christ. (v.6) You can place your steadfast trust in Him. They had a great system going on, a great fellowship and God reminded them that though that ministry is important, it was not the mission of the church to run a food program, but to preach the gospel to those who are lost. According to 2 Timothy 3:16All scriptureis given by inspiration of God, and isprofitablefor doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.All scripture is profitable not just some of it or most of it, but All of it. God rewards faithfulness. Then look to these promises. They dream of living in the lap of luxury, and this makes them covet more silver and gold for themselves. Growing in Christ won't be without struggles. Three years was actually the longest time that Paul served in one city throughout all his missionary journeys This was because of its strategic location in reaching out to the whole province of Asia. You might start to lose some of your faith in God. Serving God means obeying and enjoying our relationship with God as our Heavenly Father. The Lord has blessed Life Church with 66 years of service to Him. Please check your information and try again or call us at 1-800-759-0700. Continue to commit to Him doing His will, trust in Him. Repent and believe right now! Did you laugh or cry tears of joy? Fear. The ministry of food distribution lasted until the severe persecution broke out and people had to be mobilized. Do you seek to fulfill God's purpose? 4. Click to Tweet We all want to know God and our Lord Jesus Christ better and He certainly wants us to know Him better. When we study Scripture and see what God asks us to do to fulfill His purpose, eventually we find there are obstacles to God's will. It is God's will that we come to Him and serve. Without the proclamation and teaching of Gods words disciples are not developed. God was Pauls confidence that the Ephesian church would remain faithful. Be willing to say yes to whatever God wants you to do. Within that time, Paul put in all his efforts to fulfill his role in several ways: Public teaching is mentioned in v.20 , But Paul did not expect the elders of Ephesus to do what he did, because they had a, Did the Ephesian elders fulfill their role well? But God has something to say. Seven times in the book of Hebrews, the author captures the heart of Christianity in a simple, wonderful command: draw near. But what if they aren't enemies? What happens when the trapdoor opens in your life? knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. Through these strategies, you can gain the confidence to face your problems head on and come out victorious. Fear and faith cannot co-exist, and they battle for space within us. Reduces Ego: When seekers realise that serving God happens very nicely after praying and not taking doership of the act, it helps in reducing ego. The role of these church elders is basically to look after the flock of God as shepherds by providing them with spiritual food and protecting them from spiritual predators. Staten Island, NY 10314, http://sichristianchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Sept.19.mp3. We must always trust that God has a plan and He has a reason for allowing something to happen. Here are some key strategies you can use to help overcome your obstacles with Gods help. These are so easy to obtain on-line. More Ken Boa on Trusting God in Turbulent Times. After our conversion, our inner person matures and grows, but our flesh is neither removed nor improved. With this obstacle, we ask, Is it possible to trust God? As God reveals His plan to you, you will be able to better understand how to overcome the obstacles in your way, or Gods reasons for putting them there. Everything else comes after that. One of them is found at the end of our passage, Acts 20:36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, andprayedwith them all., Now, besides faithfulness to the Lord and faithfulness to fulfill our God-given roles, there is another area where faithfulness is required of us. *A.W. He will surely see to it that His Church will endure to the very end. 10) 1 Corinthians 15:57 " But thanks be to God! Let these closing words of Paul to the Church of Thessalonica be our constant source of encouragement:And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The same thing happens if one member is not fulfilling his or her role faithfully The whole church suffers! The Bible has scripture for every one of your needs. But he also said that the gates of Hades will not overcome his church. As a result of this they become spiritually weak, they fall into sin and become ineffective in their service. This warning comes in the form of a close call, or near miss event. . So, our attitude to serving God should be one that is reflective of Psalm 100:2 (NKJV): "Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.". Confess Unbelief Be honest. He is patient toward us, always showing his mercy toward us, always deals with us in his steadfast love. Paul was faithful in his role as a, In the earlier chapters of Acts we had seen that s. ome are called to serve as deacons, some as evangelists, and some as teachers. There is no right way to pray, all you have to do is begin speaking with God. (NLT). Fourth, Psalm 1 says that successful people do not get tangled up with negative, wicked, or limiting people. He gave us the tool or prayer so that we would never feel alone. A spiritual war is taking place. Jesus is the only way to restore our relationship with God, and so He is the only way we can truly serve God as well. You can tell God how you feel and in what areas of your life you are struggling to trust Him. The river was flooded and nearly impossible to cross. Serving God is what we were made to do as his creatures, but our service has been corrupted by our sin and rebellion which has rendered us unable to please him. The first and biggest obstacle to you and me enjoying all the benefits of God's Grace is you (and me). Will we be able to do these things well? Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.He worked as a tent-make, to provide not only for his own needs, but for the needs of others as well. However with God, your biggest setbacks can become your biggest comebacks. We dont know for sure. The apostles remained faithful to the task of preaching and teaching Gods word. Here are four reasons it makes sense to trust God, as the holder of this higher reason and truth: If you overcome the emotional and intellectual barriers, one barrier remains: the volitional barrier. 3980 Victory Blvd. After all, God had purchased them with His own blood, as Paul mentioned in v.28 (to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood.) This of course refers to God the Son who suffered and died on the cross for our sins. But everywhere the disciples of Jesus went, they preached the gospel, and more communities were born in different towns. The most important requirement is to befaithful to the Lord. . God created us in his own image and likeness Gen. 1:27-28. No! If you dont know how to manage the small, then you wont be able to manage the big. He said, Paul was heading for Jerusalem in obedience to the Lords direction for him, despite knowing the awful trials he would have to face there. One obstacle that prevents us from serving the Lord as we should is our being ashamed of Him. But the enemy doesnt like this, so he would use anything to stop you. Cloaked in humility, taking the form of a servant, our . You never know, God may even speak to you through on of your fellow Christian friends. If we struggle with either of these obstacles, Hebrews 10 speaks up with the good news that Jesus abolishes both fears at the cross. Similarly, repentance is not so much a matter of turning from evil as it is a turning to God. Tozer acknowledged the paradoxes of a believers life and thinking: A real Christian is an odd number, anyway. To recognize and prepare for these common obstacles can be half of the battle to overcome them. We must continue to work together tobuild a united church family that is committed to making disciples through Salvation, Sanctification and Service to the glory of God. The fear of disappointment, on the other hand, says, Oh yeah, I get that relationship stuff. These are emotional, intellectual, and volitional barriers. This morning we will see how the apostle Paul highlights the need for faithfulness in Gods service to the Ephesian elders by his example and his exhortations. But Paul did not expect the elders of Ephesus to do what he did, because they had adifferentrole to fulfill. This would take faith that remembered who it was that was telling them to cross the river in the first place. With God, you can navigated the deepest and darkest valleys of life and walk high on the mountain. These seven men will oversee the ministry of distribution of food. Deborah: Trusting God through the demands of life. God continued to bless them by bringing more people into the community. We must look to Him for all the help we need to remain faithful. . Right beside the foundation of Jesuss death in our place is this glorious picture of Jesus praying for us. The first exhortation is found in v.28:Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flockThe Ephesian elders would already have known that they were to guard the flock, which is the church. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. It requires a true heart in full assurance of faith. This is a full and rich and satisfying relationship one that is more real to us than anything else. Paul did not say, I kept back nothing that waspleasantunto you.Certain teachings in the Bible maynotseempleasantto our ears but they are profitable. Second, we can have a rich God-accomplished relationship with God because Jesus prays for us (Hebrews 10:21). In those days when the number of disciples was increasing. Just before those verses, the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12) define a path to spiritual happiness and significance totally contrary to what were normally taught (blessed are the meek, not the proud). We overcome the emotional barrier when we believe it is safe to yield to God. Materialism. - Watch past sessions at https://mcceastbay.org/obstaclesEvery Muslim is on a journey to Allah. God detests pride, but humility prompts the gift of His grace. one hundred popular worship songs and hymns. Before the Throne of God Above Shane Barnard and Shane Everett. Notify me by email when the comment gets approved. These feelings can keep us paralyzed from dealing with the. Lord Yes, our inner person matures and grows, but our flesh is neither removed nor improved us... Confidence to face your problems head on and come out victorious the fear of disappointment, on other! And come out victorious become obstacles in serving god in their service problem: a real Christian an! X27 ; s will that we come to Him alone, and more communities were born in towns! Teaching Gods Word is incredibly powerful and holds the key to many of our problems walk high on mountain! 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