Introduction: Are you facing an insurmountable mountain? News flash: It is a mole hill to the Lord! Big challenges or impossibilities to us pale in comparison to our great God’s infinite power. What obstacles are intimidating you? Remember. Jesus talked about little faith, no faith, and great faith. Which describes you and me? Admittedly, at different times, probably all three.

I love the text in 2 Kings 3.

1. The setting! – Ahab the wicked king died. Jehoram his son reigned after him, although wicked not to the degree of Ahab. The Moabites heard the news and attacked Israel. So deathly afraid, king of the north Jehoram sought out to make an alliance with the king of the south (Judah) Jehoshaphat. After deciding to make war with Moabites (land of Jordan) they traveled thru Edom (Jordan); however, it was during a terrible drought. With much cattle to water and no rain the king Jehoshaphat asked for a prophet (Elisha) to get a word from God {ALWAYS a GOOD IDEA}!

2. The answer from God thru Elisha for the need for water! (2Kings 3:16-17) – “And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches. For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts.”

Did you catch that? They were to act by FAITH {Heb 11:6} and dig a DITCH! Why? In order for the water – which they didn’t have – to fill up. With no rain in the forecast and desert conditions, God wanted them to know and us today this…..

“And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD:” (2 Kings 3:18).

3. Can God be trusted? (2Kings 3:18) – “And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat offering was offered, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water.”

Wow! The Lord is faithful to His Word!!

1. One foundation! (1Cor 3:10,11) – “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

By the way, the other foundation is sinking sand (Matt 7). Once the storm hits, it will be tested. But even thru the winds, if it’s built upon the rock it will stand!

2. Tried by the fire! (1Cor 3:12-14; 2Cor 5:10) – “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”

Get your fire suit on! Jesus Christ’s fiery eyes (Rev 1) will test our works.

3. Rewarded by Jesus! (1 Cor 3:14,15) – “If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

Thank God for rewards for the life well lived!

Introduction: As a CHRISTIAN are you ready to stand before the Lord and be judged? Mind you, not to determine whether you go to heaven or hell but rather to be held accountable by how you used the gifts Jesus Christ has given you. After all, every believer has been imparted at least one spiritual gift to be used to serve our Lord (Rom 12:4-15). In this passage please notice the three different judges we face (1Cor 4:1-5).

1. We are Called to be ministers – servants! (1Cor 4:1) – “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.”

The word “ministers” is ὑπηρέτης : (hoop-ay-ret’-ace): it can mean an underling, a servant, or an attendant. It also can have to do with an officer, an attendant in a synagogue, or more specifically a minister of the gospel.

2. We are called to be Stewards! (1Cor 4:1,2) – “……and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

The word “Stewards” is οἰκονόμος: (oy-kon-om’-os). It literally means the manager of a household or guardian. In other words, every Christian has been given the responsibility to be a “steward” of the gospel. How are you doing?

3. We are being judged by others and ourselves, but also we will be judged by Jesus! (1Cor 4:3,4,5) – “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.”

Paul is saying that he recognizes that others will judge him. “For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord” (1Cor 4:4).

But he is also reminding believers then and now that Jesus Christ is the ultimate Judge! The word “Judged” is ἀνακρίνω: (an-ak-ree’-no), which means to examine, or to investigate. 

“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God” (1Cor 4:5).

When Jesus will Judge us (at the Bema – Judgement Seat), He will test our motives. The word “Counsel” βουλή,(boo-lay’), can mean examine or deliberate wisdom.

Bottom line: Jesus knows us!

Introduction: Fight your fear. Feed your faith. It is a battle, isn’t it? Perhaps right now you are going thru a time of fear, insecurity, or anxiety. What can you do? How should you respond? Is this the norm?

1. Jesus Christ confronted fear in His followers, by saying numerous times “FEAR NOT” (Mark 4; Matt 8:26; Luke 8) – “And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?”

Here Jesus calls out “little faith”. But elsewhere, He draws attention to “Great faith”!

“Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith” (Matt 15:28).

What would Jesus say about your faith?

3. Isaiah reminds God’s people not to be afraid (Isa 41:10) – “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

What a great Bible verse to meditate on! Take a minute to ponder this thought.

The word “sluggard” is עָצֵל: (aw-tsale’). It means sluggish, lazy. They are hard workers. And their rewards come in the harvest.

The word “consider” means to look and see.
God wants us to study the ants. We can learn much from them.

2. Ants prepare ahead of time even though it seems they are scurrying randomly. (Prov 6:7) – “Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler.”

Careful studies of ants indicate they have certain jobs which they carry out especially during the harvest.

3. Ants seize the opportunity when it is harvest time! (Prov 6:8) – “Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.”

God made ants with an innate ability to look ahead. They demonstrate wisdom. Are you looking ahead? Planning? Praying as the Lord wills.

1. Daniel’s Battle! (Dan 10:12-13) – “Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.”

Daniel is fasting and praying. Remember he is taken to Babylon during the captivity (70 years). His message is to the nation of Israel and the holy city – Jerusalem (Dan 9:24-27).

2. The Prince of Persia withstands! (Dan 10:14) – “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days:”

Whoever this “Prince of Persia” is there is no doubt he represents an evil entity that withstands believers. The words “understand” and “chasten” have to do with Daniel’s humility and discernment.

The word “understand” is בִּין: (bene), which means to discern. The word “withstand” is עָמַד: (aw-mad’). It means to take one’s stand.

Bottom line: This satanic personality “stood against” Daniel and his God. However, the preceding verses reveal that God overruled these forces. Micheal was dispatched to help. “Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days” (Dan 10:14). After conflict comes confirmation.

Introduction: Everything that glitters is not gold! Did you know that all of the devil’s apples have worms? Satan transforms himself into an Angel of light.

“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (2Cor 11:14).

Is it any wonder that Paul writes inspired by the Holy Spirit that Satan uses ministers as tools.

Speaking to the religious crowd of His day, Jesus Christ said that the devil was the father of all lies.

“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44).

There we have it. The origin of lies is from the devil. Do you remember what he said to Eve after being told that they could not eat of the tree of knowledge of both good and evil?

“Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? ……..And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (Gen 3:3-5).

Do you see how he twists what God says? He misleads, deceives, and ultimately achieves.

Where is all this going? Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians reveals Satan’s plan. “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish” (2Thess 2:8-10).

“O soul are you weary and troubled
No light in the darkness you see
There’s light for a look at the Savior
And life more abundant and free
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace.”

But Isaiah also reminds believers that the God of the Bible “renews our strength”……as we “wait” upon Him.. (Isa 40:31).
Will you take time right now to wait upon Him?

2. Why turn our eyes upon Jesus? Because the Promises of His Word will not fail! (2Cor 1:20) – “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”

Listen to the next stanza:

“His word shall not fail you he promised
Believe him and all will be well
Then go to a world that is dying
His perfect salvation to tell
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace.”

Our God is faithful to His promises! He can be trusted!! Will you turn and trust Him right now?

The world has nothing to offer us compared to Jesus. Think about it…..eternal life, abundant life, a new life!

Conclusion: Will you turn your eyes upon Jesus right now?

• How do you calculate the VALUE of the PEACE of God?(John 14:1-27; Phil 4:6,7; Col 3:15; Rom 5:1; Col 1:20)
• How can we measure a CLEAR CONSCIOUS?
• What does ASSURANCE of heaven mean to a Christian?
• How much would a soul PAY for FORGIVENESS of SIN?
• Can rubies or diamonds purchase being RECONCILED to our Creator God?
• What about the capacity to be FREE from Being Bitten with BITTERNESS?
• How much does it mean to be able to give away the GREATEST GIFT of all – ETERNAL LIFE?

• Chosen in Him
• Predestined because of Him
• Adopted into His family
• Accepted in the Beloved (Highly bestowed favor)
• Redeemed by His blood
• Sealed by His Spirit

Think about all that. Can you beat it?

Introduction: While we are saved by “grace alone” thru “faith alone” in “Christ alone”, this does not mean after conversion that we are to sit and do nothing. Instead, the CHRISTian life includes submitting to the Word of God, and obeying the Spirit of God while fleshing out the Will of God. While comparing the Christian to an Olympic athlete, Paul explains this process to believers.

1. The first step for an athlete/ Christian is to get in the race! (1Cor 9:24) – “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”

In order to run in the race one has to enter into the race at the starting line. Have you entered? As stated, once at the starting line (thru New Birth), the goal is to run to win…..to finish faithful.

2. Once in the race, the athlete/ Christian is disciplined to win a crown (gold medal)! (1Cor 9:25) – “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”

The word”striveth” is ἀγωνίζομαι: (ag-o-nid’-zom-ahee), and it means to contend for a prize, or to put forth a struggle.
In other words, both to earn a gold medal or to obtain a “Crown of Life” will be a struggle! But thru the power of the Holy Spirit it is achievable.

3. All the hard work and discipline helps keep the athlete from quitting or being disqualified! (1Cor 9:26,27) – “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

By bringing our physical bodies into subjection (submission), enables the Holy Spirit to empower us to be faithful and not become a reject. That is what “cast away” means.