Introduction: How are Christians and diamonds alike?

Did you know a diamond is the hardest substance known? Only a diamond can scratch another diamond. A diamond has the ability to repel water. It’s like wax on a car. Also, a diamond refracts light, or slows it down. Diamonds can glow in the dark when they are illuminated by an ultraviolet light.

The old saying is true. “A girl loves the sound of a man’s voice when it has a ring in it!”

1. A carnal Christian is hard hearted.
2. A spirit-filled Christian repels offenses.
3. Once being in the presence of Jesus Christ, afterwards a Christian will glow.
4. Believers refract and reflect the light of Christ.
5. Christians can be used as a tool in the Master’s hand.

The word “afflicted” is עָנָה: (aw-naw’), which means to be bowed down or afflicted. It can have to do with humility. Our Lord knows how to humble us. “Astray” is the word שָׁגַג, : (shaw-gag’). It literally means to go astray, or to commit sin or error. Truthfully, at times we have a tendency to err. With the world, the flesh, and the devil pulling on believers, it can be very challenging to stay focused on Jesus.

2. Conviction can bring restoration! (Psa 119:67) – “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.”

Did you notice the words “but now”? Praise the Lord! Where sin abounds grace does much more abound!

Introduction: Are you fulfilling your Mission? Really our Lord’s purpose! Jesus completed His task on earth. His unfinished intercessory work is proceeding onward in heaven. After examining His life, death, resurrection and promise to return, we too should be focused on our mission here on earth.

1. Jesus said, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me” (John 6:38).

Clearly, Jesus declares His purpose for being born. It was simply to obey His Father’s Will. Are you determined to do the same? How about your Mission?

2. Jesus said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4).

It is daytime right now. But soon it will be night. The Sun is sinking low. Time is running out. What we do thru the power of the Holy Spirit we need to do now. Are you focused? Do you need to make any changes in your life that may be hindering you from fulfilling your mission?

3. Jesus said, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4).

When life is over, will you be able to say, “I have finished my work?” Mission accomplished.

Conclusion: After being crucified on a cross for our sins, and after being raised from the dead, Jesus promised to come again! “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3).

1. Lot’s Temptation! (2Pet 2:9) – “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations.”

The word “temptation” is πειρασμός, (pi-ras-mos’). This word means an experiment, or a trial. Furthermore, the trial, can be a calamity, or affliction. Temptation is not a sin, but yielding to the temptation is a sin. Remember 1 Corinthians 10:13. God will make a way of escape.

2. Lot’s Deception! (2Pet 2:7,8) – “with the filthy conversation of the wicked…For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds.”

The world’s talk and walk can wear you down! Pretty soon, over time, it begins to have a negative effect on us, and we do not even realize it. It’s a slow process. But the erosion can be both seen and felt.

3. Lot’s Vexation! (2Pet 2:7,8) – “delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds.”

The word “vexed” in verse seven is καταπονέω,(kat-ap-on-eh’-o). By definition, it means to wear down. It results in exhaustion by suffering, or to wear out, to be overpowered, or even to oppress. To be oppressed can mean to be anxious or even distressed. The word “vexed” in verse eight is βασανίζω (bas-an-id’-zo), which means to torture. It has to do with buffeting as of waves.

4. Lot’s Salvation! (2Pet 2:7,9) – “And delivered just Lot…. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.”

The word “deliver” is ῥύομαι, (rhoo’-om-ahee). It means to draw to oneself, or to deliver. It also reveals a rescue, especially from danger or destruction. Praise the Lord for our Lord’s deliverance!

Introduction: I love Deuteronomy 29:29! Moses wrote, “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God.”

1. What is tomorrow going to bring? (James 4:14,15) – “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”

Could this be the reason Jesus said, in the Sermon on the Mount, these words: “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” (Matt 6:34).

Worrying about what is going to happen tomorrow cripples us to enjoy today. It takes away our “Peace of mind & Rest in our heart”! We simply have to trust Jesus. Why? Because “Secret things belong unto the Lord.”

2. Another “Secret that belongs unto the Lord” is when the BELIEVING will be LEAVING! (1Thess 4:16,-18) – “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

Can you “Capture the Rapture”? When is this greatly anticipated event going to occur? Only our Lord knows. “Secret things belong to Him”!

However, it will happen; therefore, we do not need to delay in preparing. Are you preparing for the snatching away of the saints only to be followed by the saints appearing before the Judgment Seat of Christ?

Introduction: Has our Lord answered prayers in your life? Remember, unoffered prayer is unanswered prayer. Also keep in mind that our Lord answers prayer according to His will and ultimate purpose.

Consider the following truth:

1. If you ask anything…

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him” (1John 5:14-15).

Do you know what this will do? It should give us great confidence in praying the right way!

2. Jesus sees the “Big Picture”!

“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ” (Eph 1:10).

Notice the progression:

* our inheritance – heaven

* His plan- predestinated

* His glory

Conclusion: So keep praying but also remember His will is supreme. Really, if the truth be known, Jesus has our best interest in mind. 

“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” (Mark 11:22-24).

A couple of thoughts:

1. The Object of our Faith is GOD! – “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.”

In the context of Mark’s inspirational writing in this chapter, Jesus had cursed a fig tree while traveling back and forth to Jerusalem. Peter is astonished, and points out the withered fig tree. From there Jesus seizes the opportunity with a teaching moment on Faith and Prayer.

2. The Overcoming of Doubt! – “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”

In other words, “doubt and do without” or “believe and receive”.

3. The Opportunity of Prayer! – “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

This should make us want to pray!

Introduction: It’s one thing to get down, but it’s quite another to stay down! Do you ever get down? How can you get up?

1. We get down at times like the Psalmist! (Psa 42:4,6) – “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. O my God, my soul is cast down within me:”

Various reasons cause us to get down; i.e. disappointments, setbacks, people, problems, etc. Are you down today?

2. The Lord can get you up! (Psa 42:5) – “… hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.”

“… therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.”

No matter what we go thru Jesus Christ can sympathize with our troubles and temptations! Therefore, we can have hope in Him!

Introduction: There’s nothing like a cup of cold water on a hot summer day! Do you need a drink? Is life handing you a scorching east wind? Will you give a cup of cold water to someone and quench their thirst?

Who needs a cup of cold water?

Those dying in Sin! (Matthew 10:40-42) – “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”

People are facing death everyday. Many are not ready to meet the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:22-23).

And again our Lord said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

This statement by our Lord indicates that most people are not saved and thus not prepared to go to heaven. Have you made preparations?

Have you trusted by faith Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?

Note: There will not be any cold water in the lake of fire…. only fire and torment.

Conclusion: Not only do those who are dying in sin need a cup of cold water, but also those who are dying from sin! Will you give a cup of cold water to someone today? According to Jesus, it will not go unrewarded!