In This World You Will Have Trouble

Ezra 4: 1-24

Compromise Leads to Corruption

Galatians 5:9

1st Corinthians 15:33

• 6 Ways to Handle Opposition
  • Don’t be surprised
    • 1st Peter 4:12 – Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
  • Fear the Lord, Not Man
    • Proverbs 29:25 – The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
    • Imagine judgment day…
    • God loves you even if the world hates you
  • Obey His Commands
    • They are not suggestions we are allowed to pick and choose from.
    • Don’t live to be on the right side of history, live to be on the right side of eternity.
  • Love Your Enemies
    • Ultimately, it’s never us versus them. It’s Jesus for all. It’s the gospel for all. It’s grace and truth for all. The best way to imitate Christ is to treat people well when they wrong you.
      • When they hit you, turn the other cheek.  When they steal from you, offer them your tunic also.  When they persecute you, pray for them.
        • Because without Jesus, they know not what they do.
  • Find contentment in His Timing
    • We are an impatient people.  Fast food culture, I get upset if it takes more than 5 seconds for a web page to load. “Come on, what’s wrong with this thing?! Throw the whole thing in the trash, Melissa! We need a new computer!”
    • But God works in the span of decades and lifetimes.  He is not concerned with your, or my schedule.  We mold to Him, not Him to us.
  • Remember your true enemy
  • When a crisis is looming, when things fall apart, when plans go awry, when people are hurting, the enemy is lurking.
    • 1st Peter 5:8 – Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

God’s Will For You Is Holiness

Proverbs 16:3 

Luke 14:28-30