OceanSide church of Christ

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IN SPITE OF… (1)

Victor M. Eskew

INTRODUCTION

A.               Many, many lessons are preached to those who are less than faithful.  It is hoped that something can be said to prick their hearts and move them to more dedicated living.

B.               Those who are faithful tolerate these lessons.  They understand their importance.  These lessons also encourage the faithful to continue in faithful living.

C.              The faithful within a congregation are a unique group of people.

1.               They often do things “in spite of” the obstacles, challenges, and opposition.

2.               “In spite of” means “in defiance of.”

3.               This morning we have entitled the lesson:  “In Spite Of…”  Let’s focus upon some of the things the faithful do “in defiance of…”

I.          THE FAITHFUL OBEY GOD INSPITE OF A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING

A.               Jesus said:  If ye love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15).

B.               Some of God’s commands are simple  to understand (I Peter 1:15).

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.

C.              Some of God’s commands are not as understandable to the human mind (Acts 22:16).

And now why tarriest thou?  Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

D.              When the faithful do not fully understand one of God’s commands, they still obey.

1.               Noah built an ark of gopher wood (Gen. 6:14, 22; Heb. 11:7).

2.               Abraham left his home and began a journey to an unknown destination (Gen. 12:1, 4; Heb. 11:8).

3.               Abraham offered his only begotten son Isaac even though he was the child of promise (Gen. 22:1-3, 10; Heb. 11:17-19).

4.               Israel encircled the city of Jericho seven days in order to conquer the city (Josh. 6:1-6; Heb. 11:30).

5.               Naaman dipped seven times in the Jordan River (II Kings 5;1-14).

6.               The blind man washed the muddy paste from his eyes in the pool of Siloam (John 9:1-7).

II.         THE FAITHFUL INSPIRE IN SPITE OF DISCOURAGEMENT

A.               The word “courage” literally means “to take heart.”

B.               Thus, when one is being discouraged, he is being tempted to lose heart.

1.               Discouragement destroys faith.

2.               Discouragement breeds fear.

3.               Discouragement leads to disobedience.

C.              The example of the report of the twelve spies.

1.               Of the twelve spies who searched out the land of Canaan, ten came back with an evil report to the children of Israel (Num. 13:31-33).

2.               Their report discouraged the hearts of the Israelites (Deut. 1:28).

Whither shall we go up?  Our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven, and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.

3.               In spite of the discouragement of the ten, three faithful men sought to inspire the Israelites to go forward into the Promised Land.

a.         Two of them had been spies of the land, Joshua and Caleb (Num. 14:6-9)

And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:  and they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.  If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.  Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear the people of the land; for they are bread for us:  their defense is departed from them, and the Lord is with us:  fear them not.

                                    b.         The other encourager was Moses (Deut. 1:29-31).

D.              Many things will bring discouragement:

1.               Lack of participation from some.

2.               Lack of strong leadership.

3.               Tolerance of sin.

4.               Those who constantly criticize.

5.               People who quit.

6.               The presence of obstacles in the fulfillment of a goal.

7.               Plans that do not come to pass.

8.               Rejection by the world.

E.               The faithful do not let these things get them down.  They inspire and move forward in defiance of discouragement (Heb. 10:38-39).

Now the just shall live by faith:  but if any man draw back my soul shall have no pleasure in him.  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

III.        THE FAITHFUL CONTINUE TO TEACH IN SPITE OF REJECTION

A.               Christianity is a taught religion.

1.               John 6:44-45

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me, draw him:  and I will raise him up at the last day.  It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God.  Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father cometh unto me.

2.               Matthew 28:19-20

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:  and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

B.               The message of the gospel is sometimes referred to as light (Ps. 119:105).  It shines into the darkness of the world.  Men, however, love the darkness more than the light.  Thus, they refuse to come to the light (John 3:19-20).

And this is condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

C.              When the faithful preach, they will be rejected by those who love the darkness.  This, however, does not deter them.  They continue to preach the good news of Jesus Christ (Acts 14:44-47).

And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.  But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.  Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was neces-sary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you:  but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.  For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the world.

D.              The faithful know there is always one more:  one more soul to teach, one more door to knock, one more city to visit, one more child that has been born into the world.

CONCLUSION

A.               On the Day of Judgment, the Lord will pronounce a blessing upon the faithful (Matt. 25:21).

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant:  thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:  enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

B.               One of the reasons they will be blessed is because they persevere in spite of the opposition.

1.               They obey God in spite of a lack of understanding.

2.               They inspire others and move forward in spite of discouragement.

3.               They continue to teach others in spite of being rejected over and over again.


 

IN SPITE OF… (1)

Victor M. Eskew

INTRODUCTION

A.         Many, many lessons are preached to those who are less than faithful.  It is hoped that something can be said to prick their hearts and move them to more dedicated living.

B.         Those who are faithful tolerate these lessons.  They understand their importance.  These lessons also encourage the faithful to continue in faithful living.

            C.         The faithful within a congregation are a unique group of people.

1.         They often do things “in spite of” the obstacles, challenges, and opposition.

                        2.         “In spite of” means “in defiance of.”

3.         This morning we have entitled the lesson:  “In Spite Of…”  Let’s focus upon some of the things the faithful do “in defiance of…”

I.          THE FAITHFUL OBEY GOD INSPITE OF A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING

            A.         Jesus said:  If ye love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15).

            B.         Some of God’s commands are simple  to understand (I Peter 1:15).

            C.         Some of God’s commands are not as understandable to the human mind (Acts 22:16).

            D.         When the faithful do not fully understand one of God’s commands, they still obey.

1.         Noah built an ark of gopher wood (Gen. 6:14, 22; Heb. 11:7).

2.         Abraham left his home and began a journey to an unknown destination (Gen. 12:1, 4; Heb. 11:8).

3.         Abraham offered his only begotten son Isaac even though he was the child of promise (Gen. 22:1-3, 10; Heb. 11:17-19).

4.         Israel encircled the city of Jericho seven days in order to conquer the city (Josh. 6:1-6; Heb. 11:30).

5.         Naaman dipped seven times in the Jordan River (II Kings 5;1-14).

6.         The blind man washed the muddy paste from his eyes in the pool of Siloam (John 9:1-7).

II.         THE FAITHFUL INSPIRE IN SPITE OF DISCOURAGEMENT

A.         The word “courage” literally means “to take heart.”

B.         Thus, when one is being discouraged, he is being tempted to lose heart.

1.                Discouragement destroys faith.

2.                Discouragement breeds fear.

3.                Discouragement leads to disobedience.

C.         The example of the report of the twelve spies.

1.         Of the twelve spies who searched out the land of Canaan, ten came back with an evil report to the children of Israel (Num. 13:31-33).

2.         Their report discouraged the hearts of the Israelites (Deut. 1:28).

3.         In spite of the discouragement of the ten, three faithful men sought to inspire the Israelites to go forward into the Promised Land.

a.         Two of them had been spies of the land, Joshua and Caleb (Num. 14:6-9)

                                    b.         The other encourager was Moses (Deut. 1:29-31).

D.         Many things will bring discouragement:  1) Lack of participation by some, 2) Lack of strong leadership, 3) Tolerance of sin, 4) Constant criticism, 5) People who quit, 6) Obstacles before a goal, 7) Plans that do not come to pass, and 8) Rejection by the world.

E.         The faithful do not let these things get them down.  They inspire and move forward in defiance of discouragement (Heb. 10:38-39).

III.         THE FAITHFUL CONTINUE TO TEACH IN SPITE OF REJECTION

            A.         Christianity is a taught religion (John 6:44-45; Matthew 28:19-20).

B.         The message of the gospel is sometimes referred to as light (Ps. 119:105).  It shines into the darkness of the world.  Men, however, love the darkness more than the light.  Thus, they refuse to come to the light (John 3:19-20).

C.         When the faithful preach, they will be rejected by those who love the darkness.  This, however, does not deter them.  They continue to preach the good news of Jesus Christ (Acts 14:44-47).

D.         The faithful know there is always one more:  one more soul to teach, one more door to knock, one more city to visit, one more child that has been born into the world.

CONCLUSION

            A.         On the Day of Judgment, the Lord will pronounce a blessing upon the faithful (Matt. 25:21).

            B.         One of the reasons they will be blessed is because they persevere in spite of the opposition.

                        1.         They obey God in spite of a lack of understanding.

                        2.         They inspire others and move forward in spite of discouragement.

                        3.         They continue to teach others in spite of being rejected over and over again.

IN SPITE OF… (1)

Victor M. Eskew

INTRODUCTION

A.         Many, many lessons are preached to those who are less than faithful.  It is hoped that something can be said to prick their hearts and move them to more _________________ living.

B.         Those who are faithful tolerate these lessons.  They understand their importance.  These lessons also ________________________ the faithful to continue in faithful living.

C.         The faithful within a congregation are a ______________ group of people.

1.         They often do things “in ____________ of” the obstacles, challenges, and opposition.

2.         “In spite of” means “in ____________________ of.”

3.         This morning we have entitled the lesson:  “In Spite Of…”  Let’s focus upon some of the things the faithful do “in defiance of…”

I.          THE FAITHFUL OBEY GOD INSPITE OF A LACK OF ___________________________

A.         Jesus said:  If ye love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15).

B.         Some of God’s commands are ______________________ to understand (I Peter 1:15).

C.         Some of God’s commands are not as understandable to the human mind (Acts 22:16).

D.         When the faithful do not fully understand one of God’s commands, they still ___________.

1.         ___________ built an ark of gopher wood (Gen. 6:14, 22; Heb. 11:7).

2.         Abraham left his home and began a journey to an unknown destination (Gen. 12:1, 4; Heb. 11:8).

3.         Abraham ____________ his only begotten son Isaac even though he was the child of promise (Gen. 22:1-3, 10; Heb. 11:17-19).

4.         Israel encircled the city of ____________ seven days in order to conquer the city (Josh. 6:1-6; Heb. 11:30).

5.         Naaman dipped __________________ times in the Jordan River (II Kings 5;1-14).

6.         The blind man washed the muddy paste from his eyes in the pool of Siloam (John 9:1-7).

II.         THE FAITHFUL ____________________ IN SPITE OF DISCOURAGEMENT

A.         The word “courage” literally means “to take _____________________.”

B.         Thus, when one is being discouraged, he is being tempted to _______________ heart.

1.         Discouragement destroys ________________.

2.         Discouragement breeds fear.

3.         Discouragement leads to _____________________.

C.         The example of the report of the twelve _________________.

1.         Of the twelve spies who searched out the land of Canaan, ten came back with an __________ report to the children of Israel (Num. 13:31-33).

2.         Their report discouraged the hearts of the Israelites (Deut. 1:28).

3.         In spite of the discouragement of the ten, ___________ faithful men sought to inspire the Israelites to go forward into the Promised Land.

a.         Two of them had been spies of the land, Joshua and Caleb (Num. 14:6-9)

                                    b.         The other encourager was ________________ (Deut. 1:29-31).

D.         Many things will bring discouragement:  1) Lack of participation by some, 2) Lack of strong leadership, 3) Tolerance of sin, 4) Constant criticism, 5) People who quit, 6) Obstacles before a goal, 7) Plans that do not come to pass, and 8) Rejection by the world.

E.         The faithful do not let these things get them down.  They inspire and ___________  ___________ in defiance of discouragement (Heb. 10:38-39).

III.         THE FAITHFUL CONTINUE TO TEACH IN SPITE OF _______________________

            A.         Christianity is a taught religion (John 6:44-45; Matthew 28:19-20).

B.         The message of the gospel is sometimes referred to as _________ (Ps. 119:105).  It shines into the darkness of the world.  Men, however, __________ the darkness more than the light.  Thus, they refuse to come to the light (John 3:19-20).

C.         When the faithful preach, they will be rejected by those who love the darkness.  This, however, does not deter them.  They continue to preach the good news of Jesus Christ (Acts 14:44-47).

D.         The faithful know there is always ____________ more:  one more soul to teach, one more door to knock, one more city to visit, one more child that has been born into the world.

CONCLUSION

A.         On the Day of Judgment, the Lord will pronounce a ____________ upon the faithful (Matt. 25:21).

B.         One of the reasons they will be blessed is because they ____________ in spite of the opposition.

            1.         They obey God in spite of a lack of understanding.

            2.         They inspire others and move forward in spite of discouragement.

            3.         They continue to teach others in spite of being rejected over and over again.