THE PRESSURES OF LIFE (Part 3)

Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Pastor Rick Jackson

In the past few weeks we have been examining the pressures of life. We have seen some of them are self-inflicted, we have seen the world, the flesh and the devil take a hand in pressuring us. We have seen others pressure us. Sometimes the pressure comes from above. That's right, sometimes the pressures of life are from God. Now granted, when God pressures us it is for our good and His glory but the pressure is on nonetheless.

Job didn't know everything about the pressure he was under but he knew God would use it to help him be a better person.

Joseph said essentially the same thing when he declared to his brothers in Gn. 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

Pressure from God can come in many forms. One of the main forms for people, especially the lost, is in the area of:

I. CONVICTION

John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

1. Conviction of Sin [v. 9] Of sin, because they believe not on me;

2. Conviction of Righteousness [v. 10] Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

3. Conviction of Judgment [v. 11] Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

Here God brings the pressure but it's to bring about the salvation of the soul. Christians may find themselves under conviction to bring about a closer walk with the Lord. Which brings us to another area of pressure from the Lord and that is in the realm of:

II. CONTROL

Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Galatians 5:16-17 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

It's not a matter of saying "I want to control my life". The only control we have is to decide who we are going to let control us, God or the world, the flesh, and the devil. Ultimately it's either God or the Devil. The pressure comes in making the choice.

Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

Another area of pressure is when it comes time to show

III. COMPASSION

Compassion. It leaves us vulnerable, does it not, to show compassion?

Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Luke 10:33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

Jude 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

Really then the pressure God puts upon us boils down to one thing doesn't it?

IV. CHOICES

1. Choose to Live by Trusting Christ!

2. Choose how to Live by Following Christ!

3. Choose to Die to Self by emulating Christ!

Do those three, and the pressure is basically off in every other area.