FACING LIFE

                                    

GAL. 2:18-21                                       

Adapted from Dr. Lee Roberson by Pastor Rick Jackson

Isaiah 50:7 For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

Ezekiel 3:9 As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.

Luke 9:51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

What does the future hold? These last days of 2019? 2020? Beyond? Our lives may be dangerous. Our lives may be busy. Our lives may be uncertain… afflicted…challenging.

We may not know what the future holds but the Christian knows Who holds the future.

Gal. 2:20 gives us a 3-fold plan to face the uncertain future. First, we must:

I. FACE LIFE AS A TWICE BORN PERSON [2:20]

1. Know Christ- Receive Him as Saviour [Jn. 1:12, Gal. 1:11-16]

2. Study Christ- Know Him Intimately [Phil. 3:10, 2 Pet. 3:18]

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

3. Obey Christ- Yield to Him as Lord [Gal. 1:10, Luke 6:46]

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

How much we miss by not doing this. A king took a bag and went out to a busy intersection… dug a hole & put the bag therein and covered it with a large stone. Many were bothered by the stone and complained but none moved it. Eventually the king called a meeting at the intersection, removed the stone and the bag which was revealed to be filled with much gold and a note that simply read, “For him who moves the stone”

Secondly, we must:

II. FACE LIFE AS A CRUCIFIED PERSON [2:20]

What did Paul mean? Die to self! A boy asked an older Christian what does that mean. He was told to go to a grave and say bad things about the person buried there. When he came back he was asked what was the response. “Nothing, he’s dead.” He was told to go back and say nice things. When he returned he was again asked about the response. “Nothing, he’s dead.” “You are beginning to understand what it means to die to self then.” If we fail to die to self what will happen? We will:

1. Fail to Bear Fruit [John 12:24]

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

2. Forfeit Peace of Heart [John 12:25]

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

3. Fail to Glorify the Lord [John 12:26 ]

If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.]                                                                         And the thirdly, we must:

III. FACE LIFE AS AN INDWELT PERSON [2:20]

1. Live Dually- there is the Power of Christ [Gal. 2:20]

2. Live Fully- there is the Presence of Christ [John 10:10]

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

3. Live Richly- there are the Precepts of Christ [Colossians 3:16]

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.