CrossTrainers

Date: April 28th 2010

Speaker: Bob Stouffer

Title: God Built – Chapter 5: “Overcoming Grievous Setbacks”

Martin Luther faced a seemingly insurmountable grievous setback.

Martin Luther was given an extra day to recant his statement but even with that time he wasn’t willing to recant what he held to as the truth.

“I can do no other, Here I stand, may God help me.”

Luther was kidnapped right after the this statement by his friends, he was taken to Wartburg Castle for protection.  It was here that he translated the Bible into German.  This seemed like negative circumstance but it wasn’t.

Today’s teaching from our book is about this, grievous setbacks

Joseph faced several seemingly insurmountable grievous setbacks.

He was nearly killed by his brothers

He was sold into slavery

He gained favor and did well in slavery but was thrown into prison

He stayed in prison a long time, longer than he needed to be.

Steve says that God Tested Joseph, “Before God promotes, God tests.”

Thomas Watson said, “God often prospers us by impoverishing us.”

I’m stronger spiritually and closer to God when I am stripped bare of all my own strength in my life.

Matthew Henry “God sometimes uses difficulty in the lives of His people that He may have the glory of subduing them, and helping His people over them.”

How should we prepare for and cope with grievous setbacks?

1.  ”It’s in times like those that you need the map of the Word of God.” (p.93)

Go to orthodoxy, 1 Timothy 4:16 “watch your doctrine closely.”

There are to many Christians who are practicing hedonists, “I just want to be happy”

We will be happiest when we follow Him, it will be difficult but important

There are to many Christian Syncretists.

We can’t combine other world religions we have to go to Scripture for the truth

2. Right living – orthopraxy – obedient application of God’s Word – is also key to the abundant Christian life.

3. In addition, I agree with Dallas Willard’s assessment that we must nurture a predisposition to righteousness, not a predisposition to unrighteous behavior.

If you are already prepared in your heart you will be ready to deal with the temptations and hard times.

When Joseph was tempted by Potiphar’s wife he was ready, he didn’t even think, he cast off his cloak and ran.

I want what God said about Joseph in Genesis 39:21-23 to be said about me.

Our main focus needs to be on Heaven, regardless of what our circumstances tell us.

Not only that but we should seek to be in the presence of the Lord moment by moment, daily!

Questions to Consider

1. When our well-laid plans have been turned upside-down, we may find ourselves lost or disoriented.  What Scriptures have given you peace, comfort, encouragement, or strength during grievous setbacks?
2. In 1 Timothy 4:16, Paul wrote, “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” (NIV) Why is right doctrine the rock-solid foundation of right living?
3. It was devastating for Joseph to gain success and power – against all odds – only to suddenly lose everything again.  At what time in your life have you felt the same way?  Did you turn to God during that time, or did you try to rely on your own strength to push through?  If the former, how did God help you?
4. Steve wrote, “Before God promotes, God tests.”  (p. 95)  Respond to Steve’s statement.
5. Thomas Watson once said, “God often prospers us by impoverishing us.”  Respond to Thomas Watson’s statement.
6. Matthew Henry once stated, “God sometimes uses difficulty in the lives of His people that He may have the glory of subduing them [the difficulties], and helping His people over them.”  Respond to Matthew Henry’s statement.
7. How can you nurture a predisposition to righteousness?  How can you avoid a predisposition to sin?
8. Look at Ephesians 3:14-20.  Ponder the phrase, “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.”  In what area of your life and your circumstances might you be limiting God right now?
9. God is sovereign, but we are responsible.  Re-state that unchanging truth in your own words.

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(notes typed by PJ)