FEELING THE PRESSURE -The Acts Part 3

When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7:

All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. Acts 6:16.

Pressure builds Power through Perseverance.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

hupo-meno

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God . . . Acts 7:55

The power within you is greater than the pressure around you.

I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit. . . . John 14:16

[G]reater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4

[M]y yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 28:30

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

[T]hey all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Acts 7:57-58

Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. Acts 7:58

God always uses the pressure for his ultimate purpose

But Stephen . . . looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Acts 7:55

I lift up my eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help comes from the Lord. Psalm 121:1

[S]uffering produces perseverance; perseverance produces character; and character produces hope. Romans 5:3-4

My brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. John 20:1

So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” John 20:2

So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. John 20:3-4

He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. John 20:5

Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. John 20:6

He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. John 20:6-7

Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. John 20:8

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark. . . . John 20:1

WHILE IT WAS STILL DARK

“They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” John 20:2

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. . . . And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3

Mary Magdalene arrived at the tomb very early in the morning, while it was still dark. . . John 20:1

In [Jesus] was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:4-5

REMIND

[T]he disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders. . . . John 20:19

Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” John 20:26

REFINE

RELEASE

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning! Psalm 30:5

I am going to him who sent me. . . . [Y]ou are filled with grief because I have said these things. But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. John 16:5-7

[I]f the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Romans 8:10-11

The people who walked in darkness Have seen the great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined. Isaiah 9:2

IF THE STONES COULD SPEAK

As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. Luke 19:36-38

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

Luke 19:36-38

They quickly took their cloaks and spread them under him on the bare steps. Then they blew the trumpet and shouted, “Jehu is king!” 2 Kings 9:13

Never again will an oppressor overrun my people, for now I am keeping watch. . . . Zechariah 9:8-9

See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:8-9

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” Luke 19:38

“Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” Luke 19:36-40

“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Luke 19:36-40

[I]f they keep quiet, the stones will cry out. Luke 19:40

KEEP WORSHIPPING

EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW WHY

When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed. . . . Joshua 6:20

KEEP THE FAITH

WHEN YOU’RE TEMPTED BY FEAR

Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 1 Samuel 17:24

It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. John 11:38

“Take away the stone,” he said. John 11:39

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lemasabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). Matthew 27:45-46

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. Matthew 27:50

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. . . . Matthew 27:51-52

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:53-54

FEELING FORSAKEN

DON’T DENY YOUR FEELINGS,

BUT DON’T FORGET YOUR FAITH.

Put your sword back in its place. . . . Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” Matthew 26:52-54

They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. Matthew 27:28-31

DON’T DENY YOUR PAIN,

BUT DON’T FORGET YOUR PURPOSE

But He was wounded for our transgressions,

He was bruised for our iniquities;

The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,

And by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. Matthew 27:50-51

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. . . . When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:45, 53-54

DON’T DENY THE DARKNESS,

BUT DON’T FORGET THE LIGHT.

The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me . . . . Psalm 23

Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

Matthew 26:31-41

But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”

He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.

Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping.

“Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. . . .” Matthew 26:31-41

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Matthew 26:47-56

Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.

With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.

Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?

But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” Matthew 26:47-56

How Do You Respond to an Uncomfortable Reality?

FAKE IT

Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will. . . . Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” Matthew 26:33-35

FORGET IT

With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

FIX IT

[A]ll the disciples deserted him and fled. Matthew 26:56

FLEE IT

He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him. . . . Matthew 26:37

STAY CLOSE

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.

Matthew 26:41

STAY AWAKE

Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ Matthew 26:31

But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Matthew 26:32

STAY TUNED

A round table discussion on leading through adversity with experts in our congregation from the business, medical and educational fields.

WHAT DO YOU SEE IN HIM? - FEARLESS Part 10

“You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart . . . .” 1 Samuel 13:13-14

“I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. . . .” Acts 13:22

COURAGE - COWARDICE

OBEDIENCE - REBELLION

GENEROSITY - SELFISHNESS

Nearly everyone wants to connect with God.

The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:37

ACUTE AWARENESS OF GOD’S POWER

Twasn’t me, it was the Lord! I always told Him, ‘I trust . . . you. I don’t know where to go or what to do, but I expect You to lead me,’ and He always did. ~ Harriet Tubman

May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. 1 Samuel 24:11-12

COMPLETE CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S JUSTICE

Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” 2 Samuel 12:13

TOTAL TRUST IN GOD’S GRACE

Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. . . . So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his rule was firmly established. 1 Kings 2:10

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23

DYSFUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS - FEARLESS Part 9

Amnon became so obsessed with his sister Tamar that he made himself ill. 2 Samuel 13:2

Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the ornate robe she was wearing. She put her hands on her head and went away, weeping aloud as she went. 2 Samuel 13:19

Her brother Absalom said to her, “Has that Amnon, your brother, been with you? Be quiet for now, my sister; he is your brother. Don’t take this thing to heart.” And Tamar lived in her brother Absalom’s house, a desolate woman. 2 Samuel 13:20

SECRECY

[T]he truth will set you free. John 8:32

When King David heard all this, he was furious. 2 Samuel 14:21-22

And Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad; he hated Amnon because he had disgraced his sister Tamar. 2 Samuel 14:21-22

AVOIDANCE

When you avoid conflict you invite chaos.

But the king said, “He must go to his own house; he must not see my face.” So Absalom went to his own house and did not see the face of the king. 2 Samuel 14:23-24

ALIENATION

Pride

Power

Pressure

The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!” 2 Samuel 18:33

REGRET

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4

Admit need.

Ask God for help.

Get in a healthy community.

FEARLESS

The Lord sent Nathan to David. 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him. 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

“Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.” 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this must die! He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.” 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’ 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

“This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’” 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, the son born to you will die.” 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

After Nathan had gone home, the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. David pleaded with God for the child. 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground. The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them. 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

On the seventh day the child died. 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

David’s attendants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, he wouldn’t listen to us when we spoke to him. How can we now tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate.” 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked. 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

“Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.” 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate. 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

His attendants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!” 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The Lord loved him . . . . 2 Samuel 12 (NIV)

FAILED, BUT NOT FINISHED

CONCEAL

REPEAT

SHAME

And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. Genesis 2:25

Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8

Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:9

So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” Genesis 3:10

And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” Genesis 3:11

Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” Genesis 3:12

And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”

The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Genesis 3:13

Shame . . . is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging – something we’ve experienced, done, or failed to do makes us unworthy of connection.

Shame is much more likely to be the source of destructive, hurtful behavior than the solution . . . . ~ Brene’ Brown

Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” 2 Samuel 12:13

OWN YOUR FAILURES

He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. Proverbs 28:13

RECEIVE GOD’S FORGIVENESS

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:9-10

START AGAIN

Closing: Video of Adam

Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The Lord loved him . . . . 2 Samuel 12:24