Filled XI “Myths of Circumstance”


Intro: The story-

Act 12:1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church.
Act 12:2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword,

VS

Act 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. Act 12:6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. Act 12:7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands.


*Myth #1 - All will be wonderful when I become a Christian*
-we generally want to believe we will be Peter not James
-our culture has redefined success for us therefore we seek to achieve
-Life doesn’t change when we get saved; we do
-We step up to battle and are shocked when we have to fight
-This is why if we knew our journey before hand, we would never take it and miss so much


*Myth #2 - Bad Situations are always a sign of bad decisions*
a. God’s sovereignty super-cedes our will
b. Knowing there is a plan in play that we must trust, moves us through our walk
*c. Steps to move through the valley-Psalm 23:4*
1. Environment of influence
2. Ask the right questions- “What is God doing with me?” “What can I learn?”
3. Praise Him through the valley

*Myth #3 - Knowing the “what” is as important as knowing the “why”*
a. Joh 21:20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” Joh 21:21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Joh 21:22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”

b. We have to have a life that is focused on God’s will not ours in order to be successful
c. Illus. - Silver refining

*Conclusion:*
Jesus is enough-If what you are going through does not turn you to Christ, you are wasting time trying to fix it.

Podcast: Filled XI Myths of Circumstance.mp3 (https://quip.com/-/blob/RKRAAA3Zabr/eH1PMzEs-f06lOM-1wsiPw?name=Filled%20XI%20Myths%20of%20Circumstance.mp3)