God's Answer for Adversity

Introduction:
Ever experienced the agony of defeat? Wouldn’t it be great if the defeats life handed us were only dealing with insignificant things that we could get over quickly? Unfortunately, real life is filled with the tragic loss of life; failed business; and broken hearts. Someone who experienced many failures in life was one of this country’s greatest presidents: Abraham Lincoln. It is important to remember that events do not cause or emotions – only our interpretation of those events do. Tonight we wish to look at David – a man who had to deal with much adversity in life. How/what can we learn from him?

I. While experiencing tremendous success; David experienced terrible loss.
    A.     Famous accomplishments found in: 1 Sam. 16:11-13; 17:24-26; 18:7
    B.     But…defeat; adversity also came his way:
        1.       Psa. 59:1, 3, 6 – Saul sought to kill him
        2.       1 Chron. 17:4; 28:3 – God refused him to build the temple
        3.       2 Sam 11 – committed adultery w/Bathsheeba; killed Uriah.
        4.       2 Sam 12:14- lost the child born to Bathsheeba
        5.       2 Sam 15-18 – lost a son – Absalom.
        6.       2 Sam 20:1-2 – dealt w/rebellion led by Sheba
        7.       2 Sam 24:15 – caused death of fellow Israelites by numbering army.

II. How did David Survive?
    A.     1 Kings 1:29 – Certainly….he praised God for it.
    B.     What did he do to deal with the defeat?
        1.       Psa. 7:3-5 – Looked INWARD – examined himself
        2.       Psa. 7:1-2 – Looked UPWARD – to God
        3.       2 Sam. 12:19-23 – Looked FORWARD – to the future
            a)      used every opportunity to do something for God.
            b)      1 Sam 27:8 – made war on Israel’s enemies
            c)      1 Chron. 22:15 – gathered pieces of temple
            d)      2 Sam. 24:25 – made an altar to God.
            e)      Phil. 1:12-13 – Paul did the same….turned bad into good!

III. Adversity can actually accomplish much in our life.
    A.     2 Cor. 12:7-10 – can humble us.
    B.     Js. 1:2-4 – lead us toward spiritual maturity
    C.     2 Cor. 1:3-7 – equips us to comfort others.

Conclusion:
A. During adversity – let us look to Jesus – Heb. 4:14-16

Thanks to Shane Scott who contributed much to the above outline.



God's Answer for Adversity Introduction: Ever experienced the agony of defeat? Wouldn’t it be great if the defeats life handed us were only dealing with insignificant things that we could get over quickly? Unfortunately, real life is filled with the tragic loss of life; failed business; and broken hearts. Someone who experienced many failures in life was one of this country’s greatest presidents: Abraham Lincoln. It is important to remember that events do not cause or emotions – only our interpretation of those events do. Tonight we wish to look at David – a man who had to deal with much adversity in life. How/what can we learn from him? I. While experiencing tremendous success; David experienced terrible loss. A. Famous accomplishments found in: 1 Sam. 16:11-13; 17:24-26; 18:7 B. But…defeat; adversity also came his way: 1. Psa. 59:1, 3, 6 – Saul sought to kill him 2. 1 Chron. 17:4; 28:3 – God refused him to build the temple 3. 2 Sam 11 – committed adultery w/Bathsheeba; killed Uriah. 4. 2 Sam 12:14- lost the child born to Bathsheeba 5. 2 Sam 15-18 – lost a son – Absalom. 6. 2 Sam 20:1-2 – dealt w/rebellion led by Sheba 7. 2 Sam 24:15 – caused death of fellow Israelites by numbering army. II. How did David Survive? A. 1 Kings 1:29 – Certainly….he praised God for it. B. What did he do to deal with the defeat? 1. Psa. 7:3-5 – Looked INWARD – examined himself 2. Psa. 7:1-2 – Looked UPWARD – to God 3. 2 Sam. 12:19-23 – Looked FORWARD – to the future a) used every opportunity to do something for God. b) 1 Sam 27:8 – made war on Israel’s enemies c) 1 Chron. 22:15 – gathered pieces of temple d) 2 Sam. 24:25 – made an altar to God. e) Phil. 1:12-13 – Paul did the same….turned bad into good! III. Adversity can actually accomplish much in our life. A. 2 Cor. 12:7-10 – can humble us. B. Js. 1:2-4 – lead us toward spiritual maturity C. 2 Cor. 1:3-7 – equips us to comfort others. Conclusion: A. During adversity – let us look to Jesus – Heb. 4:14-16 Thanks to Shane Scott who contributed much to the above outline.