ADVICE FOR LIFE (series)

ADVICE FOR THOSE WHO FACE OPPOSITIONMATTHEW 9

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11,12

I. AS FOLLWERS OF JESUS, WE CAN EXPECT TO FACE OPPOSITION

A. JESUS TELLS US THAT OPPOSITION IS A PART OF THE REALITY OF FOLLOWING HIM

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely accuse you…Mtt. 5:11

B. Satan has always opposed God and His people and evil has always been the enemy of the good.

‘THIS PRESENT CRISIS’

“ Careless seems the great avenger, history’s pages but record, One death grapple in the darkness, twixt old systems and the Word Truth forever on the scaffold and wrong forever on the throne Yet that scaffold sways the future and behind the dim unknown Stands God within the shadows, keeping watch above His own. (James Russell Lowell)

C. Opposition to our faith has been the experience of all who dare to follow Jesus.

“…for in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Mtt. 5:12

“From there, Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some youths came out of the town and jeered at him. “Go on up, you bald head!”, they said. “Go on up, you bald- head!” He turned around and looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths…II Kings 2:23

II. AS FOLLWERS OF JESUS, OPPOSITION CAN COME TO US ANY

TIME IN DIFFERENT WAYS!

A. THE OPPOSITION OF BEING MISUNDERSTOOD!!

“Some men brought to Jesus a paralytic lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.

At this some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming.” Mtt. 9:2,3

B. THE OPPOSTITION OF BEING CRITICIZED

“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ Mtt. 9:10,11

C. THE OPPPOSITION OF BENG MOCKED AND RIDICULED!

“…a ruler came and knelt before him and said, ‘my daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live…When Jesus entered the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd, he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep. BUT THEY LAUGHED AT HIM. After the crowd had been put outside, he went n and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.” Mtt. 9:18-26

D. THE OPPOSITION OF BEING FALSELY ACCUSED!

“…a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. And when the demon was driven out, the man who was mute spoke and the crowd was amazed…But the Pharisees said, ‘It is by the power of the ruler of demons that he drives out demons.’”

III. AS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS, OPPOSITION TO OUR FAITH CAN BE A

POSITIVE EXPERIENCE!

A. OPPOSITION TO OUR FAITH CAN HELP US BETTER UNDERSTAND THE WAYS OF THE ENEMY

“Put on the full armor of God that you may be able to stand against the devil’s schemes.”

Eph. 6:11

B. OPPOSITION TO OUR FAITH GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK THE TRUTH

“…always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you…” I Pet. 3:15

C. OPPOSITION TO OUR FAITH GIVES US MORE RESOLVE AND COMMITMENT TO STAY ON COURSE AND KEEP FOLLOWING JESUS!

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith…” II Tim. 4:7

D. OPPOSITION TO OUR FAITH ENABLES US TO MAKE A STATEMENT WITH OUR LIVES

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized they were just ordinary men, they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

E. OPPOSITION TO OUR FAITH BUILDS US UP AND MAKES US STRONG IN THE FAITH

“But, dear friends, BUILD YOURSELF UP in your most holy faith…” Jude 20

TRUTH TO LIVE BY

OPPOSITION TO OUR FAITH IS NOT OUR ENEMY, BUT RATHER IT IS A TOOL IN OUR LIVES THAT GOD USES FOR HIS GLORY!

TRUTH TO LIVE BY

OPPOSITION TO OUR FAITH OPENS DOORS AND PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR US – JUST THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT THE OPPOSITION INTENDS!

TRUTH TO LIVE BY

IF YOU ARE FACING SOME KIND OF OPPOSITION BECAUSE OF YOUR FAITH TODAY: 1. PRAY FOR GOD’S GRACE AND STRENGTH 2. VIEW IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY NOT AN OBSTACLE 3. LET IT STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH AND NOT WEAKEN YOUR FAITH