Part 20: Build Your Dream Live the Life You've Always Wanted! Texts: James 4:14 (NKJV) - For what is your life? Philippians 3:13-15 (NKJV) - Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, [14] I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. [15] Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Proverbs 4:20-22 (Message) - Dear friend, listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice. Keep my message in plain view at all times. Concentrate! Learn it by heart! Those who discover these words live, really live; body and soul, they're bursting with health. Play It! Part 3: Making the Most of the Hand Life Deals You A. The Bible is an amazing Book. It alone contains the answers to the mysteries of life. 1. One of the most disturbing subjects in this fallen world is about life being unfair. My goal is to help you better understand these imbalances: a. Why are some people healthy and some sickly.why are some rich and others poor? b. Why do some get all the breaks while others have few breaks? c. Why does a child develops cancer or someone loses a job?
d. Why do senseless wars breaks out.why would an accident rob a family of a loved one? e. To make the most of life and to build your dream, you must learn to deal with these mystical problems that occur in our world. 3. Joke: Math Boudreaux applied for a job. Part of the process was to pass a few simple tests. One was communication skills. His first question: "Without using numbers, represent the number 9." "Widout numbers?" Boudreaux thought. "Dat's easy." and proceeded to draw three trees. The personnel manager looked at the drawings and asked, "What is this?" "What you mean?" asked Boudreaux. "You don't understand de question? Tree and tree and tree make nine!" Like Boudreaux, we must know how to make sense of what we're considering. 4. A parent I once knew had a young child who died. Walking outside the home, they began to shake their fist toward the sky and curse God, saying they would never forgive Him for what He had done to their baby. But it wasn't God who took their child. The world He created had no death in it. 5. Those who serve God must also deal with their expectations about life. Committing your life to Christ does not make you exempt or provide special immunity from tragedies that abound in our world. The truth is, believers are certain to face the same painful situations sickness, loss of a job, marital problems, financial difficulties as the unbeliever. 6. It may also seem unfair when unbelievers are more prosperous or successful than you. That's what happened to Asaph, the worship leader, in Psalm 73: a. Psalm 73:2-3 (NKJV) - But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. [3] For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
b. However, in verse 17, he began to realize that while life may seem unfair and that unbelievers sometimes appear more blessed than believers, it still pays to serve God. He concludes with these words: "Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end." B. Quick Review: 1. Last week, I asked how you tend to respond when life is unfair. Do you get mad.take it out on others.wallow in self-pity? Or do you make the most of it, and with Christ's help, turn your losing hand into a winning one? The Bible clearly states that life is not fair. Some truly are dealt a better hand than others. 2. The first reason life doesn't deal all the same hand is that the world and everything in it is broken! Our health, the weather, our relationships, the economy, governments...everything is broken! 3. Did you hear about the guy in South Africa who was attacked by a shark in a surfing competition? Look at the video and then notice the response: a. Shark attack (:01-:28) http://youtu.be/m2c5rn7lffa b. https://youtu.be/hxfpqekiz6g (edited) c. Lady's response: "The ocean is the shark's house" (:01-:44, :51-:14) http://youtu.be/11k8rrj8w-m https://youtu.be/qknsygws5h8 (edited version) 4. Don't be surprised when bad things happen to good people even God's people. Paul referred to satan as the god of this present world. While Jesus has already defeated him and will someday return to evict him, our world is now the devil's house. Like the lady said, if you go inside the shark's house, you should expect to get eaten. 5. The second reason for being dealt a different hand is because each of us is uniquely made. That means our position in life is uniquely different from than that of anyone else.
6. The first reason we're unique is our biology, or our height, race, DNA, chromosomes, appearance, and genetics. No two of us are exactly alike. 7. The second reason for being unique is our relationships, especially the primary ones, or family members. The people closest to us mirror what we believe to be our value and worth. They cause us to see ourselves and others in a certain way. Ultimately, those relationships will affect our feelings toward God. 8. Now, let's move to the third reason for being unique. C. You are unique because of your circumstances. 1. Circumstances are what happens to you and to those around you. Very seldom does anyone have a firm control of what was mentioned above. You certainly didn't choose your biology or primary relationships (family), nor can you determine what others will do to you. a. Ecclesiastes 9:11 (NKJV) - I returned and saw under the sun that The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all. 2. Because we live in a broken world, our circumstances will be affected. The troubles we encounter are not what we planned or deserved to happen. a. Job 14:1 (NKJV) - Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble. b. John 16:33 (NKJV) - These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. c. The word 'tribulation' means: pressure; stress; anguish; trouble. 3. Trouble has an affect upon you. Problems will shape your life and so will stress and pain. If you have experienced severe rejection or abuse, it has affected your identity. If you have ever suffered a huge loss or betrayal,
I'm sorry, but it has affected who you are. Such problems can leave deep, profound scars upon the soul. 4. As a pastor, I've observed many of the painful situations people endure. It's so amazing how some people seem to excel in the midst of extreme adversity. Like a lump of coal under pressure, they become a diamond, sparkling and enchanting, while misfortune causes others to collapse. For one, it's an opportunity to forge ahead, but for another, a cause for discouragement. 5. Drew Lynch, the Stuttering Comedian a. http://youtu.be/x2936kuv2nw (edited) http://youtu.be/n5nmb4_ghvg Start :01-1:41, 1:50-2:15, 2:51-5:08 6. What's so amazing about having Christ in your life is that through Him, the worst hand in the world can be turned into a winning one! 7. Unfortunately, some here today have quit climbing. You've encountered some hard, unexpected blows: someone hurt or betrayed you; your marriage or finances didn't turn out well. Or perhaps you were disappointed by someone in a church you attended, and now you're not sure if you'll ever be a church member again. a. For numerous reasons, it may seem that your life hasn't been fair. And you are so right! But even if life hasn't treated you fairly, you mustn't let it keep you from climbing higher. This is an "upward" call. b. In fact, if you'll keep pushing forward, God will turn that situation around for you. What the enemy did to destroy and cause you harm will not only become a winning hand, it's a great way to get even with him for causing the problem! c. When you saw the video of the stuttering guy's announcement of being a comedian, I bet many of you thought, "Poor guy. With a disability like that, he doesn't stand much chance." But by the time
he finished, we were in awe of how his problem had been transformed into an asset. d. That's what happens when believers keep pressing on, despite the adversity. The world has no appreciation for the person who has never faced a problem. But they'll listen to someone who has endured some horrific situations and come through better than they were before. e. It's much like trying to encourage a person who's recently been diagnosed with cancer. They're thankful for your kindness and prayers, but the words they most appreciate are from those who were afflicted by cancer and then defeated it. f. It reminds me of the powerful ministry of Mike and Peggy Lowery for those struggling with addictions. A hard core addict isn't that interested in what the person says who hasn't lost everything that's dear because of alcohol or drugs. They don't need to be told to just straighten up and do right. But they'll listen to Mike, who was an alcoholic for more than twenty years until God delivered him. His testimony is exactly what they need to hear. D. Conclusion 1. Counselors often ask people to draw a lifeline from the day of their birth on the left side of a sheet of paper to today's date on the right. Then connect those two dots with a straight line. 2. Next, draw some vertical lines through the horizontal line to represent events that have impacted you during the course of your life. 3. Of course, we all think of high school graduation, the day of our marriage, etc. But when a counselor views the finished drawing, what stands out most are the anger issues, the depression, or other significant events that deeply hurt this person and from which they have never fully recovered.
4. While I was explaining the lifeline, I'm sure many of you had already begun tracking some painful events from your past. You know exactly what I'm talking about. 5. As we close, I want us to picture God's loving hand reaching down and covering those painful events that have scarred and wounded you. And I want you to see that when He lifts His hand, those things that hurt you so deeply have now been covered by His blood. 6. It's true, life isn't fair. But God is so good, He will help you turn what the