PERFECT
PLACES FOR THE CHRISTIANS AS THEIR STRONGHOLD IN TIMES OF DEEP CRISIS.
( Nahum 1 :7 ) The LORD is good, a strong hold in
the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
INTRODUCTION:
* Meaning of “Stronghold”:
Made strong, secured place.
* The place of security.
(Psalms 27 :1) The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I
fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
( Deuteronomy 33:27 ) The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are
the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and
shall say, Destroy them.
* Great men of God who made God their STRONGHOLD IN TIMES OF CRISIS.
1. Job made God his stronghold in times of deep, deep trials in his
Christian life.
* Tell the story of Job lost his riches and lost his 10 children. Job's
wife did support him in times of deeps trials and troubles. But God bless Job
at the end, support him and give Job a double, double blessing.
( Job 42:12-13 ) 12 So the LORD blessed the latter
end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six
thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.
13 He had also seven sons and
three daughters.
2. Daniel made God his stronghold when his enemies chose to convince the
king to put him into the lion's den
* Daniel even if he was accused of worshipping other God that the king
did not worship. Daniel was firm in his decision to come to God in Prayer 3
times a day and do not fear to be thrown in the lion’s den as bis punishment.
But God saved Daniel from the lion’s dens.
( Daniel 6:10-13 ) 10 Now when Daniel knew that the
writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his
chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and
prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
11 Then these men assembled, and
found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.
* We know the story that Daniel was protected by God from the lions in
the dens. Those enemy of Daniel were judge by the king to put into the lion’s
den. All of them were killed and eaten by the angry lion. The king announces to
his kingdom to follow and worship the living God of Daniel.
3. Moses made God his stronghold when he led the Israelites to go out
from Egypt.
* Oh, what a wonderful story of Moses how God entrusted to him to lead
the people of God to leave Egypt and go to the wilderness and go to the promise
land God prepared for them. They experienced to walked in the midst of the Red Sea
that was dried and God protected them from very angry Pharaoh who made them
slave in Egypt for so many, many years
4. The Old Testament men and women of God who was punish by the wicked
World but they chose God to be their stronghold as their refuge in times of
great, great crisis.
( Hebrews 11:32-40 )
32 And
what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of
Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the
prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued
kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of
lions,
34 Quenched the violence of fire,
escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant
in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead
raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that
they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel
mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were
sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in
sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not
worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of
the earth.
39 And these all, having obtained
a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better
thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
PERFECT PLACES FOR THE CHRISTIANS AS THEIR STRONGHOLD IN
TIMES OF DEEP CRISIS.
1. THE PERFECT PLACE OF GOD'S SUFFICIENT GRACE IN TIMES
OF CRISIS.
(II Corinthians
12:9) And he
said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect
in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that
the power of Christ may rest upon me.
a. Paul faced a great trial in his life and he prayed to God for a
perfect healing of his sickness but God did not answer but God said to him that
the grace of God is sufficient for him. The grace is his strength in times
weakness God said. So, we can say Paul claim the grace of God to be his
stronghold in times deepest problem in his life.
b. The grace of God made the life Paul always victorious and fruitful
and firmly testify to us that the grace of God is not vain in his Christian
life.
( I Corinthians
15:10 ) But by the
grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not
in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace
of God which was with me.
c. God is the God of all grace and in times weakness and discouragement
the God of all grace strengthen us and revived us in our Christian life.
(IPeter 5:10) But the God of all grace, who hath
called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a
while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
d. The grace of God brings great revival to Church and bring great joy
in the work of the Lord.
( Acts 11:22-23 ) 22.Then tidings of these things
came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth
Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
23.Who, when he came, and had seen
the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart
they would cleave unto the Lord.
2. THE PERFECT PLACE OF GOD'S WINGS TO COVER US IN TIMES
OF CRISIS.
Psalms 91:1-4 Pss 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the
most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. a
Pss 91:2 I will say of the Lord, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in
him will I trust.
Pss 91:3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, [and] from
the noisome pestilence.
Pss 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou
trust: his truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou
trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. He can protect His own
Children.
a. God promise to cover His Children from our enemy the Devil.
* God reminds remind His dear Children that our enemy is flesh and blood
but the spirit the Devil. The good news is God have a big Wings to protects us
from the attack of the Devil.
b. God assured to us His perfect protection.
( Psalms 91:3 ) Surely he shall deliver thee from
the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
c. God said His shall be our shield and buckler. So, we put our trust to
the promise of God to us. The big Wings of is so big that assuredly protect us
from the attack of the Devil.
( Psalms 91:4 ) He shall cover thee with his
feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield
and buckler.
d. God said you'll not fear the terror by night and the pestilence that walketh
in darkness.
( Psalms 91:5-6) 5. Thou shalt not be afraid for
the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6. Nor for the pestilence that
walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
e. God assured to us that the enemy the Devil cannot touch you for He
will send legions of angels to protect us, His dear children.
(Psalms 91:7-9 ) A thousand shall fall at thy side,
and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou
behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Because thou hast made the LORD,
which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
* God is a powerful God and will not our spiritual energy to us down in
times of Crisis in Christian life.
*Praise and glory to God for His Wings is always perfect to protect us
His Children.
( Psalms 91:9-11) Because thou hast made the LORD,
which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
There shall no evil befall thee,
neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels
charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
* Big Amen and amen. To God be the glory.
3. THE PERFECT PLACE OF GOD'S MERCY & FAITHFULNESS IN
TIMES OF CRISIS.
(Lamentations
3:21-23) This I
recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
It is of the LORD'S mercies that
we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great
is thy faithfulness.
a. The Mercy of God is always available for His Children and His endureth
forever, God said.
( Psalms 118:1-6 ) 1. O give thanks unto the LORD;
for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
2.Let Israel now say, that his
mercy endureth for ever.
3.Let the house of Aaron now say,
that his mercy endureth for ever.
4.Let them now that fear the LORD
say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
5.I called upon the LORD in
distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
6.The LORD is on my side; I will
not fear: what can man do unto me?
a. We can always count on God's Mercy in times we face great
difficulties in our Christian life.
b. King David always call upon the Lord and He right away He is on our
side. King David.
c. In times of distress king David will call upon God and there is
always an answer to him.
d. King David experience that God will put him in a large place. This means
a very convenient place.
( Psalms 118:5) I called upon the LORD in
distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
e. We count on God's faithfulness. Even though we are not faithful God
said He is always faithful to us His Children. He never changes.
( Psalms 89:1-2) 1. I will sing of the mercies of
the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all
generations.
2.For I have said, Mercy shall be
built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
* The Faithfulness of God is all generation and His faithfulness is stablishing
in heaven. Amen and amen. We can count on God's faithfulness and His great
Mercy.
4. THE PERFECT PLACE OF GOD'S LOCAL CHURCH IN TIMES OF
CRISIS.
( Acts 20:28 ) Take heed therefore unto
yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you
overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own
blood.
a. The whom Christ bought by His precious blood is our Stronghold in
times we face great troubles and trials in Christian life. Because the will
always pray for us.
( Acts 1:13-15 ) 13. And when they were come in,
they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John,
and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of
Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
14.These all continued with one
accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of
Jesus, and with his brethren.
15.And in those days Peter stood
up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were
about an hundred and twenty,)
b. We need the help of each faithful Church members to encourage us and
equiped us of the Word of God.
( Ephesians 4:11-16
) 11.And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets;
and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12.For the perfecting of the
saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13.Till we all come in the unity
of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto
the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14.That we henceforth be no more
children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by
the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to
deceive;
15.But speaking the truth in love,
may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16.From whom the whole body fitly
joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to
the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body
unto the edifying of itself in love.
c. The Church is one body of Church and we work in God's ministry as one
being united.
1Corinthians12:12-20
12. For as
the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body,
being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13.For by one Spirit are we all
baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or
free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14For the body is not one member,
but many.
15.If the foot shall say, Because
I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16.And if the ear shall say,
Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the
body?
17.If the whole body were an eye,
where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18.But now hath God set the
members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19.And if they were all one
member, where were the body?
20.But now are they many members,
yet but one body.
* The Church of is one body of Christ bought by the precious blood of
the Lord Jesus Christ.
( Acts 20:28 ) Take heed therefore unto
yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you
overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own
blood.
5. THE PERFECT PLACE OF GOD'S GREAT GOODNESS IN TIMES OF
CRISIS.
( Psalms 145:7 ) They shall abundantly utter the
memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.
a. The great goodness of God showed to Gods people as Father and we His
dear children. God is very responsible Father to us that do not sleep just
protect us from any troubles that will come to us. He does not sleep and slumber
just to take care for us safely.
( Psalms 121:1-8 ) 1 I will lift up mine eyes unto
the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the LORD,
which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to
be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel
shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD
is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee by
day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve thee
from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve thy
going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
b. The goodness God always express by lovingkindness to us always.
( Psalms 36:7-10 ) 7 How excellent is thy
lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the
shadow of thy wings.
8 They shall be abundantly
satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the
river of thy pleasures.
9 For with thee is the fountain of
life: in thy light shall we see light.
10 O continue thy lovingkindness
unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.
6. THE PERFECT PLACE OF GOD'S GREAT LOVE IN THE TIMES OF
CRISIS.
Ephesians 2:4. But God, who is rich in mercy, for
his great love wherewith he loved us,
a. God said to us that He first love us not we who love Him first.
( 1 John 4: 17-19 ) 17 Herein is our love made
perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so
are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but
perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is
not made perfect in love.
19 We love him, because he first
loved us.
b. God's love to us is great that He gave His only begotten to us to pay
our sin on the cross of Calvary.
c. The great love of to all lost mankind is always for the Salvation of
all lost sinners on this planet earth.
( ITimothy 2:4 ) Who will have all men to be saved,
and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
d. God do not want that anyone will to hell but His desire for all
sinners that they will go to heaven.
( II Peter 3:9 ) The Lord is not slack concerning
his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not
willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
* The great love of God to us dear Children is our stronghold in times
we face great difficulties in Christian. Big amen and amen!!!
Conclusion:
* God is our STRONGHOLD in times of great crisis in Christians and these
are the great places we can go as our refuge.
( Psalms 91:1-10 ) 1 He that dwelleth in the secret
place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my
refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee
from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his
feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield
and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the
terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that
walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy
side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou
behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD,
which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall
thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
* God bless you always *
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