THINK
POSITIVE IN CHRISTIAN LIFE FOR PURPOSE OF MOVING FORWARD IN THE MINISTRY OF THE
LORD.
( Philippians
4:13-16 ) [13]I can
do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
[14]Notwithstanding ye have well
done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
[15]Now ye Philippians know also,
that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church
communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
[16]For even in Thessalonica ye
sent once and again unto my necessity.
*INTRODUCTION :
a. Paul was the good example when we talk about a positive mind set in
facing the many challenges in the work of the Lord.
1. HE WAS POSITIVE IN TIMES HE ENCOUNTER TRIALS AND
TROUBLES IN THE MINISTRY OF THE LORD
( Romans 8:28 ) And we know that all things work
together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according
to his purpose.
a. Paul faced big threat of his life while doing his Mission work but he
did not to continue in the Ministry but the more become positive to continue
and fulfill and finished his Ministry with Joy.
( Acts 20:19-24 ) [19]Serving the Lord with all
humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the
lying in wait of the Jews:
[20]And how I kept back nothing
that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you
publickly, and from house to house,
[21]Testifying both to the Jews,
and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus
Christ.
[22]And now, behold, I go bound in
the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
[23]Save that the Holy Ghost
witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
[24]But none of these things move
me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course
with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify
the gospel of the grace of God.
2. PAUL WAS POSITIVE TO HIS GOAL TO WIN THE LOST AT ANY
COST AT ALL TIMES.
( I Corinthians
9:19-22 ) [19]For
though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I
might gain the more.
[20]And unto the Jews I became as
a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the
law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
[21]To them that are without law,
as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,)
that I might gain them that are without law.
[22]To the weak became I as weak,
that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by
all means save some.
* Antioch Church is also very positive in fulfilling the great
commission of the Lord Jesus Christ even there a persecution in the Ministry of
the Lord.
(Acts 11:19-24) [19]Now they which were scattered
abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as
Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews
only.
[20]And some of them were men of
Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the
Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
[21]And the hand of the Lord was
with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
[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.
[24]For he was a good man, and
full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
3. PAUL WAS POSITIVE EVEN THERE IS A TIME THAT NO SUPPORT
IS COMING BUT STILL HE DO NOT DISCOURAGE.
( Philippians
4:10-14 ) [10]But I
rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath
flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
[11]Not that I speak in respect of
want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
[12]I know both how to be abased,
and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to
be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
[13]I can do all things through
Christ which strengtheneth me.
* Paul was always positive with strong faith for God’s Abounding
provision.
( Philippians 4:19 )
Php 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by
Christ Jesus.
4. PAUL WAS POSITIVE IN TIME HE FACED SEVERE SICKNESS AND
CLAIM GOD'S GRACE OF PERFECT HEALING TO HIM
( II CORINTHIANS
1:4-10 ) [4]Who
comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which
are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
[5]For as the sufferings of Christ
abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
[6]And whether we be afflicted, it
is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of
the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for
your consolation and salvation.
[7]And our hope of you is
stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be
also of the consolation.
[8]For we would not, brethren,
have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed
out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
[9]But we had the sentence of
death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which
raiseth the dead:
[10]Who delivered us from so great
a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
( II Corinthians
12:7-10 ) [7]And
lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the
revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan
to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
[8]For this thing I besought the
Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
[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.
[10]Therefore I take pleasure in
infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for
Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
5. PAUL WAS POSITIVE TO EXPECT GOD'S REWARD TO CHRISTIAN
WHO THE LORD FAITHFULLY.
( II Timothy 4:7-8 )
[7]I have
fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
[8]Henceforth there is laid up for
me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me
at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his
appearing.
6. PAUL WAS POSITIVE THAT AT THE COMING OF THE LORD JESUS
CHRIST HE ALSO BE THE LORD.
( I Thessalonians
4:13-18 ) [13]But I
would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep,
that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
[14]For if we believe that Jesus
died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with
him.
[15]For this we say unto you by
the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the
Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
[16]For the Lord himself shall
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the
trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
[17]Then we which are alive and
remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in
the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
[18]Wherefore comfort one another
with these words.
(1 Thessalonians
1:10) And to
wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which
delivered us from the wrath to come.
* God bless you all always *
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