DOWN BUT NOT OUT
Scripture - Psalm 37:23-29
Text - Proverbs 24:16
Introduction:
As long as a Christian is doing what is right in the sight of God,
though he may stumble and fall along the way, God will continue to uphold him.
A.
God has provided all that is necessary for Godly
living (2 Pet. 1:3).
B.
The life of a Christian is a constant battle; as
in all battles wounds are inflicted
C. God has
provided what is necessary for the soldiers in his army to recover and be
restored
D. Some
may wonder why none of their afflictions come upon the wicked. Though the
wicked may seem to prosper, all is not well with them. Brother Dudley once said “You never knew you
had a problem until you've missed heaven.” Keep in mind the wicked will have
far greater problems to deal with than our present afflictions.
I.
God directs our path (Psa. 37:23; Jer.
A.
There is a way that we should go, a manner of life
that God desires for us to live.
1.
Children are to be raised in it by godly parents
(Pro. 22:6, Eph. 6:4)
2.
Man is lost when he is no longer walking in God's
way (Pro.
3.
God leads us in a path of righteousness (Psa.
23:3)
4.
God's Word enables us to see the path and avoid
stumbling (Psa. 119:105)
B.
The tragedy is that many of us at one time or
another have sought our own way (Pro.
1.
If we continue in it, we will be slain (Pro.
2.
We will perish (Psa. 1:6)
3.
Yet, God makes provisions for our return (Isa.
53:6)
II.
Who is under consideration in Psalm 37 and
Proverbs 24:16?
A.
These writers are considering the people of God
1.
Trust in the Lord and do good (Psa 37:3)
2.
Wait on the Lord (9)
3.
The Psalmist addresses the righteous (25)
B.
The wicked are not under consideration to receive
the benefits of God’s grace
1.
They will be cut down (Psa. 37:2)
2.
They will be no more (10)
3.
They will perish (20)
C. Such a
passage would apply today to faithful Christians – that God will bless and
uphold his people
III.
Yet, even the faithful stumble and fall (Psalm
37:24); the fall is not necessarily moral collapse and ruin but, as the context
bears out, could relate to some of the physical and financial collapses. Also
the fall can relate to being faint hearted.
A.
The way is hard and paved with difficulty (Matt.
1. We cannot take our opponent to
lightly (Eph.
(Mention
about a girl who sued school because she got hurt playing football)
2.
We cannot let our guard down for one minute (1
Pet. 5:8)
B.
The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak
(Matt. 26:41 - Explain)
1.
The committed Christian does not determine to
fall, but may fall anyway
2.
The saga of such a one is captured by Paul in
Romans 7:14-25
C. The
Christian life is definitely not easy
1.
Acts
2.
2 Timothy
3.
Read Psalm 34:19-22
C. In
light of the difficulty a child of God must face, he may get faint, he may
stumble and may even fall, and he may be cast down, but will not necessarily be
cast out. Affliction and difficulties may bring us to our knees, but doesn’t
have to put us on our backs. We may be down sometimes, but we don’t have to be
out.
IV. God had
made provisions for us in his Son (1 John 1:7-2:2) knowing very well the
difficulties we face
A.
We must walk in the light
1.
Remember what will become of those who forsake the
way of God
2.
We must arise with the determination to continue
in God's will
B.
We must confess our sins
1.
We must be willing to come to grips with our awful
condition
2.
We must be reminded of our constant dependence
upon God's grace
C. We must
remember that we have and advocate with the Father.
1.
He doesn't abandon us when trouble comes upon us
2.
He does everything in His power to deliver and
uphold us (2 Pet. 3:9).
V. Though you
may be down, you do not have to be out.
A. The Lord still
loves you (Rom.
B. He made
provisions for your return
C. He knows the
difficulties you are having
D. If you continue
to walk with Him, He will see you through them all