(PSALMS 5:3) MY VOICE SHALT THOU HEAR IN THE MORNING, O LORD; IN THE MORNING WILL I DIRECT MY PRAYER UNTO THEE, AND WILL LOOK UP.
Over the last several weeks we have used this psalm to remind us of the importance of looking up. We've talked about looking up in confidence, encouragement, vision, and today we will consider looking up with determination.
Webster defines determination as: a : the act of deciding definitely and firmly b : firm or fixed intention to achieve a desired end
Determination is an important characteristic in life. It is what keeps us going when we'd rather give up. Determination keeps us from quitting a demanding job, or giving up on a fragile marriage. Determination helps us endure life's storms, battle enticing temptation and persevere through terrible trials. None of us can get through life without having determination! This is certainly true when it comes to the believer. Living your life for the Lord requires determination.
On November 25, 1980 the second of three boxing matches between Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran took place in the Louisiana Superdome.
In their first fight, held just five months earlier in Montreal, Duran won a unanimous decision. This second fight was highly anticipated, but it ended abruptly in round eight. Duran turned his back to the referee, waved his glove in the air, and said, "No más! No más! No más!" No more! No more! No more! He simply decided to quit the fight and give up. The boxing world was absolutely amazed!
What is more amazing to me is that many folks have resigned from serving God. They have thrown in the towel. They are no longer in the race. They have turned their backs and effectively said, "No más!" SS teachers and ministry workers have said "No más!" Since 2004 we have had 33 people trained in FAITH evangelism to reach the lost, but the majority of those trained have said, "No más!"
You see it takes determination to serve the Lord. Rather than folks resigning, we need folks who are willing to Re-sign! The work we are doing is too important to leave undone. The eternal souls of men and women and boys and girls hang in the balance. This morning, let's look up to the Lord for the determination to serve Him and not give up!
(GALATIANS 6:9) AND LET US NOT BE WEARY IN WELL DOING: FOR IN DUE SEASON WE SHALL REAP, IF WE FAINT NOT.
I. His Strength is Available: "And let us not be weary..."
A. How many here ever get tired and weary?
1. It is bad enough to be in a rat race, but sometimes it seems like the rat's are winning!
2. We live in a society that is moving at such a rapid pace that weariness is the rule and not the exception.
3. Unfortunately this also applies to our walk with God.
4. Reading our Bibles and praying; giving our tithes and offerings; being faithful to the services and helping in ministry...
5. We grow weary … no wonder so many have said, "No más!"
B. The word "weary" here means "to be weak or to fail"
1. The Apostle Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and said "Let us not…"
2. Don't be weary. Don't be discouraged. Don't be despondent.
3. How can this be possible in the world in which we live?
C. Because there is a strength that is available.
1. Strength for every Task.
2. Strength for every Trial.
3. Strength for every Day.
(2 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.
(PSALMS 23:4) YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL: FOR THOU ART WITH ME; THY ROD AND THY STAFF THEY COMFORT ME.
(PHILIPPIANS 4:13) I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME.
II. Our Service is Expected: "...in well doing..."
A. Well doing or Doing well?
1. God has called us to "well doing," not "doing well."
2. Most of us put our efforts into "doing well."
3. God is not impressed with fine cars, nice homes, or designer clothes.
4. He's not impressed with our buildings, or our budget.
5. The Lord let's us know what He is interested in note the context:
a. Restoring the fallen v1
b. Sharing burdens v2
c. Meeting the need's of God's servants v6
d. Ministering to others v10
B. "Well doing" isn't just activity, but it is that which is worthy.
1. We can be busy at the wrong things.
2. As believers we must constantly check our focus and make sure it is where it needs to be.
3. We are not saved by good works, but the lives of those who are saved are expected to be characterized by good works!
(MATTHEW 5:16) LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE MEN, THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS, AND GLORIFY YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN.
C. Our purpose is to glorify God!
1. When we lose sight of that…
2. That is when we get discouraged.
3. That is when we become weary in our walk with God.
III. Real Success is Anticipated: "...for in due season we shall reap..."
A. We look for instant gratification.
1. We want what we want and we want it now!
2. We live life in the 'express lane'.
a. Microwave dinners
b. Instant potatoes
c. Stove-top stuffing
d. Concentrated orange juice
e. Drive-thru windows
f. 30 minute pizza delivery
g. One hour photo development
h. High speed internet
i. Cell phones, text messages, and I.M.
j. 10 minute oil changes
k. And more more more
3. But God doesn't operate on our time schedule!
4. As a matter of fact, time is meaningless to Him… one day = 1000 years = one day
5. God is eternal!
B. With God, all things are in season.
1. Solomon said, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Eccl 3:1
2. God promises a harvest…we shall reap!
3. We decide what the harvest will be by what we sow.
(GALATIANS 6:7-8) BE NOT DECEIVED; GOD IS NOT MOCKED: FOR WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH, THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP. FOR HE THAT SOWETH TO HIS FLESH SHALL OF THE FLESH REAP CORRUPTION; BUT HE THAT SOWETH TO THE SPIRIT SHALL OF THE SPIRIT REAP LIFE EVERLASTING.
4. The law of God's harvest is simple:
a. We will reap what we sow
b. We will reap more than we sow
c. We will reap after we sow
C. We can grow weary if we do not keep this truth in mind.
1. Pastor J.C. Mattox, labored faithfully for many years in Portland, Oregon.
2. He saw very little fruit…the church constantly struggled numerically and financially.
3. But one day God brought a young couple into Victory Baptist Church.
4. They were rough around the edges; they were new born believers.
5. They were saved from a life of drugs and alcohol.
6. But God began to work and then…He reached down His hand and called this young man to serve Him with his life in ministry.
7. Thirty-three years ago, because of the faithfulness of Pastor Mattox…I surrendered my life to serve God!
8. In due season!
D. Real success will come…because God promised it would!
1. Are you tired? Don't quit!
2. Feeling weary? Keep focused!
3. Harvest time is coming!
(PSALMS 126:5-6) THEY THAT SOW IN TEARS SHALL REAP IN JOY. HE THAT GOETH FORTH AND WEEPETH, BEARING PRECIOUS SEED, SHALL DOUBTLESS COME AGAIN WITH REJOICING, BRINGING HIS SHEAVES WITH HIM.
Look up with determination!
(GALATIANS 6:9) AND LET US NOT BE WEARY IN WELL DOING: FOR IN DUE SEASON WE SHALL REAP, IF WE FAINT NOT.