Hindrances To Revival #13-UNFORGIVENESS

Day 17 of 24

SCRIPTURE

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

~Ephesians 4:32, NKJV

QUOTE

Acrid bitterness inevitably seeps into the lives of people who harbor grudges and suppress anger, and bitterness is always a poison. It keeps your pain alive instead of letting you deal with it and get beyond it. Bitterness sentences you to relive the hurt over and over.

~Lee Strobel

I remember my pastor and mentor Calvin Inman telling the story of Dr. Charles Howard who if memory serves me correctly was serving a church in Louisville, Kentucky when two women…next door neighbors who had not spoken to each other in years…went into the back yard, at the same time, to hang out clothes. It was an awkward situation. One of the ladies thought to her self, “this has gone on long enough” and so she walked toward the other lady who saw her coming and meet her half way. They embraced and forgave one another…when each tried to apologize, neither could remember exactly what started the feud. These two women were the Euodia and Syntche of their church {Philippians 4:2} and when they shared their reconciliation with the congregation the next Sunday, REVIVAL broke out in the church. Dr. Howard said it was one of the greatest revivals of his life time.

Perhaps you don’t believe such a thing would ignite a REVIVAL but I do. We will not have a REVIVAL apart from the Holy Spirit moving and He is sensitive. Two verses about today’s text {forgiving one another} is the verse that reads… And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

By the way, Ephesians 4:32 was my Mother’s favorite verse.

• Praise God for his grace…my Aaron and Hur have not missed a prayer time. I get a text from Jeff every morning at 3:30 and I get a response from Gregg at 4:00. I think it is incredible and I would not have made without them. I dozed back to sleep yesterday morning and instead of getting to the church at 5:00 as I intended, it was more like 6:00 but PTL we made it and got the FOOTBALL team fed. I attended the DHS Volleyball game at 10:00 am and they were not even challenged. They won their match in three sets and in between, we surveyed the situation for the wheel chair ramp. I will not lie, I am looking forward to November 2 for more than one reason.
• Gary and team will go to B’town this morning and I will be working on the ramp. The DHS girls will be playing again in the Von Braun Civic Center.
• This blog is unedited and probably has several mistakes but I am tired and I am going to bed. Hope you can muddle through it!
• The VOICES OF ZAMBIA will be with us Sunday morning: they will have the preaching time and the MISSION OFFERING will go to them. You can see a video on our FaceBook page.

EXTRA/LCBS LESSION PREVIEW

Overcoming Temptation

Genesis 39:2-12, NLT

The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. ³ Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. ⁴ This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. ⁵ From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. ⁶ So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat! Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man, ⁷ and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded. ⁸ But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. ⁹ No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.” ¹⁰ She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible. ¹¹ One day, however, no one else was around when he went in to do his work. ¹² She came and grabbed him by his cloak, demanding, “Come on, sleep with me!” Joseph tore himself away, but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house.

Opening Question: What are some of the warning labels that you tend to ignore? Warning are important but have you noticed how many dumb warnings are on the products we buy?

This prescription is for a dog…note the red label…

This clothing item was made in France but sold only in America…the top label is in French but it black you see the Translation

Warning on Chain Saw

QUESTION

Would life be easier if temptation came with a warning label?

Actually, sin and temptation do come with a warning label but all the warnings are found in the Bible, God’s holy word. David said, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” All sin has consequences and the consequences are listed in the bible. I am going to give you one example: Proverbs 6:32 NLT...But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool for he destroys himself. Peterson translates this verse…Adultery is a brainless act which is soul-destroying and self-destructive. Is this warning clear enough?

Review the Scripture…

• Joseph was sold to the Ishmaelites who sold him to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard.
• The LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in everything he did.
• Potiphar recognized the divine presence upon Joseph’s life.
• Potiphar promoted Joseph to the position of Estate Manager. Joseph managed all of Potiphar’s interest and Potiphar prospered.
• Potiphar did not have to concern himself with anything other than his diet.
• Joseph was handsome and well built.
• Mrs. Potiphar noticed that Joseph was handsome and well built.
• Mrs. Potiphar was infatuated with Joseph. He became her obsession.
• She relentlessly pursued Joseph…consistently, day after day.
• Joseph kept his distance.
• Joseph unintentionally got caught with Mrs. P alone.
• She made her move and Joseph ran.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1. Verse 3 reads…Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph. In your opinion, what was it about Joseph that impressed Potiphar the most?
2. The word integrity means [1] the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness. [2] the state of being whole and undivided. Synonyms are: Honest, righteous, moral, honorable, decent, ethical, integrated, together, solid, trustworthy. Which of these characteristics of integrity describe Joseph?
3. What more could Joseph have done to avoid the temptation to sleep with his master’s wife?
4. Joseph had a fear of committing adultery: what was the basis of his fear? [two things mentioned in the scripture]
5. What would have happened [eventually] had Joseph attempted to please Mrs. Potiphar?
6. What happened when he did what was right? [Three things primarily] [1] He was slandered [Mrs. P told a lie about Joseph] [2] He lost his job [got fired so to speak] [3] He got sent to prison.
7. Is there a difference between resisting temptation and fleeing temptation? Yes and Joseph did both, explain how he both resisted and fled.
8. Temptation is always related to opportunity and power or ability. Joseph was young and handsome. Some of us may not be tempted as he was tempted but we will be tempted in some manner. Do you think that sexual related temptation are worse than others such as greed, power, control, vindication, selfishness, or physical appetite?

LESSONS OR INSIGHTS

1. Temptation involves the opportunity: Joseph was propositioned daily…Mrs. P was offering her body and most likely revealing it as well. Where the other slaves being tempted? Probably not; it was Joseph that she had her eye on. Joseph was young and viral and sexual drives of young men are strong: he had the ability to perform. Had he been a eunuch, he would have had no temptation. Your temptation may be different. Daniel had totally different temptations but this does not make him better than Joseph. Don’t screw your halo down to tight. Not all people get propositioned.
2. Know the consequences and they are listed in the word of God. 
3. Think before you act: Joseph had a healthy fear of hurting others and fear of offending God. Always put others first: think about the harm you can do to them if you yield to the temptation and remember, it is a sin against God.
4. Remember that you have several things working against you: Satan, the flesh, the world [culture, TV, trends], unmet needs and situations. Whatever you do…do not rationalize or try to justify your sin. If you do not call it what it is and remember it’s destructive nature: it will destroy you
5. Doing right does not always pay immediate dividends. Joseph got lied about and then thrown into prison. You have to think future, distant future when dealing with temptation and consequences.