The Crook in the Lot Part 2 - Sermon Notes 2/19/2012

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Sermon Text: Genesis 37 & 45
Sermon Title: The Crook in the Lot (The Providence of God) Part 2
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:3-17

What Must I Do When a Crook is in my Lot?

1. The crook in the lot gives rise to many acts of faith, hope, love, self-denial, resignation, and other graces; to many heavenly breathings, partings, and groanings, which otherwise would not be brought forth. In other words, you get desperate when you are desperate.
2. Intimate and persistent communion with God is needed for rescue from exasperation (Psalm 73).
3. Do not neglect ordinary means of grace (Sacrament; fellowship; prayer; The Word).
4. You must look at the big picture and gaze (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
5. It was good for me that I was afflicted so that I might learn your Word (Psalm 119:71). Find comfort in the Psalms. Read Lamentations 3.
6. Read good books strategically. Some suggestions: The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbs; The Acceptable Sacrifice by John Bunyan; The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs. Read about the lives of men who suffered under God’s providence: Martin Luther; John Calvin; Charles Spurgeon; David Brainerd; Sarah Edwards; Elizabeth Elliot; William Wilberforce; etc.
7. As the light depends on the sun, or the shadow on the body, God will have us afflicted to teach us our dependence. Pursue grace, through prayer, by submitting under the mighty hand of God, knowing that He cares for you (I Peter 5:1-11). By casting your cares you submit under his mighty hand and acknowledge His care for you and it is there you receive grace. Bring your spirit down to your lot.
8. Journal. Think on what the Lord has done to show His faithfulness in the past. “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging bread” (Psalm 37:25). Ponder God’s reputable track record in Scripture, in your life, and in biographies.
9. Someone is always talking. Will you talk to yourself or allow yourself to talk to you (Psalm 42-43). “Why are you cast down o my soul?” The subduing of our own passions is more excellent than to have the whole world subdued to our will.
10. Keep an eye on your heart and rule over it (Romans 8:13). “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls” (Proverbs 25:28). “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city” (Proverbs 16:32). This does not mean “try harder.” This does mean you must strive by grace through faith” (Colossians 2:6-7).
11. Worry does not come from “not knowing” what will happen. Worry comes from “thinking you know” what will happen. Think on things that are true (Philippians 4). You cannot help it if a bird lands on your head, but you can help it if he builds a nest in it. How can I do this? If I say to you, do not think about blue no matter what – you will think more intensely about blue. However, if I begin to scream “RED!” you will forget about blue. This is “put on/put off” illustrated. You put off by putting on – it is one move, not two.
12. The key called Promise unlocks the dungeon of despair.
13. Console others (II Corinthians 1:3-11) with the comfort you have received.
14. “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God” (I Peter 5; James 4). Habitually ask yourself the following question: Is this an inconvenience to the kingdom of self or an opportunity to humble myself before God? Opportunity or inconvenience? Opportunity or inconvenience?
15. Consider the threefold office of Christ: Prophet (His Word); Priest (His Comfort and Intercession); King (His Sovereignty, Providence, Omniscience, Omnipresence, Omnipotence).