Sunday, May 16, 1999   

INTRODUCTION:

Have you ever wanted to throw up your hands and cry out, "Help!!!" God's word tells us that help is available:

     1. Help is available with the cares of life (verse 7).
     2. Help is awaiting us when temptation comes our way (verses 8-9).
     3. Help is ours to be had when we are weak for He is our strength (verse 10).

When we think of all the help that is available from God, we will say with Peter: "To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (verse 11).

I. Verse 7, HELP WITH OUR CARES

     A. Of all the religions of the world, only the Judeo-Christian faith teaches that God cares for His children. Because He cares so much for us, He bids us bring all our problems to Him. The Bible says:

          1. Psalm 55:22 "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee...."

          2. Matthew 6:25, 32.

          3. Hebrews 13:5: "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." He's available when we need Him.

          4. "...There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24).

     B. "Care" comes from a Greek word that means "to be drawn away in different directions, the state of being pulled apart."

          1. Life will draw us in all directions: here, there, and everywhere.

          2. It is the cares of life that cause anxiety and stress.

     C. "Casting." The Greek implies a single act here. "The art of exerting effort to fling something away from ourselves" (Kistemaker 199). (Cast net)

          1. In humble trust, we are to throw all our worries on the Lord. He will carry your burdens.

          2. Philippians 4:6 tells us, "Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

               a. Why worry when you can pray?

               b. When we worry, it shows we lack faith in the Lord's ability to carry the load.

      D. When the storms of life rage, we are to trust the Lord (Mark 4:37-40).

II. Verses 8-9, HELP WHEN TEMPTED.

     A. Verse 8, God will help us to be strong when the devil tempts us. Human strength is not enough to stand against the devil. Child of God realize your have an enemy and with God's help follow the instruction given in verses 8-9.

          1. “Be sober.”

               a. Keep your mind under control. When we are filled with care, we cannot think straight or soberly. Our mind can get out of control.

               b. When we are hurting, the devil tries to devour us. Keep your mind on Christ and cast your cares on Him.

          2. "Be vigilant."

               a. Vigilance is being alert, watchful, being on guard.

               b. Vigilance speaks of readiness to respond to outside influences.

          3. "Your adversary."

               a. Our adversary is the devil. Greek diabolos meaning slanderer, accuser, or defamer. He is the adversary of God and of man. He slanders and accuses man to God and God to man.

               b. Satan by his enticements gets Christians to sin then accuses them before God (Revelations 12:10).

          4. "Roaring lion."

               a. Strong, violent, watching, to catch his prey. Satan is also called: "That old serpent," "The great dragon." He is also "transformed into an angel of light" (II Corinthians 11:14). He also is called the god of this world (II Corinthians 4:4).

               b. Christ our Lion is stronger than the devil. Our Lord Jesus Christ is called, "the lion of the tribe of Judah." (Revelations 5:5).

               c. The devil is defeated by the blood of the Lamb (Revelations 12:11).

          5. "Seeking whom he may devour."

               a. The devil prowls around the earth looking for the weak ones to devour. He wants to maim us.

               b. Christian, you are not defenseless against the devil. You have the protection of spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:11-18).

     B. Verse 9, We must resist the devil steadfast in the faith.

          1. "Steadfast" is an army term meaning to put up a stone wall of defense that the enemy cannot penetrate.

               a. Only faith in Christ can do this, faith that Satan cannot overcome. We need to claim the blood.

               b. Be solid, unmovable, stay in rank, standing like a stonewall.

          2. The key to resisting the devil is submission to God. James 4:7: "Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you."

          3. The last part of this verse tells us that we are not alone in our struggles. Others are facing the same trials.

          4. Remember, not everyone that says Jesus is of God (Matthew 7:21-23).

III. Verse 10, HELP FROM OUR STRENGTH GIVER.

     A. "The God of all grace" will help us in time of need. “Grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).

          1. God is the source of grace.

          2. God is the possessor of grace.

          3. God is the giver of grace.

          4. God is rich in grace.

          5. God's grace is sufficient in time of need.

          6. God "giveth more grace" as needed (James 4:6).

     B. By grace we are "called unto His eternal glory."

          1. Chosen in eternity; called by the Gospel (II Thessalonians 2:13-14).

          2. Romans 8:28-30.

     C. Our suffering is short in comparison to the glory of eternity (Romans 8:18).

     D. Trials build character in the Christian.

          1. "Make you perfect."

               a. To make spiritually mature and complete, not full of idols.

               b. To fit or join together, to repair.

                     (1) Same Greek word is used in Matthew 4:21 where it is translated "mending nets."

                     (2) God cares, and he mends our lives making us fit for service.

           2. "Stablish."

               a. Suffering will make us steady.

               b. The more storms a tree has to withstand, the deeper it sinks its roots to gain a firm hold. Don't be blown off course by false doctrine (Ephesians 4:14).

          3. “Strengthen." God's strength is given to the believer to live victoriously. He is our strength.

          4. "Settle."

               a. To lay on the foundation, to settle down on the foundation.

               b. The house on the rock can withstand the storms. Settle on Jesus (I Corinthians 3:11).

               c. The Christian who is settled will not be "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine."

IV. Verse 11, DOXOLOGY

     A. The doxology describes the majesty and grandeur of God.

     B. "Amen" ; so let it be.

CONCLUSION: When you need help - go to the Lord!

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