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Antioch, California, United States
John is the under-shepherd of Agape International Church & Ministries Inc, Antioch, California and the President of Agape International Ministries Foundation, Inc (www.agapebfm.net) John has been a Preacher, Bible Teacher, Counselor and a mission-minded servant of God from 1984 till the present time. Married to Alice since 1987, he enjoys being a father to 2 sons and 1 daughter. He is available to preach, participate in evangelistic crusades and revivals, lead or participate in a Marriage Enrichment program internationally. John preaches on a weekly radio broadcast called "KNOW THE TRUTH" (Based on John 8:32)and the broadcast is aired every Sunday at Radio KDIA 1640AM. The broadcast is also accessible through the website of the radio station: www.kdia.com. You can follow him on twitter @agapebfm

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Surmounting the Insurmountable


Help for Hard Times
Surmounting the Insurmountable
Memory VERSE: Jeremiah 32:27 (NKJV) 27 “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?

Text: Joshua 3:1–17


Introduction:
Job 23:10

“Sweet are the uses of adversity.”-- William Shakespeare

"Blessed be all sorrow, hardships and endurance that demand courage. Blessed be these things: for of these things cometh the making of a man."—from the FORTITUDE by Hugh Walpole.

1.    The benefits of Adversity:
a. Equip
Psalm 119:67–68, 71–72; Job 23:10
 “Trouble is often the grindstone upon which the axe of battle is sharpened”--Dr. James Kennedy
"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts  in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world."-- C.S. Lewis

b. Educate
1 Peter 1:7; Isaiah 48:10; James 1:3
 “the stars only come out at night.”

“Gold is tested by fire, and human character is tested in the furnace of humiliation.” Ben Sira 2:5 (Good News Translation w/ Apocrypha)

 

c. Expose
Romans 5:3–5

 “Opposition is a natural part of life. Just as we develop our physical muscles through overcoming opposition - such as lifting weights - we develop our character muscles by overcoming challenges and adversity.”—Stephen R. Covey


2.    How to Surmount the Insurmountable:
Joshua 3:4

i. Let us Prepare for the task ahead
Joshua 3:1–5, 9;  Psalm 46:10;  Psalm 24:3–4; 2 Corinthians 7:1

“Spectacular achievement is always preceded by spectacular preparation.”
Robert H. Schuller

“The great physician does not operate with a dirty scalpel.” -- Dr. James Kennedy

 “Give me twelve men completely dedicated to Christ and I will change this city.”-- D.L. Moody

“It's better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.” Jackie Joyner Kersee

“I run on the road, long before I dance under the lights.” Muhammad Ali


ii. Let Us Rely on the Promise of Divine Presence
Joshua 3:9–11 Numbers 10:35 Isaiah 43:2


iii. Let us be Proactive. Joshua 3:13-16
 “Many times we must, in faith, step forward into a seemingly insurmountable obstacle.” --Dr. James Kennedy

 “Sometimes God’s people have to “get their feet wet” by faith before God goes to work!” -- Warren W. Wiersbe

“We must go on in the way of our duty though we foresee difficulties, trusting God to help us through them when we come to them. Let us proceed as far as we can, and depend on divine sufficiency for that which we find ourselves not sufficient for.” -- Matthew Henry

iv. Let us remember that God is Powerful and Perfect
Joshua 3:17; Genesis 15:6

 “The Hebrew term for “dry ground” (ḥārāḇāh) does not require that the riverbed be powdery dry but simply means that it was no longer covered with water.” -- Donald H. Madvig

“Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you; all is very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence.”-- Pope John Paul II

Conclusion: Jeremiah 32:27




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