Sermon Notes 8/28 – Shake It Off
Acts 28:1-6
***Every believer will suffer through pain, trials, difficult times and heartache including last days events
***Between Acts 21-28 – Paul faced 2 years of very difficult times…
***We can SHAKE IT OFF…
How can we shake off the fear, worry, anxiety, enemy oppression and doubt that comes along with trials and hardships?
(1.) WE MUST BECOME UNOFFENDED – Matthew 11:6
-we cannot allow trials to offend us to the point where we stop following the Lord
-shake it off no matter what happens, how hard or long it is
-THE GREAT TEMPTATION – is not to believe any longer & doubt our faith
***John the Baptist asks Jesus some questions
***Jesus answers the questions and tells John “TO BECOME UNOFFENDED”
Acts 28:1-6 – DO NOT ALLOW THE POISON INJECTED INTO YOU CAUSE YOU TO BECOME POISONOUS………….Never allow your trial to cause you to become sour and leave Jesus behind
(2.) TO SHAKE OFF FEAR, WORRY AND ANXIETY AND ENEMY OPPRESSION DURING A TRIAL, STAY IN THE GAME – Hebrews 12:1-3
-this means to never give up…I will not quit…I’m not going to give up & quit…
-we will go through trials but we will have bounce back ability
-we need endurance just like Jesus had on the cross —
Remember – staying at it will get you through it…
***We can look at Jesus, the disciples and Paul as example in enduring…
Hebrews 12:1-3…….Mark 6:48…….2 Corinthians 11:25-30
***We will not give up or quit if we practice the following principle from Hebrews 12:1-3
(1.) KEEP A GOD FOCUS – Hebrews 12:2
***2 Examples – Matthew 14:28-30 – Peter saw the boisterous wind and started to sink
– Numbers 13:33- the 12 spies – The spies saw giants & began to doubt
Look to Jesus – it means to turn away from everything else and fix your eyes on something – Jesus…
***To Keep a God Focus, here are some tips:
1. Use Self Talk – Psalm 42 – encourage yourself
2. Find a Barnabus -= Hebrews 12:1-3
-Barnabus means Son of comfort, consolation and encouragement
-we need earthly and heavenly encouragement
-Keep Your Fork