What it takes to be a Soul Survivor
Soul Survivor Pt. 2
Text: 2 Corinthians 4:7-11
We looked last week at, in my opinion, one of the greatest biblical examples of survival recorded in history, - Job.
We’ll be coming back to Job throughout our journey to becoming a Soul Survivor but today, I want to you to consider with me some essentials for survival.
In any situation of survival, those who lived to tell the story didn’t just saunter through the events sort of “rolling with the punches”. Perhaps at first, it may seem that way as they are getting acclimated to their surroundings, taking inventory of what might be at their disposal, but at some point, there comes that “in your face moment” that you realize, this is winning or losing, life or death. It’s in that moment that they go into survival mode.
Folks, if there is anything that you hear this preacher say today, there this…
• If you and I are going to be soul survivors,
• If you are going to fulfill your divinely orchestrated purpose in life,
• If you are going to accomplish the dreams and desires God has placed in your heart to achieve,
Then you must get serious with God.
You must realize that God wants to – requires to – be an active participant in your everyday life.
2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars."
God told the prophet to tell king Asa that because he had relied on everyone BUT God, God’s hand was not weakened, but rather withdrawn from the king’s aid.
The Power of God wants to invade your situation, but you have to open the door for Him to come in.
You have to know who you are and what you’re playing for.
Who are you?
a. You’re not the person you used to be
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
b. You are the head, not the tail – Lender not the borrower
Deuteronomy 28:13
And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them.
i. I didn’t ask you how you feel – I asked who you are!
ii. It doesn’t matter what others see in you – what does God see?
c. You’re beloved of God - The apple of His eye
d. Chosen before the foundations of the earth
e. Sought out and adopted into the beloved
f. Sons and daughters of the Most High God
g. Seated with Christ in Heavenly Places
h. More than a conqueror through Christ
i. Blessed with all spiritual blessing
What are you playing for?
a. A prize that moth and rust cannot destroy and where thieves cannot come in and steal.
b. A prize that is not made by human hands nor measured by human reasoning.
c. Blessings here and a crown over there
d. Righteousness, peace and joy – in the Holy Ghost!
What’s it going to take for you to be a Soul Survivor?
Write these down and we will consider a few of them more closely later…
1. Survival requires alliance
How true that is of the Church…
If you are just “going to church” but are not becoming part of the “life of the church”, you are missing out on what Christ intended AND others are missing the benefit of your influence in their life’s as well.
Get into the church, Get connected and get involved!
If your visiting today and are “looking” for a church home. STOP LOOKING!
Align yourself with God and with His people, don’t forsake the gathering together with fellow believers so you will be able to grow in the strength and power of Christian community.
2. Survival requires Knowledge
a. We have to know our opponent
Ephesians 6:10-12
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, F19 against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
b. We have to know our strengths and weaknesses
i. You have to know is and what is not your gift
ii. Be comfortable in your own spiritual skin
1. But it has to grow and stretch
3. Survival Requires Strategy
a. Paul warned the church at Philippi that they should work out their salvation with “fear and trembling”.
i. Not in guess work – but in fervently seeking God.
ii. Salvation must not be absent a holy reverence for the great price paid for our redemption
b. Looking closely at the ministry of Jesus, you quickly see that nothing He did was random or happenstance.
c. Everything from your bible study to your giving to your fellowship should be part of a strategy.
i. You will not just stumble into victory – you have to take it by force!!
4. Survival requires revival
Re-Vive (to bring back to life, resuscitate)
The psalms are full of David’s appeal to God to be revived, for recreation – a fresh start. He said,
Psalm 119:37
Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way. (exercising all of ones vital power to the fullest)
David pled with the Lord from the desert of his dry spirit
Psalm 51:10-13
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.
Maybe today you realize, you need to get into this game.
Maybe you’ve realized that you’ve been more of a spectator than a participator.
God’s got a place for you in the winner’s circle. He’s called you to be a champion, an over-comer.
Let’s pray
A note from Pastor Terry,
Thanks so much for looking over this message. I trust that, in some way, you were blessed, encouraged and empowered on your own walk with Christ. Every message I prepare is bathed in prayer that God will draw, inspire, and challenge my listeners (or readers) into a more meaningful and power-filled walk with Him.
Pastors, how we need one another! We need to be encouraged, strengthened and built up in order to encourage, strengthen and build up. It’s my personal prayer that the message you’ve just reviewed has done that for you in a personal way. Use what you can of this message, toss what you can’t and above all, let God’s Spirit inspire it all!
Sometimes I feel like Peter and John at the Temple steps…”Silver and gold; I don’t have but what I do – I give to you”
Grace and peace to you, your family and the Flock you tend.
Pastor Terry
