250 - Trading Burdens For Blessings

Sermon Study #250 – TRADING BURDENS FOR BLESSINGS

TOO FAT TO FIT

Intro: Illustrate: If You Can’t See the Water Line, It’s ... Time to Unload

When I was a child, my father, on leave from World War II, took my sister and me to the Liverpool dock yards to see the

merchant ships that brought us food.

"Brave men have risked their lives to bring us this precious cargo," he told us. I noticed a line painted around each vessel. "What’s that for?" I asked.

"To show the people loading the ship how much it’s made to carry," he said. "If they put too much on, the line disappears

below the water. The boat will sink. If they put too little inside, it won’t be full enough to do what it was made to do.

Each boat is made by its builder to carry just the right amount."

God has painted a water line in our lives… He will not give too much to bear… but would allow “too much” to cause us to need His help. My children enjot to help bring in the groceries from the car. They mailing like to carry in the candy and cookies…. But at times I would asked (make) them to carry in other items. My youngest of boys reaches for items unaware of the weight and if too heavy… says…, “You do this one daddy” God allows for “things” to get to heavy for us so we can humble ourselves and say, “You do this one daddy.”

TRADING BURDENS FOR BLESSINGS

1. Gideon’s army was decreased so they could fit through the gate to blessings:

ü Judg 7:7 The LORD said to Gideon, "With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the other men go, each to his own place."

32,000 Gideon army vs. 135,000 Midianites

22,000 men let go b/c of fear

9,700 men were let go b/c of a test

300 soldiers remained to war against the 135,000 Midianites

Note: Though God decreased Gideon’s resources and soldiers, the enemy remained the same – God may cause you to lose so you can gain.

2. Rich young ruler – could not fit through the gate to blessings:

ü Luke 18:22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Luke 18:23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Luke 18:24 Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Luke 18:25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel (the largest animal in Palestine at that time) to go through the eye of a needle (the smallest opening of a common sewing needle) than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

3. Jesus describes the gate to blessings:

ü Mat 7:13-14 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

4. John the Baptist (cousin of Jesus) discovered the key to fit through gate to blessings:

ü John 3:30 He must become greater; I must become less.

How can I fit through the gate to blessings?

1 Pet 5:7 Cast all your anxiety (cares) on him because he cares for you.

What happens if I trade in my burdens?

Mat 11:28-29 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

What does Jesus trade for my burdens?

Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Conclusion: The only thing that Christ asks you to carry through this gate is your cross:

Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Your “cross” represents your commitment to Christ’s calling!