Hidden Resources In Christ

Hidden Resources

(Acts 18:5-12)

Illustration;It was 1916, and Hattie Green was dead. Hattie’s life is a sad demonstration of what it is like to be among the living dead. When Hattie died, her estate was valued at over $100 million; yet Hattie lived in poverty. She ate cold oatmeal because it cost money to heat it. When her son’s leg became infected, Hattie wouldn’t get it treated until she could find a clinic that wouldn’t charge her. By then, her son’s leg had to be amputated. Hattie died arguing over the value of drinking skim milk. She had money to meet her every need, but she chose to live as if it didn’t exist.

Turning Point, March, 1993.

1. Have you ever grown so weary that you have wondered where a sufficient source of strength will come from?

Why do many people quit before the end of their spiritual race? Perhaps they fail to remember that God supplies our need according to His rich resources.

Illustration: The old hymn goes likes this, “Just when I need Him Jesus is near; just when I falter, just when I fear. Ready to help me, ready to cheer. Just when I need Him most.”

When Paul encountered terrible opposition in Corinth the Lord spoke to him saying, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent. For I am with you and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” (Acts 18:9,10)

Just when we think there is little reason to continue God reminds us of His bountiful hidden resources. Trust the Lord to help you just at the point of your greatest need. “He is ready to help you; ready to cheer, just when you need Him most.”

2. The Lord knew how to supply Paul with what he needed – no more and no less. God knew that if Paul would have gotten too many resources, he might have become proud and less reliant on the Lord. Paul was a person who had a strong independent streak in him.

Trust the Lord to supply you with whatever you need. Do not fear or be dismayed or deterred from moving ahead with God’s plans.

3. Just when Paul might have felt there was no hope of continuing, the Lord restored his confidence. Have you ever said to yourself:

“There is no hope”! Hope in God for there will yet come a time when you can praise Him for all the great things He is doing and will do through you. (Psa. 43:5)

4. God’s hidden resources are stored up in the Holy Spirit. Paul learned that through the power of the Spirit he was able to overcome any obstacle put in the way of God’s will.

Trust the Lord to let the Spirit work in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. (Phil. 2:13)

5. God’s hidden resources are stored up in His promises. There are more than 7,000 promises in the Bible that we can claim through Christ. Paul wrote, “For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes (positive answers) in Christ.” (2 Cor. 1:20)

Trust the Lord to help you appropriate all of His promises when you feel like throwing in the towel.

6. God’s hidden resources are given through His people. God sent Aquila and Priscilla, Silas and Timothy and even Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue who believed on the Lord with all his household along with many of the Corinthians.

Never underestimate God’s ability to use people to avail all of God’s resources.

7. God’s hidden resources may come even when we are asleep. The Lord does not need us to work ourselves to a frazzle. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and He will strengthen you heart. Wait on the Lord.” (Isa. 40:31)

God has a way of renewing our strength, vision and motivation when we are feeling depressed.

8. God’s hidden resources may come from the least likely places. “God said to Paul, “No one will attack you or hurt you. I have many people in this city.” (Acts 18:10)

Paul did not know many people in Corinth, but God knew everyone because He created them. We truly have a God greater than any problem because His resources are infinite.

Trust the God who assures us that His will done in His way will never lack any good thing.

Conclusion:A poor old widow, living in the Scottish Highlands, was called upon one day by a gentleman who had heard that she was in need. The old lady complained of her condition, and remarked that her son was in Australia and doing well.

"But does he do nothing to help you?" inquired the visitor.