# 2 DOWN? WHY AM I HERE? DID I MISS IT?
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
I have an OSCAR THE GROUCH, remember he lives in a garbage can? On the side of Grouch’s garbage can, it says: UNWELCOME TO GROUCH LAND?
And a TICKLE ME ELMO. I use these to be the introduction to this lesson.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
I. YOU WILL NEVER KNOW ---?
DO YOU EVER FEEL THE NEED TO WEAR A MASK TO HIDE YOUR HEART? HAVE YOU EVER HURT SO BAD THAT UP SEEMED TO BE DOWN AND DOWN SEEMED TO BE UP? HANG ON MY FRIEND.
Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
A. Why do people feel a need to wear mask? Yet let me be honest some times leadership can not tell you or maybe share with you the load that has been crushing the breath out of them.
B. Sometimes a Mom can not share the burden she is carrying?
Other times there is a good father going through a bad time? Maybe he can’t even identify the problem that is haunting him? What can he do?
Put on the mask?
C. Monday I was in Lexington, KY. Joe Girdler called the pastors from across the Bluegrass State to prayer. The prayer time was so precious and sweet.
Many times I have gone to a District function absolutely crushed, and we preachers put on a mask to hide our pain and burden.
D. Pastor Joe shared some thoughts and called the preachers that were hurting to come to the altar. There was no one coming. An older preacher shared some
tears, and the call was again offered. Many men of God slowly worked their way to the altar at King’s Way. Tears began flowing like a river, the anointing
came. This year I did not come crushed, and I lingered back. A sweet friend and pastor became my focal point. Others had gathered behind Tom. I hadn’t seen Tom in sometime but my heart was crushed, and crushed again for this powerful man of God.
E. I stepped around those praying and I got in front of my little pastor friend, I started crying uncontrollably. I sensed the load was not only heavy, but the load had been long and hard. I laid my hands on Tom and started pouring my self before the throne. Today I don’t remember a lot about our prayer,
I just recall God came down and was WITH US! Somehow the sweet presence of Jesus visited and nothing else mattered for a while.
F. Later as we were leaving, Tom came up to me. I kissed Tom. I had no fancy words, I just hugged him. The mask didn’t matter to me. It was the man that mattered! Tom hugged me so tight, and whispered
in my ear: THANK YOU! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
II. SOMETIMES WE COME BEFORE THE LORD CRUSHED? HAVE YOU EVER HAD YOUR DREAMS DASHED? MY HEART IS BROKEN? WHERE IS GOD?
A. Sometime back I was in the midst of a battle.
I couldn’t find anyone that I could talk to, no one to listen or understand where I was coming? In my ministry I had two friends, two friends that I could
share anything on my heart and they didn’t judge me or analyze the problem, they just listened. Things have happened and I do not have either one of the friends to turn. For several years, there was no place to turn.
B. I could not share the load of confidence that pressed me? I could not defend
my self without hurting another.
I was down, I had been down several days.
I was hurting, and on top of this I was sick. I had 8 funerals in 8 weeks?
I heard a Boeing 347 flying over head. The jet seemed so closed. I opened my eyes to realize a cockroach had just walked over my head.
C. Then my heart received a message not by my ears?
SON, AT TIMES YOU HAVE TO LEARN TO STAND BY YOURSELF.
There was no phone call? There was no card? There was just unanswered questions. Wisdom eluded me? Patience was long gone? Why am I here?
No, it was not hidden sin? It was just fear and self-doubt drifting slowly?
D. A FEW DAYS AGO A FRIEND SENT ME A NOTE, AT THE END OF THE NOTE WAS TWO LINES FROM MAX LUCADO’S BOOK, FACING THE GIANTS, Page 48 she said:
YOU’LL NEVER KNOW THAT JESUS IS ALL YOU NEED UNTIL JESUS IS ALL YOU HAVE.
E. Often times spiritual leaders have taught a lesson they never meant to teach: WE SILENTLY TEACH IT IS OK TO QUIT?
MY FRIEND IT IS ALWAYS TO SOON TOO QUIT! TRY AGAIN.
LIFT UP YOUR HEAD ---
Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
F. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT CAUGHT OUR GOD BY SURPRISE.
God knows your trials! God says: TRUST ME?
III. TICKLE ME ELMO! WE GET GOOD IN BYPASSING SPIRITUAL VALUES?
A. CAN WE SEE THE DANGER OF SELF-WORSHIP?
We seem to be able to worship worship, and praise praise, and FORGET GOD. We are so polished and professional we don’t need God, we have a GOOD PROGRAM TO REPLACE HIM!
Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this
publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
B. HAS YOUR PRAYER LIFE BECOME LIKE A LIST FOR SANTA CLAUS? Is your prayer life so NEED CENTERED that you forget God?
C. We are God’s creation, designed to worship the CREATOR!
We can so tend to feed the flesh that we forget the basic foundation of prayer and praise is ALL ABOUT GOD.
D. Some preach the SABBATH DAY AS A DAY OF RECREATION AND FUN, REMEMBER THE WORD? ---- REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY TO KEEP IT HOLY! The Sabbath is NOT ABOUT US, IT IS ABOUT WORSHIPPING A HOLY GOD?
E. We are so fleshly minded, the SUPER BOWL is rated higher than WORSHIPPING THE MOST HIGH ALMIGHTY GOD?
Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
F. WILL OUR PRAYER LIFE BE SO GOD CENTERED AND VALUING GOD PRESENCE THAT WE REALIZE WORSHIP IS ABOUT GOD, NOT ABOUT ME?
IV. SOMETIMES WE FEEL SO LITTLE THAT WE FEEL WHAT WE DO IS WORTHLESS AND UNNOTICED?
A. Did you know a broken clock with hands on it is right twice a day?
Just because we think we are right does not make us right?
B. I Have a HERO that I plan to LOOK UP when I GET TO HEAVEN.
I want to find DORCAS, OR TABATHA.
Dorcas means female deer, or antelope.
Acts 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
C. I guess Dorcas’ work was not known until she was dead!
Dorcas was not searching for trophies! Dorcas learned the beauty of quietly sewing for the Lord.
Acts 9:39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
D. Dorcas you have more sowing to do! The Preacher’s pants have a big tear. Get up, HERE IS THE NEEDLE!
E. WHEN PEOPLE COME, THEY ARE NOT COMING TO SEE US.
That is Hollywood? At church we COME TO SEE JESUS!
John 12:21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
V. WAKE UP MASTER! MASTER, DON’T YOU CARE!
A. EVER HEAR A SILLY QUESTION?
Someone called me the other day on my home phone and asked: ARE YOU HOME? No, I am in New York?
B. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO IN THE STORM?
When the storm passes over --- we have lessons to learn.
C. Part of the lesson is at least they had enough sense to have JESUS ON BOARD THEIR SHIP?
D. IT IS OK TO WAKE UP JESUS, BUT TO ASK GOD’S SON DOES
HE CARE ABOUT YOU AND THE LITTLE VESSEL IS ONE OF
THOSE SILLY QUESTIONS.
Mark 4:38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
E. I TEACH CHILDREN’S CHURCH ONCE A MONTH. I enjoy this service so much. Some time back I asked a little girl, WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF THERE WAS A TERRIBLE STORM AND IT APPEARED YOUR BOAT WAS GOING TO SINK AND JESUS WAS ASLEEP IN THE BACK OF THE BOAT --- WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
The little girl didn’t know the Biblical answer, but she had a good answer, she said: I WOULD CRAWL UP TO JESUS, SLIDE UNDER HIS ARM AND GO TO SLEEP WITH HIM.
You talk about trust? Wow? Who’s going to guide our vessel?
She said: I DON’T KNOW, BUT JESUS WILL TAKE CARE OF IT.
I WILL SLEEP!
F. God knows about the storms. God has a plan!
The question is: WILL WE TRUST HIM?
VI. YOU MAY BE DOWN? BUT GOD HAS A DIVINE APPOINTMENT FOR YOU! WE ARE A PRODUCT OF OUR CHOICES! ARE WE MAKING WISE CHOICES?
A. How did you put on that shirt? Choice?
Why those shoes? A choice?
B. Why does a person have rotten teeth? Sweets? Not brushing your teeth?
C. I love that commercial that tells me: You are FAT, and it is not your fault? Let’s sue McDonald’s --- it is their fault I am fat?
I know --- it is somebody elses fault we are the way we are?
D. What kind of mood did you choose today? Now why are you angry?
Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
E. Today was a gift from God to you! What are you going to do with it?
F. IT’S ALL ABOUT CHOICES?
TWO BIG BULL FROGS FELL INTO A FIVE GALLON BUCKET OF CREAM.
There was no way for them to get out. It was impossible to get out of the bucket of cream alive.
The two bull frogs, kicked and kicked, and swam and swam. Both frogs were very tired and their kick was getting less and less.
Finally the one frog said: WHAT’S THE USE, WE ARE GOING TO DIE ANYWAY.? So the frog quit kicking and slowly sank to the bottom of the cream. One last bubble made it’s way to the top and the frog
drowned.
G. The other frog kept on kicking. He started singing a song he had learned as a tadpole. The frog would sing and kick, kick and sing.
He started feeling a new burst of energy.
The frog did the back stroke a while. He did the breast stroke.
He remembered a real fast song, so he sang and kicked faster and faster. Slowly the cream turned into butter, and the FROG THAT WOULD NOT GIVE UP WAS STANDING ON SOLID BUTTER.
He rested on top of the can of butter.
H. He remembered his friend that quit and died before his time.
The frog started singing, KNEE DEEP, KNEE DEEP.
He jumped out of the can and went over to his girlfriend’s house.
His girlfriend said: JUST LOOK AT YOU, YOU ARE SO STRONG AND HANDSOME!
Come spring there was some beautiful tadpoles swimming in the pool, all because their Dad never gave up.
NEXT TIME YOU ARE EATING A BIG PAIR OF FROG LEGS, THINK?
WERE THESE BIG LEGS FROM THE FROG THAT REFUSED TO GIVE
UP?
VII. DO YOU DEFINE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES OR DO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES DEFINE YOU? WILL WE STAY DOWN OR DARE TO BELIEVE? WHY AM I DOWN? EFFORT? A DISCOURAGED LADY OFFERS AN EXCUSE?
NOW LET’S PRAY? NOT LET’S DREAM, LET’S COOK IT AND THEN DIE?
1 Kings 17:9 Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.
A. EFFORT?
Hard work. conscious exertion.
Try, a serious attempt.
The work done to achieve.
B. WAS ELIJAH STUPID? WAS HE BOLD? DID THE MAN OF GOD
UNDERSTAND OBEDIENCE?
1 Kings 17:12 And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am
gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
C. WHEN YOUR SOURCE DRIES UP, WHO IS THE SUPPLIER?
It is called SUPPLY and DEMAND?
D. GOD HAS A PLAN? TRUST THE PLAN? OBEY THE PLAN?
1 Kings 17:13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after
make for thee and for thy son.
E. GOD CAN ONLY MAGNIFY AND MULTIPLY YOUR EFFORTS!
Zero times a million is still A BIG ZERO!
VIII. THE NEGATIVE CROWD SAYS IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN.
AND HE WAS RIGHT. WHY SIT HERE UNTIL WE DIE?
A. I HAVE GOOD NEWS FOR YOU, THE MESSAGE IS SIMPLE:
WE HAVE THE GOOD NEWS, GOD IS ANSWERING THE PRAYERS.
2 Kings 7:1 Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for
a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.
B. THE GOOD NEWS IS THE BAD NEWS IS NOT THE TRUTH.
SELF DOOMING PROPHECY!
2 Kings 7:2Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine
eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.
C. GET UP, DON’T BE DOWN! GOD PROMISED BY TOMORROW A CHANGE WILL COME TO THE CAMP!
2 Kings 7:3 And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?
4 If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come,
and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.
D. NEGATIVE MAN --- YOU PROPHESIED YOUR OWN END!
2 Kings 7:19 And that lord answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, if the Lord should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he
said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.
20 And so it fell out unto him: for the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died.
CONCLUSION?
WHY SIT AND COMPLAIN, LET’S GET UP AND TRUST GOD.
DOWN --- DON’T STAY IN THE PIG PEN!
WE ARE HERE FOR GOD TO PERFORM HIS WORD!
Be intentionally encouraged.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Help this preacher? Pass it on!
