Grace Thoughts
Teaching Notes – A New Look at Problems (2)
Teaching Notes are Bible studies we taught before GraceLife Ministries began publishing articles online in 1995. Some were presented as sermons, others as group studies.
Our hope is that these older studies will be a blessing to you in your life and ministry. Please use them in any way God leads you.
These teaching notes are from a radio series. You can read Part 1 here.
[These notes are from 50 years ago.]
Let’s take three different men with the same problem and see how each one handles their situation. Put yourself in their place and see how you would react.
Each man is being sued for 10-thousand dollars in a libel case by the same person. The first man, we’ll call him ‘Mr. Cope,’ says, ‘No sweat, this thing will never go to court. It’s unimportant, I can handle everything just fine. The second man, we’ll call him ‘Mr. Cop-out,’ says, ‘Oh, No! My whole life is ruined. I’ll be wiped out. How can I face my family? It’s an impossible situation.’ The third man, we’ll call him ‘Mr. Conquer,’ says, ‘Lord, thank you for this opportunity to see your power poured out on my life and in the lives of others. I pray that you will give me the wisdom to use this opportunity to bring glory and honor to your Name.’
The first man, Mr. Cope, was taken to court where he lost the case and is now trying futility to borrow 10-thousand dollars. The second man, Mr. Cop-out, went to his garage and committed suicide. The third man, Mr. Conquer, went to the person suing him and asked for forgiveness about the bitterness that existed between them. Mr. Conquer led the man to Christ, who dropped the lawsuit.
Those are hypothetical situations, but there is not one problem you will ever face that cannot be conquered through Christ. ‘But,’ you say, ‘I just can’t!’ Don’t ever use the word ‘can’t.’ That’s a foreign word to the God of the ‘impossible.’ You can through Christ! ‘But,’ you say, ‘my problem is different. It’s just too hard.’ Not true –
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
God’s statement — all trials are common to men. (Your problem is not unique.)
God’s promise — you will be able to bear it. (You can!)
We need to see our problems in the light of God’s Word that teaches that we are given these precious opportunities and we are to buy them up (Ephesians 5:16, Greek). If our lives roll smoothly along, we could never prove to a hungry and needy world that God’s grace will meet every need of life.
How can we practically apply this biblical truth? Take a piece of paper and pencil or pen. Head your paper, ‘Turning Problems Into Opportunities.’ Make two columns on your paper –
Problems …………………………………Opportunities
Under ‘Problems’ list every problem you are facing right now. Then, go back under the ‘Opportunities’ column and ask God to show you how to turn your problems into opportunities to glorify Him. After you’ve finished your list, begin to activate these truths in your life each day. We must not just ‘know’ what is right – we must ‘do’ what is right.
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22
[Thank you for reading these teaching notes from 50 years ago. My prayer is they will be a blessing to you and your life and ministry.]
Bible StudyChristianityGod's WordJesus ChristProblem solving
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Founder & Director of GraceLife Ministries View all posts by gracelifethoughts
