How to Deal with Calamity

Luke 21:34-36

Jesus has just delivered some horrific news to His disciples-news of terrible things that will happen to their people, their city, and to the whole world. It is unsettling at best, paralyzing at the worst. But Jesus then gives them some very specific instructions in how they are to deal with trial and tribulation. It gives us some tools to use when we face situations when our world is in upheaval. \r
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Watch: "Pay attention to yourselves"\r
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1 Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. ESV\r
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1 Timothy 4:16-5:1 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. ESV\r
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There is no avoiding trials ("the whole earth")\r
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Three things can happen while the world goes to hell around us:\r
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We are "weighed down" (means "no longer sensitive to what's going on) by:\r
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Dissipation - sin (give into trial by falling headlong into the flesh)\r
Embrace the world into your character\r
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Ephesians 4:17-24 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. \r
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20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. NIV\r
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Drunkenness - avoidance (use anything to numb the pain of trial by your drug of choice)\r
Avoid the world by anesthetizing yourself\r
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What are some of our "drugs of choice"? work, pleasure, drugs, alcohol, material things, athleticism, ministry - anything that temporarily insulates you from the trial but does nothing to let the Lord work in you through the trial.\r
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James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. ESV\r
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Jesus on the cross refused to take the numbing drug because He wanted to experience the fullness of giving His life for us. \r
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2 Corinthians 12:7-10 So to keep me from being too elated by the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. \r
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Cares of this world - worry (let the pain of trial destroy your heart)\r
Allow the world to smother you\r
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Matthew 13:22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. ESV\r
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Cares of this life change our focus and make us ineffective for the Master. \r
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Luke 12:22-23\r
"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.\r
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30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you." ESV\r
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But we are not of this world. \r
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Ephesians 2:1-6 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, NIV\r
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1 Thessalonians 5:1-8 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. \r
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4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. NIV\r
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Two things we need to do:\r
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Watch (keep awake - different than "watch" above) always: (again and again) \r
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1 Peter 5:6-11 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion , seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. ESV\r
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Pray (petition, beg)\r
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Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ESV\r
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Jude 20-21 But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. ESV\r
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Why: to have strength "to come safely through" the trials. We won't escape trials, but we can be strong enough to withstand them to come into the presence of Jesus\r
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2 Corinthians 4:16-18 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. ESV\r
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Matthew 10:16 "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. ESV\r
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Wise: (thoughtful, cautious) - serpent uses special senses in it's environment, we have the Holy Spirit to make us discerning. \r
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Innocent: unmixed - don't let the world bend your character so much that worldly values mix in with godly values. \r