THESIS: To show that God allows “bumps” in life to enable the believer to climb higher.”
INTRO.: A.What made Paul a great Christian? He had received nearly 200 lashes on his frail body with a whip (v.24,25). On three occasions he was bruised w/a bundle of sticks lashed together (rods). He was stoned by an angry mob and left for dead, he survived three shipwrecks, spent 24 hours in bone-chilling waters, spent weary days and nights in brutal travel. He had been robbed, attacked, lost, faced death several times, experienced fatigue, starvation, thirst, cold and nakedness and yet concluded: “If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine INFIRMITIES.” (11:30) B.Paul had learned the secret to enduring pain – praise!! On top of the lengthy list of sufferings in ch. 11, in ch. 12 he speaks of a “thorn in the flesh” – Satanic torment which God permitted to keep him humble in light of the special revelations about heaven he had been privileged to preview. Some simply complain about their pain or problems – others learn the language of praise.
ILLUS.: A little boy was leading his sister up a mountain path and the way was very rock. “This is not a path at all,” she complained, “it’s all rocky and bumpy.” He replied: “Sure, THE BUMPS ARE WHAT YOU CLIMB ON!” That’s the secret to life’s painful experiences for the Christian. I. MAKING STEPPINGSTONES OUT OF OUR STUMBLING BLOCKS:
A. The Path Is Not Easy, but – THE BUMPS ARE WHAT YOU CLIMB ON!
1. Most of us are used to paved roads and level sidewalks. 2. But God places bumps and barriers in our way (◼discouragement, ◼debt, ◼defeat, ◼distress, ◼discouragement, ◼depression, ◼desertion, ◼doubt, ◼death) to help us climb higher.
NOTE: If God removed the bumps you could never climb to the top!👍
a. If we kick against the bumps we only hurt ourselves. (v.8, 9b) b. If we try to go around them we miss God’s will and His grace. v.9a c. If we try to remove them we find they are too heavy for us alone. “my strength… weakness…” v.9b d. If we 🛑stop and quit we miss the short range blessings and the long range benefits.
B. The Way Is Not Smooth, but – THE BUMPS ARE WHAT YOU CLIMB ON!
1. Joseph was pampered by his father, hated by his brothers, sold into slavery, spent years in prison, forgotten and apparently forsaken, - but HE CLIMBED ON THE BUMPS and ROSE TO THE TOP! 2. Jesus was born into poverty, a member of a minority race, under a foreign dictatorship grew up in an obscure and scorned village, fellowshipped with the cast-offs, ridiculed as a glutton and drunkard, and called an accomplice of Satan, He was sold by a friend, abandoned and crucified at Calvary by His disciples – but HE CLIMBED ON THE BUMPS of rejection and ascended to glory!!
II. MAKING MOLEHILLS OUT OF OUR MOUNTAINS: 2 Cor. 12:10
A. The Route Seems Impassable, but – THE BUMPS ARE WHAT YOU CLIMB ON!
1. There are rocks and bumps on God’s path, but detours are always rougher than the main road – but detours are temporary and the scenery may be better – and when the detour is over, the main road is smoother! 2. Trust God and the rocks that seem like mountains will become molehills when seen through eyes of faith. (Caleb) 3. The detours in life are sent or allowed by the Lord to help us climb higher in our intimacy with Him.
ILLUS.: We know by experience that when we are down we look up more often and trust Him more and fellowship with Him more.
B. The Course Seems Tortuous, but – THE BUMPS ARE WHAT YOU CLIMB ON!
NOTE: There are at least five steps or “bumps” which help us climb to victory:
1. HIS WORD will impart stamina for the climb. 2.PRAYER will provide strength for the struggle. 3.FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD’S PEOPLE will give encouragement for the battle. 4.MINISTERING TO OTHERS will lighten your burdens.
ILLUS.: 💥When you are knocked out of the ring you can either quit or use the chairs to climb back in and continue to fight. (Rocky vs. Wrestler Hulk Hogan) 💥When your are depressed or discouraged, find someone else you can help. Bake a cake for a neighbor who has lost a loved one, cut the lawn for a senior citizen, be kind to a parent whose child has gone into sin, bake cookies for a deaf or blind person. You burden will become lighter.
5. REMEMBERING YOUR PRIORITIES will help you climb higher:
a. Glorify the Lord. 12:7-9 “therefore…!” v.10 b. Keep your balance. “Shall we receive good at the hand of the Lord and not evil?” Job asked. “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord.
ILLUS.: I am too blessed to be depressed!!! I would rather shout than pout!!!
III. MAKING BLESSINGS OUT OF OUR BARRIERS: 2 Cor. 1:8-10
A. The Passage Seems Impenetrable, but – THE BUMPS ARE WHAT YOU CLIMB ON!
1. Don’t be a victim – become a victor! Like Paul! 2. Don’t become a casualty – become courageous! Like Paul!
ILLUS.: Paul came to the end of his life of service and though a prisoner about to be executed, he saw himself as a a sacrifice about to be offered. Jesus came to the end of His life of service – Peter pulls his sword – Jesus says “STOP!” “Thinkest thou nthat I cannot now pray to MY Father and He shall presently give me more than 12 legions of angels?” He is saying there are 2 ways to face life’s crises: ESCAPE OR FULFILLMENT. Which will you follow?
B. The Journey Seems Beyond Your Endurance, but – THE BUMPS ARE WHAT YOU CLIMB ON!
1. We cannot change the world AROUND us (bring back a dead loved on – return to happier days past, etc.) but we can change the world WITHIN us! 2. Daydreams cushion us from being hurt by reality but they are also substitutes that keep us from growing up to maturity!
CONCL.: Instead of GIVING UP – LOOK UP! Climb on the bumps of pain in your life! When the problems become bumps, remember, THE BUMPS ARE WHAT YOU CLIMB ON! 💥It was a major “bump” that led to my salvation. Why not trust the One Who wants to turn your “bumps” into blessings?! Why not climb on your “bumps” to heaven?! If you are unsaved you don’t have the resources of the believer and the “bumps” will lead you to despair, defeat and possibly even death (suicide).
For the believer, don’t look at the “bumps” as stumblingblocks, but as stepping stones, or as mountains, but molehills, or as barriers, but blessings! Don’t get depressed, get blessed! Don’t pout, learn to shout!