Overcomers: Overcoming Together
2016-08-07
Pastor Jonathan Falwell
Memory Verse:
Exodus 18:11 NKJV
“Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods; for in the very thing in which they behaved proudly, He was above them.”
In this series, we mentioned last week that for the first several weeks, we looked at the internal elements of being an overcomer but last week we began looking outward. We talked last week about overcoming the attacks that are certain to come. Today, I want to build on that topic by continuing to discuss how to overcome when things keep hitting us head on.
13 The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening. 14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?” 15 Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God. 16 When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God’s decrees and give them his instructions.” 17 “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. 18 “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. 19 Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him. 20 Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. 21 But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.2 2 They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. 23 If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.”
1. It is difficult to overcome when you are overwhelmed
13 The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening.
– 76% of Americans feel stressed
– Nearly half of Americans say they don’t have enough time in the day
– 1/3 of American teens are stressed out
– Media consumption of 15.5 hours per day!
2. Living life in a whirlwind rarely leads to accomplishment
14a When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here?”
– When we are constantly overwhelmed, we rarely accomplish what really matters
– We may feel as if we’re making progress but at the end of the day it seems as if there’s more on us than when we began
– This is not only true of daily tasks, it is true of the problems in life
We must:
– Take a time out to evaluate what really is important
– Prioritize the major issues in our lives
– Make everything we do and everything we face a matter of prayer
– Never allow our stress and our “stuff” to crowd out God
– Seek help from others…
3. Building Godly relationships is a great first step in finding your way out
21 But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.
– God’s plan is for us to surround ourselves with Godly people that can help us navigate
– Family, friends, professionals
– Sometimes it is nothing more than having people we can have fun with
– We all need people we can grow in our faith with
– Sometimes we need to seek help for the deeper issues and pains that life brings
4. Overcoming together is God’s plan
23 If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.”
– Jesus Himself chose 12 to walk with him through His ministry
– Did He need them? Probably not, other than to give us the example of how we are to live
– Are you building those types of relationships?