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Intro:
Mountaintop experiences are good to have but
sometimes God drops great mountains in our lives we
care not to experience. (Matt. 17:19-20; Lk. 17:5-6)
1. Great mountain of hardship: trials
(Mt. 18:7)
2. Great mountain of opposition:
hindrances. (II Tim. 3:12)
3. Great mountain of difficulty:
discouragements, bitterness. (Heb. 12:15)
4. Great mountain of service: task too big for
you. (I Cor. 16:9; Rev. 3:8)
I.
Mountains are
Direct Reflection of God's Confidence in You
A. Reveals
how strong and big you are. (Eph. 6:10)
1. Child of six: Just being good is
enough mountain for him. Dad and child.
2. Child of sixteen: Bigger
responsibility. Dad and teen.
3. Child of twenty-six: Big commitment.
Compliments him.
B. Reveals how steady and behaved you
are. (Tit. 3:8)
1. Abraham's mountain (Isaac sacrificed)
Lot's plain (could not handle mountain)
2. Abilities brought out by your
mountain. (Josh. 14:12) "Give me this mountain"-Anakims.
God makes them just your size.
II. Mountains are
Opportunities For God to Show Himself Strong on Your
Behalf (Ro. 8:28)
A. Face your mountain and it show what a
great God you have. (Jer. 32:27)
1. Square off and face reality: Stand to
it. (II Cor. 12:7-9)
2. Scheme your way around it: Skirt it.
(I Cor. 10:13)
B. Fix your faith on following God to
solve it or get you over it. (Heb. 13:5)
1. Stay right with God and mountain
will fall in your life, not on you. (I Pet. 1:6-7)
2. Stay close to God and mountain
will become a plain. (Zech. 4:6-7; Jas 5:16; I Pet.
3:12)
III. Mountains are
Material For Testimony of Praise (Ps. 107:2)
A.
Indicators to measure our commitment. (Phil.
2:12-13)
1.
Anemic commitment
2.
Apathetic commitment
Note: If you have no material to talk about you have
no mountains and vice versa.
B.
Infirmities suffice when confronted: Finances, loved
ones die, cancer report, children sick. (Phil. 2:16;
II Thes. 3:13; Gal. 6:9; Pr. 24:10; I Pet. 4:12-13)
IV. Mountains are a Treasure Chest
For Rewards in Eternity
A.
When there are no mountains there are no rewards.
(Phil. 3:13-16)
1.
Battle stars from battle scars: medals given for
service (purple heart, medal of honor, silver star,
etc.) (II Tim. 4:8)
2. Be faithful at handling your mountain. (Phil.
4:13)
B.
When there are no mountains there will be no
maturity. (II Cor. 12:10)
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