TRUST AND OBEY FOR THERE'S NO OTHER WAY TO BE HAPPY IN JESUS....

 SO WHY IS IT? WHY DO SO MANY HAVE TO LEARN THE HARD WAY?

INTRO:

 

1. God has favored man with His words of instruction: True and for our benefit.

 

2. Stubbornness of sin prevents us from learning the lessons of truth and godliness; Reverent humility will yearn for them – cf. Rom. 2:4-5.

 

 

 

I. LEARNING LESSONS THE HARD WAY - Prov. 13:15-16.

 

A. By Making Wrong Choices:

 

1. Choosing sin – (the experience of practicing sin).

 

a. Gen. 3:6 – Eve and Adam. (1 Jno. 2:15-17; 1 Cor. 7:23)

 

b. Num. 13:30-14:1 – The spies and Israel.

 

2. Choosing for the moment w/o assessing future effects (priorities).

 

a. Lot – Prosperous move, depravity of S. and G. – Gen. 13:10-13; 19:5- 9, 14, 16; 2 Pet. 2:7-8.

 

b. Work: Will it compromise my faith?

 

c. Mate: Will they help my chances of going to heaven?

 

d. Friends: Will they support me in making godly decisions?

 

B. By Repeating The Same Mistakes (Sins) Over and Over and Over.

 

-(cf. Eveready bunny: keeps going and going and going!) – Not learning!

 

1. Period of judges (Jgs. 2:11-19).

 

2. Scribes and Pharisees – Matt. 23:29-32.

 

C. By Following Feelings Instead Of Faith – Prov. 14:12; Acts 26:9.

 

 

 

II. LEARNING LESSONS THE RIGHT WAY.

 

-(Not Necessarily “easy”, but……Prov. 13:15.)

 

A. Learn From The Past – Rom. 15:4; cf. Matt. 11:20-24.

 

B. Learn From The Circumstances / Examples Of Others – Jno. 9:3; 1 Cor. 4:6

 

C. Learn By Asking Questions Of The Right People – cf. 1 Cor. 14:35.

 

D. Learn By Listening To The Word Of God – Jno. 6:45; Prov. 1:1-7 (v. 5); 4:20-5:2 (cf. Neh. 8:1-12; Jno. 8:43); Eph. 4:20-21.

 

1. By studying God’s word – Psa. 1:1-2.

 

2. Repetition – 2 Pet. 1:12-15; Phil. 3:1.

 

E. Learn By Doing – Matt. 11:29.

 

1. By obeying God’s word – Jno. 8:31-32; cf. Phil. 4:11.

 

2. By shunning evil – Prov. 1:10-15; 4:14-15.

 

F. Learn Through Discipline – Heb. 12:5-6, 11; 1 Tim. 1:20.

 

-(Instruction and correction).

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

1. A disciple is a learner and a follower. Be a disciple of Jesus.

 

2. Commit yourself to learning the lessons taught to us in the word of His grace (Tit. 2:11; Acts 20:32). Hear and obey Jesus now!

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