There are times in life when we believe that we would not be dealing with the things that are happening to us if we had made better choices. People may say "Maybe if I had prayed more" or "if I had fasted more" There are things in life that we will deal with that come to everybody no matter how much we may pray, read our bible or talk in tongues. Those are all good things, but they will not insulate us from the trials and tribulations of life. As Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, it was important that they saw in him someone who accurately reflected the life of Jesus. In our text, he paints a picture of a believer who in all things, live for God no matter what the circumstances. One of the biggest obstacle to our communication of the gospel is not the doctrine or the message, it is the example that we set by living for God. What people observe in our life, must match the message that we preach. Paul mentions 9 things in II Corinthians that are examples of trials that can come into life. He mentions imprisonment, suffering and persecution. Most have not had to deal with those things, but in verse 4, he mentions necessities. When Paul looked at life, he didn't include the trials, pressure and issues, he included the everyday necessities of life. He didn't mean food, air, water and the like. He was talking about the experiences in life that no one escapes. Everyman will face these things in life regardless of stature, position or background. In all these things, Paul says he wants to be approved in all things including these necessities. In all things, we need to demonstrate the grace, mercy and joy of a life living for God even during times of trial. What are these necessities that no one escapes. Jesus has examples of these things in his own life. Bro. Hughes notes four things in life that all men must endure even our Lord Jesus. First there is a Jerusalem for everyone to visit in their life. In Jerusalem, no body in that city will like us, or care a bit about what we have to say. Every person in life will experience people who do not like us no matter what we may do or say. Jerusalem is a thing that will challenge all that we say we are as a child of God. Being in Jerusalem does not mean that we are out of the will of God. Despite all the disbelief and opposition in Jerusalem, Jesus continued to be who He was. Jerusalem did not change Him, or make Him question who He was. We all have to go to Jerusalem, and we may have to go through it more than once. Secondly, there are bitter things in life. No matter what, we will not get through life without having to drink from that cup. It is human nature to say "I don't have to do this" "I don't deserve this. No you don't deserve it, but yes you must do it. Many have let life embitter them because of the cup they have had to drink. The third necessity from the life of Jesus that we must all face is temptation. No man or woman is exempt from temptation. More than just the temptation to sin, but it is the temptation to do it our way instead of God's way. There are no shortcuts to doing it God's way. We will be tempted to quit. Jesus' greatest temptation was not in the wilderness after 40 days of fasting. The greatest moment of temptation was hanging on the cross. They told Him "if you come down from the cross, we will believe you are who you say you are. Jesus' greatest temptation was to quit and come down off the cross, and He resisted. Finally the last necessity is a cross. Everyone has a cross to bear. That cross is whatever it takes for God to keep us humble and keep us in the proper relationship with God. The cross that we must bear is designed to strengthens and to bring out the best in us. What finder testimony is there than for a child of God to take up their cross and follow Him. Paul's message to the church at Corinth, was that no matter what life has; no matter what the circumstance, that the best testimony that we can have is to be joyful and live an approved life. Be joyful even in the face of necessities.
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