Larry Siegle
Link to sermon video: The Blessing of Pressure – L Siegle
The ‘Blessing’ for Life’s Uncertainties
“The BLESSING of Pressure”
(II Cor. 4:16-18; )
Series: The BLESSING
Thesis: WHAT can prepare us as we face the uncertainties of daily living?
INTRODUCTION
1. The title of this series is The Blessing
2. This is the SECOND lesson in our study: THE BLESSING OF ‘PRESSURE’?
3. Nobody likes the feeling of being ‘under pressure’…
a. at school.
b. at work
c. at home
d. at church
4. In recent times “being triggered” is a common expression within the ‘mental health’ community that has taken on
some very common uses in our everyday lives.
a. It refers to the “repeated experience of trauma related to PTSD as it relates to physical/emotional/sexual abuse or
violence that has occurred in the past”
b. In the more ‘casual sense’ being triggered’ as a description loses some of its meaning:
1) being ‘triggered’ as you walk down the street because the squares of the sidewalk are misaligned.
2) my wife gets ‘triggered’ when I purchase “too much stuff”
c. Unfortunately, ‘being triggered’ and seeing oneself as a “victim” has become ‘trendy’ and has more ‘social benefit’ and has weakened the ‘fabric’ of the strength it takes to navigate the common, ordinary, problems of life.
5. Pressure in the unforeseen, daily situations and circumstances of life is REAL and its effect on each one of us is VERY
REAL and not something to be ignored or taken lightly.
a. Sadly, every 11 minutes someone ends their own life.
b. Financial problems, broken relationships, a negative diagnosis about health, and other situations, DOES create actual ‘feelings of despair and depression’
1) About 1 in 10 Americans aged 12 and older takes antidepressant medication
2) People are so judgmental, “I thought they were a Christian! Christians cannot be depressed!”
6. As a young Minister, I was given a stack of old magazines called, “Guardian of Truth” and I remember reading some
amazing articles written by someone who had been working in the kingdom of God for decades.
a. Multitudes had been touched by his eloquence and ability to communicate God’s love to people.
b. But one day, there was an “announcement” in the journal informed the readers that this man had taken his own
life.
1) I was stunned, “How could this happen?”
2) Pressure that comes from all sides, unexpectedly is VERY REAL
ELIJAH HAD A GLORIUS VICTORY OVER THE PROPHETS OF BAAL (I KINGS 18:20-40)
1. This event was like winning the “Superbowl” over the gods of the nations and those who were luring away Israel from
their devotion to Yahweh.
2. There had been a severe draught in the land that Elijah, under the power of God had ended (I Kings 18:41-46)
3. Elijah is then chased away by Ahab and Jezebel and he has to go into hiding (I Kings 19:1-8).
a. Every time something “good” and “positive” happens in our lives—THEN comes the “pressure” and a host of
“negative” circumstances.
1) You finally get that “raise” or “promotion” at work and BOOM … something happens!
2) Guys…you finally meet that woman of your dreams…and then she introduces you to her husband.
ELIJAH—THE LORD’S BESIDE YA
1. Elijah is in hiding, afraid and out of his mind, thinking his life is OVER
a. He spends the night alone in a “cave” (ever had that “in a cave” feeling?). (19:9)
2. God asks a question none of us ever wants to hear: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
a. When Adam and Eve sinned, it was God who came looking for them (Gen. 3:7-10).
b. When Elijah was under “pressure” God came looking for him (19:9).
c. When the disciples of Jesus were saddened by what Jesus told them about His death (Matt. 16:21; 17:1-8).
3. It is during the more difficult situations that people tend to make excuses as to why they have wound up in a “cave”
(19:10).
a. “Look at MY zeal and devotion to the Lord…”
b. “these people have forsaken your covenant…”
c. “these people have torn down your altars….”
d. “these people have killed your prophets…”
e. “I am the only one left, and they are looking for ME…”
4. Elijah is told by God, “get out of this cave” and “go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord”
a. Ever gotten into trouble and called into the Principal’s office at school?
b. When we are in the midst of the very worst situations and circumstances of our lives…this is when
1) The Lord comes and passes by, and there is a great noise, at great wind, and a great earthquake…
2) We all love those special effects…the rocks are broken in pieces but guess what?
a) God was not in the wind…
b) God was not in the earthquake…
c) God was not in the fire…
3) God in the midst of our chaos, speaks in a “still small voice” (whisper)…
a) There comes an overwhelming calmness and sense of assurance in the innermost parts of our being!
b) We just know that ‘whatever’ our situation or circumstance, God is right there.
c) God speaks through His word, through people around us, and circumstances to let us know He is here, to
“never leave us for forsake us” (Heb. 13:5).
5. Elijah hears the “voice of the Lord” and repeats the same complaint over again! (19:14)
a. “Look at MY zeal and devotion to the Lord…”
b. “these people have forsaken your covenant…”
c. “these people have torn down your altars….”
d. “these people have killed your prophets…”
e. “I am the only one left, and they are looking for ME…”
6. God sends Elijah on assignment and reminds him that he is not the “only one” left who was being faithful to God
(19:15-18).
ADAM BLAMES GOD FOR WHAT HAPPENED (GEN 3:12)
1. Adam is hiding in the bushes when God comes looking for him
2. Adam and Eve are dressed in their very best “forever 21” leaves that had been sewn together.
a. Adam blames God for Eve causing him to sin (Gen. 3:12).
b. When life goes sideways, the response of human nature is to “pass the blame” along to someone else.
3. God cared and loved Adam and Eve and it was His nature to provide a “covering” for them (Gen. 3:21).
4. God does not allow us to cover ourselves (human works), He is the One who provided a covering with the precious
blood of Jesus (I Pet. 1:18, 19)
GOD SPOKE TO THE SADDNESS OF THE DISCIPLES AT THE TRANSFIGURATION (MATT. 17:1-8)
1. The disciples were “saddened” that Jesus was about to face the “death of the cross” (Phil. 2:8).
2. Jesus took them up to Mt Hermon to demonstrate what God was about to do.
a. Moses (the Law)
b. Elijah (the Prophets)
c. Jesus (the Word)
3. The voice of God proclaimed that people need to listen to the voice of His son—Jesus Christ (17:5-7).
WHEN TROUBLE COMES INTO OUR LIVES—GOD SPEAKS
1. In this series of messages, it is important that we understand the danger of allowing the situations and circumstances
to take our eyes away from Jesus—He is the solution to every problem (John 16:33).
2. God speaks to our situations in ways we could never imagine because of His love and care for us (I Pet. 5:6, 7).
a. As believers we need to learn how to have a proper sensitivity toward the feelings of others around us who may
be suffering “under pressure” (James 1:2-4).
CONCLUSION
1. God wants to ‘bring us through’ the difficult circumstances of life to trust Him fully and completely.
2. The “power” of the gospel equips every believer to face ‘whatever may come’ into our lives.
3. In Christ we are strengthened in every part of our being.
4 PRAYER
Outline (Word document): The_Blessing_II.docx