“Life In The Valley”
“The Bend Church”
Psalm 84:1–7 (NKJV)
September 17, 2023
5 truths about valleys:
1. Valleys Are Inescapable.
“In this world you will have trouble.” John 16:33 (NIV)
2. Valleys Are Unpredictable.
“Disaster follows disaster; the whole land lies in ruins. In an instant my tents are destroyed, my shelter in a moment.” Jeremiah 4:20 (NIV)
3. Valleys Are Nondiscriminatory.
“for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:45 (NKJV)
4. Valleys Don’t’ Last Forever.
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials.” 1 Peter 1:6 (NKJV)
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)
5. Valleys Serve A Purpose.
4 things we all face on the faith journey:
1. Times of Testing.
A. You can’t have a testimony without a test.
B. Your response to the test determines what your testimony looks like.
C. God uses tests to develop our character.
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4 (NKJV)
2. Times of Tragedy.
2 reasons why there is suffering in the world:
1. Because we live in a fallen world.
2. Because we live with free will.
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” John 16:33 (NKJV)
3. Times of Temptation
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to [a]bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. James 1:12-16 (NKJV)
4 steps in the process of temptation:
• Desire
• Deception
• Disobedience
• Death
4. Times of Triumph.
“Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place.” 2 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV)
“Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it” Colossians 2:15 (NKJV)
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” 1 John 5:4 (NKJV)
3 ways to live a triumphant Life:
1. Through Salvation
“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 (NKJV)
2. Through Separation
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)
“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the [a]ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;” Psam1:1 (NKJV)
3. Through Saturation
“Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11 (NKJV)
“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)
