Psalm 146:3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
Psalms 121:1 «A Song of degrees.» I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
1. CIRCUMSTANCES OFTEN DICTATE IF WE ARE WILLING TO RECEIVE HELP.
A. THE SAMARITAN.
Luke 10:33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
WOULD HE HAVE BEEN WILLING TO ACCEPT HELP FROM A JEW OTHERWISE ?
B. GOD PERMITS CIRCUMSTANCES TO MAKE US WILLING.
Psalm 77:2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.
C. GOD COMMANDS THAT CIRCUMSTANCES BE MADE TO MAKE US WILLING.
(LOSS OF FELLOWSHIP DESIGNED TO MAKE US WILLING TO ACCEPT THE RIGHT HELP). **Did he ask, “Why ?” Yes. Was he praying, serving God, learning the mercy and grace of God ? There was probably some lesson he needed to learn. Terrible if we have to receive help through these measures.
- GOD HAS PROVIDED HELPERS FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT. (PEOPLE FAILING TO HELP AS GOD WANTS THEM TO).
Psalm 72:12 For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
***If we are silent, how will people learn ? A very effective way is to teach them personally
- WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT ? THERE IS A LIMITED TIME A PERSON HAS BEFORE THEY BECOME SO HARD, THEY WILL NOT REPENT.
Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
2. OUR ESTIMATION OF OUR SELF-WORTH DETERMINES IF WE ARE WILLING TO RECEIVE HELP.
A. PRIDE SAYS WE CAN DO EVERYTHING OURSELVES.
ASSUMPTION THAT TEMPORARY ABSENCE OF CERTAIN TYPE OF PROBLEMS ARE SIGNS THAT THEY KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS.
Psalm 73:6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
(One reason why many charismatic believe they know the secrets of the word—absence of troubles. But, when they come, they drop out in droves).
B. THERE ARE DEGREES OF RECEIVING HELP. PRIDE HOLDING ON SAYS “IF WE CAN’T DO IT ALL MY WAY, AT LEAST DO IT IN PART MY WAY”.
Proverbs 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
**What if the injured man told the Samaritan how he wanted to be treated, and that he needed to go to the Bahamas for recovery ? Would there likely be contention? Yes. The world calls this compromise. There should never be compromise in our relationship with God. Whatever He wants should be the order of the day.
3. UNLESS WE RECEIVE GOD’S HELP, WE HAVE NO HOPE OF SALVATION OR SUCCESS IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
A. WE CANNOT DEPEND, EVEN IN PART ON OTHERS. ALL MUST COME THROUGH GOD.
Isaiah 31:3 Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.
B. WITHOUT THE LORD JESUS, WE CAN’T ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING ETERNAL, ANYWAY.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
C. WE ARE NOT ABLE TO LEAP INTO HEAVEN OURSELVES.
D. BE HAVE NO WAY OF DECEIVING GOD AT THE JUDGMENT.
E. WE HAVE NO OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE BARGAINS AT THE JUDGMENT.
HOW DO WE RECEIVE ?