Keep Swinging
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Luke 18:1–8 (NIV84)
1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men.
3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’
4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men,
5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!’ ”
6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says.
7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?
8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
1. Keep swinging in the midst of trials
1. Keep swinging in the midst of trials
We don’t know the kind of justice this woman needed
We know that she was in distress
The woman had an enemy (a hater)
There are some trials that drive you to your knees
Some enjoy their trials because they have something to talk about
You are not in a gut-wrenching trial until it drives you to your knees
If you can talk about your pain, then its not painful enough
God has good plans for us
Don’t accept bad situations
Don’t accept trials
Don’t settle for less than God has for you
If you are not in God’s good plan for you—Keep swinging
2. Keep swinging in the midst of delayed answers
2. Keep swinging in the midst of delayed answers
If you don’t have your answer, keep swinging
24 Therefore I tell you, everything you pray and ask for—believe that you have received it and it will be yours.
Ask and keep asking
Is it according to the will of God? If so, then, do you believe? Keep swinging
A delay is not a denial
A seed doesn’t produce its fruit until it is time
The harvest comes in due season
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Don’t get tired and give up
If you are tired don’t give up
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, and due season
Your due season is coming if you keep swinging
3. Keep swinging in the midst of doubt
3. Keep swinging in the midst of doubt
To doubt is human
The disciple Thomas was not the only person to doubt
The Greeks wanted wisdom, the Jews wanted miracles
22 For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom,
Jesus, often, met people with doubts
24 Immediately the father of the boy cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”
Even with the Lord in front of him, the man had doubts
There are trials that bring doubt
There are some trials that seem impossible to overcome
Looking at your bank account and your bills
Looking at your loved one waste away
Looking in the mirror as you age, is there still hope
There are some trials that make you believe that this one will destroy you
Remember the last trial you thought would kill you, you’re still here, it didn’t kill you
If you have breath in you—keep swinging
4. Stop looking back you’re not going that way
4. Stop looking back you’re not going that way
Stop hitting the rewind button
Stop rehearsing your failures
Your past was a teacher not your destination
If its in your past its because you graduated
Put a period on that chapter
Turn the page
Start your new story
Look to God
He is able to work miracles
God is the God of the living, your past is dead
Stop hoping for time travel and start planning for your future
God has good plans for you
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas Edison
You have one more in you
Don’t give up—keep swinging
You struck out but keep swinging
You missed the shot but keep swinging
You failed but keep swinging
You were let go but keep swinging
You are a child of the King of Kings—keep swinging
5. Certainty of the invisible creates the visible
5. Certainty of the invisible creates the visible
1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Belief creates facts
Every great idea has flaws
The success comes from those who refuse to let failure be their destination
Don’t let failure become your future
Don’t let a heart break become your boundaries
Above all else guard your heart
Focus on what can be and not on it can’t be
Speak life to your dreams
Speak life to the promises
When the Son of Man comes will He find faith
Have faith in God
Faith is being certain of the invisible
The promises of God live in the invisible realm
We must believe those promises so that they can become reality
Keep Swinging
When your circumstances contradict your promise—keep swinging
When your present doesn’t make sense with your future—keep swinging
When giants live in your promised land—keep swinging
When the doctors run out of ideas—keep swinging
When the haters are out in full force—keep swinging
When what you prayed for has not come to pass—keep swinging
When your family seems to be drifting apart—keep swinging
When everything in you tells you to quit—keep swinging
When everyone around you is telling you to give up—keep swinging
When those in your corner are throwing in the towel—keep swinging
God is for you—keep swinging
Your miracle is there—keep swinging
Your breakthrough is here—keep swinging
Your healing is here—keep swinging
The Creator of All is for you—keep swinging