CHALLENGE

CHALLENGE

CHALLENGES FROM PEOPLE

HOW CAN PEOPLE CHALLENGE ONE ANOTHER? (Nehemiah 2:11-20).

" I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king. They replied at once, “Good! Let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work". (Nehemiah 2:18)

WE CAN CHALLENGE OTHERS BY SHARING OUR VISION (2 Peter 3:1-18)

" Grow in the special favor and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be all glory and honor, both now and forevermore. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)

Spiritual renewal often begins with one person’s vision. Nehemiah had a vision, and he shared it with enthusiasm, inspiring Jerusalem’s leaders to rebuild the walls.

We frequently underestimate people and don’t challenge them with our dreams for God’s work in the world. When God plants an idea in your mind to accomplish something for him, share it with others and trust the Holy Spirit to impress them with similar thoughts. Don’t regard yourself as the only one through whom God is working. Often God uses one person to express the vision and others to turn it into reality. When you encourage and inspire others, you put teamwork into action to accomplish God’s goals.

WE CAN EXPECT THE WORLD TO CHALLENGE OUR FAITH.

Peter concludes this brief letter as he began, by urging his readers to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ-to get to know him better and better. This is the most important step in refuting false teachers. No matter where we are in our spiritual journey, no matter how mature we are in our faith, the sinful world always will challenge our faith. We still have much room for growth. If every day we find some way to draw closer to Christ, we will be prepared to stand for truth in all circumstances.

CHALLENGES FROM GOD

IN WHAT WAYS DOES GOD CHALLENGE US? (John 8:31-47) 

"Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me?" (John 8:46)

WE ARE CHALLENGED TO “TEST” JESUS (Joshua 1:1-9)

"No one will be able to stand their ground against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you". (Joshua 1:5)

In a number of places Jesus intentionally challenged his listeners to test him. He welcomed those who wanted to question his claims and character as long as they were willing to follow through on what they discovered. Jesus’ challenge clarifies the two most frequent reasons that people miss encountering him: (1) they never accept his challenge to test him, or (2) they test him but are not willing to believe what they discover. Have you made either of those mistakes?

GOD CHALLENGES US TO LET HIM HELP WITH OUR CHALLENGES.

Joshua’s new job consisted of leading more than 2 million people into a strange new land and conquering it. What a challenge-even for a man of Joshua’s caliber! Every new job is a challenge. Without God it can be frightening. With God it can be a great adventure. Just as God was with Joshua, he is with us as we face our new challenges. We may not conquer nations, but every day we face tough situations, difficult people, and temptations. However, God promises that he will never abandon us or fail to help us. By asking God to direct us we can conquer many of life’s challenges.

GOD’S WORD ON CHALLENGES

IN A WORLD THAT SEEMS OPPOSED TO GOD, HOW DO I HANDLE THE CHALLENGE OF KEEPING MY FAITH STRONG?

Psalm 40:12 . . . Troubles surround me-too many to count! They pile up so high I can’t see my way out. They are more numerous than the hairs on my head. I have lost all my courage.

1 Chronicles 28:20 . . . Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged by the size of the task, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.

Hebrews 6:18 . . . God has given us both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence.

The strength to handle adversity comes from God alone. Therefore we must stay close to him through Bible study and prayer, never doubting his promises.

WHAT CAN I DO WHEN SOMEONE CHALLENGES ME?

Proverbs 15:31-32 . . . If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject criticism, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.

Galatians 2:11 . . . When Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him publicly, speaking strongly against what he was doing, for it was very wrong.

When someone challenges sin in our lives we must humbly look inside ourselves to determine if the criticism is valid. We should be grateful to those who challenge us to live godly lives, and learn to discern when someone’s challenge is not founded.

WHAT IF SOMEONE DARES OR CHALLENGES ME TO DO WRONG?

2 Corinthians 13:8 . . . Our responsibility is never to oppose the truth, but to stand for the truth at all times.

Joshua 1:7 . . . Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do.

Sin is often very attractive and very fun. If it wasn’t, we wouldn’t want to sin. One of our greatest challenges is to do right in the face of temptation, especially when it comes from friends.

HOW DOES GOD CHALLENGE US?

Mark 10:21 . . . Jesus felt genuine love for this man as he looked at him. “You lack only one thing,” he told him. “Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

God challenges us to examine our hearts and make sure he has first place in our lives.

WHAT ARE SOME OF LIFE’S GREATEST CHALLENGES?

Romans 7:15-21 . . . I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate. . . . But I can’t help myself, because it is sin inside me that makes me do these evil things . . .

 It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.

The struggle of wanting to do what is right and not seeming to be able to do right is frustrating and puts us at war with ourselves.

Psalm 40:12 . . . Troubles surround me-too many to count! They pile up so high I can’t see my way out. They are more numerous than the hairs on my head. I have lost all my courage.

Surmounting troubles are a challenge because they sometimes seem to pile up so high.

2 Corinthians 4:11 . . . Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be obvious in our dying bodies.

2 Corinthians 11:26 . . . I have traveled many weary miles. I have faced danger from flooded rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the stormy seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be Christians but are not.

Facing dangers of various sorts is a challenge because they seem so threatening.

1 Chronicles 28:20 . . . Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged by the size of the task, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly.

The enormous size of a particular job can cause us to feel that the challenge is too great for us.

HOW ARE WE TO FACE LIFE’S GREATEST CHALLENGES?

James 1:13-17 . . . No one who wants to do wrong should ever say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else either. Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires. These evil desires lead to evil actions, and evil actions lead to death. So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven’s lights. Unlike them, he never changes or casts shifting shadows.

1 Corinthians 10:13 . . . The temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.

Hebrews 4:15 . . . This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin.

God never tempts us to do wrong. He will not only provide a way for us to do right, He has also provided Jesus, who understands our weaknesses and our temptations. Temptations come from evil sources. Victory over temptations comes from God.

Psalm 61:1-2 . . . O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I will cry to you for help, for my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety.

Psalm 55:2 . . . Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.

2 Corinthians 1:8-10 . . . I think you ought to know, dear friends, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and completely overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead. And he did deliver us from mortal danger. And we are confident that he will continue to deliver us.

Psalm 27:14 . . . Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

When our troubles are overwhelming, we must continue to look to God and his power to help us. We are to bravely keep our focus on God and patiently watch him work.

Ecclesiastes 10:9 . . . When you work in a quarry, stones might fall and crush you! When you chop wood, there is danger with each stroke of your ax! Such are the risks of life.

Proverbs 14:16 . . . The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with great confidence.

Proverbs 22:3 . . . A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

Psalm 91:5 . . . Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day.

Proverbs 11:8 . . . God rescues the godly from danger, but he lets the wicked fall into trouble.

Romans 8:35 . . . Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death?

Living with adventure brings risk and risk brings danger; however, we are expected to be prudent and take wise precautions. Whatever the degree of risk, trust in God and his love for us.

2 Samuel 22:30 . . . In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.

Psalm 37:5 . . . Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.

1 Chronicles 28:20 . . . Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged by the size of the task, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly.

Ephesians 3:20 . . . Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.

Ephesians 6:8 . . . Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.

Regardless of the size of the task, God’s strength working in us is sufficient to see his work through to completion. There is no job bigger than God.

HOW IS GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY NOT ABLE TO BE CHALLENGED?

Isaiah 45:9-11 . . . “Destruction is certain for those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot ever argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, ‘Stop, you are doing it wrong!’ Does the pot exclaim, ‘How clumsy can you be!’ How terrible it would be if a newborn baby said to its father and mother, ‘Why was I born? Why did you make me this way?’” 

This is what the Lord, the Creator and Holy One of Israel, says: “Do you question what I do? Do you give me orders about the work of my hands?”

Job 9:12 . . . If he sends death to snatch someone away, who can stop him? Who dares to ask him, “What are you doing?”

Jeremiah 18:6 . . . “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.”

Isaiah 43:13 . . . “From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can oppose what I do. No one can reverse my actions.”

Isaiah 14:27 . . . The Lord Almighty has spoken-who can change his plans? When his hand moves, who can stop him?

Job 42:2 . . . “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.”

Isaiah 46:10 . . . “Only I can tell you what is going to happen even before it happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.”

Daniel 4:35 . . . All the people of the earth are nothing compared to him. He has the power to do as he pleases among the angels of heaven and with those who live on earth. No one can stop him or challenge him, saying, “What do you mean by doing these things?”

Jeremiah 49:19 . . . “I will come like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan, leaping on the sheep in the pasture. I will chase Edom from its land, and I will appoint the leader of my choice. For who is like me, and who can challenge me? What ruler can oppose my will?”

Jeremiah 50:44 . . . “I will come like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan, leaping on the sheep in the pasture. I will chase Babylon from its land, and I will appoint the leader of my choice. For who is like me, and who can challenge me? What ruler can oppose my will?”

2 Chronicles 20:6 . . . He prayed, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!”

Deuteronomy 4:39 . . . Remember this and keep it firmly in mind: The Lord is God both in heaven and on earth, and there is no other god!

Job 9:4, 19 . . . God is so wise and so mighty. Who has ever challenged him successfully? . . . As for strength, he has it. As for justice, who can challenge him?

God is unquestionably the one and only true God. He alone has supreme authority over everyone and everything. Since this is an unquestionable truth, why do people try to question it?

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS GOD CHALLENGES US?

Deuteronomy 6:5 . . . You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.

John 14:15 . . . “If you love me, obey my commandments.”

God challenges us to love him unconditionally and obey him without reservation.

John 15:12, 17 . . . “I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. . . . I command you to love each other.”

God challenges us to love one another as he loves us.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 . . . All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.

God challenges us with his Word, our blueprint for living.

HOW CAN WE CHALLENGE ONE ANOTHER?

Psalm 31:24 . . . Be strong and take courage, all you who put your hope in the Lord!

Isaiah 41:6 . . . They encourage one another with the words, “Be strong!”

1 Corinthians 16:13 . . . Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong.

Ephesians 6:10 . . . A final word: Be strong with the Lord’s mighty power.

We are to encourage one another to be strong in our obedience to God and to keep up our hope in his promises and power.

Luke 17:3 . . . I am warning you! If another believer sins, rebuke him; then if he repents, forgive him.

Colossians 3:16 . . . Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

Leviticus 19:17 . . . Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. Confront your neighbors directly so you will not be held guilty for their crimes.

Galatians 2:11 . . . When Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him publicly, speaking strongly against what he was doing, for it was very wrong.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 . . . Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 . . . Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. Don’t think of them as enemies, but speak to them as you would to a Christian who needs to be warned.

2 Timothy 4:2 . . . Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

Titus 2:15 . . . You must teach these things and encourage your people to do them, correcting them when necessary. You have the authority to do this, so don’t let anyone ignore you or disregard what you say.

Titus 3:10 . . . If anyone is causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with that person.

We are to challenge one another to righteous living.

HOW SHOULD WE REACT WHEN OTHERS CHALLENGE US?

Proverbs 15:32 . . . If you reject criticism, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.

Proverbs 15:4 . . . Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

Acts 5:3-4 . . . Then Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God.”

We are to listen and respond gently and truthfully to God and others.

Philippians 4:5 . . . Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

1 Peter 2:23 . . . He did not retaliate when he was insulted. When he suffered, he did not threaten to get even. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.

Our actions are to remain godly as we trust God.

Titus 1:9 . . . He must have a strong and steadfast belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with right teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.

Matthew 10:26 . . . Don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything will be revealed; all that is secret will be made public.

2 Timothy 2:25 . . . They should gently teach those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will believe the truth.

When our beliefs are challenged by wrong teaching, we are to remain strong in our commitment to the Word of God. Hold fast to the truth of God, then teach it to others. Our gentle, but firm teaching of the truth can pave the way for God to change hearts.

PROMISES FROM GOD:

Joshua 1:7, 9 . . . Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do. . . . I command you-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Psalm 37:5 . . . Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.

Ephesians 6:10-17 . . . A final word: Be strong with the Lord’s mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

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