Pastor Rob Carlson: 
"Overcoming Our Obstacles" 
series: COMPASS: Chart Your Course
Sunday, January 11, 2004 

Philippians 3:12-14--Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:19--And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:37--No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 

CONSIDER ELIJAH 
(1 Kings 19--page 351 in pew Bible) 

Fact #1: Obstacles can consume us, disable us, and destroy us. 

Genesis 4:7--...sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it. 

1. Discouragement eats at us, blurs the facts, and replaces hope with fear. Vs. 1-3 

2. Discouragement results in an inaccurate and low self-concept. Vs. 4 

3. Discouragement blinds us to the blessings of God. Vs. 5-8 

4. Discouragement leads us into self-pity. Vs. 9, 10 

5. Discouragement causes us to blame others for our predicament. Vs. 11-14 

6. Discouragement brainwashes us into believing untruth. Vs. 15-18

Fact #2: Obstacles do not have to consume us, disable us, and destroy us. 

We can overcome our obstacles through the power of Jesus Christ. 

Notice that a lot happened between verse 18 and verse 19... 

• Facts clarified
• Self-concept restored 
• Blessings of God appreciated 
• Self-pity over 
• Blame-game done 
• Brainwashing over 

Isaiah 40:31--but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. 

Romans 8:37--No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  

John 16:33--I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.  

Revelation 21:7--He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.  

1. How do you feel when obstacles hit your life? How do you handle them? 
2. Review the points and Bible verses from this lesson. 
   What personal application can you make from this week's teaching? 
3. What Bible principles on overcoming life's obstacles are most helpful to you?
4. Take some time right now to pray for the needs of those in your small group. 

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