OVERCOMING BARRIERS

There are many barriers to spiritual growth in the world today. In fact, anything that holds us back from following Jesus has become a barrier to our spiritual growth.

From the beginnings of the church, Christians have faced barriers to following Jesus; however, those barriers may be overcome. A good example is the letter to the ancient church in Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-13). This is the sixth of seven letters to the ancient churches of Asia Minor, dictated by Jesus to the Apostle John on the Isle of Patmos.

In this passage, we find four barriers to spiritual growth Jesus helps us overcome: 1. The Barrier of Opportunity 2. The Barrier of Persecution 3. The Barrier of Trials 4. The Barrier of Motivation

Jesus can help us overcome the …

Barrier of Opportunity (vv. 7-8)

Sometimes circumstances seem to be a barrier to our spiritual growth – the right opportunities just don’t seem to open up. Sometimes we don’t take the opportunities He gives us. Jesus helps us overcome these barriers as we: Trust God’s sovereignty. Jesus (God incarnate) is the One who opens and shuts. Jesus opened the right door for them. Don’t trust human strength. They had “little strength.” Keep God’s Word. They kept His Word, in spite of circumstances. This is why Jesus opened the door. Keep trusting Jesus. They did not deny Jesus, in spite of circumstances. This is also why Jesus opened the door.

I have seen downtown churches in big cities are dying, though hundreds of people live across the street. The opportunity is there, yet the churches refuse to reach out to the people around them.

There are a lot of people living around us, that we have not yet reached out to. We need to take the Gospel to every home in our community, no matter who lives there. As long as there is one person who has not heard the Gospel, there is work to be done.

Not only can Jesus help us overcome the barrier of opportunity, He can also help us overcome the…

Barrier of Persecution (v. 9)

Sometimes persecution by people seems to be a barrier to our spiritual growth. We allow others to intimidate us and make us stop following Jesus as we should. Wait on God’s justice. Jesus promised to make their persecutors bow down before them. He will take care of the persecutors in due time.

I can recall many occasions that I failed to share the Gospel with someone, because I was afraid of what they might say, or what they might think of me.

What will they say on Judgment Day, when they hear the words, “Depart from Me, I never knew you,” and they realize that their good Christian friend never told them how to be saved? What will they think then? May God help us to never shy away from sharing our faith, or doing what is right, for fear of what others may say or do!

Not only can Jesus help us overcome the barrier of opportunity and the barrier of persecution, He can also help us overcome the…

Barrier of Trials (vv. 10-11)

Sometimes trials can be a barrier to spiritual growth. Something bad happens that hinders our walk with Jesus. We need to realize: 1. God’s Word gives us endurance. They had kept Jesus’ command [word] to persevere [endure]. It was a matter of obeying Jesus’ word. 2. God protects His children. Jesus promised to keep them from the hour of testing that is to come upon the earth. Followers of Jesus don’t have to fear the end of the world. 3. Hold fast – it won’t be long. Jesus said He was coming quickly. It wouldn’t be long. 4. Hold fast – don’t lose your reward. Jesus told them to hold fast so that they would not lose their crown. We cannot lose our salvation, but we can lose our reward.

There are many people who have experienced some sort of painful trial in life. As a result of that trial, they became angry with God, and stopped living for Him.

Jesus can help us overcome the hurt caused by trials in our lives. Get into His Word – there is strength there. Accept what has happened, and let it go. Begin to trust God again, and see what He will do in your life.

Not only can Jesus help us overcome the barrier of opportunity, the barrier of persecution and the barrier of trials, He can also help us overcome the…

Barrier of Motivation (vv. 12-13)

Why bother? Those who overcome will receive a place of honor. Jesus promised to make them a pillar in the temple of God that will never leave. They will permanently dwell in the presence of God. Those who overcome will receive a name of honor. Jesus promised to write on them the name of God, the name of God’s city and Jesus’ new name. They will be identified with God forever.

I can ask my kids to do some chore around the house, and sometimes get a less-than-enthusiastic response. If I offer them a cookie, however, I get an immediate response. It just takes the right motivation.

The Christian life is not a drag. Jesus has promised us abundant life in the here-and-now, and eternal life in the hereafter. My best life is not now; my best life is yet to come! This life is pretty good! The great rewards Christ has promised should motivate us to be faithful to Him.

What barriers hinder your spiritual growth? Opportunity? Persecution? Trials? Motivation? Something Else? Trust Jesus to help you overcome the barriers in your life.

To learn more about how to follow Jesus, click here.

To find a good church where you can grow in your faith, click here.

This is a synopsis of a sermon presented on 6-14-2009 at Hatch Bend Baptist Church, by Paul A. Coleman.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.