046. Defeat, Seeming
046. Defeat, Seeming
46
SEEMING DEFEAT
INTRODUCTION Many apparent defeats; temporal ones may turn out to be a victory. Sickness may defeat work, but gives time for meditation; loss of time may seem defeat, but reflection may change the life .
I. LOSING LIFE 1. "Self-preservation first Jaw of life."
2. May lose life by holding it.
3. Expend energy to gain education , but gain larger life by it.
II. LOSING AND SAVING 1. Giving life here for eternal life hereafter.
2. Martyrs seed of the kingdom.
3. Stephen’s death inspired others.
4. Persecution of the church strengthened it.
III. FINDING BY LOSING 1. Peter lost self-confidence , but gained. n 2. Finder of life shall lose it. (Matthew 26:33 ; Mark I0:39 .) 3. Godliness profitable . (1 Timothy 4:7-8.) IV. SAVING BY SPENDING 1. Save ourselves by spending ourselves.
2. Hoarding life as money--impossible.
3. Slaves to thermometer---victims of disease.
4. Serving others, gain abundant life.
V. LIVING BY DYING 1. Life enlarged by dying .
2. We die daily.
3. Musician lives by dying.
4. Old man dies that new man may live.
VI. VICTORY THROUGH DEFEAT 1. Must give earthly life to gain heavenly.
2. "The way of the cross" leads to life.
3. Cross precedes the crown.
4. Jesus triumphant in resurrection.
5. Greatest victories through defeat.