Getting up, Dusting off and Movin on

Proverbs 24:16

Intro: I know everyone has heard the statement “you can’t keep a good man down.” God has a version of this statement “If a child of God falls, he/she will get up, again and again.” Our text says, “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again.” The number seven isn’t given as a limitation; rather it is given as an example of persistence and dependability. This persistence and dependability does not come through ourself, as a child of God it comes from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The forces of Hell itself cannot totally overcome the individual redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. Those of us who have loved ones that have wandered away from God can take comfort; if he or she is redeemed by the blood of Christ, look for that person to get up again. We can glean some thoughts from this verse that will help us “get up, dust off and move on.”

I. See a problem

II. See a priority

III. See a pattern

IV. See a promise

I. See a problem

A. Sin nature

B. Sensual temptation

II. See a priority

(an example of Peter)

A. Sanctification is a process

B. Glorification is a result

III. See a pattern

A. Mischief of the lost

1. Is intentional

2. Is indefinite

B. Maturity of the redeemed

1. Temptation

God will not allow more than we can handle

2. Testing

God will test our faithfulness

IV. See a promise

A. Redemption for the lost

B. Repentance for the fallen

Conc. Regardless of what others think of us or what we may think of ourselves every believer has failed God. Some more than others, some more severely than others, but we have all been there. The greatest failure anyone can have is not knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior. Beyond salvation is living a life of growth, maturity and development in the service of God. We can have that, if we seek it and do our part which is to see our problem, see our position, see a pattern in our life and see the promise of our Savior for the future.