Pilgrim’s ProgressPilgrim’s Progress

Part Four – Meeting Difficulties Part Four – Meeting Difficulties in the in the

Christian PathwayChristian Pathway

Upon that cross of Jesus,Upon that cross of Jesus,Mine eye at times can seeMine eye at times can see

The very dying form of The very dying form of OneOne

Who suffered there for Who suffered there for me;me;

And from my stricken And from my stricken heart,heart,

with tears,with tears,Two wonders I confess-Two wonders I confess-

The wonders of His The wonders of His glorious love,glorious love,And my own And my own

worthlessness. worthlessness.

"He hath given me rest by his sorrow,

And life by his death."

Christian at the Cross

Three Shining Ones

• GREETINGS: “PEACE BE TO THEE”• 1st “ Thy sins be forgiven thee” (God the Father)

• 2nd Took his old clothes and gave him new ones (God the Son)

• 3rd3rd Set a mark on his forehead & gave him a roll Set a mark on his forehead & gave him a roll with a seal on it to be handed into the Celestial with a seal on it to be handed into the Celestial City. (God the Holy Spirit)City. (God the Holy Spirit)

First Detour -

• Simple, Sloth and PresumptionSimple, Sloth and Presumption

Simple said, "I see no danger."

Sloth said, "Yet a little more sleep."

And Presumption said, "Every vat must stand upon its own bottom."

Formalist and Hypocrisy

• A Formalist – practices religious forms but does not possess Christ as Saviour.

• A Hypocrite – deliberately deceives others concerning his profession of religion

Both jumped the wall because they wanted a short-cut and neither came through the

door! Cf John 10 v 1

Hill of Difficulty • Choices AvailableChoices Available

1. Round the hill via the road of danger.

2. Alternative round- about via the road of destruction

3. Option of meeting difficulty and going over the hill.

• Routes which were Routes which were chosenchosen

• 1. True way – leads up the hill

• 2. False ways lead around the hill and to judgement

• 3. Grace give to meet the difficulty. (Is. 49;10-11)

Meeting the Difficulty •

"This hill, though high, I covet to ascend;The difficulty will not me offend,For I perceive the way to life lies here:Come, pluck up, heart, let's neither faint nor fear!Better, though difficult, the right way to go,Than wrong, though easy, where the end is woe."

•

• RUNNINGRUNNING

• GOINGGOING

• CLAMBERING CLAMBERING

Pilgrim @ the Arbor

* Meant only to Refresh the Weary Pilgrim – it was not a place to stay.

* Pilgrim – Read his Scroll - Re-examined his Coat-Relaxed and went to sleep

-In other – words he felt self-satisfied and did not see his need to press on!!

-His delay was to cost him dearly!

Awakened from his sleep

• Proverbs 6:9 Proverbs 6:9

How long wilt thou sleep, O How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou sluggard? when wilt thou

arise out of thy sleep?arise out of thy sleep?

Mistrust & Timorous

Regaining the lost scroll

• Retrace his steps

• Cost him time

• Confess his sloth & sin

• Wept for his sin

• 1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

• 1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Hindrances to Progress!

Christian though afraid pressed on.

Palace Beautiful

• Lions were chained

• Encouragement was given from Porter

• Faith was victorious

• Reached the Top of the Hill of Difficulty

• Providence – God is in control.

• Work of the Pastor is to watch and encourage

• Though afraid trust!

• You can overcome your difficulties also!

• Providence – God is in control.

• Work of the Pastor is to watch and encourage

• Though afraid trust!

• You can overcome your difficulties also!