June 13, 2020 Sermon Review
John 16:25-33; Psalm 46:1-10
Introduction
Welcome to Sligo today. When I was a child, there was one thing I could count on my parents saying to me whenever I prepared to leave the house to hang out with friends, and that was, “Don’t get into any trouble!” Now I know that I am not alone here, but I’m confident that many of your parents shared similar sentiments with you as well. But as we all would come to learn, sometimes trying to stay out of trouble would not always prove to be a successful undertaking, because despite our valiant efforts to avoid it, trouble had an uncanny way of finding us. And now that many of us find ourselves far removed from the days of our youth, we still encounter frequent visits from our nemesis called trouble. And as the saying goes, “The more things change, the more they remain the same.” But what about when it comes to the life of the Christian? Shouldn’t our lives, to a large degree, be free of trouble? And if not, then what does this say about God? Today we will look to God’s word as we strive to ascertain a theology of trouble in the hopes of putting trouble, in all its forms, in its proper context.
▪ Despite what many preachers and teachers of scripture would have us to believe, the life of the believer is in no way exempt from the onset of trouble. To the contrary, Jesus makes it clear that not only is the believer’s life not exempt or immune to trouble, but that some of the trouble that we will encounter in this life will be the result of our decision to follow him. John 15:18-25; 16:25-33; Matthew 6:33-34
▪ Regardless of the fact that no one in their right mind welcomes trouble, God has promised that not only will he be our refuge in the midst of our troubles, but that despite the discomfort they bring into our lives, they can serve as a means to develop and bring about maturity in our walk with him. Psalms 46:1-10; 119:71-77; Nahum 1:1-7; Matthew 8:23-26; John 14:1-3; 27; Romans 8:25-28
Conclusion
It is inevitable that we will encounter trouble in its many forms in this life, regardless of our decision to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. But what is also inevitable is God’s willingness to grant us the strength that we will need to endure them, as well his ability to use them to develop and strengthen our faith in him.
Question for Reflection
In all honesty, how do you respond when trouble comes into your life? Do you begin to question God’s character and his love for you, or are you able to understand that trouble is a part of living in this fallen world and is not a reflection of his love for you?
Quotes of the Week
“All things are under divine control. Trouble is neither above God nor beyond his control. It is not something in life independent of God. No matter what the source it springs or from where it arises, God is sufficiently wise and able to lay his hand upon it, without assuming responsibility for its origin, and work it into his plans and purposes concerning the highest welfare of his saints.” – E. M. Bounds
We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope. ~ Martin Luther King
“I would go to the deeps a hundred times to cheer a downcast spirit. It is good for me to have been afflicted, that I might know how to speak a word in season to one that is weary.” ~ Charles Spurgeon