Introduction

Welcome, dear friends, to this gathering of hearts and souls, united under the banner of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We gather not as mere spectators, but as active participants in the grand tapestry of God's divine plan. We gather not as individuals lost in the wilderness, but as a beloved community, found in the embrace of our Heavenly Father. We gather not to escape the world, but to be equipped to engage it with the love, hope, and grace of the Gospel.

As we come together today, let us remember the words of the great Charles Spurgeon, who once said, "Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil and let us see what we are made of." In the midst of life's storms and struggles, we are not abandoned. Rather, we are given the opportunity to see the strength of our faith, the depth of our hope, and the power of God's love at work within us.

Our Scripture today comes from Ephesians 5:15-20, which reads:

"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

And from Proverbs 16:3, "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."

And finally, Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for this gathering of souls, united in love and faith. We thank You for Your Word, which guides us, enlightens us, and empowers us. As we reflect on these Scriptures today, open our hearts and minds to Your truth. Help us to see the strength of our faith, the depth of our hope, and the power of Your love at work within us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Fostering Faith in Difficult Times

In the midst of life's storms, it's easy to feel overwhelmed, lost, and even abandoned. We question why we're going through such trials and tribulations. We wonder where God is in all of this. Yet, it's in these moments that our faith is tested and strengthened. It's in these moments that we're called to lean not on our own understanding, but to trust in the Lord with all our hearts.

The Scripture from Ephesians reminds us to live wisely, making the most of every opportunity. This doesn't mean that we should seek out hardship or invite suffering into our lives. Rather, it means that when we find ourselves in difficult situations, we should seek to learn, grow, and draw closer to God. It's about using our trials as stepping stones, not stumbling blocks.

In the midst of our struggles, we're also reminded not to be foolish, but to understand what the Lord’s will is. This can be a challenging task. How can we know what God's will is, especially when we're in the midst of a storm? Yet, the answer is simpler than we might think. God's will for us is to trust Him, to lean on Him, and to allow Him to guide us through our trials.

In the midst of our trials, we're also called to be filled with the Spirit. This means allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us, comfort us, and empower us. It means letting go of our own strength and relying on God's strength. It means surrendering our fears, doubts, and worries to God, and allowing Him to fill us with His peace, joy, and love.

Finally, in the midst of our trials, we're called to give thanks to God. This might seem counterintuitive. Why should we give thanks when we're going through difficult times? Yet, giving thanks is a powerful act of faith. It's a declaration that we trust God, that we believe He is good, and that we know He is working all things together for our good.

Finding Purpose in God's Intentional Creation

As we continue to reflect on the words of Ephesians 5:15-20, we are drawn to the notion of living wisely, making the most of every opportunity ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO