Introduction

Good morning, dear friends. I am so glad to see each one of you here today. We are gathered together in the presence of our Lord, standing on the common ground of grace. We are a family, bound not by blood, but by the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ. You know, life has a way of throwing curve balls at us, doesn't it? It's filled with trials and tribulations that can sometimes feel overwhelming. But the beautiful truth is, we are not alone in our struggles. Our God is with us, and He uses our trials to shape us, to strengthen us, and to bring us closer to Him.

The esteemed Christian author, J.I. Packer once said, "God uses chronic pain and weakness, along with other afflictions, as his chisel for sculpting our lives. Felt weakness deepens dependence on Christ for strength each day." What a profound reminder that our trials are not purposeless, but they are tools in the hands of our loving God, molding us into the image of His Son.

Today, we will be focusing on a passage from Romans, chapter 5, verses 3-5. It reads, "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."

Persevering through Pressure

In the face of hardship, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. The pressure can seem unbearable, like a weight pressing down on our shoulders. But in these moments, we are called to persevere. We are called to stand firm, to hold fast, to keep going, even when the going gets tough. This is not a call to stoic endurance, but rather a call to active faith. It's a call to trust in God's promises, to lean on His strength, and to keep moving forward, one step at a time.

The first aspect of this is understanding the nature of pressure. Pressure is not something to be feared or avoided. It's a part of life. It's a part of our growth. Just as a diamond is formed under intense pressure, so too are we shaped and refined by the pressures we face. The trials we endure can serve to strengthen our faith, deepen our dependence on God, and to mold us into the people He wants us to be.

We also need to consider the source of our strength. We do not persevere in our own power. Our strength comes from God. He is our rock, our fortress, our deliverer. When we are weak, He is strong. When we are weary, He gives us rest. When we are overwhelmed, He is our refuge. We can persevere through pressure because we are not alone. God is with us, and He is for us.

Thirdly, we must remember the promise of hope. Our perseverance is not in vain. It's not without purpose. It leads to character, and character leads to hope. This hope is not wishful thinking, but a confident expectation. It's a hope that does not disappoint, because it's rooted in the love of God. This hope gives us the courage to face our trials, to endure our pressures, and to persevere through our hardships.

Lastly, we need to embrace the process of growth. Perseverance is not a destination, but a journey. It's a process of becoming, of growing, of maturing. It's a process of learning to trust God more deeply, to lean on Him more fully, and to love Him more dearly. This process is not always easy, but it's always worth it. Because through it, we become more like Christ.

Transition. So, in the face of pressure, let us persevere. Let us stand firm in our faith, lean on God's strength, hold onto hope, and embrace the process of growth. Because through it all, we are being shaped, refined, and transformed into the image of Christ. And that is a journey worth taking.

Promises in Problems

As we continue to reflect on the words of Apostle Paul in Romans 5:3-5, we find ourselves drawn to the second part of this passage, where Paul speaks about the promises that can be found in our problems ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO