Title (reaffirm / remind congregation through out) : FAITH IT OUT ’TIL YOU FIGURE IT OUT!
Theme: Holding on to your faith in God in the face of Disappointments, Discouragement & Difficulties (adversities)
We all get times of difficulties, discouragement & disappointments – maybe you have experienced these recently & have found yourself crying out for some relief, with the feeling that you ‘can’t take any more of it, like you’re at breaking point – at the end of your rope!??’
I believe that God wants to speak into each of your lives tonight & my prayer is that tonight you would be encouraged to ‘keep on keeping on!’ To be spurred on in your faith & catch some tenacity in your life that will cause you to hold on to God in spite of your circumstances! Be encouraged that in our weakness He will make us strong! Whatever you might be going through or are about to go through, know that God is there to help pull you through!
Key Scripture: “Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner”
1 Peter 4v12-13 (MESSAGE)
When we get times of disappointments & difficulties we can choose to respond in 2 ways.
1.) We can allow these to discourage & demote you & at worst destroy you, OR
2.) You can allow these problems to prosper & promote you, propelling you further forward
E.g. When Lance Armstrong (a professional cyclist) was diagnosed with brain, lung and testicular cancer all at the same time; he chose to get back on his bike & ‘keep on keeping on.’ He went on from this to win 5 Tour de France’s in a row!!! An event which some consider to be the most gruelling athletic event in the world.
He didn’t allow himself to wallow in self pitty, or let his negative circumstances contain him; but he used his experience as LEVERAGE to make him even more determined to succeed & become an inspiration to other cancer victims. It became a DEFINING MOMENT (rather than a destroying moment) that propelled him on to achieve GREATNESS against all the odds!
Key Statement (for end): When we can’t figure it out, we have to faith it out!
All things work together for the good of those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8v28
“He gives us beauty in exchange for our ashes.” Isaiah 61v3
Introduction:
Within months Fred Whiteman went through more pain than most of us do in a life time. Cancer claimed his best friend. Then his mum died and his wife was killed. Next, he underwent a heart transplant. And while he was still recovering he had to deal with cancer and a lawsuit. When Fred gets to heaven he can compare notes with Job!
(QEUSTION for reflection) How would you feel? (ask if anyone would like to answer)
So do you think this guy is bitter and angry? Holding a grudge, resentful, blaming God for his misfortunes? No, in fact he did what the Psalmist King David said
‘…when my heart is overwhelmed (grows faint - NIV): lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.’ Psalm 61v2 (KJV)
‘…down to my last gasp, I call out, "Guide me up High Rock Mountain!"’ (MESSAGE)
‘…I will cry to you for help, for my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety,’ (NEW LIVING TRANSLATION)
When David was at the end of his rope, down to his last gasp, feeling down & struggling to cope with life - He cried out to God for direction, the One He acknowledged as being ‘higher’ than himself, above all his disappointments & troubles. The God who is above all other names!! The God who is above depression, discouragement, doubt, fear & loneliness. Above sickness, disease & the powers of death!
God desires to lead you to that same towering rock of safety! That place of security, protection & shelter.
When you are overwhelmed it is easy to ‘…jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job.’
We’ve all experienced times of weakness where we doubted if God was aware of our situation.
But when Fred shares his story with others, he encourages them to ‘faith it out till you figure it out!’ When we don’t understand what life brings our way, when we can’t answer the question ‘why’, God spurs us on to hold on to our faith…to keep our confidence & faith in Him…to trust & believe that God still on the throne!
“Dot not away your confidence, which has great reward!” Hebrews 10v35 (NKJV)
God promises to reward those who endure hardships for the sake of the Gospel.
“Let us not grow weary while doing good; for in due season we shall reap if we don’t loose heart or faint.’ Galatians 6v9
3 Things We Can Learn From Adversity:
i) It shows you how much you need God. Without God we are lost. It reminds you of your humanity; that you’re just a heart beat from eternity
ii.) It produces character, refines the integrity of your heart & takes away the desire to play games (to regard life lightly). – ILLUSTRATION – My boss challenged me & gave me a warning about lateness, initially I became offended & the walls came up. I thought how dare she say that when I do some much hard work & effort. But later on when I was thinking & praying on it I realised that she was actually doing me a favour. I wasn’t being a good witness & I wasn’t showing the excellence of our God. I used this criticism as leverage to spur me on to improve & get there early. So I started going the extra mile & getting there early (even though I wasn’t getting paid for it) 2 months later after being consistent I was offered promotion! You can either let your circumstances burry you or elevate you. Quite often we need to be taken aside & given constructive feedback – this will helps us to grow. We shouldn’t get all offened when we’re corrected in church or by friends but we should be thankful (DONKEY STORY optional)
iii.) It lets God use you by showing others that in their darkest hour He’ll be there for them too. (Though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death, I shall fear no evil; for You are with me, your rod & staff comfort me – Psalm 23.)
Throughout the Bible we see people who went through times of adversity (share some examples):
- Job
- Joseph
- Paul
Sometimes bad things happen to good people, but that doesn’t mean that God has stopped loving you or doesn’t care. His love endures eternally – it’s constantly abounding & immovable!
Maybe you can identify today with David in feeling that your heart is ‘overwhelmed’? That life is ‘too much of a struggle’? Maybe you feel like you’re ‘down to your last gasp’ Struggling to cope with the pressures & trials of life?
Well I’ve got Good News for you! God’s knows exactly how you are feeling! The Bible says that He knows the deepest thoughts of your heart. God loves you & desires to be a source of comfort in your time of need.
“The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
The LORD is close to the broken-hearted;
he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.
The righteous face many troubles,
but the LORD rescues them from each and every one.”
Psalm 34v17-19 (NLT)
“Is anyone crying for help? GOD is listening,
ready to rescue you. If your heart is broken, you’ll find GOD right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath. Disciples so often get into trouble; still, GOD is there every time.”
Psalm 34v17-19 (MESSAGE)
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.”
Psalm 46v1(NKJV)
God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need Him.
He offers to give us His beauty in exchange for our ashes. He offers to the divine exchange:- His faith for your fears…Healing for your brokenness…Joy for your sadness! He wants to swap His Success for your failures…peace for your worries.
He is inviting you to ‘cast your heavy burdens onto Him’ allow Him to lighten your load.
What others may have meant to harm you, God wants to turn it around to bless you! He wants you to put His positive next to your negative so that you & Him can ‘get Connected’ & His power can FLOW THROUGH you EMPOWERING you to live the abundant life He came to give!
Paul says that nothing shall separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8v35-39). So when you start wondering, ‘Why did God let this happen’?’ remember, He never said you would not face adversity. Trials, hardships & challenges that come into our lives. No.
He said that you would never be outside of His care. So don’t Judge God’s love based on your circumstances; instead look for Him in the midst of them. Just like God was with Shaddrach, Meshach & Abbednigo in the firey furnance, just like he was with Joana in the belly of the whale, or Daniel in the lions den – He will be there for you!
Conclusion (Summary):
Holding on to your faith in God in the face of Disappointments, Discouragement & Difficulties (adversities) & allow God to empower you for victory!
RECAP ’3 Things We Can Learn From Adversity’ (from above):
Challenge:
When troubles strike, don’t get frustrated with God. Instead, admit that you need God’s help and thank Him for being at your side.
Optional Additional Text:-
There was a man in the Bible called Jacob who had struggles that came his way, but he refused to let go of God until God BLESSED HIM!
Jacob – Genesis 32v24-30
Whilst Jacob was on his own - a man came and wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he couldn’t get the best of Jacob as they wrestled, he deliberately threw Jacob’s hip out of joint. The man said, "Let me go; it’s daybreak."
Jacob said, "I’m not letting you go ’til you bless me." 27 The man said, "What’s your name?"
He answered, "Jacob." 28 The man said, "But no longer. Your name is no longer Jacob. From now on it’s Israel (God-Wrestler); you’ve wrestled with God and you’ve come through."
29 Jacob asked, "And what’s your name?"
The man said, "Why do you want to know my name?" And then, right then and there, he blessed him.
30 Jacob named the place Peniel (God’s Face) because, he said, "I saw God face-to-face and lived to tell the story!"
We should be encouraged by this story knowing that if we HOLD ON to God & don’t let go, God will BLESS US in the end!
