Introduction: Everyone is searching for something. Some people are searching for the perfect job. Some people are searching for the perfect man or woman to marry. Others are searching for a political movement that they can believe in, while still others are searching for a special cause that they can pour themselves into. Many of these people are looking for something or someone to fill a void in their lives that they don’t even realize that they have. The Bible teaches us that we are made in the image of God, and that we have a spiritual nature called a soul. Our souls have a void that can only be filled or satisfied by a personal love relationship with God through his son Jesus Christ. Unfortunately that isn’t a very popular thing to say these days. So instead of turning to Jesus to satisfy their spiritual desires many people are turning to other religions or false doctrines. Consequently America and most of the world are gripped in a Spiritual Drought that is having a devastating effect on individuals, families, and even our churches. I believe something has got to change. I believe the only Hope for America and the world today is a genuine Old fashioned Holy Ghost Revival. Our culture is becoming more and more anti-God and anti-Christianity.
Our nation is at war, and it seems that there is no end in sight to the violence and bloodshed. Regardless of who wins the presidential election chances are we still be fighting the War on Terrorism for many years to come. If not in Afganastan and Iraq then in the streets of New York City, Washington D.C. and Jerusalem.
Gas prices have hit a record high this week. I put some gas in the van on Thursday and couldn’t believe that I had to pay $3.34 cents a gallon. I don’t have to tell you that times are hard. You don’t have to turn on the news to know that the economy is in trouble or that there is a housing slump All you have to do is drive around town and look at all of the houses that are for sale. Even though Simpson County continues to attract new industries some people are losing their jobs and there is a lot of uncertainty about what the future holds.
I wish I could tell you that things are going to get better but I can’t. I don’t want to sound like a prophet of doom and gloom today but I personally believe things are going to get a lot worse before they get better.
Having said that I want to assure you that we are not doomed, that there is Hope.
The Prophet Jeremiah certainly understood this: In Jeremiah 29:11 He said,
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Now I want you to listen to a song, and watch the slide show that goes along with it this morning before I continue this message. The title of the song is “Every Man,” and it is performed by the Contemporary Christian Group “Casting Crowns.”
The first thing I want you to remember this morning is that…
I. Jesus provides peace for troubled times.
I’m sure that James the brother of Jesus had his share of problems but He not only learned how to deal with his problems but also learned to be thankful for them. Listen to what He says in James 1:2-4.
JAS 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
JAS 1:3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
JAS 1:4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
We all have troubled times. We all go through storms in our lives. Some are worse than others, but we’ve all had them. The important thing is what we do while we’re in the midst of that storm. Sometimes people become depressed when difficulties come their way. Others become bitter or even angry with God and blame Him for all of their problems. Instead of blaming Him, we need to do what Peter did. When He looked around and saw the winds and waves he started sinking below the waters of the Sea of Galilee and He cried out to Jesus, who reached down and pulled him up out of the angry waves and into the boat.
Which reminds me of another time when Jesus and His disciples were on the Sea of Galilee when a storm hit. Jesus was asleep and the disciples woke him up and said, Lord we’re all going to drown. He stood up in the boat and said “Peace be Still” and the winds died down and the waves stopped crashing into the boat and everything became still. The disciples were amazed.
One of the storms of life that we have to face is death. Unfortunately several families in our church and community have faced the death of a loved one recently. Jesus knew how death effects those left behind and after the resurrection he appeared to his disciples and said…
"All this I have spoken while still with you.
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:25-27
So regardless of what storms or difficulties you may be facing I hope you will remember that Jesus can and will give you Peace during troubled times.
II. Jesus provides us with a solid foundation on which to stand.
The writer of the hymn “The Solid Rock” that we sang a few minutes ago understood this.
Jesus is the Solid Rock.
In fact He is the Rock of our Salvation and the Cornerstone of our faith.
He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and
He has promised that He will never Leave us or Forsake us.
He is Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.
And He has promised that He will prepare a place for us and that He will return for us.
He is the Good Shepherd, and He has promised to protect us and lead us beside the still waters.
He is the Son of the Living God and has promised that one day we will reign with Him in Glory.
He is the Prince of Peace and has promised to give us the ‘peace of God which surpasses all understanding,”
Like the man who built his house on the Rock, we can be assured that when our foundation is built on Jesus Christ and His Word that He will see us through the storms of life.
III. JESUS PROVIDES US WITH A LOVE THAT NEVER DIES. (1 Corinthians 13)
Jesus taught his disciples about the importance of loving God and Loving one another. In the chapter of the gospel of Mark He said,
MK 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
MK 12:31 The second is this: `Love your neighbor as yourself.’ n There is no commandment greater than these."
and then in the Gospel of John He says,
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
IV. FINALLY, JESUS PROVIDES US WITH THE HOPE OF HEAVEN.
In the 14th chapter of John Jesus said,
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.”
“In My Father’s house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”
John 14:1-3
The Apostle Paul describes the Second coming of Christ as the “blessed Hope.” As Christians we are confident that Jesus is coming again and in my opinion it could be any day.
Jesus is the Hope for every man!
1. He gives us Peace for Troubled times.
2. He provides us with A Solid Foundation.
3. He has given us A Love that never dies.
4. He has provided us with The Hope of Heaven.
