Help in the Time of Trouble
Isaiah 40:28-31
Text: 41:10
Opening Song: Praise Him, Praise Him -- Jesus,
Bleesed Savior is worthy to be Praised.
Prayer: Father the task of preaching your Gospel is once again in my keeping. I commit myself to do the very best that I can. Clear my mind of distractions, warm my heart with compassion, and fill my soul with faith in your goodness and power. Speak to me that I may speak for you. Speak through me that I may speak to those who wait to hear your unadulterated gospel. Right now Lord I ask that you remove self, I ask that you remove pride -- increase in me and I decrease in you; hide me behind your cross. Now Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight. My Lord you are my strength and my redeemer. This is my prayer.
For our scripture let us consider the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 40:28-31; 41:10. For our text let us focus in chapter 41:10. It reads:
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee. Be not dismayed; for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Subject: Help in the Time of Trouble (repeat)
Turn to your neighbor and say, “Neighbor, I don’t know about you -- but I need some help, in the time of trouble”
Text:
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee. Be not dismayed; for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Subject: Help in the Time of Trouble
Before we go any further -- let us get a better understanding of the word trouble. Webster defines trouble as distress, affliction, danger, or need. It goes on to define it as pain, disease or malfunction; the cause of confusion, to inconvenience or bother.
Now I don’t know which one of these definitions fit you -- but I came to tell you that there is Help in the Time of Trouble (repeat)
Trouble! Throughout the bible, God often used trouble to shape, grow, and discipline His people. Today, most of us would readily admit that we are shaped by our past and present experiences in life. Each of our life experiences, the good and the bad, can remind us of our dependence on God. He is the source of every good thing, as well as -- the one who strengthens, guides, and helps us -- in times of trouble.
Now, I don’t want to confuse you -- so let me set the record straight, God does not just shape you during your times of trouble. He is also able to shape a man through blessings. Lets us consider Job for example. A man of many blessings -- but never the less grew a character in him that continued to trust God. Job trusted God when troubles came into his life -- even when tragedy left him with nothing.
Unfortunately brothers, more often than not -- it is only in the time of trouble that when men seem to turn to God. It is in the time of trouble -- that men learn God alone is able to handle all they face.
I don’t know why, but in time of serious crises men somehow realizes their dependence on God’s love. Now, that is not a problem, there is nothing wrong with that -- because God can and does use every day and every circumstance to teach and deliver us.
Let me try to get my point across from another angle --
In doing so, lets look at another Old Testament Saint. Let us consider Moses. You see Moses from his birth to his death -- his whole life was being shaped and molded by God. Ya’ll know the story -- you see God searched for a man to fashion into an instrument to lead -- His people out of the bondage of slavery -- into freedom and into a new relationship with Himself. Well guess what, God appoint Moses to do the job. Ya’ll know Moses -- the shepherd, and a murderer on the run -- this goes to show the power and of God.
I’m talking about -- Help in the Time of Trouble
Some of you may have done some things that you want to forget, but I came to tell you that God would use those tragedies of your past to deepen your dependence upon him. One good thing about that is, it is through our tragedies of life that often force us to cry out to God.
I stopped by to tell you tonight -- that God wants to help you in your time of trouble.
Brothers don’t think that your background is too rebellious, don’t think that your background too difficult, or too sinful for God to use you. If in your past you have deceit, robbery, hatred, racism, adultery, murder, or even rebellion, I stopped by to tell you be not dismayed because you are in the same company as Moses, King David, the Apostle Paul, Abraham, Jacob and other.
Besides, God does not take you just the way you are (repeat). But God takes you in spite of the way you are. He takes your willing heart, regardless of it’s past, and creates a new heart, one that seeks after Him. Each situation we face in life further develops our character and with God’s help you will leave this current circumstance better than you were before.
Can I get a witness?
Well preacher -- is my change going to happen over night.
Well, before I answer that -- I need to get you to think of Moses again. Did you know -- that it took 80 years before Moses was ready to listen and obey God; 80 years before God used the lowly shepherd to bring the mighty Pharaoh to his knees. Remember Moses had become a fugitive on the run, in exile in the Sinai wilderness far from his family and home, tending goats and sheep.
Which goes to show me that regardless of how bleak his future may have seemed, he was where God wanted him. You see, in order for God to use you, you need to be where He wants you. Moses was where God wanted Him -- You see Moses circumstances made him humble, moldable and teachable.
Unfortunately, just like Moses, it took coming to your wilderness -- it took coming to prison before you decided to listen to God. You see, God was knocking on your door while you where in the gates of the city, but you didn’t want to listen --so He had to send you to the wilderness -- He had to send you to these gates. Be not dismayed, the good thing is -- that you are in here tonight. So that tells me that you are just like Moses and have decided to listen. That tells me -- that you have decided to seek God’s help in your time of trouble. That tells me that you are now humble, moldable, and teachable.
Now that you are in the wilderness -- now that you got some quite time, I encourage you pray and ask God to reveal what it is that He has prepared for you. Pray for a better understanding of what you need to do to respond to His leadership.
Now I got news for you -- new that might upset some and might help others -- I got a word for you.
Just because you are in trouble does not mean that you have been called to preach. No -- don’t get me wrong not all of you have been called to preach. Not all of you have been called to preach. I have meet so many brothers that just because they got into trouble -- they think that, that is God’s way of saying go preach. You see, that is not what God is saying -- that’s why so many ministry fail because they were never sent -- instead of waiting to be sent by God they simply went -- instead of being sent to their appoint place of duty -- they went. So don’t confuse you present condition or circumstance with a call to the ministry. Before you take hold of this plow; make sure that your calling is sure. Before you take hold of this plow make sure that your calling is secure -- because once you take hold there is no turning back.
I say all of that -- to say that just because you are going through some trouble -- does not mean that you have been called to preach. In fact, the truth of the matter is that we are not first called to a task; we are not called first to a mission, a job or a ministry. We are called first into a relationship with our Heavenly Father. When you become obedient to God in your activities -- is when he appoints us to certain ministries -- not before but after. First we have to become obedient and develop a relationship.
Yes -- I said a relationship. Relationship equals satisfaction. It does not matter what kind of car you drive, what kind of clothes your wear. Unless you have a relationship with the Lord and Savior your life will not be complete. You need Christ in you life. Christ in your life means Christ is directing you, empowering you, and living through you.
If you have Christ in your life -- nothing is impossible for you and Christ to do together.
I came to tell you that you can overcome these prison walls -- the keys to your release (repeat) rest not with a letter of recommendation, the keys to your release rest not with your parole officer waking up on the right side of the bed, the keys to your release rest not with the Shelby County Judge being in a good mood on the day of your sentencing -- but the keys to release rest in the condition of your heart.
Well preacher -- what do you mean? Well -- it means that plenty of us have prayed and promised God that we would stop doing such and such -- if He would remove the sentence, We promised that we would stop doing this and that if He would remove the punishment. We promised that we would stop going here and going there, if He would lighten our load. We promised that we would stop selling this and stop taking that if he would allow us to go free.
Well preacher -- I still don’t understand
Well, I came to tell you -- that it is not enough to play clean, it isn’t enough to play sober, and it isn’t enough to play healed. It isn’t enough to play changed. Because you ain’t fooling nobody but yourself. But the keys to your release rest in the condition of your heart.
You see God’s wants to heal you and help you in your time of trouble. Just like Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, now that you have some quite time (repeat) -- allow God to minister to you by the power of His Holy Spirit about the direction and calling on your life. So that when you leave here you want come back.
Well preacher -- How will He do that? Well refer back to our text. We see that it says:
“Fear thou not; well preacher, what does that mean. It means that you don’t have to be afraid of nothing. For the bible tells me “for I am with thee.
Well brothers it is not the Kelvin Parks that’s with you, but it’s the Lord God.
David reminds us over in the Psalms “…Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
Our scripture tells us, Be not dismayed; Well that just simply means -- don’t be discourage. Just like with Moses, things may seem a little bleak right now. Be don’t be discouraged, don’t be troubled, or even perplexed. I came to tell you to lift your chin up. Don’t lose your courage or your self-confidence.
Why, for the Bible tells me so -- it says, for I -- not Kelvin Parks, but it says for I, not Mayor Herrington, for I not President Bush, not Al Sharpton, not Jesse Jackson, not even David Duke -- or TD Jakes. Tammy Faye Baker ain’t got nothing on this.
Nawl, I don’t want you to get confused, but my bible says for I am thy God. That means that it ain’t momma, it ain’t daddy -- sista and brother can’t help you though this -- girlfriend can’t help you, besides, Johnny has got your girlfriend and gone. Your kids will leave you and forsake you.
I just happy tonight that I got a God that will stick to me closer than any brother. I just happy tonight that bible says I am thy God. Which means in spite of what you are going through (repeat). I am thy God. In spite of your circumstances, I am thy God. In spite of your sins, I am thy God. I just happy tonight that when momma refuses to send me money for commissary, when daddy curses me, brother and sister despises me; son and daughter disowns me -- I am just happy tonight that in spite of all that -- He still says I am thy God.
Well walk with me -- let’s go a little bit further.
Not only that, it also tells me that my God will strengthen thee; well that just means that when the night seems the darkest, the road to recovery seems the longest, when your valley experiences seems the lowest, when your mountains top seem to hard to climb -- my God will strengthen thee.
(boxing example)
When you feel -- like life is only throwing you a stiff jab and an upper cut -- knocking you down to the gutters and the slum of life.
I came to tell you -- don’t give up the fight. My bible tells me “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” Which means that God will give you the power to withstand whatever the Devil is throwing at you.
My bible goes on to say -- yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
I don’t know about you -- but that is shouting time for me -- because that tells me that I am not in this struggle alone. It means to me that my God has got my back. Not only does He have my back, but got front and both of side.
It means to me that when the devil is trying to attack, I can look at old Satan and say, “No weapon that is formed against me will prosper.” When I at my lowest point and it seems like the enemy is encamped around me, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills. From whence cometh my help? My help cometh from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
I wish I had some help in here -- ya’ll ain’t getting this
So let me break it down and put it in your lap and tell you about my personal experiences-- Well, in my world series of life (repeat), God is not only my lead off batter -- which means He is batter number one -- the first to the plate.
You see -- I need for Him to get me off to a good start and get on base and lead the way.
Let me tell you a little story -- when I was a child during my little league, junior high and high school sporting days I was never part of a winning team. In fact during little league football years we lose every game. When I moved up to high school for some strange reason I could not dunk basketball -- I was tall enough and could jump high enough, but for some strange reason I could not dunk unless somebody else dunk first. I don’t know why -- maybe the hype and the excitement of seeing someone else do it that caused me to jump a few inches higher or maybe I was a little afraid. Whatever the reason -- that same rule applies.
You see I needed some help in the time of trouble. I don’t just want anybody leading off for me. I don’t just want anybody showing me how to dunk.
So I decided to make God my coach. But wait -- just like the TV commercial, but wait that’s not all -- the story does not end there. Let me tell you the good part.
You see -- not only did I decide to make Him my coach but I also decided to make him my General manager. Which means that He has the authority to put me in the position that he wants me to be in. Let me tell you one thing about this coach of mine. One thing about this coach on mine, He is not like these earthly coaches -- you know who sell player for cash. One thing about this coach -- if you talk back to Him, show up late for practice or disrespect him in any way -- he will put you on the bench. And if you try to hire yourself another coach behind His back -- He will kick you off of His team.
But wait there is more -- let me finish with my story.
You see -- we had some room under our salary cap. My coach saw that I was not able to get the job done. That is one thing about my coach, if He sees that you are not able to get the job done, He want hesitate to go out and hire some help. So my coach hired a designed hitter. The best hitter the world had ever seen. All the fans called Him Jesus; I like to refer to Him as Lord or Master because He is in control.
You see my Coach knew that I was not able -- so He sent in the Designated Hitter by the name of Jesus to die on the cross for the remission of my sins.
Ya’ll don’t hear me.
Some of you may refer to Him as batter number four -- mister clean up. Well, Reggie Jackson is know as Mister October -- but my clean up hitter is know as master of the universe -- because He created the heavens and the earth. You see -- my designated hitter cleaned up what I messed up and started my life all over again.
He’s not only my designated hitter but he is also my third base coach. He is over there calling singles -- via the power of His Holy Spirit as I am running around the bases of life (repeat). He calling signals -- which is cleaning me up. Not only did He clean me up, but changed my attitude. He also taught me how to run the bases of life.
You see -- when I use to run the bases -- I use to look to my right trying to see if the ball was coming in from right field. When I use to run the bases -- I would look to the left to see if the catcher if was going to try and throw me out at second -- but he taught me how to run and keep my eye on him. He taught he how to run and keep my eyes on the prize.
My third base coach (I call Him the Holy Spirit) --He helped me in the time of trouble. You see I was almost thrown out at second, but He renewed my mind and cleaned me up. Not only did He do that -- He also gave me a new walk, and He gave me a new talk. My third base coach taught me how to run the bases of life -- which means that the places I use to go -- I don’t do no more. The people I use to hang with -- I don’t hang out with them no more. I came to tell you that -- He could do the same thing for you.
- You see -- God wants to help you during your time of trouble.
- So don’t be afraid
- Don’t be dismayed
- God will strengthen you when you feel the weakest
- He wants to help you -- during your time of trouble
- He wants to uphold you -- and prevent you from falling
- He wants to defend you in your time of trouble.
- Don’t be focused on the trouble or crisis -- just remember that God is in the midst of it -- and with his help everything is going to be alright
- So just ride on through your storm
- Don’t look at your present state as a distraction. But look at your trouble as opportunity for God to form a bridge over your trouble waters.
God wants to -- Help you in the Time of Trouble (repeat). Will you let Him help you?
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee. Be not dismayed; for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
God wants to -- Help in the Time of Trouble (repeat)
**Every head bowed and every eye closed as the musician plays slowly
All you have to do accept His only begotton Son Jesus as your personal Savior. You can do that now coming down this aisle and giving me your hand and God your help.
Romans 10:9-10
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Invitational Song: Come Unto Jesus While You Have Time
