SUPERNATURAL CHURCH #5:
FINDING COMFORT IN TIMES OF TROUBLE
OPENING: The Story So Far:
In Acts chapter 1: Jesus told His disciples to wait for the Promise of the Father
In Acts chapter 2: The Holy Spirit fell on the day of Pentecost and the church was born
In Acts chapter 3: Peter and John healed a 40 year old man who had been born crippled
THIS WEEK’S STORY:
“Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.” (Acts 4:1-3).
- The early church experienced great joys and victories, but also many TROUBLES!
PREAMBLE: How many of you are in the midst of a storm or a valley? Having a bad day? Having a bad week? Today’s message is designed to bring you comfort & encouragement!
- The Apostle Paul said that he was:
“Put in JAIL more often,
WHIPPED times without number
faced DEATH again and again.
Five different times the Jews gave me 39 LASHES.
Three times I was BEATEN with sticks.
Once I was STONED.
Three times I was SHIPWRECKED.
Once I spent a whole night and a day ADRIFT at sea.
I traveled many WEARY miles.
I faced DANGER in cities, deserts, and stormy seas.” (2 Cor. 11:23-26).
What does this mean? Life is HARD!
- Just because you’re a Christian doesn’t mean you won’t go through STORMS!
- Jesus said: “I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” (John 16:33).
STORY: IN THE EYE OF THE STORM
“On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side." Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:35-39).
- Sometimes we go through storms even when we are being OBEDIENT to Jesus!
FINDING COMFORT IN TIMES OF TROUBLE:
1. When we go through storms, we learn to TRUST GOD.
“I think you ought to know, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and completely overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead.” (1 Cor. 1:8-9).
2. God COMFORTS us in our troubles and storms so we can COMFORT others.
“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.” (2 Cor. 1:4-5).
3. When God rescues us in answer to our prayers, many people will GLORIFY God.
“And he did deliver us from mortal danger. And we are confident that he will continue to deliver us. He will rescue us because you are helping by praying for us. As a result, many will give thanks to God because so many people’s prayers for our safety have been answered.” (1 Cor. 1:10-11).
4. We get knocked down, but we get up again and KEEP GOING.
“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.” (2 Cor. 4:8-9).
5. No matter how long the trouble lasts, it won’t last forever. Keep PRESSING ON!
“For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.” (2 Cor. 4:17-18).
BACK TO OUR STORY IN ACTS:
“And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord.” (Acts 4:23-24).
- When you go through storms, call on your FRIENDS and PRAY for one another!
“Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.” (Acts 4:32).
- Galatians 6:2 says, “Share each other’s TROUBLES and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.”
CLOSING: Let’s take the time to pray for one another!
