Introduction

Good morning, beloved. Today, we gather under this roof, not as strangers, but as a family united in Christ. We come together to share in the Word, to find solace, and to find strength. We are here to remind ourselves that our faith is not a fair-weather friend, but an anchor in the storm. As we navigate the tumultuous seas of life, we are often met with challenges that test our faith. We are faced with situations that may cause us to question our beliefs and our commitment to the path that God has set for us.

But, dear friends, let us remember the words of the great Charles Spurgeon, who said, "Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of."

Today, we turn to the scriptures to find guidance and inspiration.

Confronting Challenges with Christ

Leaning on God: When we face challenges, it is not a sign of God's absence, but rather an opportunity for us to lean on Him more. It's an opportunity to turn to Jesus, to seek His guidance, and to draw strength from His love. It's an opportunity to let His light shine through the cracks of our brokenness, illuminating our path and leading us through the storm.

The scripture from Romans: This reminds us that tribulations lead to patience, experience, and hope. It's a process, a cycle that starts with challenges. When we face these challenges with Christ, we are not merely surviving; we are growing. We are developing patience as we wait on God's timing. We gain experience as we learn to trust in His plan. And through it all, we find hope - a hope that does not disappoint because it is anchored in God's love.

It's easy to lose sight of this process: We may focus on the storm and forget about the growth that is happening within us. But when we confront these challenges with Christ, we are reminded of the bigger picture. We are reminded that our current struggles are not the end of our story, but rather a chapter that is shaping us, molding us, and preparing us for what God has in store.

The scripture from Acts: This tells the story of the apostles who were thrown into prison for spreading the gospel. Despite their circumstances, they did not lose faith. Instead, they continued to stand firm in their belief and to speak the words of life to the people. This is a powerful example of confronting challenges with Christ. Even in the face of persecution, the apostles did not waver. They leaned on Christ, drew strength from Him, and continued to fulfill their mission.

This is a call for us to do the same: When we face challenges, we are called to stand firm in our faith, to lean on Christ, and to continue fulfilling our God-given mission. We may not be thrown into prison for our beliefs, but we all face our own trials. And in these trials, we have the opportunity to demonstrate our faith, to show the world that our belief in Christ is not shaken by the storms of life.

The scripture from Luke: This is a conversation between Jesus and Simon Peter. Jesus tells Peter that Satan desires to sift him as wheat, but He has prayed for Peter's faith to not fail. This is a powerful reminder that even in the face of challenges, we are not alone. Jesus is interceding for us, praying for our faith to remain strong.

This is a source of comfort and strength for us: Knowing that Jesus is praying for us, that He is interceding on our behalf, gives us the courage to confront our challenges. It reminds us that we are not fighting these battles alone. We have a powerful ally in Jesus, who not only understands our struggles but is actively praying for us.

Cultivating Steadfastness through Struggles

Word study: In the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul speaks about the glory in tribulations ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO