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The Message
Contributed by Jeff Pearce on Jun 29, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: FINDING COMFORT IN HARD TIMES.
THE MESSAGE
INTRO: WORLD OF PAIN AND SORROW
1: TAKE A LOOK AROUND
A) SO MANY BAD THINGS IN THE WORLD
B) PEOPLE MAKING BAD DECISIONS
C) NATURAL DISASTERS
POINT: GOD IS SPEAKING TO THE WORLD NOT JUST AMERICA BUT THE WHOLE WORLD HIS MESSAGE IS CLEAR AND TRUE. SADLY THE HUMAN RACE IS TURNING A DEAF EAR UNTO HIS WORDS.
2: PAIN IS NOT ALWAYS BAD
A) SOMETIMES WE SUFFER
B) WE HURT
C) WE EXPERIENCE LOSE
POINT: WHEN GOD ALLOWS US TO FEEL PAIN HE IS MENDING AND REBUILDING WHATEVER IT IS WE LOST OR WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE THAT HAPPENED HE ALLOWED BECAUSE HE KNOWS THERE IS SOMETHING BETTER. PAIN TEACHES US HOW TO HEAL IT CREATES KNOWLEDGE WITHIN US.
QUESTION: HOW DO I FIND COMFORT?
ANSWER: TURN TO GOD, CRY OUT TO JESUS.
BODY: THE MESSAGE
1: PSALM 27:1-10, 14
A) DAVID ADMONISHES THE LORD
B) HE GIVES GOD CREDIT FOR EVERYTHING HE HAS AND HAS DONE
C) HE PRAISES GOD AND PUTS HIS FULL TRUST IN GOD
POINT: THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE HAVE TO SPEAK UP NOT NECESSARILY TO PEOPLE BUT TO GOD. HE KNOWS OUR THOUGHTS AND HEARTS INTENTIONS BUT WHEN WE OPEN OUR LIPS TO UPLIFT GOD IT PERFECTS OUR FAITH IN HIM.
2: 7-10
A) DAVID CRYS OUT TO GOD
B) HE ASKS GOD TO COME AND COMFORT HIM
C) GOD HAS TO BE THE ONE CONSTANT AND STABLE THING IN YOUR LIFE
POINT: GOD IS THE ONE THING THAT WON’T DECEIVE YOU HE WILL NOT FLATTER YOU TO GET WHAT HE WANTS FROM YOU. GOD = HONESTY AND TRUTH. LOVE GRACE AND MERCY.
3: WAIT ON THE LORD
A) V 14 WAIT ON THE LORD
B) HAVE COURAGE AND STRENGTH IN HIM
C) YOUR HEART WILL BE STRENGTHENED
D) THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR GOD WISHES TO INDWELL OUR LIVES AND LEAD US TO HIM.
POINT: WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR HIS PLAN TO TAKE PLACE WE MUST NOT ATTEMPT TO RUSH GOD OR GET IN FRONT OF HIS PLAN.
CLOSING: THE MESSAGE JOHN 14
1: LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED
A) LAY IT ON THE LORD
B) SOUNDS EASY
C) TAKES FAITH AND A REAL DESIRE TO DO GOD’S WILL
POINT: JESUS SPOKE TO HIS DISCIPLES IN LOVE AND TENDERNESS HE WANTED THEM TO KNOW THAT THEY HAD NO CAUSE TO BE AFRAID OR TROUBLED. NO PROBLEM OR OPPOSITION COULD OVERCOME THEM IN THE END.
2: 2 COR 1:3-7
A) GOD OF ALL COMFORT
B) WE SUFFER AT TIMES SO WE CAN HELP OTHERS WHEN THEY ARE SUFFERING
C) CHRISTIANS WILL SUFFER PERSECUTION
D) THEY WILL ALSO BE PARTAKERS OF THE COMFORT OF GOD
POINT: FINDING COMFORT IN THE WORLD IS HOPELESS OTHER PEOPLE CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH BUT GOD CAN GIVE US A PEACE AND COMFORT THAT WILL SEEM TO OTHERS A LITTLE STRANGE. GOD CAN MEND THE BROKEN HEART HE CAN HEAL THE DOWN TRODDEN SPIRIT. RESTORE THE FALLEN AND HELP THOSE IN TROUBLESOME TIMES.
CONCLUSION: WHEN GOD BRINGS US TO OUR KNEES IN WEAKNESS, WE MUST ACCEPT THE DOWNTIME AS PART OF HIS WORK IN OUR LIVES.