Trouble Up Ahead

Trouble Up Ahead

Pastor Paddick Van Zyl

25-06-2020

Sermon Outline

Introduction

E.M. Bounds said : “Trouble and prayer are closely related. Trouble often drives men to God in prayer, while prayer is but the voice of men in trouble.” 1

G.K. Chesterton said: “Jesus promised the disciples three things - that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy and in constant trouble.” 2

Scripture Reference

John 16:33 Amplified Bible (AMP)

33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]

Theme

Having hope when we face the storms of life

Sermon message

The bad news? We will all face trouble, calamity, storms and peril in life.

The good news? We can have hope in the face of trouble and peril.

1 Peter 1:3-9 The Passion Translation (TPT)

3 Celebrate with praises the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has shown us his extravagant mercy. For his fountain of mercy has given us a new life—we are reborn[a] to experience a living, energetic hope[b] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.[c] 4 We are reborn into a perfect inheritance[d] that can never perish, never be defiled, and never diminish. It is promised and preserved forever in the heavenly realm for you![e]

5 Through our faith, the mighty power of God constantly guards[f] us until our full salvation[g] is ready to be revealed[h] in the last time. 6 May the thought of this cause you to jump for joy,[i] even though lately you’ve had to put up with the grief of many trials.[j] 7 But these only reveal the sterling core[k] of your faith, which is far more valuable than gold that perishes, for even gold is refined by fire. Your authentic faith will result in even more praise, glory, and honor when Jesus the Anointed One is revealed.[l]

8 You love him passionately although you did not see him, but through believing in him you are saturated with an ecstatic joy, indescribably sublime and immersed in glory.[m] 9 For you are reaping the harvest of your faith—the full salvation promised you—your souls’ victory![n]

From this passage of scripture we can see that we are guaranteed to face trouble of all sorts in this life. Nowhere are believers promised smooth sailing through life. It also gives us the reason why we will suffer and the end result.

There are three things that are absolutely essential when facing a trial or problem:

One we should never do, and two we should always do!

• Never abandon your faith in God the Father (Do not do this ever)

No captain of a ship, going through rough seas and storms, will simply abandon their ship and jump overboard to escape the storm. They will use their experience and training they received, and navigate through the storm. They also will not give up being a captain or vow to never set foot on a ship ever again because of a storm. We are to draw near to God and take refuge under the shadow of His wing… (Psalm 36:7 & Psalm 63:7)

• Remind yourself of the promise that God will not forsake you (always do this)

Remember Daniel and his friends that experienced the fire, literally, in the furnace? (Daniel 3:20-28)

Isaiah 43:2 The Passion Translation (TPT)

2 When you pass through[b] the deep, stormy sea, you can count on me to be there with you. When you pass through raging rivers, You will not drown. When you walk through persecution like fiery flames, you will not be burned; the flames will not harm you,

Look carefully at the first word of this verse – When. Not If, maybe … It is a given that we will go through the water, the fire, the trouble BUT we will come through in victory by the grace of God!

Yes, they had to go into the fire and then Jesus appeared, not before. Many times our faith will be tested and we may think that God is late of has forgotten us, but He has not and will not.

• Have a living hope in what God promised His children (always do this)

1 Peter 1:3-4 TPT

“For his fountain of mercy has given us a new life—we are reborn[a] to experience a living, energetic hope[b] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.[c] 4 We are reborn into a perfect inheritance[d] that can never perish, never be defiled, and never diminish. It is promised and preserved forever in the heavenly realm for you![e]”

God promised us that nothing in this world will ever be able to separate us from His love (and care and protection)! That is a promise, and God does not break His promises (Romans 8:38-39)