Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Anchors of Hope PART 2 =] @ 10:16 PM
Christianity is not a bed of roses, meaning, being a Christian does NOT solve ALL your problems
John 6:33I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”For me to live is Christ, to die is to gain
We need to know that
TROUBLE IS COMING!though trouble is coming, but we shouldn't avoid it
1 Peter 1:13So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. -We need to prepare our mind for it to come
-We need to rest our hope in Jesus
We need to be ready for problems to come, so that when it comes, we would not have to ask "why did troubles happen to me?"
>>Christ is offering us a place where we can find peace no matter what happens!<<The cross is the place where we amplify God's message of hope to the ENTIRE world
-Everyone is broadcasting some message to the world in their everyday actions
-Suffering and hardship are an amplifier to whatever is in our hands
It was when Jesus was hurt the most that His message to the world was the loudest!
What is
YOUR MESSAGE to the world when trouble comes your way?
When our purpose is life is not about God, our lives will crumble when problems/troubles come
There is a greater purpose for us today!
John 17:1-5After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.John 12:23-27 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man* to enter into his glory. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me. “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! Father, bring glory to your name.”Those who live to protect his life will lose it
Jesus wanted to glorify God's name in everything that He does
4 points to end off the sermon =]
1. Embrace a higher purpose now
2. Expect difficulty to come
3. When trouble comes put your ANCHOR down and cling on the cross of Jesus and never let go
4. Use it for His glory/ Amplify to glorify =]
Suffering is our servant, when we use the suffering to amplify God's message, we glorify God =]