Confidence in Times of Trouble, Confidence in God

 

Romans 8:28-35

28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

33 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies;

34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

 

I.              Introduction: Do you ever feel that life is one challenge after another? ?The truth is, that hardship comes to everyone sooner or later. But I want you to know today, we can have confidence in times of trouble by remembering four simple biblical truths.

II.            Message:

A.            God controls our circumstances.

1.             As believers, we have the reassurance that God’s will is sovereign over everything (Daniel 4:35 “All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him”.)

2.             He can bring good even out of negative experiences

·      Romans 8:28 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

·      ?Psalms 103:19 The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all.

3.             The Lord allows difficulty in our lives. Why? One reason is to teach us dependence on Him.

B.            God will meet our needs.

1.             Since Jesus was sacrificed for our salvation, we should trust Him to supply all we need

·      Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

·      Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

2.             God will withhold a blessing for one of two reasons: ?-He wants us to learn to rely on Him, ?-or He knows it isn’t best for us. ?Like a good parent, He gives us everything we need, not everything we want.

3.             His ultimate purpose is to conform us to His Image, not to grant wishes or make life comfortable

4.             Romans 8:29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

5.             However, we can learn to be content, regardless of our circumstances

·      2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And He has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

C.             God is always with us.

1.             The Lord promises to be with us at all times, even though we may not feel His presence and loving care. ?If you have received Jesus Christ into your life, believed, repented, baptized and been filled with His Holy Spirit, His Spirit lives within you Romans 8:35-39 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered. 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 a)             Psalm 23 The “Lord is my sheppard” psalm; 

Matthew 18:19-20 Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.

2.             Those who reject Jesus do not have this promise: John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

D.            God loves us with an eternal love.

1.             The Lord loves us even in our sin because that is His very nature: God is love: 1 John 4:8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. ?However, He despises ungodly behavior.

2.             In Romans 8:28-35, each verse is an expression of the Lord’s love: 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

a)             God governs our lives, but that doesn’t mean our existence will be trouble-free. For example, one Chinese man spent 20 years in prison for refusing to deny His faith in Jesus Christ. ?

III.          Closing: When unexpected tragedy or hardship comes your way, remember that God is still in control. ?Your heavenly Father will provide for your needs in His timing. ?Place your trust fully in Him, and you will have confidence in every circumstance you face.