READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary
In His Word, God prepares us for troubles and suffering. He states with no uncertainty that we will face suffering as Christians. At the same time, God promises that these troubles are temporary, and they prepare us for eternal glory. He assures us that He continues to be in control and has overcome the world!
- Romans 8:16-17 – “We are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory”
- 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 – “our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all”
- John 16:33b – “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Since we will face troubles, we need to build our lives on the right foundation. When the rain falls, the floods come and the wind beats against us, we can stand rooted if our foundation is built on the rock like the wise man in Matthew 7:24-25.
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”
Is God still good when bad things happen? Where is He when it hurts?
- God is Present
Jesus’ parable in John 10:10-15 tells us:
- There is an enemy seeking to steal, kill and destroy our lives – so we will have troubles (v10)
- Our hope cannot be in in man because unlike the shepherd, the hired hand does not own the sheep and runs away for his own safety (v12-13)
- Jesus is the good shepherd. He will not abandon his sheep, and will lay down his life for his sheep (v14-15)
- Jesus knows his sheep, and they know him (v14). This means that God knows what you are going through. He knows you.
Reflect: Do we know Jesus as well as He knows us? Do we recognize who He is? How well do we know Him? In John 10:15, 30 Jesus says that He knows His sheep and His sheep knows Him just as “the Father knows me and I know the Father”. “I and the Father are one.”
God knows us and what we need even before we face any situation.
He is with us.
In Pastor Debbie’s testimony, God found her and prepared for her what she needed even before she faced her cancer diagnosis. He worked in advance through a friend to bring her comfort and assurance of His continued presence and love. She was able to declare “Cancer found me, but Christ found me first’! Likewise, we can also declare “Sickness/Broken relationships/Depression/any other struggles found me, but Christ found me first”! Christ who has already overcome the world!
- God is Personal
John 11:32-35 When Jesus saw Mary weeping after Lazarus passed away, “he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled” (v33), and “Jesus wept” (v35). Although Jesus knew that Lazarus was going to be raised from the dead, his heart ached very much for Mary and Martha who were heartbroken over their brother’s death.
God’s care goes beyond the person who is not well. He also cares for those of us who may be caring and hurting for our loved ones who are suffering.
- God gives Peace
God wants to give us peace that surpasses all understanding. He wants us to trust Him in the hard times – just like how Jesus surrendered His will to the Father.
Mark 14:36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
It is not an easy thing to surrender, and we may struggle to submit our will to God and trust Him. When we do so, His peace fills us, and we are filled with the assurance that God is good, even in the hard times.
“As we mature in Christ, we being to understand that God’s logic is rarely ours and His path to joy is often marked by suffering. The world is full of people prepared to trust God for a promotion, prosperity, healing and popularity, and this is good, because God loves to give good gifts. But as we mature, God asks us to trust Him in the hard times as well.”
(Pete Greig – “God on Mute”)
Reflect: God is the good shepherd. But is He your shepherd?
Today, He invites us to declare ‘The Lord is my shepherd’.
Psalm 23:1-4
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- When you’re hurting, what truths about God’s presence are hardest to believe? What scriptures or experiences help realign your perspective?
- Reflect on Mark 14:36 — “Yet not what I will, but what you will.” What does this level of surrender mean to you personally? What steps can you take towards this deeper trust and submission?
- Have you experienced God personally when you are hurting? Share and encourage others
