IS GOD REAL? PROVE IT
TOPIC: FAITH IN HARD TIMES
TEXT: ACTS
27:10-11
TEXT: ESTHER 4, JAMES 1:2,3,12
INTRODUCTION
Hard time is a
period or season one is going through some unpleasant experiences. The
scriptures refer to some of those experiences as afflictions or tribulations.
Sometimes we refer to them as wilderness experience. They are not necessarily
the consequences of our previous actions or inactions; sometimes we don’t know
why they come (Job 1:8). Hard times can be for individuals, a family, a
community or even a country.
I.
WHO CAN EXPERIENCE
HARD TIMES?
·
All
men are susceptible to hard times. Job 5:7, Job 14:1,
·
Believers
can go through hard times. Psalms 34:19; 132:1,
·
Believers
can suffer because of their stand for God. 1Thes 3:3-4
·
Unbelievers
go through hard times mostly as consequences of their sins.
II.
OUR ATTITUDE
TOWARDS HARD TIMES. 2 Cor.6:1-11, 2 Cor:
4:7-10
·
Thank
God for the experience. 1 Thess. 5:18
·
Do
not ask God questions. Esther did not ask God why.
·
Pray
for grace to go through. 1 Cor. 15:10
·
See
God in all the situation. 2 Cor. 4:7-10, Lam 3:33.
·
Know
that it is for a while. 2 Cor. 4:17
·
We
should not consider any alternative to God. Job 13:15, Dan.3:16-18
·
Believe-
Job 22: 28-29
·
Continue
in holiness and righteousness. Job 13:15 (NB the aim of the devil is to bring
us down)
·
It
is an opportunity to prove our God is able. Dan 3:17
·
Know
it is for our good. James 1:2,3,12, 2 Cor. 12:7
·
We
should bear it with patience. Ps 94:12,
Prov. 3:12
III.
THE OUTCOME OF
HARD TIMES.
·
It
is to make us better. Dan 3 :31, 2 Cor. 4:16-18( for our everlasting good)
·
It
is to the glory of God. Dan.3:26-30, 2 Cor. 2:7-10, 1 Peter 4:14
·
It
should draw us closer to God.
IV.
THE ROLE OF THE
CHURCH.
·
To
pray for the individuals. Acts 12:5
·
To
encourage them. 1 Thes. 5:11, Heb 3:13-14, Prov. 27:17
·
To
show them love. John 13:35
V.
ASSURANCE OF
VICTORY
·
Jesus
has prayed for us. John16:33,
·
What
we are going through now is not peculiar to us. 1 Cor. 10:13
·
God
will make a way. Psalms 34:19,
·
It
will soon be over. Psalms 30:5, 2 Cor. 4:17( NIV, MSG,GNB)
·
God
promised deliverance- Psalms 34:19, Acts 7:10
CONCLUSION
In difficult
times, let us remember the hymn “Yield not to temptation” and pray for grace.
The grace of God can see us through all wilderness experience.
OUR GOD IS REAL.
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