Sunday Morning, September 29, 2013
scriptures: Romans 8, Acts 20
keywords: tribulation, joy, commitment
audio file: click to open in a new window or right-click to download
NOTES
Tribulations
From last week:
How do you deal with things that don’t go your way? Christians and nonbelievers go through things differently.
1 Peter 5 tells that God uses things to make us better.
What some people call a communication problem is really a matter of people choosing to be obedient to Christ or not.
God tells us to do good to those that persecute you. Do you do that?
For the problems that you have in your life, how many of them are you dealing with the way that God said to.
Looking at the tribulations of our early believers should put our troubles in perspective. God’s word tells us how to think and how to deal with things. He has answers.
Romans 8:18
Many people whine and complain about the problems of preference and having too much. It is nothing to compare with struggles of many who are without.
Don’t think that just because you are going through the problem that it is OK to lose faith versus someone else. It rains on the just and the unjust. Your temptation is common to man. You don’t get a pass just because it is you.
God says that there are tribulations, this is a fallen world. It is going to test you and try you.Just because you don’t believe God’s power does not make it untrue.
God never glorifies stinking thinking or depression. We are more than overcomers through Him that loved us.
How committed are you to Christ?
Keys to spiritual happiness and peace.
How do the things you say you are going through compare to the events in Kenya? At gunpoint, being shot if you confess to being a Christian.
If you live your life avoiding conflict, you are trying to live the life of comfort or of a coward.
Don’t fall into the life/lie of preaching Comfort Christianity.
Acts 20:19-24
Christ is about how you are living, not just how you are in church gatherings, but how you are in your homes and community. Is the only time you talk about God the time you are in church?
Paul kept back nothing. Dealt with all kind of issues. What is profitable to you if you are refraining from addressing issues based on your comfort?
vs 22 Some people let their anxiety about what they think might happen keep them from standing up for Christ. Not Paul. He was not sure exactly what would happen, but that things would be bad. He was committed to do what he needed to.
He was committed to finish his course with joy.
When people are committed, they complain less. They know what they have agreed to do. They have made their mind up. When they have given something up, no more debate is needed. They are resolved. Christianity is not going to change to tribulation-free just because you become involved.
If you are already committed to Christ, why are you complaining? Live it with joy.
Are you one who has back-up plans that you want to do if Christianity “doesn’t work out”? Desiring to hold on to options.
That is not committed to Christ.
If you are burdened by the basics in God, you are not committed.