"CLINGING TO HOPE IN THE STORM: “No storm is random, trivial, or without purpose."- 5-2-21

"CLINGING TO HOPE IN THE STORM: “No storm is random, trivial, or without purpose."- 5-2-21

INTRODUCTION

Clinging to hope in the storm

"Everything happens for a reason."

An old woodsman gives this advice about catching a porcupine: "Watch for the slapping tail as you dash in and drop a large washtub over him. The washtub will give you something to sit on while you ponder your next move." 

Bits & Pieces, September, 1989

“That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. 

There were also other boats with him. 

A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!””

‭‭ Mark‬ ‭4:35-41‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I.  STORMS ARE NORMAL

Suffering is the heritage of the bad, of the penitent, and of the Son of God. Each one ends in the cross. The bad thief is crucified, the penitent thief is crucified, and the Son of God is crucified. By these signs we know the widespread heritage of suffering.

Oswald Chambers in Christian Discipline.

A.  Storms will come.

B.  Storms will be uncomfortable.

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

‭‭ 1 Peter‬ ‭4:12-19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

II.  GOD ALLOWS STORMS FOR A REASON

Someone asked C.S. Lewis, "Why do the righteous suffer?" "Why not?" he replied. "They're the only ones who can take it."

Unknown

No storm is random, trivial, or without purpose.

A.  The storm may help you grow.

B.  The storm may humble you.

C.  The storm may protect you from a more harmful fate.

D.  The storm may help you have greater compassion.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.”

‭‭ 2 Corinthians‬ ‭1:3-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

III.  STORMS MAKE US MORE LIKE JESUS

At the Nicene Council, an important church meeting in the 4th century A.D., of the 318 delegates attending, fewer than 12 had not lost an eye or lost a hand or did not limp on a leg lamed by torture for their Christian faith.

Vance Havner

“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.”

‭‭ Philippians‬ ‭3:10-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A.  We learn to trust God in the storm.

B.  We learn faithfulness in the storm.

C.  We learn about the suffering of Jesus in the storm.

CONCLUSION

Once when Bob Hope received a major award he responded, "I don't deserve this, but then I have arthritis and I don't deserve that either."

Unknown

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

‭‭ 2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:16-18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

No storm is random, trivial, or without purpose.

CHALLENGE

Look for purpose in the storms of life.  Why is God allowing your present storm in your life?  What can you learn?  How can you grow?  How can you develop deeper compassion?  How can your suffering connect you with the suffering of Christ?  How can this experience help others to see Christ in you?  "Every cloud has a silver lining."  What is the reason for this storm?

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Possibly, if you have already responded to God’s call in these ways, you would like to become a member of Kenwood Church.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I would be honored to speak with you in the upper parking lot following the service about what God is doing in your life.