THERE'S TROUBLE

Introduction:

A.      Have You Ever Asked The Question, “Why Me?!”

B.      Have You Ever Wondered How Things Might Have Been Different -- “If…?”

Body: John 16: 33

I. The Providence of God (Romans 8: 28).

A. God Works In Our Lives.

B. Often we have to look back to see the full effect.

II. We Can Expect Difficulty.

A. We "will have" trials (not might or possibly).

1. This world is not perfect.

a. Sin and ungodliness are rampant.

b. This world is not permanent.

2. Satan is at work (1 John 2: 16).

a. He tries to distract us with the cares of this world.

1.) The accumulation of money and things.

2.) The loss of money and things.

b. He tries to distract us with anxiety about our health.

c. He tries to get us to be selfish.

1.) To make changes that we want to make.

2.) To tell God how it should be.

B. We can have peace.

1. In spite of trials and hardship.

2. Because we know beforehand and are prepared.

3. Because we have Jesus as our Lord.

III. Jesus Has Overcome.

A. Jesus has not been stained by the world.

1. He did not lose focus on His goal.

2. He did not become entangled in the world’s allurements.

3.  He did not sin.

B. He is victorious.

1. He has defeated Satan.

2. He has defeated death.

C. The War has already been won.

Conclusion:

A. Trouble Is Not The Exception.

1. We can and must expect hardship.

2. This world is "broke" and not completely fixed (YET!).

3. This world is not completely under the Lordship of Christ.

B. How We Deal With Trials Is Important.