Texts: 1 Thessalonians 3:2-9; 2 Thessalonians 1:4-7
Intro: Billy Graham: No one is exempt from the touch of tragedy: neither the Christian nor the non-Christian; neither the rich nor the poor; neither the leader nor the commoner. Crossing all racial, social, political and economic barriers, suffering reaches out to unite mankind.
A. Reality of Pain (Troubles, Sufferings, Persecutions, etc.)
1. Decreed by God (Gen. 3:16-19)
2. Jesus: “…In this world you will have trouble…” (John 16:33)
3. Comes in various forms, and various ways: Illness to Persecution; Self Inflicted to Environmental Causes; Injustice from another to Social Injustice
B. The Problem of Pain
1. We may not be prepared for it.
2. We may perceive God as being inattentive (Psalm 13:1-4)
3. We may be only “present circumstance” focused. (Psalm 73:13-14)
C. An Antidote to Lessen the Blow of Pain
1. ANTICIPATE / Be prepared… it’s coming (1 Thessalonians 3:2-4)
2. RECALIBRATE… Align your thinking with God’s Perspective (2 Thessalonians 1:4-7; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Rom 8:28; 2 Corinthians 1:4; Psalm 13:5)
3. INVIGORATE … Give hope and “life” to others. (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9; 2 Th. 1:4)
D. Summary / Close: “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:2-3) Jesus: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
