Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

George Mueller, an Evangelist in England during the 1800’s, was quoted as saying the following;

“God delights to increase the faith of His children.

We ought, instead of wanting no trials before victory, no exercise for patience, to be willing to take them from God’s hand as a means.

I say—and say it deliberately—trials, obstacles, difficulties, and sometimes defeats, are the very food of faith…We should take them out of His hands as evidences of His love and care for us in developing more and more that faith which He is seeking to strengthen in us.”—George

Mueller

In our day and age where comfort and an easy lifestyle is celebrated, we are challenged by this quote that the trials and difficulties of life help us develop of our faith.

This is what I want to talk to you about tonight.

My hope and prayer by the time we are done here is that you walk out this room knowing that true confidence comes from the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Prayer)

Rejoice In The Lord:

“No matter what happens in life, we can still rejoice in the Lord.”

(Example: The Recent Election)

Real Confidence:

True confidence comes from the Lord Jesus Christ.

False Confidence = Our Works

"The only work we should be boasting about is the work that Christ has done on the cross.”

(Personal Testimony: How Philippians 3:10-11 have impacted my life)

Look Forward:

“Looking towards the eternal glory of Christ is what keeps your head above water.”

(Peter going to Jesus on the water in the middle of a storm)

Our Citizenship:

Conclusion:

Excerpt from John Foxe’s book on Martyrs:

In 1555, as part of her campaign to re-establish the Catholic Church in England, Queen Mary, also known as Bloody Mary, arranged for John Philpot, one of the leading Protestant ministers of the day, to be burned at the stake.

When his death sentence was pronounced, Philpot said, “I am ready; God grant me strength and a joyful resurrection.”

Philpot walked to the place of execution on his own, rather than having to be dragged to it, and when he reached it, he knelt and kissed the stake at which he would be burned.

It is easy for us to focus on our problems and think that they are larger than they really are.

Most of us have never endured genuine persecution for our faith.

A few times people have gotten upset with me for sharing the Gospel with them, but none of them have tried to kill me.

There may come a day when we must make the same life-or-death decision to be loyal to Christ regardless of the consequences.

However, even in lesser trials we have a definite choice to make.

Will we stand firm for what is right, or will we lower the standard to avoid trouble?

In the midst of your walk you will have seasons where your faith will be tested.

My hope and prayer is that when you are in the middle of that test, you know that your confidence is found in Jesus Christ.

(Prayer)