Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction: It’s Easy Until It’s Not

‘God with us’ — simple enough phrase but it holds incredible meaning..

For Christians it’s easy to believe God is WITH US on the mountain tops

When we get a raise * Team wins * Kids sleep thru the night * Parking Spot

More difficult in the VALLEYS: Alone, Scared, Hurting or Bad News

VALLEY: Battles — Loneliness — Depression

But they are places of Growth — Build Faith — Experience God in different ways in the valley

Many of us facing job loss — Money problems —

loss of a loved one — celebrating without them for the first time

Disappointment — Discouragement — Delay

MY STORY:

Christmas was different after my dad got cancer

Right before the holidays Tarah miscarried

We want the mountains…but the RIVER of God’s PRESENCE is in the VALLEYS

>>The Story of Christmas reminds us that because God is with us...

Big Idea: There is Hope in the Valley

Valley Baka — desert country—thorns, wild animals, vipers, (cats) danger.

Nearly impossible to travel without facing trouble and hardship.

Valley of Baka—Valley of Tears, Valley of Weeping, Valley of Loss

If they wanted the Mountain—Valley of Tears was ahead

How to Hold onto Hope in the Valley:

1. Depend on God

CULTURE: Values SELF-Dependence

Don’t know God personally—What you have is all you have — Exhausted—Can’t take any more—Don’t think make it.

NOTICE: NOT BLESSED are those who Make it on their Own — INDEPENDENCE

WE ARE CREATED TO DEPEND ON GOD

REMEMBER: God is in Control

STORY: I DIDN’T HAVE THE TOOLS TO HELP TARAH IN THIS LOSS… I HAD TO DEPEND ON JESUS

2. Train my Mind

Psalm 84:5 (NLT) What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

Blessed are those who HAVE THEIR MINDS SET TOWARDS GOD

My current circumstances may be in the valley—Mind is fixed on God!

My heart may be anxious—Mind is fixed.

Soul may be aching—Mind is fixed.

My emotions may racing—Mind is fixed.

Too much to do—Marriage in bad place—Inlaws—Paying for Xmas

God’s wisdom isn’t mine: I worry about what I can do — Mind is fixed on God!

STORY: HONEST MOMENT — THIS YEAR I HAVE BEEN ON A JOURNEY TO RE-TRAIN MY MIND

3. Stay the Course

Stay in It (the fight…struggle…etc)

Psalm 84:5–6 (NIV)5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

We may be in the Valley—Not Destination—Just passing through.

Even though I walk through the Valley of the shadow of death

Just want out—(Many times) —

the Way is through not out!

In the Valley it’s about ENDURANCE not ESCAPE

VS.5: WHERE ARE THEY GOING?

Jerusalem (Zion)—

House of God—City of Refuge—Place of Peace

To get to the City of Refuge—Had to travel through the Valley of Tears.

THE VALLEY IS THE PATHWAY TO THE PLACE OF PEACE —

VS.6: WHAT ARE THEY DOING?

— they are passing through and Making a well!

The KJV says “…they make it a well’” … they DIG A WELL!

Buried in this scripture is a PROMISE — IF WE STAY IN IT, IF WE DEPEND ON GOD…IF WE TRAIN OUR MINDS TOWARDS HIM — WE ARE ACTUALLY DIGGING A FOUNTAIN OF LIFE — The process of passing through the valley enables us to make it a place of refreshment because GOD IS WITH US & His strength is in us.

If you stay in it & draw near to God — He will draw near to you

If you stay in it & seek God — You will find God

If you stay in it & make room for God — God will reveal Himself to you

He’s your Light in Darkness

He’s your Peace in the Storm

He’s your Joy in the Trouble

He’s your Strength when You’re Weak

Conclusion: God met Humanity in the Valley

Psalm 139:7-10 “I can never escape from your Spirit!

I can never get away from your presence!

If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave,* you are there.

If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.”

STORY: I woke up Christmas morning with the news that Tarah was pregnant again…it was scary but it was exciting

Mountains or Valley’s … God is with us

God’s presence has always pursued us to bring us home….

But God’s people had lost their way to God’s house...

For 400 years it was quiet

People could barely remember the mountain top of their history when King David reigned…When the fire of God’s presence glowed in the temple...

Then a star…a bright light shined … IT WAS HOPE IN THE DARK ...

Then a baby…HOPE wrapped in HUMILITY not POWER

God never said you won’t go through the valleys BUT the story of Christmas…the thrill of hope we have is…God is with us…so we will never go through valleys alone…So we can have HOPE…

PRAYER:

Maybe you’re on a mountain top … maybe your whole life has been a mountain top but it’s not what you thought it would be like…God is calling you

Maybe you’re in a valley…God is with you