Untitled Sermon (3)

I’m in Adversity

Brothers and sisters there was a man by the name of Earl Lloyd who faced adversity many years ago. Earl was the first African American to play in the NBA. With this came turmoil and adversity. He was called all types of names and people talked about his parents and gave him racist remarks but through it all he remained and kept playing through it. It was many times he had to prepare himself mentally cause he knew what was coming but even in all of that, that didn’t stop him from paving the way and helping others by breaking barriers and showing that even in adversity that we should still keep pressing. Earl didn’t let anything or anyone stop him from playing the game of basketball.

Church family Earl is the highlighted person for the introduction this morning, but there are many other who faced adversity such as

Jackie Robinson, Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks.

The list can go on and on so many especially people of our color have received so much adversity but what I like about our people. Our people even in adversity they didn’t let adversity over take them and keep them down but they were resilient and had a mentality to keep pressing and bounce back no matter what.

Many times As believers we find ourselves in adversity, and as a Christian adversity and problems will arise in a believers life. And there may be someone under the sound of my voice right that is going through some adversity. You are facing some problems. Things are looking real cloudy in your life right now. It may seem like you are stuck in between a rock and a hard place ready to give in. And this may be what you are facing right now but we must learn to remain calm in the midst of it. The reason we must stay calm is because adversity will have us all out of Wack. Adversity will make us act out and be all over the place and this is what has happened to a-lot of believers in the church. The Adversary which is the enemy has caused us in the midst of adversity to act out in ways that believers should not be acting. And I just need a few people that can testify that on this journey of being a Christian there has been times where the adversary, has caused us to act out while in the midst of adversity. Yup I talked about them. Yupp I did the deed. Yup I showed out. But I thank God that even when I showed out he was gracious and didn’t wipe me out. And I just need 5 people and I’ll make 6 who can praise God Right now because you know you acted out when adversity arose, but you God still was gracious to you.

However church family there is a remedy for being in adversity. It’s here in the 16 chapter of John where we will pull our points out from but before we get there we must understand what is going on here.

Jesus here is talking and he sets the scene up real nice before he even gets to chapter 16.

Jesus knows as believers adversity will come up but he points some things out to us in John 14 and 15 before we even get to chapter 16 about why we go through and how to make it through adversity.

The reason why Jesus is doing this in John 14-16 is because he is getting ready to leave the scene. The. Death of christ was near and he wanted the believers to know that yes I may be getting ready to leave the scene as far as being physically present here with you. But before he leaves, he sets some things on record that you and I may be able to go back to these words and make it through while in Adversity.

The first scripture is John 14: 1-6

John 14:1–6 NLT

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

This Text is often used at funerals but I found out in my short time of living this isn’t just a funeral scripture but this is a life scripture.

The texts says let not your heart be troubled. Brothers and sisters yes trouble will come up in our life but the text teaches and jesus reminds us to not let it be troubled. Troubled here meaning don’t let it be stirred or agitated. Things in life will try to get you stirred up but don’t let it worry you because we have someone who we can put our trust in when things happen. The text goes on to say If you believe in him to believe also in me. Jesus is talking here and basically what is being said here is that if you don’t want to be troubled you must believe in God the Father as well as his Son Jesus.

Not only this but he gives us a promise to hold on to in verse 3 that yes I am going to leave you but I’m coming back to receive you.

Now we see Thomas asking a Question How do we know the way and Jesus Tells him in verse 6 That I am the Way The truth and The Life.

Brothers and sisters in Adversity we got to realize that as a believer we have the prescription to make it through and that prescription is Jesus. Jesus Tells us That he is way and if we follow the Way we will make it through.

Not only that Scripture but in my studies I Found that about 3 different times between the 14&15 chapter that the bible says That we must Keep his commandments.

This tells me that even in the midst of adversity if you love the Lord that you will keep his commandments. His commandments are his word and we must learn to keep his Commandments even in the midst of adversity. Because going through and still keeping his commandments show that you Love God and the bible says if you Love me keep my commandments. Solomon told us in Eccleasties that the total duty of mankind is to fear God and keep his commandments.

In Adversity you have to keep his Commandments.

So we understand and Jesus Shows us and gives us some things to remember in 14 & 15 on what we should do in Adversity.

14 & 15 has some Good things but God called my Attention to this one verse in the book John 16:33

John 16:33 NLT

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

I want to read it again in your hearing from the NKJV and lets Disscuss this Scripture.

The text says that In me you will have Peace.

That brings me to my first point that In Adversity you have to keep your Peace.

Brothers and sisters I’m sure you there has been times in your life where you have been in adversity you may be in it right now but the text reminds us that in Jesus we have Peace.

Believers should understand that no matter what comes up I can have peace in my situation because I have Jesus.

Too many believers are stressing in the midst of things but the bible tells us that we have peace in Jesus.

The bible tells us that Though will keep in perfect peace if you keep your mind on him. In adversity we must remember that we still have peace.

I know its crazy in your life and you are going through but keep your peace.

Just last night peace through adversity was put on display..

I know they lied on you but keep your peace

Whatever you do just keep your peace.

Just look at somebody and say keep your peace.

The text goes on to say that in the world you will face tribulation but be of good cheer

This brings me to my second point in Adversity you must Keep Your Praise.

The text tells us that we will face tribulation no one is exempt from trouble and tribulation. Trouble knows all of our addresses but we must realize that yes trouble will come but we have a way we can react to trouble and a way to make it through in adversity and the way we get through it is to keep your praise.

Keep your praise in Everything because without your praise you are powerless. Your Praise can confuse your current situation. Praise will confuse the enemy.

Just look at somebody and tell them don’t stop praising. I know its ugly but don’t lose your praise.

Praise him in the good times

Praise him in the bad times praise him in the sad times

I won’t let nothing separate me from Gods love

Is there anybody here that can say like David and say

I will Bless the Lord at All times and His Praises shall continually be in my Mouth

I won’t stop praising him

I can’t stop praising him

I’ll Praise him in the morning

I’ll Praise him in the noonday

I’ll praise him at night

I’ll Praise him when i’m broke and I’ll praise him when I have money in my pocket

I’ll praise him when i’m up and I’m down

As long as i’m Breathing I will Praise him.

I’ll Praise him With my voice

I’ll Praise Him with my hands

I’ll Praise him with Dance

No matter what Happens I Will Praise the Lord

I Think We ought to just Pause For the Cause and Take a Praise Break

For the bible says let Everything that Has breathe Praise the Lord

So Just right here I think we ought to all just give God some Praise......

Lastly as i come to a close the text gives us a reason on why we should keep our peace and our praise.

The Bible Declares in the text that I have overcome the world.

This brings me to my last point and I’m out of here

We must Keep our Peace Keep our Praise and Keep a hold to the

promises that Jesus has said.

Jesus Tells us before he even dies in the book of john that he has overcame the world. So yes Adversity may come but we know we can make it out because of what Jesus has told us and he told us he overcame the World so yes i May be in adversity now but I know I can make it out because God Will never leave me nor will he forsake me. Not only that but We serve an Undefeated God and If I’m on his team I Can’t lose.

So I thank God For the promises he made and I can Hold on to them because My God is not a man that he should lie nor the son of man that he should repent if he said it he is going to do it.

He promised me that he will be friend that sticks closer than a brother

He Promised me that I will be the head and not the tail.

I know I’m going to have adversity but the book of promises tells me that for I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worth to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed

His book of prom tell me count it all joy when you fall into divers temptation knowing that the trying of your faith is working patience

His book of promises tells me and we know that all things work together for them who love the lord and are called according to his purpose

His book of promises tells me that I once was young but now I’m old and I’ve never seen the right forsaken nor his seed beg for bread.

his book of promises tells me that weeping may end for a night but joy is coming

ALL IM TRYING TO SAY IS TROUBLE DONT LAST ALWAYS……