Growing Through The Pressure
Dr. Anthony E. Neal
Built to Follow Jesus • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 3 viewsDisciples Grow from the Pressures we go through
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2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
INTRODUCTION
CHURCH, ONE OF THE GREATEST MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT FOLLOWING JESUS
IS BELIEVING THAT ONCE YOU BECOME HIS DISCIPLE, LIFE BECOMES EASIER.
SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT IF THEY'RE WALKING WITH JESUS, THEY'LL NEVER HAVE TROUBLE.
THEY'LL NEVER HAVE PAIN.
THEY'LL NEVER HAVE DISAPPOINTMENT.
THEY'LL NEVER EXPERIENCE LOSS.
BUT IF YOU'VE WALKED WITH JESUS FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME, YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT'S NOT HOW DISCIPLESHIP WORKS.
FOLLOWING JESUS DOESN'T ELIMINATE PRESSURE.
FOLLOWING JESUS TEACHES US HOW TO GROW THROUGH IT.
PRESSURE IS SOMETHING EVERY ONE OF US UNDERSTANDS.
SOME ARE UNDER FINANCIAL PRESSURE.
SOME ARE UNDER FAMILY PRESSURE.
SOME ARE UNDER HEALTH PRESSURE.
SOME ARE CARRYING EMOTIONAL PRESSURE THAT NOBODY ELSE EVEN KNOWS ABOUT.
SOME WALKED INTO CHURCH SMILING WHILE CARRYING BURDENS HEAVY ENOUGH TO MAKE THEM CRY.
THE WORLD SAYS PRESSURE IS SOMETHING TO ESCAPE.
JAMES…THE BROTHER OF JESUS…AND AUTHOR OF OUR TEXT THIS MORNING
SAYS PRESSURE IS SOMETHING GOD CAN USE.
JAMES ISN'T WRITING TO COMFORTABLE CHRISTIANS.
HE'S WRITING TO BELIEVERS SCATTERED BECAUSE OF PERSECUTION.
THEY'VE LOST HOMES.
LOST SECURITY.
LOST COMFORT.
SOME HAD LOST FAMILY.
SOME HAD LOST EVERYTHING EXCEPT JESUS.
AND JAMES OPENS HIS LETTER WITH ONE OF THE MOST SURPRISING COMMANDS IN ALL OF SCRIPTURE.
"MY BRETHREN, COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YOU FALL INTO VARIOUS TRIALS..."
NOT IF.
WHEN.
TRIALS ARE NOT INTERRUPTIONS TO DISCIPLESHIP.
TRIALS ARE PART OF DISCIPLESHIP.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE BUILT TO FOLLOW JESUS...
YOU MUST LEARN HOW TO GROW THROUGH THE PRESSURE.
TRANSITION FROM THE INTRODUCTION TO POINT I
CHURCH, IF WE'RE HONEST, NONE OF US SIGNS UP FOR PRESSURE.
WHEN WE PRAY, WE ASK GOD TO OPEN DOORS.
WE ASK HIM TO HEAL.
WE ASK HIM TO BLESS.
WE ASK HIM TO MAKE THE WAY SMOOTH.
VERY FEW OF US HAVE EVER PRAYED,
"LORD, SEND ME A TRIAL."
"LORD, SEND ME SOME SUFFERING."
"LORD, LET MY FAITH BE TESTED."
YET IF GOD ANSWERED ONLY THE PRAYERS THAT MADE LIFE COMFORTABLE, MANY OF US WOULD NEVER BECOME THE DISCIPLES HE HAS CALLED US TO BE.
BECAUSE DISCIPLES ARE NOT FORMED ONLY IN MOMENTS OF CELEBRATION.
THEY ARE FORMED IN SEASONS OF PRESSURE.
THE CLASSROOM OF DISCIPLESHIP IS OFTEN A DIFFICULT PLACE.
THE LESSONS ARE HARD.
THE EXAMS ARE UNEXPECTED.
BUT EVERY LESSON HAS A PURPOSE.
JAMES WANTS US TO UNDERSTAND THAT BEFORE GOD CHANGES OUR CIRCUMSTANCES, HE OFTEN CHANGES US.
AND THE FIRST THING PRESSURE DOES...
IS REVEAL WHAT IS REALLY INSIDE OF US.
I. PRESSURE REVEALS THE REALITY OF OUR FAITH
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
JAMES SAYS,
"THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH..."
NOTICE WHAT GOD TESTS.
NOT YOUR TALENT.
NOT YOUR PERSONALITY.
YOUR FAITH.
PRESSURE EXPOSES WHAT COMFORT OFTEN HIDES.
IT'S EASY TO TRUST GOD WHEN THE BILLS ARE PAID.
IT'S EASY TO PRAISE GOD WHEN THE DOCTOR'S REPORT IS GOOD.
IT'S EASY TO WORSHIP WHEN EVERY PRAYER IS ANSWERED EXACTLY THE WAY WE WANTED.
BUT PRESSURE ASKS DIFFERENT QUESTIONS.
WILL YOU STILL TRUST HIM WHEN YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND HIM?
WILL YOU STILL WORSHIP HIM WHEN YOU DON'T SEE HIM WORKING?
WILL YOU STILL OBEY HIM WHEN LIFE ISN'T FAIR?
REAL FAITH ISN'T PROVEN ON THE MOUNTAINTOP.
IT'S PROVEN IN THE VALLEY.
GOD ALREADY KNOWS WHAT'S IN OUR FAITH.
THE TESTING ISN'T FOR HIS INFORMATION.
IT'S FOR OUR TRANSFORMATION.
SOMETIMES PRESSURE REVEALS FEAR WE DIDN'T KNOW WE HAD.
SOMETIMES IT REVEALS PRIDE.
SOMETIMES IT REVEALS HOW DEPENDENT WE'VE BECOME ON THINGS OTHER THAN GOD.
BUT HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS.
WHATEVER PRESSURE REVEALS...
GOD CAN HEAL.
WHATEVER PRESSURE EXPOSES...
GOD CAN TRANSFORM.
THAT'S WHY HE DOESN'T WASTE THE PRESSURE.
EXPANDED TRANSITION TO POINT II
NOW ONCE PRESSURE REVEALS WHAT'S INSIDE OF US...
GOD DOESN'T SIMPLY EXPOSE OUR WEAKNESSES AND WALK AWAY.
AREN'T YOU GLAD GOD DOESN'T LEAVE US WHERE HE FINDS US?
HE REVEALS OUR FEARS SO HE CAN REPLACE THEM WITH FAITH.
HE REVEALS OUR DOUBTS SO HE CAN STRENGTHEN OUR CONFIDENCE.
HE REVEALS OUR DEPENDENCE ON OURSELVES SO WE CAN LEARN COMPLETE DEPENDENCE ON HIM.
YOU SEE, REVELATION IS NEVER GOD'S FINAL OBJECTIVE.
TRANSFORMATION IS.
GOD DOESN'T SHOW US WHAT'S WEAK SIMPLY TO EMBARRASS US.
HE SHOWS US WHAT'S WEAK SO HE CAN MAKE IT STRONGER.
THAT'S WHY JAMES SAYS THE TESTING OF OUR FAITH PRODUCES SOMETHING.
PRESSURE IS PRODUCTIVE.
IT IS ACCOMPLISHING SOMETHING WE CANNOT ALWAYS SEE.
II. PRESSURE PRODUCES PATIENCE
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
JAMES SAYS,
"THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH PRODUCES PATIENCE."
THE WORD MEANS ENDURANCE.
STEADFASTNESS.
THE ABILITY TO KEEP STANDING WHEN EVERYTHING AROUND YOU SAYS QUIT.
CHURCH, ENDURANCE ISN'T DEVELOPED IN COMFORT.
ATHLETES DON'T BECOME STRONGER BY WATCHING WORKOUTS.
MUSCLES GROW UNDER RESISTANCE.
LIKEWISE, SPIRITUAL ENDURANCE GROWS UNDER SPIRITUAL RESISTANCE.
EVERY DIFFICULT SEASON IS BUILDING SOMETHING INSIDE YOU.
EVERY UNANSWERED PRAYER IS TEACHING DEPENDENCE.
EVERY DELAY IS DEVELOPING PATIENCE.
EVERY STORM IS INCREASING YOUR ENDURANCE.
SOME OF THE STRONGEST BELIEVERS YOU'VE EVER MET AREN'T STRONG BECAUSE LIFE HAS BEEN EASY.
THEY'RE STRONG BECAUSE GOD HAS CARRIED THEM THROUGH DIFFICULT SEASONS.
THEY BURIED LOVED ONES.
THEY SURVIVED LAYOFFS.
THEY FOUGHT SICKNESS.
THEY EXPERIENCED HEARTBREAK.
YET SOMEHOW THEY KEPT TRUSTING.
KEPT PRAYING.
KEPT SERVING.
KEPT PRAISING.
THAT'S ENDURANCE.
FOLLOWERS OF JESUS DON'T QUIT EVERY TIME LIFE BECOMES DIFFICULT.
THEY REMAIN FAITHFUL BECAUSE CHRIST REMAINED FAITHFUL TO THEM.
PAUL DECLARED,
"I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT...
I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE...
I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH."
THAT'S ENDURANCE.
EXPANDED TRANSITION TO POINT III
NOW HERE'S WHERE MANY BELIEVERS MISS WHAT GOD IS DOING.
WE THINK ENDURANCE IS THE FINISH LINE.
WE THINK IF WE CAN JUST SURVIVE THIS SEASON, WE'VE REACHED THE GOAL.
BUT SURVIVING ISN'T GOD'S ULTIMATE PURPOSE.
GOD ISN'T JUST TRYING TO GET YOU THROUGH THE STORM.
HE'S TRYING TO MAKE YOU DIFFERENT BECAUSE OF THE STORM.
ANYBODY CAN SURVIVE AND STAY BITTER.
ANYBODY CAN SURVIVE AND STAY ANGRY.
ANYBODY CAN SURVIVE AND BECOME CYNICAL.
BUT DISCIPLES DON'T MERELY SURVIVE.
THEY MATURE.
GOD IS AFTER SOMETHING DEEPER THAN YOUR COMFORT.
HE'S AFTER YOUR CHARACTER.
HE'S SHAPING YOU TO LOOK MORE LIKE JESUS.
AND THAT'S WHERE JAMES TAKES US NEXT.
III. PRESSURE DEVELOPS SPIRITUAL MATURITY
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
JAMES SAYS,
"BUT LET PATIENCE HAVE ITS PERFECT WORK, THAT YOU MAY BE PERFECT AND COMPLETE, LACKING NOTHING."
JAMES ISN'T TALKING ABOUT SINLESS PERFECTION.
HE'S TALKING ABOUT SPIRITUAL MATURITY.
GOD IS FINISHING SOMETHING.
HE'S SHAPING OUR CHARACTER.
OUR WORLD CELEBRATES GIFTED PEOPLE.
GOD DEVELOPS MATURE PEOPLE.
TALENT MAY OPEN A DOOR.
CHARACTER DETERMINES WHETHER YOU STAY IN THE ROOM.
PRESSURE DEVELOPS HUMILITY.
PRESSURE DEVELOPS COMPASSION.
PRESSURE DEVELOPS PATIENCE.
PRESSURE DEVELOPS DEPENDENCE ON GOD.
PRESSURE TEACHES US THAT HIS GRACE REALLY IS SUFFICIENT.
SOMETIMES WE PRAY,
"LORD, GET ME OUT."
WHILE GOD IS SAYING,
"I'M TRYING TO GROW YOU UP."
(PAUSE)
LET ME SEE IF I CAN MAKE THIS PLAIN…..
ILLUSTRATION (PLACE IN POINT III)
HAVE YOU EVER WATCHED A POTTER SHAPE CLAY?
THE CLAY DOESN'T BECOME BEAUTIFUL SITTING UNTOUCHED ON A SHELF.
THE POTTER PRESSES IT.
TURNS IT.
APPLIES PRESSURE WITH HIS HANDS.
SOMETIMES HE ADDS WATER.
SOMETIMES HE REMOVES PIECES.
SOMETIMES HE STARTS OVER.
TO SOMEONE WATCHING, IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE THE CLAY IS BEING RUINED.
BUT THE POTTER KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT HE'S CREATING.
CHURCH, ISAIAH SAYS WE ARE THE CLAY AND GOD IS THE POTTER.
SOMETIMES THE PRESSURE YOU'RE EXPERIENCING IS SIMPLY THE POTTER'S HAND SHAPING YOU INTO SOMETHING YOU COULD NEVER BECOME ON YOUR OWN.
DON'T CONFUSE GOD'S PRESSURE WITH GOD'S PUNISHMENT.
THE SAME HANDS THAT PRESS THE CLAY...
ARE THE HANDS THAT ARE CREATING THE MASTERPIECE.
THERE ARE LESSONS YOU'LL ONLY LEARN IN DIFFICULT SEASONS.
YOU DON'T LEARN THAT HE'S A COMFORTER UNTIL YOU'VE NEEDED COMFORT.
YOU DON'T LEARN HE'S A PROVIDER UNTIL YOU'VE LACKED SOMETHING.
YOU DON'T LEARN HE'S A SUSTAINER UNTIL YOU'VE HAD TO LEAN ON HIM EVERY DAY.
PRESSURE DOESN'T MEAN GOD HAS LEFT YOU.
SOMETIMES PRESSURE IS EVIDENCE THAT HE'S STILL SHAPING YOU.
EXPANDED TRANSITION TO POINT IV
WHEN WE FINALLY UNDERSTAND THAT GOD IS SHAPING US INSTEAD OF ABANDONING US...
OUR PERSPECTIVE BEGINS TO CHANGE.
THE TRIAL MAY NOT CHANGE OVERNIGHT.
THE DOCTOR'S REPORT MAY NOT CHANGE IMMEDIATELY.
THE FINANCIAL SITUATION MAY STILL BE DIFFICULT.
THE FAMILY PROBLEM MAY STILL BE WAITING WHEN WE GET HOME.
BUT SOMETHING CHANGES INSIDE THE DISCIPLE.
WE STOP MEASURING GOD'S LOVE BY OUR CIRCUMSTANCES.
WE START MEASURING OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY GOD'S PROMISES.
INSTEAD OF SAYING,
"GOD, WHERE ARE YOU?"
WE BEGIN SAYING,
"LORD, I KNOW YOU'RE WORKING EVEN WHEN I CAN'T SEE IT."
AND THAT SHIFT IN PERSPECTIVE CHANGES EVERYTHING.
THAT'S WHY JAMES COULD BEGIN THIS PASSAGE WITH ONE WORD THAT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE
JOY.
IV. PRESSURE CHANGES OUR PERSPECTIVE
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
JAMES BEGINS WITH ONE IMPOSSIBLE COMMAND.
"COUNT IT ALL JOY."
HE DIDN'T SAY ENJOY THE TRIAL.
HE SAID COUNT IT JOY.
JOY IS NOT BASED ON CIRCUMSTANCES.
JOY IS BASED ON CONFIDENCE THAT GOD IS WORKING.
THE DISCIPLE UNDERSTANDS SOMETHING THE WORLD CANNOT UNDERSTAND.
GOD NEVER WASTES PAIN.
EVERY TEAR MATTERS.
EVERY PRAYER MATTERS.
EVERY SLEEPLESS NIGHT MATTERS.
EVERY DISAPPOINTMENT MATTERS.
IF GOD ALLOWS IT...
HE CAN USE IT.
THAT'S WHY DISCIPLES STOP ASKING,
"WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME?"
AND BEGIN ASKING,
"LORD, WHAT ARE YOU TEACHING ME?"
THAT QUESTION CHANGES EVERYTHING.
BECAUSE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS KNOW THAT PRESSURE IS NEVER THE END OF THE STORY.
IT'S SIMPLY PART OF THE PROCESS.
TRANSITION INTO THE CELEBRATION
SO CHURCH...
DON'T MISUNDERSTAND WHAT JAMES IS SAYING.
HE ISN'T TELLING US TO CELEBRATE SUFFERING.
HE'S TELLING US TO CELEBRATE THE SAVIOR WHO NEVER LEAVES US IN SUFFERING.
HE'S REMINDING US THAT EVERY TRIAL HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE.
EVERY STORM HAS A SHORELINE.
EVERY NIGHT HAS A MORNING.
AND EVERY DISCIPLE WHO KEEPS WALKING WITH JESUS WILL DISCOVER
THAT GOD WAS DOING FAR MORE THAN THEY COULD SEE WHILE THEY WERE
UNDER PRESSURE.
THAT'S ENOUGH TO MAKE SOMEBODY PRAISE HIM TODAY.
BECAUSE WHEN YOU LOOK BACK OVER YOUR LIFE...
YOU'LL REALIZE THAT SOME OF YOUR GREATEST GROWTH CAME DURING YOUR HARDEST SEASONS.
THE PRESSURE DIDN'T DESTROY YOU.
THE PRESSURE DEVELOPED YOU.
AND THAT'S WHY WE CAN CELEBRATE TODAY...
7-FOLD CELEBRATION
CAN I GET ABOUT 20 BELIEVERS TO HELP ME PREACH FOR JUST A FEW MORE MINUTES?
BECAUSE WHEN YOU LOOK BACK OVER YOUR LIFE...
YOU'LL DISCOVER THAT SOME OF YOUR GREATEST BLESSINGS DIDN'T COME AFTER THE PRESSURE...
THEY CAME BECAUSE OF THE PRESSURE.
NUMBER ONE... CELEBRATE BECAUSE THE PRESSURE PROVED GOD'S PRESENCE.
THERE WERE MOMENTS WHEN YOU FELT ALONE.
YOU WONDERED WHERE GOD WAS.
BUT WHEN YOU LOOK BACK NOW...
YOU CAN TESTIFY HE NEVER LEFT YOU.
HE WAS IN THE FIRE WITH YOU.
HE WAS IN THE VALLEY WITH YOU.
HE WAS IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR WITH YOU.
IF GOD HAS EVER STAYED WITH YOU THROUGH A HARD SEASON, GIVE HIM PRAISE!
NUMBER TWO... CELEBRATE BECAUSE THE PRESSURE STRENGTHENED YOUR FAITH.
YOU DON'T PRAY LIKE YOU USED TO.
YOU DON'T WORSHIP LIKE YOU USED TO.
YOU DON'T PANIC LIKE YOU USED TO.
THE PRESSURE TAUGHT YOU THAT GOD REALLY IS ABLE.
WHAT ONCE WOULD HAVE BROKEN YOU...
NOW MAKES YOU GO TO YOUR KNEES.
THANK GOD YOUR FAITH IS STRONGER TODAY THAN IT WAS YESTERDAY!
NUMBER THREE... CELEBRATE BECAUSE THE PRESSURE DEVELOPED YOUR CHARACTER.
BEFORE THE TRIAL YOU WERE IMPATIENT.
BEFORE THE TRIAL YOU WANTED EVERYTHING IMMEDIATELY.
BEFORE THE TRIAL YOU DEPENDED ON YOURSELF.
BUT NOW YOU'VE LEARNED TO WAIT.
YOU'VE LEARNED HUMILITY.
YOU'VE LEARNED COMPASSION.
YOU'VE LEARNED THAT GOD'S TIMING IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN YOUR OWN.
THE PRESSURE DIDN'T JUST CHANGE YOUR SITUATION...
IT CHANGED YOU.
NUMBER FOUR... CELEBRATE BECAUSE THE PRESSURE PREPARED YOU FOR YOUR PURPOSE.
JOSEPH NEEDED THE PIT BEFORE THE PALACE.
DAVID NEEDED THE PASTURE BEFORE THE THRONE.
MOSES NEEDED THE WILDERNESS BEFORE LEADING ISRAEL.
JESUS ENDURED THE CROSS BEFORE THE RESURRECTION.
DON'T DESPISE THE PROCESS.
GOD IS PREPARING YOU FOR SOMETHING GREATER THAN YOU CAN SEE.
NUMBER FIVE... CELEBRATE BECAUSE THE PRESSURE PRODUCED YOUR TESTIMONY.
SOMEBODY SITTING NEAR YOU NEEDS YOUR STORY.
THEY DON'T NEED PERFECTION.
THEY NEED PROOF THAT GOD STILL BRINGS PEOPLE THROUGH.
THE TEARS BECAME YOUR TESTIMONY.
THE SCARS BECAME YOUR SERMON.
THE VALLEY BECAME YOUR WITNESS.
IF GOD HAS BROUGHT YOU THROUGH ANYTHING, YOU'VE GOT A TESTIMONY!
NUMBER SIX... CELEBRATE BECAUSE THE PRESSURE PRODUCED PERSEVERANCE.
THE ENEMY THOUGHT YOU WOULD QUIT.
HE THOUGHT YOU'D STOP PRAYING.
STOP SERVING.
STOP BELIEVING.
STOP COMING TO CHURCH.
BUT LOOK AT YOU!
YOU'RE STILL STANDING.
YOU'RE STILL PRAISING.
YOU'RE STILL TRUSTING.
YOU'RE STILL FOLLOWING JESUS.
SOMEBODY SHOUT, "I'M STILL HERE!"
NUMBER SEVEN... CELEBRATE BECAUSE THE PRESSURE IS PRODUCING GLORY.
PAUL SAID,
"OUR LIGHT AFFLICTION, WHICH IS BUT FOR A MOMENT, IS WORKING FOR US A FAR MORE EXCEEDING AND ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY."
THIS PRESSURE ISN'T PERMANENT.
THIS STORM ISN'T FOREVER.
THIS BURDEN HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE.
GOD IS PRODUCING SOMETHING ETERNAL THROUGH WHAT YOU'RE EXPERIENCING TODAY.
CELEBRATION
CAN I TELL SOMEBODY THIS MORNING...
THE PRESSURE YOU'RE UNDER ISN'T THE PROOF THAT GOD HAS FORGOTTEN YOU.
IT'S THE PROOF THAT GOD IS STILL WORKING ON YOU.
IF JOSEPH COULD TESTIFY...
HE WOULD TELL YOU THE PIT WASN'T THE END.
IF DAVID COULD TESTIFY...
HE WOULD TELL YOU THE CAVE WASN'T THE END.
IF DANIEL COULD TESTIFY...
HE WOULD TELL YOU THE LIONS WEREN'T THE END.
IF THE THREE HEBREW BOYS COULD TESTIFY...
THEY WOULD TELL YOU THE FIRE WASN'T THE END.
AND IF JESUS COULD TESTIFY...
HE WOULD REMIND US THAT FRIDAY WASN'T THE END.
THEY NAILED HIM TO AN OLD RUGGED CROSS.
HE CARRIED THE WEIGHT OF OUR SINS.
HE SHED HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF THE WORLD.
HE DIED UNTIL THE SUN REFUSED TO SHINE.
THEY PLACED HIM IN A BORROWED TOMB.
BUT EARLY SUNDAY MORNING...
BEFORE THE DEW HAD DRIED ON THE GRASS...
HE GOT UP WITH ALL POWER IN HIS HANDS.
AND BECAUSE HE GOT UP...
WE CAN GET THROUGH.
BECAUSE HE LIVES...
WE CAN ENDURE.
BECAUSE HE OVERCAME...
WE CAN OVERCOME.
SO DON'T LET THE PRESSURE MAKE YOU QUIT.
LET THE PRESSURE MAKE YOU GROW.
BECAUSE THE GOD WHO STARTED A GOOD WORK IN YOU...
WILL BE FAITHFUL TO COMPLETE IT.
IF YOU BELIEVE GOD IS USING EVEN YOUR PRESSURE FOR HIS PURPOSE...
IF YOU BELIEVE GOD IS WORKING EVEN NOW...
IF YOU BELIEVE HE'S MAKING YOU MORE LIKE JESUS...
IF YOU BELIEVE HE'S STILL WRITING YOUR STORY...
OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND GIVE HIM THE BIGGEST PRAISE YOU'VE GOT!
SAY YEAH!
SAY YEAH!
************************************************************
ALTAR CALL
PERHAPS TODAY YOU'VE BEEN CARRYING PRESSURE THAT NO ONE ELSE KNOWS ABOUT.
YOU'VE SMILED WHILE HURTING.
YOU'VE WORSHIPED WHILE WONDERING.
YOU'VE SERVED WHILE STRUGGLING.
TODAY JESUS IS INVITING YOU TO BRING EVERY BURDEN TO HIM.
MAYBE YOU'VE NEVER TRUSTED HIM AS YOUR SAVIOR.
TODAY IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SURRENDER YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST.
MAYBE YOU'RE ALREADY A BELIEVER, BUT THE PRESSURE HAS CAUSED YOU
TO BECOME DISCOURAGED, DISTANT, OR SPIRITUALLY TIRED.
TODAY GOD IS CALLING YOU BACK TO HIMSELF.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO CARRY YOUR BURDENS ALONE.
THE SAME SAVIOR WHO CARRIED THE CROSS IS ABLE TO CARRY YOU.
IF YOU'RE READY TO TRUST CHRIST, RECOMMIT YOUR LIFE, UNITE WITH THIS CHURCH, OR SIMPLY ASK FOR PRAYER AS YOU WALK THROUGH A DIFFICULT SEASON, I INVITE YOU TO COME NOW.
THE DOORS OF THE CHURCH ARE OPEN.
PASTORAL PRAYER
FATHER, IN THE NAME OF JESUS, WE THANK YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE FAITHFUL IN EVERY SEASON OF OUR LIVES.
THANK YOU THAT YOU DO NOT ABANDON US WHEN TRIALS COME.
THANK YOU THAT EVEN WHEN WE CANNOT SEE YOUR HAND, WE CAN TRUST YOUR HEART.
LORD, STRENGTHEN EVERY PERSON WHO IS UNDER PRESSURE TODAY.
ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO ARE WEARY.
COMFORT THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING.
HEAL THOSE WHO ARE HURTING.
PROVIDE FOR THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING.
RESTORE THOSE WHOSE FAITH HAS GROWN WEAK.
HELP US NOT TO WASTE OUR TRIALS BUT TO ALLOW YOU TO PRODUCE ENDURANCE,
MATURITY, AND CHRISTLIKE CHARACTER WITHIN US.
TEACH US TO TRUST YOU IN THE WAITING, WORSHIP YOU IN THE STORM,
AND PRAISE YOU BEFORE THE BREAKTHROUGH COMES.
IF THERE IS ANYONE AMONG US WHO DOES NOT KNOW JESUS AS SAVIOR, DRAW THEM BY YOUR SPIRIT TODAY.
LET THIS BE THE DAY THEY SURRENDER THEIR HEARTS TO YOU.
CONTINUE BUILDING US INTO FAITHFUL DISCIPLES WHO FOLLOW JESUS, NO MATTER THE COST AND NO MATTER THE PRESSURE.
WE DECLARE THAT THE PRESSURE WILL NOT BREAK US BECAUSE YOUR GRACE IS SUFFICIENT, YOUR POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN OUR WEAKNESS, AND YOUR PROMISES NEVER FAIL.
WE ASK ALL THESE THINGS IN THE STRONG, SAVING, AND VICTORIOUS NAME OF JESUS CHRIST.
AND ALL GOD'S PEOPLE SAID, AMEN.
