Part 3 You Won't Have Bad Days

You Wont Have Bad Days

I heard a story this week about a guy that went to the gym and looked for opportunities everywhere he went to share Christ with others. He is working out with another guy and had been doing so for a couple of months.

The Christian felt like it was time to share his faith in Christ with this guy in a non-weird, non-awkward way and the guy interrupts him.

He said, “please don’t talk to me about any of that Jesus stuff. I did the Jesus thing and it didn’t work for me. The guy asked, didn’t work for you, what do you mean?

The guy said, “I went to church for 2 months straight! My girlfriend broke up with me, I lost my job and my plumbing backed up! Sounds a little like an old country song doesn’t it?

He said, The Jesus thing just didn’t work out for me.

This is week 3 in our 4 part series, The Things Jesus Never Said. And we talk about this to look at the words that Jesus didn’t say because it might help us if we were to ponder what Jesus didn’t say, what He could have said, or what you or I might say.

One of the things that Jesus didn’t say was that we wouldn’t have bad days.

If we look at the words of Jesus we see that there certainly are some misconceptions out there.

Let’s have a little bit of fun...

Whoever does the will of my father will get the best parking spots.

Whoever calls on my name will not lose their hair.

If you lose your life for me you will always look good in a bathing suit.

Whoever does the will of my father will be fit, trim, they will have enough money and they will not get sick right before vacation, all of their relationships will work out, they will never have to go to the car mechanic or get a root canal!

Those are some of the things Jesus didn’t say.

And for some reason, particularly in this country and countries like ours, we tend to think that when we do things to please God, God in turn owes us.

He owes us tires that never go flat, He owes us engines that never break down or shoes that never wear out.

That may be where some of this comes from. There is an obscure verse in the bible

Deuteronomy 29:5 ESV

5 I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn off your feet.

The thinking goes that if you are in good graces with God that you wont need new shoes for 40 years. And because of this verse you see that God can in fact provide this way but it isn’t because of any action on the part of people.

Remember those people were wandering in the desert because they were disobedient to God. God doesn’t reward us for disobedience.

But we have this idea that if we do something for God, then He owes us. God is obligated, or obliged to shower a blessing on us when we obey, or when we make a decision for Him.

Like how you train a dog to ring that little bell when they have to go to the bathroom.

Oh, God, I did my thing now do your thing. I obeyed not shower me with your blessings!

We would never say it that way, but that is what many people think when their expectations of Gods involvement in their lives aren’t met.

We are going to look at some of the Scriptures that talk about this. Especially what Jesus said about this.

are the chapters of Jesus’ last words with His disciples while we was still alive on the earth. He is spending this last night with them his last hours on earth and what does He feel the need to tell them?

What nuggets of wisdom is Jesus going to pour out on these guys? What words of sentiment and encouragement will Jesus give to these men who are expected to live for Him after He dies?

Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice...

You would think that at this point, these disciples, who have given up everything, given up their jobs, their livelihoods, their futures as they had planned it out. They give all that up for Jesus to say, (ham it up) you will get riches and blessings for all you did and you will never have a bad day????

No, he says, You will weep, you will lament and everybody will be happy about your poor fortune. The world will rejoice over your weeping.

This is the point. We get get right to it. We cannot expect our blessings to come from this world, from this lifetime. Our blessings, our accomplishments belong in another world.

There is a story about a missionary and his wife who served overseas for many many years.

Jesus actually prays for the disciples in the next chapter, chapter 17 and He prays for future believers and when Jesus prays, he reminds us of where we belong. He reminds us that our days will not always be good.

Jesus keeps talking about the world in this scripture. The world is not us, the world, the way Jesus is using that word is those who are not in Christ.

33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. thlipsin, it means affliction, it means distress. Jesus isn’t promising peace and harmony, he is promising affliction.

John 15:18–19 ESV

18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

John 15:18-19

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

See how when Jesus talks to them on that last night, those last precious few hours together Jesus tells them. You are going to have bad days, and that should make sense because you don’t belong here. You are not of this world.

Then Jesus prays for them in and listen to what Jesus prays for them. Does he say, “God, give them peace, give them tranquility, give them a great nights sleep?”

No, here is Jesus praying to His heavenly father, he has a direct line to the father and what does he ask for?

John 17:14-19

English Standard Version Chapter 17

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

English Standard Version Chapter 17

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

John 17:14–19 ESV

14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

English Standard Version Chapter 17

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

He says in I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.

Jesus specifically prays that we won’t be taken out of the world. That means that we suffer along with the worlds problems. That means that we will have bad days. That means that we WILL get sick, that means that some WILL die.

I did’t read the rest of verse 20 in chapter 16 but I would like to read it now. Because even though we will have bad days we can still have joy, we can still have joy.

20-22

Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you

You are going to have bad days but you are also going to rejoice. You will have joy and verse 22 says, No one will take your joy from you!

John 16:33 ESV

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

We aren’t saying that you will never lose your wifi connection in the middle of your netflix binge. Not saying that someone won’t steal your identity.

What I am saying is that verse 33 In the world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.

Pay attention to this:

Pain is a promise, Struggle is certain, Suffering in the world is inevitable. (Repeat)

Maybe, just maybe that strikes a chord with you today. Maybe you know pain, or are in the middle of something that you have never gone through before.

Maybe you are in the midst of a horrible situation and you didn’t do anything to deserve it. It just showed up in your lap.

Maybe its your finances, maybe it is a friendship that has gone south. Maybe it is a disappointment, you have been overlooked, you have had your name dragged through the mud.

Maybe you feel rejected, you feel alone. Maybe you had higher expectations and you are just so tired of it all.

Where is God? Where is this all knowing, all loving God that people keep talking about? Where is God when I am hurting? Where is God when I have been begging Him to change this thing in my life? Where is God in all of this?

It is a great question to ask. But when we ask we need to remember that God didn’t guarantee better circumstances. Actually he guaranteed quite the opposite.

Jesus guarantees Trouble, Trials, and Hardship

And that really stinks! I know it does. Because we don’t want to go through difficulties, that is why they are called difficulties. But here is one of the things that you and I need to know. Here is what we need to understand:

One of the things that Trouble, Trials and Hardships do for us is that they

Prove Your Faith. Those difficult times are the test that helps us know where we are in Christ. When you overcome a temptation, when you persevere through difficult circumstances you are showing off your faith. And that is a good thing. You are showing God and the world that you are a believer in Christ, and there is no circumstance, no hardship, no trial that will make your faith waiver.

Peter was a great example of this. Peter wrote in his epistle all about genuine faith, faith that perseveres. And he wrote his letter during the worst persecution that Christians have ever faced. Ever. This was in the early 60’s, I mean the actual 60’s when Nero was the emperor. The things he did to Christians was so ugly and hateful.

Nero’s command would take animal skins and would cover Christians with them, and sew them into these skins. The Christians would be placed in the arena where they would release wild dogs and animals on them. Other Christians, because they were Christians would have oil or wax poured on them and they would tie them to poles and light them on fire to be the night lights for nero.

That is terrible persecution. That is so much worse than any of my bad days. it is in that context that Peter writes”

1 Peter 1:6 ESV

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,

1 Peter 1:7 ESV

7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Bad days give us the opportunity to show just how genuine our faith is.

We wonder why is it that I am sick? Why is it that someone I love has died early? Why is it that I have been hurt so badly?

1 peter 7

Although those things are hard, so difficult, those are opportunities we are given to show how genuine our faith really is.

A faith that is tested is a faith that can be trusted. If you have walked with the Lord for any amount of time you may know that when you go through the hardest times are those times when you are closest to the Lord. It doesn’t change the circumstance that you are going through, but you have the peace that your father in heaven walks with you through it.

Another thing that hardships do for us is they

Prepare You For Purpose

Hardships can help you in that you grow in your walk, you get strengthened you get prepared.

Guess what folks? Ease and comfort never make you strong. They will never get you stronger. IF Anyone has gone to the gym and lifted a weight or jumped on one of those machines you know that they are hard. They are supposed to be hard. You know why? Because that resistance makes you stronger. You have to sweat, you have to toil you have to feel the burn! That is what makes you stronger.

James 1:2–4 ESV

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Are you in a trial right now? Are you going to God’s gym? Is God training you right now? Feel the burn! Push through it! You got this! You are getting stronger.

You know, God, through His training could right now be preparing you for something incredible. Through His training program (your trials, your adversity, your bad days), God is working on you to make you better equipped for the thing he has for you to do.

This is all throughout the bible. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers into a land he didn’t know, with people he didn’t know. Was put into jail for something he didn’t do but the time that he was with influential people, the time that he had in jail to get some leadership training, actually prepared him for being 2nd in command in Egypt when the famine happened.

David went through some difficult times: he had to fight a lion and a bear which would have killed him but those things gave him strength and confidence and experience when he went up against Goliath.

You are in a training program created by God. These hardships aren’t meant to hurt you but they are meant to make you stronger! Don’t get discouraged by your difficulties, be encouraged that God is training you! Trials don’t weaken you, they strengthen you! It’s not just pain, you are being prepared!

If you have been offended you have an opportunity to purify your heart when it would be so easy to be critical in your mind.

If you are lonely you have the opportunity to lean into and trust in God.

If someone has betrayed you, you get the chance to learn how to love and forgive in a way you haven’t before.

If you are full of pain, no matter what it is, there is purpose in your pain. These bad days have a purpose.

Jesus says that in this world you will have trouble. It is a promise, it is a guarantee. In this world you will have trouble, but in me, he says, you will have peace.

1 John 5:4 ESV

4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

1 John 5:4–5 ESV

4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

John 1633

John 16:33 ESV

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Do not use your Christianity as an expectation that isn’t biblical. Peace, joy, happiness, contentment, all of it is there regardless of your circumstances.

peace, joy, happiness, contentment, all of it is there regardless of your circumstances.

And listen, none of this matters at all if you don’t have a relationship with Jesus. If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus then your pain, your trials, your hardships will tear you down, and for nothing.

Ease and comfort never make you stronger. After forty years of faithful service to the Lord as a missionary to Africa, Henry Morrison and his wife were returning to New York.  As the ship neared the dock, Henry said to his wife, “Look at that crowd.  They haven't forgotten about us”.  However, unknown to Henry, the ship also carried President Teddy Roosevelt, returning from a big game hunting trip in Africa.  Roosevelt stepped from the boat, with great fanfare, as people  were cheering, flags were waving,  bands were playing, and reporters waiting for his comment, Henry and his wife slowly walked away unnoticed.  They hailed a cab, which took them to the one bedroom apartment which had been provided by the mission board.

The good news this morning isn’t that Jesus saves us from our pain,

the good news is that Jesus saves us from our sins!

. Did say in : Last words to prepare disciples for their mission.

16 “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices . !

20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. Uses word talks World ”—18 times in upcoming prayer Peace I give you... Do not give as the world gives... • Came from Father to the world —Leaving the world going Father. • If world hates you, hated me first. If you belonged world , love you as its own. Do not. Chosen you out of world . Why world hates you. • Don’t take them out of world , protect them. ( Not of this world ) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20 t Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices . You will grieve , but your grief will turn to joy . 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. !

Maybe you feel like you have tried the Jesus thing and that you have been doing it all on your own. Maybe you have been trying to trust in your own behavior and not in Jesus, personally. Let me tell you here this morning that Jesus is real. He is the Son of God. He came to the world to mediate for us. He came to pay for the sins that you and I have commited because He is loving and He wants those who belong to Him to trust in Him.

6 times—Amy—(No epidural) Can’t do this—You’re fault—Never said, “Pain wasn’t worth.” 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy . : 22 ! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ! 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace . In this world ...” ! Didn’t say ! You got this—Gonna crush it—Own it—You go girl! Always parking—Never lose Wifi connection—Trade in one of kids. Girlfriend never break up — Never lose job — Plumbing . ! “In this world you will have trouble.. . ! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pain is a promise . Struggle is certain . Suffering (in this world) inevitable . ! Welcome to LC—Feel good about yourself! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ! Some of you are in the middle of a difficult season. ! Feel left out—Overlooked—Rejected—All alone. ! Lost your confidence—Battling depression—Anxious. Bad news. Financial struggle. Health challenge. Relationship shambles. ! Pressure feels unbearable. More do humanly possible. Afraid. Hurting. Overwhelm. No one understands. !

Where is God? ! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ! TROUBLE, TRIALS AND HARDSHIPS ! • PROVE YOUR FAITH. (Reveals depth faith) (Peter’s epistle) ! Extremely persecuted Jesus-followers 60-65AD— Emperor Nero . ! Animal skins fed to hungry dogs Cover wax, burn candles garden. ! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ! 6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead , even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine . ! If there is a “ Genuine Faith ,” there’s also a “ Counterfeit Faith .” ! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Parents Xians—Not Buddhist or Muslim—Pray (Believe in God). ! People just confess things to me: Waiter—Go to LC—Not in a while/year. School—Student loans—Car—Partying—Drugs. (Grilled C, SP, GB) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ! Jesus told parable about a sower who sowed seed. ! Thorny—Choked out by worries and cares of this life. Shallow—Trouble or persecution came—Quickly fell away.

If you have never trusted in Jesus like that before, hear me now and trust in Him. And all of this is done in your heart. No magic prayer. Just understanding that I have a need, and my need is Jesus because I can’t do it on my own and he is the pure sinless SOn of GOd who I will trust in for my salvation.

God, remind us that as we walk through this life that there are trials, God that there is tribulation. God that we go through hardships but when we are in you, you use them to grow us in strength and for your purposes.

! • Migraines—God doesn’t love me • Rejected grad school—God’s not real! • Loved one dies of cancer—Can’t trust him! ! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Funeral—God is good—God’s goodness more evident. ! A faith that has been tested is a faith that can be trusted. ! Hardest thing I’ve been through—Closest I’ve been to God. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ! • PREPARES YOU FOR PURPOSE . (Grow, Stronger, Prepared) ! Newsflash— Ease and comfort never make you strong ! ! Go to the gym—What increases strength—Resistance! ! 2 Consider it pure joy , my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds , 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance . 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete , not lacking anything . (good days) ! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Don’t see point ! Discouraged . Overwhelm . Afraid ! Could it be that God’s preparation comes packaged as pain ? ! • Prepare Joseph Save Nation—Rejected—Slavery—False accused. • Prepare David Defeat Goliath—Fight Lion and Bear. • Prepare Peter Preach Pentecost—Failed Jesus (Restored)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ! How do you deal with criticism? ( My mom, Do you know CG? ) Compliments and praise didn’t prepare me! Rejection did! ! Rejected for ordination—Fired—Anonymous letters! ! Trials won’t weaken your faith—Stronger! Tell yourself—It’s not just pain—It’s preparation! ! You weren’t turned down—Toughened up! ! • The offense—Purifying your heart. • The loneliness—Teaching you to trust God like never before. • The betrayal—Expanding your capacity to love and forgive. • This setback—Setup for God to show up and show off ! ! Wrecked with pain—Promise you: there is purpose in your pain! ! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Don’t know what I’m going through—Easy for you to say. ! Jesus contrasts two things: In world —( In Christ ). ! In the world—Trouble. ! Divorcing. Cancer. Child on drugs. Abuse. Facing bankruptcy. ! In me—In Christ—You have peace!

After forty years of faithful service to the Lord as a missionary to Africa, Henry Morrison and his wife were returning to New York.  As the ship neared the dock, Henry said to his wife, “Look at that crowd.  They haven't forgotten about us”.  However, unknown to Henry, the ship also carried President Teddy Roosevelt, returning from a big game hunting trip in Africa.  Roosevelt stepped from the boat, with great fanfare, as people  were cheering, flags were waving,  bands were playing, and reporters waiting for his comment, Henry and his wife slowly walked away unnoticed.  They hailed a cab, which took them to the one bedroom apartment which had been provided by the mission board.

Whoever calls on my name will not lose their hair.

Over the next few weeks, Henry tried, but failed to put the incident behind him.  He was sinking deeper into depression when one evening, he said to his wife, “This is all wrong.  This man comes back from a hunting trip and everybody throws a big party.  We give our lives in faithful service to God for all these many years, but no one seems to care.”

If you lose your life for me you will always look good in a bathing suit.

Whoever does the will of my father will be fit, trim, they will have enough money and they will not get sick right before vacation.

His wife cautioned him that he should not feel this way.  Henry replied “I know, but I just can't help it.  It just isn't right.”

His wife then said, “Henry, you know God doesn't mind if we honestly question Him.  You need to tell this to the Lord and get this settled now.  You'll be useless in His ministry until you do.”

Henry Morrison then went to his bedroom, got down on his knees and, shades of Habakkuk, began pouring out his heart to the Lord.  “Lord, you know our situation and what's troubling me.  We gladly served you faithfully for years without complaining.  But now God, I just can't get this incident out of my mind...”

After about ten minutes of fervent prayer, Henry returned to the living room with a peaceful look on his face.  His wife said “It looks like you've resolved the matter.  What happened?”

Henry replied, “The Lord settled it for me.  I told Him how bitter I was that the President received this tremendous homecoming, but no one even met us as we returned home.  When I finished, it seemed as though the Lord put His hand on my shoulder and simply said, 'But Henry, you are not home yet!'