ENOUGH OF THE BAD NEWS

SETUP

IF 2020 WAS

Funny images of how 2020 is a bad year…

I’m sick and tired of bad news and negativity

I’ve allowed myself to get completely consumed with “the news” over the last few months — It is so easy to get sucked into it.

Bottom Line: Fear Sells // Drama Sells

News Organizations & Social Media exist for one sole purpose

= Make Money

I can tell that my inner life has suffered:

Emotionally on edge, easily angered, easily discouraged

It may only November 22, but I have a new resolution:

God, help me to see the good in the middle of all the bad.

Help me to keep a positive perspective in the middle of all of the negative.

A NEGATIVE OUTLOOK NEVER LEADS TO A POSITIVE LIFE

I want to be ridiculously thankful for the present and unshakably optimistic about the future!

What optimism is not…

OPTIMISM IS NOT A DENIAL OF REALITY

We are all facing significant challenges right now

OPTIMISM IS NOT BLIND FAITH

We are people of faith, but our faith is rooted not in wishful thinking but in a resurrected savior!

DICTIONARY: OPTIMISM IS CONFIDENCE ABOUT THE FUTURE OR A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME

SCRIPTURE: OPTIMISM IS THE UNWAVERING EXPECTATION THAT OUR LOVING GOD IS WORKING IN EVERY SITUATION FOR OUR FUTURE GOOD!

SCRIPTURE

Romans 8:28 NLT

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

EVERYTHING!

In the middle of a pandemic // sickness running rampant // convoluted politics // civil unrest // economic problems // education problems // family problems // cancelled vacations // interrupted holiday plans

EVERY NEGATIVE SITUATION HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR PRODUCE A POSITIVE PURPOSE!

Because we have an unwavering expectation that our loving God is always working in every situation for our future good!

SUBSTANCE

THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT

How do you see the future..?

Does negativity, fear, worry, anxiety, fill a lot of those thoughts?

WHAT CONSUMES YOUR MIND CONTROLS YOUR LIFE

The life that you have is a reflection of the thoughts that you think.

Your life is moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts

THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE WILL NEVER EXCEED THE QUALITY OF YOUR THOUGHTS

Pessimists [of which I often am one] tend to view negative events as personal and permanent

This is my fault. I did this. I’m awful

This will always be this way. Bad things always happen to me.

The economy will never recover. The virus is unstoppable. We are going to have to wear masks forever. The world will never be “normal” again.

Being content. Being satisfied. Being blessed. Being optimistic.

These aren’t a state of circumstances...

They are a state of mind.

WHAT CONSUMES YOUR THOUGHTS

Faith in God?

Fear in this world?

If you move towards the negative [like I tend to do], how can you maintain an attitude of faith?

FEED YOUR FAITH AND STARVE YOUR FEARS

Whatever you feed will grow, and whatever you starve will die...

Many of us have replaced our private time with God with more time scrolling social media and watching the news.

In addition to that, coming to church alone has been a challenge, and watching online is just not the same as being together…

FEED YOUR FAITH

Get into Scripture so that Scripture gets into you!

Paul’s journey from Romans 7 to Romans 8

Romans 7:15 NLT

15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.

Romans 7:24 NLT

24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?

Romans 8:1 NLT

1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:18 NIV

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Suffering..? Remember who is writing: Paul!

Paul knew suffering…

Imprisoned multiple times, received the 40 lashes 5 different times, 3 times he was beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked, spent the night at sea, betrayed, beaten and left for dead, and even got bit by a snake!

Romans 8:18 NIV

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Where are you hurting? What have you lost? Where are you experiencing hardship?

Job loss. Health. Relationships. Marriage. Kids. Mental/emotional state. Spiritually.

THE STRUGGLE I’M IN TODAY IS PRODUCING THE STRENGTH I NEED FOR TOMORROW

Paul says: You can’t even begin to compare your current struggles with God’s future blessings and glory

We have an unwavering expectation that our loving God is working in every situation for our future good!

Starve my fears. Feed my faith. Renew my thoughts.

Because: My life is always moving in the direction of my strongest thoughts.

REALLY, REALLY GOOD NEWS…

Romans 8:26 NLT

26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

GOD DOESN’T HELP THOSE THAT HELP THEMSELVES. HE HELPS THOSE THAT NEED HELP!

If you’re hurting — He’s your comfort

If you’re confused — He’s your guide

If you’re discouraged — He’s your hope

If you’re anxious — He’s your peace

If you’re weak — He’s your strength

If you’re sick — He’s your healing

If you’re down — He’s your joy

If you’re lacking — He’s your provision

Romans 8:28 NLT

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Everything...

Good days // Bad Days // Hard days // Easy days //

In inconveniences, disappointments, trials, tribulations…

I can’t always see Him, but I can trust that He’s always there…

OUR NEW NEW NORMAL

“The new normal.” “Back to normal.”

We will never reach the promised land so long as we are trying to get back to Egypt.

I want to have more faith than “normal”

Families will be stronger.

Churches will be more spiritual and creative.

Christians will be bolder.

The harvest will be greater!

SHUTDOWN

Romans 8:38–39 NLT

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

No matter where I go — He’s there...

No matter what happens to me — He’s for me...

No matter what I mess up — He still loves me…

ENOUGH OF THE BAD NEWS

God is bigger than the bad news

God is better than the bad news

God is greater than the bad news

And… I’m expecting great things to come...

I have an unwavering expectation that our loving God is working in every situation for our future good.

THE BEST NEWS

The Gospel

Bad news = we’ve all sinned

Romans 3:23 NLT

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

But… The best news

Romans 5:8 NLT

8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

GOOD NEWS

1 John 4:4 NLT

4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

What happens in me isn’t controlled by what happens around me or to me, but by what God has done for me!