Sermon 092296

Phi. 2:25-30                                         Tribulation and God’s Mercy                               9/22/96

ABCC

I.   Introduction and Review (v. 19-30)                                                                                  538

     A. Biblical hope & encouragement is the theme of this paragraph (v. 19, 23, 24)

     B. Hope enables the Christian to discern limitations & utilize other alternatives

¨       sending Timothy, Epaphroditus, & Paul himself later

     C. The Christian with hope finds ways to encourage others (v. 20, 26, 28)

     D. Biblical hope means placing our trust in Jesus Christ (v. 19a)

¨       His wisdom, timing, power, goodness, grace, genuine care & MERCY!

     E. Hope in the Lord Jesus is Produced Through Tribulation (Rom. 5:1-5)

II.   Faithfulness to Christ Often Results in Tribulation

     A. Epaphroditus was a faithful servant of Christ (v. 25)

     B. He made real sacrifices for Christ to minister to others (v. 30)

     C. He became severely ill while ministering (v. 27a)

¨       God allows believers to come close to disaster (v. 27a) - “sick to the point of death”

¨       God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability (v. 27b-d) - 1Co. 10:13

¨       Others ill = Hezekiah, Timothy, Trophimus;   Elisha, Lazarus, Dorcas - DIED!

¨       Others tribulations = Sarah, Moses, Ruth, widows, Peter & wife, Aquila & Priscilla

¨       God does not save us to exempt us from tribulation in life, but rather to provide hope & encouragement in tribulation (Ac. 14:22c; 1Th. 3:3; 2Tim. 3:12)

Have you come close to disaster/tragedy lately? ..any close call?  ..in your car; while cooking, eating, having recreational fun; serious health problems, financial problems, dangers in neighborhood & home?  WHY DOES GOD ALLOW BELIEVERS TO COME SO CLOSE TO DISASTER?

Tribulation & God’s Mercy, pg. 2

III. Christian Hope in Time of Trouble

     A. God’s character - v. 27b “.God had mercy..” (Ps. 86:15; 100:5; 1Co. 1:3; Rom. 9:15,16,18)

1.      Mercy is God’s tender feeling of compassion toward people in trouble, weakness, suffering & helplessness that causes Him to ACT on their behalf!

2.      Our God is abundant in mercy toward those whom He loves (Eph. 2:4)

- When we are in abundant trouble, we need our God to be abundant in mercy!

3.      Our God shows mercy on whomever & whenever He desires

     B. God’s promises (Heb. 6:17-20; 2Pe. 1:4)

     C. Prayer (Heb. 4:16; Mt. 9:27; 15:22; 17:15; Lk. 18:13;)

How’s your prayer life?  Now that you’re experiencing trouble, are you praying more or less?  Are you finding excuses for not making it to quiet time?  Are you finding excuses for not making it to public prayer times?  Why are you not here on Sundays & Wednesdays to pray? 

The last time you had that unbearable pain, did you attribute your relief to the Tylenol 3 or other prescription medication?  The last time you avoided that wreck on the highway, did you attribute it to your good driving?  The last time you couldn’t see your way out financially, did you attribute your deliverance to a pay raise or financial assistance from someone else?  When is the last time that you knew for certain that GOD HAD MERCY ON YOU?  Do you recognize how seriousness of your need for God’s mercy?  What will you do if He does not have mercy on you?  Are you praying that prayer now - Lord have mercy on me?