CENTRAL THOUGHT: Christ is our peace in a troubled world.
HYMN: WHEN PEACE LIKE A RIVER ATTENDETH
TEXT: John 16:33, 2 Cor. 11:23-33, Eze. 34:25-26
INTRODUCTION
After teaching the multitude, Jesus and His disciples set sail for the eastern shore of the sea of Galilee. It was night and the Savior rested comfortably near the stern, asleep on a pillow.
In time, there arose a storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship. Terrified, the disciples awakened Him: “Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:35-41).
He who had created the earth was again commanding the elements. In wonderment (astonishment), His disciples asked, “what manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him”,
We are living through turbulent times. A great storm of evil has come upon the earth. The winds of wickedness haul about us: the waves of war beat against our ship. As Paul wrote to Timothy: “In the last days perilous times shall come”.
It is time that ominous clouds gather around us, but just as the Saviors words brought peace to the Apostles in the boat; they bring peace to us today.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are:
1.To know what troubles believers are faced with today.
2.To know how a believer should go through distress.
3.To understand how fellow believers can help a believer to go through tribulations faithfully.
4.To comprehend how to overcome tribulations/trials.
BIBLE TRUTH
Q1. WHAT ARE SOME OFTHE TROUBLE BELIEVERS FACE IN THE WORLD TODAY?
Jesus speaking in John 15:18-20 said, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also”. The world system controlled and ruled over by the devil hates all who profess the name of Christ just the same way it hated Christ. It is the devil who also motivates unbelievers to persecute believers. While still in this world, believers are also subject to the elements of this world: hunger, sickness, pain, death, famine, deprivation etc. These collectively or individually constitute raging storms that beat against the boat of our faith. Jesus again, in response to Peter’s question in Mark 10:28-30 states that persecution is a part of the normal Christian experience.
Persecution could come from a believers’ resolute not to do evil or take a bribe in the office. Because of his stance and for fear from his colleagues of their evil deeds being made known, they could make life terribly difficult for the believer as was the case of Daniel (Dan. 3:8-12, 6:4-9).
Persecution may come from one’s home. This was the case with Joseph (Gen. 37:1-4) and even from the Church.
Whatever form or magnitude persecution and tribulation manifest themselves, believers should remember God’s promise in Isaiah 54:10 ‘For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee”. This provides strength to go through trials for all believers.
Q2. WHAT SHOULD BE A BELIEVER’S ATTITUDE WHEN GOING THROUGH DISTRESS?
In 1 Peter 4:12-19, Apostle Peter wrote: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you…”. In the face of trials, the believer should focus on the fact that there is a crown awaiting him at the end of it. And that as the scripture puts it: if we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him. We must follow the example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Heb. 12:2 “…who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame and (as a result) is set at the right hand of the throne of God”. Whatever a believer is experiencing, he/she should realize that some other believers have gone through that way before and did overcome. The believer going through trials therefore should learn to share his experiences with other believers who may be in position to assist him and give him Godly counsel. Also, when going through trials and temptations, the believer must develop an attitude of prayer. Prayer builds up faith (Jude vs 20) and strengthens the believer to overcome. Prayer makes the resources of heaven available to the believer who is weary. Lastly, the believer must daily feed on God’s word and meditate on it every moment of the day. The word of God will help him to maintain the right attitude in trials (Ps. 119:11) and strengthen him with
the promises of God. The word of God assures that one will not be tempted beyond what he/she can bear; this confirms that God has confidence in the believer being tried that he can go through victoriously, with the grace He makes available.
Q3. WHAT SHOULD BE THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH AND OTHER BELIEVERS TOWARDS BRETHREN PASSING THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES? Rather than criticize and find faults with brethren who are troubled, the church and individual must follow the admonition of Apostle Paul to bear with the infirmities of others and to strengthen the weak. This can be done in the following ways:
a.) Prayers (Acts 27:18-26).
As it was in the early church, Acts 12:5, the church today must take up the challenge to pray without ceasing for the deliverance of a brother/believer who is going through a trial. As the Bible declares: “the fervent and effectual prayer of a righteous man, avails much”. The corporate prayer of the church can go a long way to bring about divine intervention in any situation that may befall a brother/believer as was the case of Peter (Acts 12:7-11).
Individual believers also must develop an attitude of intercession on behalf of brethren who face challenges. This should not be the hypocritical show piece of raising prayer points in public meetings, but in the secret place and with sincere motives. Only in this way can we be truly called “brethren”.
b.) Encourage with the Word of God (Acts 13:15).
The word of God is quick and powerful…. (Heb. 4:12). The word of God has the power to deliver and to save and this is what every believer needs to overcome in trials and temptations.
Unlike the friends of Job, (Job 18, 19, 20,21,22) the church and believers today should strengthen those who go through trials with the word of God. This should be done with a measure of wisdom. It should not be the time to remind the individual of his/her sins or weaknesses, or a time to preach long sermons of repentance and sanctification, but to carefully select scriptures that build up faith, encourage, strengthen, and comfort the believer. This will go a long way to help the brother to exercise faith for his deliverance because “faith comes by hearing…”.
c.) Meeting their specific needs (Phil. 4:18, Acts 4:34-37).
While it is good to pray and encourage our brethren who are going through difficult times from the word of God, it is pertinent that we identify with it. For a brother who is lying on the hospital bed and whose thoughts are on how to settle the bills, giving money will comfort him.
Similarly, if a brother loses his job, while we pray and encourage with the word of God and wait for God to intervene, let us remember that he needs the basic necessities of life to survive. This will be following in the footsteps of Jesus who fed five thousand out of compassion. The gospel is a total package that takes care of the body, soul and Spirit ( 3 John 2).
Q4. HOW CAN WE OVERCOME THE TRIBULATIONS IN THIS WORLD?
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33).
This was the parting words of a loving, caring, and compassionate Lord to His followers. In like manner, believers today must focus on and draw strength from these words in order to survive this age of great tribulations.
In addition, the following are recommended for all believers:
a.) Faith (1 Jn. 4:4, 5:4)
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith”.
The Lord Jesus said we should not worry because He had overcome the world on our behalf (Jn. 16:33). Not that we will overcome the world, but that He had and all we are required to do is believe in the finished work on the cross. We must therefore, commit ourselves into the able hands of our loving Father. Our God is utterly dependable; so, in faith we should always rest ourselves and our situations in Him.
b.) The Word (Ps. 119:11, Jos. 1:7-8)
The Lord Jesus overcame the enemy with the word of God (Lk. 4:1-4). Satan and the elements of this world tremble at the word of God. The word of God also builds up the faith of the believer (Rom. 10:17). It reveals the mind and will of God to us in all situations.
c.) Prayer (1 Pet. 5:8, Jude vs 20).
As the old saying goes: a prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian. The Bible admonishes us to pray without ceasing. Prayer is our spiritual communication with God in which we recognize Him as our keeper and deliverer among other things (Matt. 6:13). It is in prayer that a believer hands his battles over to God.
Every believer must develop an attitude of constant communication with God who is the source of all things (James 1:17).
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
However dark the conditions may seem in this world today, whatever storms we are facing personally, in our homes, families, offices, society in general etc., this joy of knowledge that Jesus our Lord has overcome on our behalf must daily rule our hearts. But the Lord has said “my people will I preserve”. Therefore, “let the peace of God rule your hearts, to the which also ye are called I one body; and be ye thankful” Col. 3:15. May the God of peace, give us peace always and by all means in Jesus name. Amen.
MEMORY VERSE
Isaiah 54:10
“For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Monday: Persecution is part of normal Christian experience.
Mk. 10:28-30
Tuesday: Daniel persecuted in office.
Dan. 3:8-12, 6:4-9
Wednesday: Joseph persecuted in the home.
Gen. 37:1-4
Thursday: Trials are not strange for the believer.
1 Pet. 4:12-19
Friday: Faith is needed to overcome tribulations.
Jn. 16:33, 1 Jn. 4:4, 5:4
Saturday: Prayer is vital to overcome tribulations.
1 Pet. 5:8, Jude vs 20