Be joyful in trials! (Romans 5:3~4)

Be joyful in trials! (Romans 5:3~4)

 

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

Intro)

1. Moses build the ark for 120 years, however he only used it for less than a year. He was on the ark for 251 days including 40 days of rain. So, all of Moses work of 120 years was only for 251 days.

2. When God wants to use a person for his plan, there is a time that the person needs to be patience. Jesus was waited for 30 years for his 3 years of work, and Moses waited for 80 years and work for God for 40 years. When God call Abraham he was 75, however God have him a son when he was 100 years.

 

A) God waits long for a person to be prepared.

 

1. In military they train solider for long time before war. Even when they are not in war, they train people and prepare for future threats. Like the military, God train people for long time before He uses people for His plan. When God put his people out from Egypt, God let Moses to grow up in the palace as prince of Egypt so he could know about Egypt thoroughly. Moses was prepared for 40 years however he still was not enough for God. So, Moses killed a person while he was frustrated and ran off into a desert.

A person who will do big work is should not get mad easily. There must be all kinds of people which Moses needed to lead so God prepares him for 40 more years. While he was living in the desert God makes Moses to realize how small and weak he is. After Moses completely became humble and obey God, God uses him as leader of His people.

3. Sometimes we often fail to claim glorious position; however you need to know that your failure is not the end but the beginning and a sign to prepare more. So when you hit the wall, you need to know that God wants you to prepare little more.

 

4. Many pastors love to read Bible Complete commentary of Matthew Henry. Pastor Henry prepare and wrote a book for 40 years before the publishing.

 

B) God uses prepared ones.

 

1. God uses people who are prepare for tomorrow and live today. David killed Goliath with sling shot. God made David to prepare for this moment. When David protects his sheep he uses sling shot to cast predators away. So, it was what he used to practice daily bases. When David played the lyre before Saul, Saul’s sleekness has disappeared. So, where did David learn how to play lyre? He played while he was tending his sheep.

2. World Figure skate Queen Yuna Kim said she fall down at least 900 times to complete one figure skating program. Professional soccer players lose their foot nails. Professional ballerina’s feet are twisted because of the countless practices. Like these example, we need to prepare diligently every day to be used. There is a saying ‘The Heaven helps those who help themselves.’Poison mushrooms can grow in 6 hours. But an oak tree takes at least 30 years to grow until it can be used.

 

3. In Paris, France, there is a tower made of steel that can easily be seen from just about anywhere: The Eiffel Tower. It is the symbol and treasure of Paris, France. The tower was planned out by Eiffel’s father and constructed by Eiffel himself. However, when the tower was first built, people were afraid to enter and reach the top. The tower was unique during its time, so no one believed it was safe no matter how many times Eiffel explained otherwise. So, Eiffel created a room and lived in it to prove the tower was indeed safe. Slowly, people became intrigued, and one by one the number of people paying to visit the tower grew. Today, millions of people visit the Eiffel Tower, but it did not gain its fame and popularity overnight.

 

4. In Springfield, Colorado, there is a very dangerous uphill road. Being steep and rugged, many accidents occur there. The road is not hidden or difficult to see, but most drivers see it and turn around in fear. Being dangerous and nearly abandoned, the State wanted to close the road altogether. But then one day, a sign that said, “Yes, you can!” was put up at the beginning of the road. With this sign, changes were soon seen. With this one encouragement drivers ventured to drive through the road and successfully made it through. The drivers grew confident, and their confidence paid off.

God uses those who are confident and prepared for their future. Tomorrow belongs to those who are prepared.

 

5. There is an English saying: “Self trust is the first secret of success”

God uses those who are confident and prepared for their future.

 

C.) God’s grace is greater for those who are prepared

 

1. Noah spent 120 years building the ark God commanded, and as a result of his obedience, dedication, and preparation, Noah and his family wrote the new start of life.

 

2. Peter had never prayed to God asking to become one of the Jesus’ disciples.

All he did was live each day doing his best and looking after his family; this was when Jesus came to Peter and called upon him to be his disciple.

The same was with Paul. Paul had never thought of becoming a missionary. In fact, he had been prosecuting Jesus’ followers and was on his way to Damascus when Jesus appeared before him. Although his actions were wrong, his intent and dedication to God was sincere, thus Jesus chose him to be his prophet.

 

3. This is the story of a Japanese man named You-oura.

At a young age, he was unable to receive an education so he worked at a watch company as an apprentice. While working, he had been learning all he could about watches. He asked an old man who was skilled in the field, “Which watches are the most famous worldwide?”

In response, the old mean told him of the 3 most important aspects of watches.

First, the hands on the clock must always be consistent, regardless of whether the springs are tight, loose, many, or few.

Second, the hands on the clock must always be consistent, regardless of hot or cold weather.

Third, the hand on the clock must always be consistent, regardless of where it is.

 

Hearing this, You-oura decided to become like a clock; he decided to work hard regardless of whether someone was watching or not, or whether it was cold or hot. And that was how he truly worked. Later that year on Christmas, he was chosen as the best employee.

 

If we live earnestly and sincerely, blessings are sure to follow.

 

4. There is a poem called, “What Makes a Human a Person”

It goes like this:

“If a human works because he has to, what makes him different from a cow?

If a human does only what he is told to do, what makes him different from a criminal in jail?

A human who thinks and works on his own, that is what makes a human a person.”

 

Conclusion)

If we look in the Bible, many of the great people mentioned are those who prepared themselves on their own. They are the people who persevered and sought out God’s grace. Even David, after he was anointed by the king, spent 15 years being chased, but he persevered through it all. Noah dedicated 120 years of his life to building an ark despite the ridicule. Jesus lived as a nobody for 30 years to carry out God’s work for 3 years. Moses did the same for 80 years as did Joseph.

 

We can not be discouraged and think that our obstacles in life are too long, too difficult, and a failure. When the time is right, God will uplift us all.

 

Our faithful God; our all-knowing God; our God who prepares us. Let us look to Him and find encouragement and patience. When the time is right, He will glorify us all.

 

Let us persevere through these trials. Let us embrace the trials that come our way with today’s message in mind.

 

As Paul was able to proclaim in Romans 8:18, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”