The notes provided above are only a short summary. For the full sermon please listen or download the audio file.

1.  IT IS COMMANDED, CELEBRATED AND PROVIDED FOR IN SCRIPTURE

-        1 Cor 13

-        Heb 11

2.  IT IS BETTER THAN ITS ALTERNATIVES

-        To despair is the Devil’s masterpiece

-        Alternatives would be fear, hopelessness, apathy – it boils down to a choice we have to make.

3.  JESUS KNEW DIFFICULTY, WE ARE HIS FOLLOWERS IN SUFFERING AND THE CHURCH IS BUILT FOR CRISIS.

“The church is always in crisis, its greatest shortcoming is that it is only occasionally aware of it, BUT precisely this crisis would help the church discover her true nature and mission.” - BOSCH

4.  WE HAVE BEEN TOLD WHAT TO EXPECT

-        Matt 24

-        Jer 23:17

-        “Those who follow me, shall be persecuted”  - JESUS

5.  IT KEEPS THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING

-        God – Truth – Gospel – Christ – Otherworldliness

6.  FAITH HOPE LOVE BROADCASTS THE INVISIBLE KINGDOM OF GOD TO ALL PEOPLE

-        Kingdom of God is not mono-cultural, but multi-cultural, multi-national, multi- generational.

-        We are a Third Race.

7.  IT IS STRATEGIC

-        Unexpected (element of surprise)

-        Japanese sign for risk means 'Danger and Opportunity'.

-        Otherworldliness revealed.

8.  IT PROVIDES VICTORY OVER DIFFICULTY – (HOW?)

“Shall light trouble make us forget weighty mercies?” – JOHN FLAVEL

-        Storms necessitate anchors, difficulty and beckons prayer.

-        “No crisis is greater than Christ” – JOHN BLANCHARD

-        “Difficulties precede greatness” – SPURGEON/JAMES

-        Problems giftwrap opportunities.

-        This is a Great Opportunity to Pray.

9.  IT GLORIFIES GOD

-        Opportunity for us to respond to the ministry we received.

10. IT IS CHRISTIAN

-        It is masculine and feminine.

-        It is historically cohesive that we would know tough times, as was the rest of history.