Inviting God Into Your Difficulties
This sermon explores a powerful shift in perspective when facing life's challenges. Rather than solely praying for escape, it encourages inviting God's active presence into our struggles.
Instead of just asking God to remove difficulties, this sermon encourages inviting His presence into them. This shift allows God to transform us and the situation, leading to greater miracles and character growth.
Overview
This sermon challenges the common prayer of asking God to remove us from challenges, proposing a more powerful approach: inviting God into our difficulties. It suggests that while there's nothing wrong with seeking deliverance, the true miracle and growth often occur when God comes into the situation itself, changing things from within.
The preacher explains that if we are only focused on God bringing us out, we might grow disappointed by His timetable. By inviting God in, we find rest and allow Him to use the uncomfortable situations to develop our character, increase our faith, and help us grow through, rather than just go through, trials. God sometimes allows the odds to be against us for a greater miracle.
Biblical examples like the three Hebrew teenagers in the fiery furnace and Joseph in slavery and prison illustrate this principle. God did not always keep them out of the fire, but He was with them in it, enabling them to overcome and even turn their adversity into a platform for His glory. The sermon emphasizes that God is not limited by our circumstances and uses adversities to move us into our purpose.
Ultimately, inviting God into our difficulties means embracing His presence, even when circumstances don't change as we expect. It fosters a peaceful attitude, allowing God to burn off limitations like fear and negative mindsets, preparing us for a future of freedom and destiny fulfillment.
Key points
- Many people primarily pray for God to get them out of their difficulties.
- The sermon proposes inviting God *into* our difficulties as a more powerful approach.
- God's presence in a challenging situation can change us, give us strength, and provide favor, leading to greater miracles.
- God sometimes allows difficulties to make His glory more evident and to develop our character.
- Biblical figures like David, the three Hebrew teenagers, Joseph, and the disciples found God's presence *with* them in their trials.
- Having a good attitude and inviting God in helps us grow through challenges, rather than merely enduring them.
- When God is invited into the 'fire,' He works to burn off only what holds us back, like fear and negative mindsets, leading to freedom and promotion.
In Joel Osteen's words
“What's more powerful than God bringing you out is when God comes in and begins to change things.”
“Are you trying to get out of something that God is going to take you through?”
“The only thing the fire burned were the cords that were holding them back.”
Outline
- Introduction: The Common Prayer vs. Inviting God In
- I. The Power of Inviting God Into Your Difficulties
- A. Shift from 'get me out' to 'come in.'
- B. God works in the trouble, not just from it.
- C. God's presence offers strength, grace, and favor.
- II. God's Purpose in Allowing Difficulties
- A. To create a greater miracle and testimony.
- B. To develop character and increase faith.
- C. God is in control of your enemies and circumstances.
- III. Biblical Examples of God's Presence in Trials
- A. Isaiah's promise: "I will be with you."
- B. David in the valley: "You are with me."
- C. Three Hebrew teenagers: "Even if he doesn't" deliver.
- D. Joseph in slavery and prison: "The Lord was with Joseph."
- E. Disciples in the storm: Jesus was "on your boat."
- IV. The Outcome of Inviting God In
- A. Peace, joy, and hope amidst adversity.
- B. Supernatural strength to overcome.
- C. Limitations are burned off, leading to freedom and promotion.
Scripture references
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
2 And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
Insights
God's greatest work often happens within the challenging circumstances.
Growth comes not from avoiding fires, but by walking through them with God.
Inviting God in reshapes our perspective on present troubles.
Questions & answers
What is the main message of this sermon?
The core message is to invite God's presence *into* our difficulties, rather than only praying for Him to take us *out* of them. This allows God to work within the situation to change us and bring a greater testimony.
Why does the preacher say inviting God in is more powerful than asking to get out?
Inviting God in allows Him to change things within the situation, give us strength, and develop our character. It acknowledges that sometimes the miracle is what God does *in* the fire, not just keeping us from it.
How does the story of the three Hebrew teenagers relate to the sermon's point?
The teenagers were thrown into a fiery furnace, yet God was *with* them in the fire. They emerged unharmed, with only their bonds burned off, illustrating that God can preserve and free us within adversity.
What does the sermon say about God's timing for deliverance?
The sermon notes that God doesn't always deliver on our timetable. If we're only focused on getting out, we might be discouraged, but inviting God in brings rest and trust in His perfect timing.
What happens to our limitations when we invite God into our 'fire'?
The sermon states that the 'fire' will burn off the things holding us back, such as fear, negative mindsets, and hindering relationships. We emerge free, bold, confident, and ready to fulfill our destiny.
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