trials tribulations problems

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TITLE: "Life Isn't a Bowl of Cherries Right Now But It Isn't the pits Either!"

TEXT: II COR. 4:5-10

OUTLINE:

Introduction

I. Between the Rock and the Hard Spot.

II. Second thoughts? BUNCHES! Change of mind? NEVER!

III. The Devil's after me but my Father is going to clobber him!

IIII. I've got one foot in the grave and the other is on

ball bearings but I'm not in the grave yet.

V. Conclusion

If you can find a copy of a book at the library, you will enjoy it as an introduction to the study. For those that can't find the book ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY is a children's story that describes the day in the life of a little boy that finds that nothing is going right in his life and he concludes several times in the day that it is a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

Read II Cor. 4.8-9

I. Between A Rock and a Hard Spot.

"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed;"

This term troubled is also translated suffer tribulation and afflicted. Paul is indicating some strong trouble of some sort. This seems to be a play on words in the Greek, in that the term troubled can be translated narrow while the term distressed has the idea of being crowded "into a narrow space".

When I was in the hospital, a number of years ago I had a kidney stone and they could not get it to move so it looked like an operation but the doctor hadn't said one way or another yet. That morning the doctor came in and with a smile on his face mentioned "that stone has us in a hard spot. What a sick pun!

You may be in a narrow spot but you could be crowded into a narrower spot. Could we say, "between the rock and a hard spot", but not stuck in concrete?

Matthew uses this term "narrow" in a very interesting place, indeed, one must wonder if it doesn't allow us some insight into Paul's usage here in our text this morning.

"Because narrow is the gate, and hard is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." One must wonder, if Matthew's comments were referring to the trouble as well as to the width of the path?

Indeed, this is a narrow spot that Paul is speaking of but with Gods assistance we will never be crowded to a point where we can't pass.

No matter how far the Lord allows the devil to push, we always have room to maneuver. We always have room to fight!

Lenski comments on this phrase, "Troubled... yet not distressed" fails to bring out the underlying metaphor, which seems to be that of a combatant who gives his opponent little room for action, but is nevertheless unable to drive him into a corner where no movement is possible." (P 73 of his comm. on II Cor.)

You've seen this in the movies - the two knights are battling it out with swords - the bad guy has just knocked the Good guys sword out of his hand and he makes the final lunge with the sword - THE HERO IS GOING TO DIE! - NO! HE ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST MOMENT AND STABS THE BAD GUY WITH HIS DAGGER.

GOD ALWAYS LEAVES AN OUT! NO MATTER HOW HARD SATAN PUSHES!

We need to set the context of these trials and troubles that Paul has brought to light in his life. "We are troubled on every side" is the phrase that he uses. As near as I can tell the idea is from the area surrounding you or as Strong defines it, "near" or "from beside" or "vicinity of". In other words the area around him was the source of his troubles.

I think if you will think about the source of your own troubles that you will realize that this is normally the case. As believers we can expect troubles to come from sources nearest our own being. This normally includes many believers and indeed, many of your problems and trials will come from other believers.

This is a devastating realization too many Christians for they assume that just because we are Christian we will function like a Christian. However the reality of the facts is that at times Christians function just like a lost person functions.

This is not to be unexpected for believers around you are also sinners saved by grace and we all have tendencies to slip into areas of sin now and then, just like you do.

We need to be aware of the fact that believers will give us problems so that we aren't surprised when they do.

This is not the only source of troubles and I'm sure that you are acquainted with this as well. You will receive problems from your car, your housing, your family, your neighbors, your mechanic, your tv repairman and everyone else that you have dealings with.

Troubles and trials will appear on your sunny horizon every now and then to give you those cloudy days. Indeed, you may at times feel that you are living in the tropics when the monsoon rains are upon you -

BUT

May I remind you that you have a very effective umbrella that can care for every drop of your trouble if you will allow Him to.

Paul in these two verses gives us a tremendous declaration that no matter how bad it gets there is always God that will suffice in your every need.

II. Second thoughts? BUNCHES Change of mind? NEVER!

"We are perplexed, but not in despair;"

The term translated "perplexed in our text is normally translated "doubt" and this seems to be the significance of the term here as well. Paul is in doubt, but not in despair.

"doubt" according to Webster means "to lack confidence in: distrust" An archaic idea of the term is to "fear"

The term "doubt" comes from a root that means twice or the idea is to think twice about something. (Word Origins p 323.)

The term translated "despair" appears only here and in II Cor. 1:8 where Paul makes the statement that he and his comrades "despaired even of life."

"despair" according to Webster means "utter loss of hope"

The term despair has the idea of giving up or without hope.

Our term "desperado" comes from the idea that the outlaws of the frontier days, were without hope in their actions and lives.

Paul seems to be saying, "We are thinking things over carefully and rethinking them but we aren't without hope - we WILL find the answer!"

The interesting part of this phrase is that the Greek sets it apart as different from the other three phrases. The other phrases are actions and activities that are outside the control of the Apostle. Actions which Paul has no control over. While the idea of this phrase is that Paul is involved in the occurrences and actions mentioned.

Paul may be thinking over his situation very carefully however he has placed his confidence in God that there is no reason to give up.

This is the hope of all Christians. We need to think things through very carefully but not to give up if we don't have the answer immediately. We have a God that has all the answers and He desires to give them to us. We aren't as the world - looking for answers but never finding them.

We need to consciously commit ourselves to knowing God will provide. I must wonder if this is part of what the author of Hebrews had in mind when we are informed we are to "diligently seek Him" (11:6).

III. The Devil's after me but my Father is going to clobber him.

"Persecuted, but not forsaken;"

The term translated "persecuted" is a term which Paul uses in Phil. 3:14 where he declares, "I PRESS toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Paul was doing everything in his power to please God. His usage of the term of an athlete straining for the victory indicates the tremendous strain of persecution that he was under. Paul is pressed in his situation but not "forsaken.”

This term forsaken is used also by Matt. in 27:46 in a very very familiar text. "...My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

Paul in all the pressing that God had allowed realized that God HAD NOT FORSAKEN HIM!

IIII. I've got one foot in the grave and the other is on ball bearings but I'm not in the grave yet.

"cast down, but not destroyed;"

Heb. 6:1 uses this term cast down in speaking of a foundation, "Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection, not laying again the foundation"

A foundation is something that is really set down solid into the ground. You dig a hole in the ground and usually are sure that the ground in the bottom is packed and then you lay the foundation.

When we lived in Hawaii, we noticed that the road building was so very slow. They would lay down the road bed and it would sit for weeks on end before they would do any further work. Finally I ask one of our Hawaiian neighbors why they took so long to build roads. He told me that the earth there is so very unstable and slow to settle that they must put the road bed down and let it settle for long periods of time and then return to fill in more dirt until all settling is complete. They needed a good foundation before they could lay the blacktop.

It is something that you really put down. You don't expect it to get up someday. You don't expect it to climb out of the ground to say hi someday! Really put down to the ground.

Indeed, Paul is telling us that he was really put away, beaten down into the ground! Yet as a strong foundation will endure even after the weight of the house is placed upon it is not destroyed.

The designer of the house plans on what the foundation needs to be and plants it accordingly. So God prepares us for the task that we will face in the days ahead.

We have just the foundation we are to have, for the ministry that He is preparing for us.

"destroy" has an interesting formulation. It means to ruin a structure. The term comes from a french term meaning structure with the "de" prefix which means to take apart the structure.

God is in the process of laying your foundations here at FSB so that your structure will not be destroyed when you get out into the world and placed under the pressures of the ministry.

Remember that I told you that the phrases were activities that were beyond Paul's control. Apply that to yourself today. The pressures and pressing that you are under right now are pressures and pressings that ALMIGHTY GOD HAS ORDERED FOR YOUR PREPARATION FOR HIS MINISTRY FOR YOU!

How great a thought that is! HE is preparing us and we only have to go through the time that He has placed before us to enter into that preparation! Now there are other preparations that YOU must go through, that you must become involved in such as moral behavior, studies, learning and living but

HE IS THE ONE THAT BUILDS IN THE STRESS FACTOR - THAT WHICH WE NEED TO FACE THE TROUBLES AHEAD!

I worked for Monroe Shock Absorber factory for a time when Faith and I were first married. In that factory we had a large machine that took up an area about the size of a small office. It was in the factory for only one reason. That was to harden the steel rods that take the shock of the road bumps and jolts. The machine prepared the rods for the stresses and strains of the road. This machine caused great heat in the rod as it was nearing the end of its process which caused great hardness. Without this hardening there would not be enough strength to go through the life of the shock without being bent beyond use.

GOD IS IN THE BUSINESS OF HARDENING US FOR LIFE'S BUMPS AND JOLTS!

WITHOUT GOD TO GIVE US THIS HARDENING THERE WOULD BE NO USE IN OUR GOING OUT INTO THE WORLD TO MINISTER!

THIS HARDENING PROCESS IS A MUST! IT IS NOT AN EASY PROCESS BUT IT IS A NECESSARY PROCESS!

OUR EMPHASIS IS TO BE ON THE CONFIDENCE THAT WE PLACE IN HIM TO CARRY US THROUGH!!

If you are going through some very hard times, you can be assured that the Lord is preparing you for situations that will require great stress handling capabilities.

To sum up Tasker mentions that we have in these two verses "four humiliating circumstances" that are contrasted with the "divine power which redeems them and makes them occasions for further manifestations of God's glory."(P 73)

How can we treat our trials and tribulations with less confidence than that? Paul seems to say that no matter how bad it was he knew it was God that had, and would provide the victory!

I have mentioned Lenski's comment concerning the first phrase but I would like to reread it for you once more. This wording "fails to bring out the underlying metaphor, which seems to be that of a combatant who gives his opponent little room for action, but is nevertheless unable to drive him into a corner where no movement is possible."

The devil may have you in a corner, however God always gives us room to maneuver and to find an opening in the opponent’s offense to gain the victory.

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will, with the temptation, also make the way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." I Cor. 10:13

The term used here is translated "temptation" however the term is also translated trial in the New Testament. ("temptation" = Strong's number 3986)

Paul uses this same term in Gal. 4:14 to describe physical problems. The New Scofield uses the term trial. In the book of Hebrews the term is used of the wandering in the wilderness and the idea of trial is more prevalent and again the New Scofield uses trial. I Pet. 1:6 also uses the term which indicates trials are the subject. Again the New Scofield uses "trial". Indeed, in I Pet. 4:12 Peter uses the term again and the King James uses the term trial. "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to test 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." I Pet. 4:12,13

If nothing else, when we are in trials we are usually tempted to lay blame, or frustration at God's feet. He is the one that can provide us the victory - we shouldn't lay the blame to Him. It is our being, that falters in that we do not rely upon Him when the trials come and as a result we falter.

As we face His trials for us He will provide a way out - a way to face it with victory! However. We, as Paul must make a conscious commitment to place our trust in God. Trust that He will have the victory! A conscious commitment - I will not give up! God has given me the victory!

I'm going to hang in there even if it's only by the very tips of my claws like the cat in the poster.

V. CONCLUSION

In conclusion we want to see that the apostle Paul had his down times just as we do. He had trials that were heavy on his mind. He knew however, there was always an up no matter how down he would get. No matter how far the Lord allowed Satan to shove him down, Paul always knew that it could get worse! He also knew that the Lord would make it better!

"For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life;" II Cor. 1:8

1. It isn't sin to be down! If you give up it is sin! If you stay down it is sin! If you enjoy being down it is sin! In fact it's not natural! If you drag others down with you, it is sin! If you don't look to the Lord for help it is sin! BUT To be down is not sin. Just don't make it your lifestyle!

2. "For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us"

Dare I be so bold as to apply this to us today? Dare I cause waves on the calm sea of the church? Dare I suggest that we should share our problems with other believers?

Paul did so - I firmly believe we MUST!

How many times have you been in prayer meeting when they were asking for requests when you were breaking inside because of problems and trials that you just knew you could not share?

How many times have you been asked how you are and you say something generic like "Oh, pretty good I guess." hoping they will respond so that you can share your problems with them, but instead they walk away with a "That's good."

To this type of believer - they feel ignorance is bliss - for a believer not to respond to minister to another is sin not bliss.

WE DO NOT SHARE WITH ONE ANOTHER TODAY!

If you are in a group where you do not hear requests for prayer concerning personal trials you are in a group where, I believe, the people do not feel free to share personal trials with the others.

Paul says that he doesn't want them to be ignorant - he wanted them to know of his troubles. I believe that many today want to be ignorant of your problems. They do not want to become involved in your life enough to hurt with you and to pray with you!

The term ignorant is "agnoeo" and is translated "understand not,” "knew not,” "not knowing,” "know not,unknown,” "understand not" and "ignorant.”

Those that do not know of your personal problems probably chose not to know. Paul says, we don't want you to be ignorant of our troubles. Today we may as well say WE DEMAND TO BE IGNORANT OF YOUR TROUBLES! WE DON'T WANT TO KNOW! WE DON'T REALLY CARE! WE HAVE OUR OWN PROBLEMS!

HOW MANY OF YOU WOULD JUST LIKE TO SIT DOWN AND SHARE SOMETHING WITH AN INTERESTED EAR TO LISTEN AND PRAY?

Some suggest the problem here is Pride. To a point yes it is pride. Of a certainty we don't want to expose ourselves because many times when we share a problem we are having, it ends up that we are viewed as unspiritual and that does HURT with a capital HURT!

It is also that in some circles when a prayer request is shared it will go unprayed for. It is also that in some circles we just do not talk about our problems.

As our final thought let's combine some of the things that we have mentioned into one.

Paul the apostle had his hard times and he has tried through this text to say there is always a light at the end of the tunnel! God always is our way and strength through trials when they come and He brings them to us so that He can prepare us for things to come.

Some of the strength that God provides for us should be, but all too often isn't, coming through our sharing with the saints so that they can encourage and pray with us.

"Four humiliating circumstances" that are contrasted to the "divine power which redeems them and makes them occasions for further manifestations of God's glory."

May I leave you with one question?

Christian: WHAT CIRCUMSTANCE DOES GOD HAVE YOU IN THAT YOU CAN FIND VICTORY IN?

Non Christian - you don't have the hope presented here in this study! God is not obligated to assist you when you are in trouble! Only by accepting Him do you come under His protection. I might add that non-Christians often come into very pressing times so that they are open to the Spirit's work in their life.

If you haven't accepted Christ and your life is a mess you might find out why by turning to God!

I trust that this following paraphrase isn't too far afield of the thought of the text. I have gone over the text many times and believe that the following will give a very good view of the text.

"From every conceivable source we are receiving TROUBLE yet we are not CORNERED; The trials have caused us to RETHINK OUR SITUATION, but we WON'T GIVE UP; We are PERSECUTED, but we are not being FORSAKEN; We are being PUTDOWN, but we are not being TORN DOWN." (sld)

In short I think we could say life is the pits however I'm still enjoying the flavor of the cherries and I know the pits will spring forth into life and bear fruit for our Lord one day!"

WHEN TRIALS FACE US HOW CAN WE HOPE FOR A BETTER PROMISE THAN THIS - THAT GOD WILL ALWAYS GIVE US AN OPTION!

He is in the business of training and preparing you - your responsibility is to live through that which He has called you to!

HE WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE VICTORY IF WE BUT GO THROUGH WHAT HE HATH SET BEFORE US!

II Cor. 4.8-9 "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;"

Remember, even in Australia (where the little boy in the story kept threatening to go) you will have bad days. You will have trials but you also have God. Remember, when you're having a TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY Don't be distressed - don't be in despair - you won't be forsaken - you won't be destroyed!

Even if you have a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad month. You won't be forsaken - you won't be destroyed!

If you commit yourself - I will not give up. I will rely on God.

From Spurgeon's Devotional book Morning and Evening p 136

"God's people have their trials. It was never designed by God, when He chose His people, that they should be an untried people. They were chosen in the furnace of affliction; they were never chosen to worldly peace and earthly joy. Freedom from sickness and the pains of mortality was never promised them; but when their Lord drew up the charter of privileges, He included chastisements among the things to which they should inevitably be heirs. Trials are a part of our lot; they were predestinated for us in God's solemn decrees, and bequeathed us in Christ's last legacy. So surely as the stars are fashioned by his hands, and their orbits fixed by Him, so surely are our trials allotted to us: He has ordained their season and their place, their intensity and the effect they shall have upon us. Good men must never expect to escape troubles; if they do, they will be disappointed, for none of their predecessors have been without them."

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL by Spafford

"When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul.

"Though Satan should buffet, tho trials should come let this blest assurrance control, that Christ has regarded my helpless estate and hath shed His own blood for my soul.

"My sin - Oh, the bliss of this glorious thought, my sin - not in part, but the whole, is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!"

"And, Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll, the trump shall resound and the Lord shall decend, even so - it is well with my soul."

"It is well with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul."

This speaks of a lost sinner coming to know the peace of God. If you are lost this morning - come to Him that can give you peace! Jesus Christ.

Christian, hang onto this passage - it is your promise of victory amid trials - claim it.