Sermon Tone Analysis

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Scripture Text:

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

In life we are faced with many ups and downs.

Some could say they have had more downs than ups.

There comes a time in everybody's life when they just want to throw in the towel and give up.

There are even times when you wonder as Bishop Walter Thomas put it, "If coming to church is nothing more than a waste of time."

Yes, my brothers and sisters, there are times when you sit back and wonder if God has forgotten about you or if he is just allowing Satan to run all over you.

Oh, but I come to encourage somebody today and let you know that God has not forgotten and you don't have to throw in the towel.

God has a plan for your life and everything is going to be alright.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

I know it might seem rogh right now, but you must rememeber three things:

1.

What you are going through, only make you a better you!

Well Reverend, how can you stand there and tell me what I'm going through will make me better?

You don't understand what I have to go through at home; you don't understand the hell I catch at work; these people at the church are about to drive me stright jacket scrazy!

So, how can all of this stress and hell make me better?

I'm glad you asked!

Jesus said to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.

Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

So, the more you beat me down, the more you lie on me, the more you try to tare me apart, God is gaining strength in me! 1 John 4:4 says, "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."

So, go ahead and do what you want to right now because our text says God is going to turn things around in my favor.

Tell you neighbor, "I'm glad it's not over yet!"

The second thing you must realize is:

2. Your relationship with God will sometimes trigger negative reactions.

You might wonder why now that you have made up your mind to live for God, people have begun to turn on you.

Well, it's only because everybody can't stand to see you blessed!

The devil surely does not want to see you blessed, and will do all he can and send whomever he can to get your focus away from God.

You don't mind if I call a witness do you?

Come here Joseph!

(tell the story)

It's in these times you need to let God's word flow out of your mouth toward the devil and his assistants.

You can say:

Isaiah 54:17 says, "No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn.

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me," Says the Lord."

Psalm 46:1 says, "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble."

Galatians 6:9 says, "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

My brothers and sisters, don't worry about the haters, because they only have one purpose; this is to be the footstool that gets you closer to your destination.

Finally, you must realize:

3. The Best is yet to come!

The devil in order to trip you up and keep you from reaching your full potential will try to take your focus off of God and put it on your present circumstance, but you cannot afford to stop and worry about what's going on right now, because it will distract you and make you miss your future blessing.

Paul said in Romans 8:18, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

No you may not understand why you are going through right now, but God in his providence has already worked it out!

What is Providence reverend?

I'm glad you asked!

Providence in the latin is provideo, which simply means that God is able to see what's ahead!

Is there anybody here who is glad God knows what the end is going to be! Do you have any rivers that seem uncrossable?

Do you have any valley's you can't tunnel through?

My God specializes in things impossible and he will do what no other power can do.