[0:00] Quick introduction. I am from Nashville, Tennessee. I'm originally from upstate New York, Rochester, New York, but I live in Nashville, Tennessee since 1993.
[0:10] ! I started New Beginnings Baptist Church in 1996 and pastored it for 22 years. In 2018, my son took over the pastorate and I went into evangelism.
[0:21] That's why I'm here today. I hope to be a blessing to you with the Word of God. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. And I thank your pastor for the honor of being able to preach to you. So if you would this morning, open your Bible to Matthew chapter 9.
[0:37] Matthew chapter 9. We live in a very dark world right now. How do we contend with the darkness that's in this world?
[0:50] How do we continue to encourage ourselves when there's so much discouragement around us? And the Bible here tells us in Matthew chapter 9, verse 1, You know, no matter what you're going through in life right now, what trial, what tribulation, what heartache, what discouragement, you can be of good cheer as long as you know the Lord Jesus Christ is your Savior.
[1:32] No matter what this world brings your way, health, finances, relationships, just whatever kind of hardship that you go through in this life, you can be of good cheer. Why? Your sins are forgiven.
[1:46] You've been absolved in your afflictions. Total absolved means to be forgiven. It's gone. It's wiped away. So no matter what this world brings your way, this is the only hell you'll ever know.
[2:02] And if you're not saved here today, this is the only heaven you'll ever know. So I would highly recommend, if you're not saved here today, that you do so.
[2:12] You know, a verse that we know very well, we've heard it many times. Psalm chapter 40, verse 1, I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined unto me, Heard my cry.
[2:23] He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings, and He hath put a new song in my mouth.
[2:33] Do you remember that day? Do you remember the day that you were saved? You know how many times God said in the Old Testament, remember the day? You better not forget the day.
[2:44] You better not forget the day that He delivered you from death and hell. You better not forget that day. Remember it. On a daily basis, when I go to prayer with the Lord, I say, thank you, Lord.
[2:55] Thank you for giving me what I did not deserve. Regardless of what this world brings my way, I can be of good cheer. Because in the midst of all my affliction, I'm absolved.
[3:07] I'm forgiven. What a blessing that is. You know, the miry clay. That's the clay that, you know, in upstate New York, we have this stuff called snow. It's this white stuff that falls from the sky, and it accumulates on the ground, and it can cause a mess.
[3:22] I know you guys don't know anything about that. But, you know, I remember in the springtime, after everything started to melt, we'd go out, and we'd want to go play. And we'd go, you know, we'd step in that mud with our boots on, and we'd pick up our foot, and there'd just be a sock there.
[3:37] You know, that miry clay does not want to let you go. And that's the same thing, the Lord Jesus Christ, what he did for you on that day, he said, let him go. You came up and out, he put you on a solid rock, established your goings, and put a new song in your mouth.
[3:52] You can be of good cheer. No matter what you're going through today, you can be of good cheer. I remember in 1966, I was eight years old, and we had an incredible snowstorm in upstate New York, so that the snow drifts were to the gutters of the house.
[4:14] Yeah, to the gutters, like ten feet up. And I was eight, my brother was seven, and I said to my dad, Dad, do you mind if we go out and play? Can we go play?
[4:24] Okay, he says, you can go outside to play as long as you don't go on the snow drifts. Wrong thing to say to Paul. Wrong thing.
[4:35] My brother always used to say, I don't have to be good, I just have to be better than Paul. So, I'm the one that climbed up on the snow drift all the way up, and I'm grabbing onto the gutters of the house. Rick, look at me, I'm holding on to the gutters of the house, look how high I am.
[4:49] And all of a sudden, I dropped into the snow drift, up to here. And we thought it was funny, we were laughing at that time, until I tried to climb out and I sank deeper.
[5:01] And it got up to where it was over my head, and I'm reaching up, and every time I reached, every time I tried to do anything, snow came down on top of me. I was being buried alive in a ten foot snow drift.
[5:13] And the wind was whipping, and the snow was coming down. My brother, thank God, he ran to get my dad. And all I remember, I can remember it to this day, it was like, wow, how do you forget that?
[5:26] All I can remember is this big hand coming down over the top saying, grab hold of my hand. And he lifted me up out of that snow bank and saved my life.
[5:37] And it took me in and beat my butt. Amen. I said, Dad, why did you save me only to beat me? I mean, it doesn't make any sense to me. But that's what the Lord Jesus Christ did for me on February the 12th, 1984.
[5:53] He lifted me up, set me on a solid rock, established my goings, and put a new song in my mouth. And I know he did that for you, too. So what are you trying to say, preacher? I'm saying, because of that, you can be of good cheer today.
[6:05] You can be of good cheer today. You know, ask a Christian how they're doing. I used to stand at the door when I was pastoring and greet people as they were coming in.
[6:16] Hey, Bob, how you doing today? Well, all right. I said, oh, that's too bad. He goes, what's too bad? I thought you were saved. He goes, I am saved. He goes, and you're just doing all right?
[6:27] He goes, you're right, pastor. I'm forgiven. I'm doing great. Yeah. And you can be doing great today, too. So if you're happy today, tell your face.
[6:40] Amen? Amen. All right. God help us if we forget what manner of man we used to be. You know, can you imagine a firefighter running into your house that was totally engulfed in flames?
[6:56] Your child was stuck in the upstairs bedroom, and nobody could get to your child. But one firefighter put his life on the line and dared to go into those flames, rescued your child, brought him to you, and laid him in your arms totally unharmed.
[7:10] Do you think you'd ever forget that firefighter's name? Do you think you'd ever forget that day? God help us if we forget the day that Jesus Christ gave us eternal life for free.
[7:27] You know, turn your Bible, if you would, to Titus chapter 2. Titus chapter 2. Look with me, if you would, at verse 13.
[7:43] Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
[7:56] One of the things I learned in grammar school as a good little Catholic boy, those nuns taught me that adjectives are used to describe the noun. Look at those adjectives.
[8:09] The blessed hope. Not just a hope. It's a blessed hope. It's not just an appearing. It's a glorious appearing. He's not just God. He's a great God.
[8:21] And it's not just Jesus Christ. He's our Savior, Jesus Christ. When you read that verse without those adjectives, it just doesn't have the same ring.
[8:32] Looking for that hope and the appearing of God and our Jesus Christ. Boy, I'm thankful for the blessedness, the gloriousness, the greatness, and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
[8:44] Thank you for those adjectives. Why? Because those adjectives keep me excited about what's to come, what he's already done, and the fact that no matter what this world brings me, no matter what, I can be of good cheer.
[8:58] I can be of good cheer. Because I'd rather suffer affliction from the world's wrath now than to suffer affliction from God's wrath later. Getting saved did not remove all your problems.
[9:12] Matter of fact, in many cases, getting saved was the beginning. Because now you have a contention between the old man and the new man. Now the world has become your enemy. Now the devil's after you to destroy your testimony.
[9:25] In many cases, it's the beginning of troubles. But the troubles on this earth are nothing compared with the troubles in hellfire forever. So I'm thankful for that.
[9:36] So your problems didn't go away. Jesus Christ did not say, all your problems are now gone because you're now saved. He just said, I'm the Bengay.
[9:47] I can make it feel better. And he can. And he can. We're not appointed to wrath. But we are appointed to afflictions.
[10:01] We are appointed. Turn your Bible to Acts chapter 23. Point number two. Be of good cheer. You're appointed to your afflictions. You're absolved in your afflictions.
[10:14] But you're also appointed to your afflictions. Acts chapter 23, verse 11. And the night following, the Lord stood by him and said, Be of good cheer, Paul.
[10:25] For as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. God makes appointments for us. Appointments. Appointments.
[10:36] Yes. Paul, I'm making an appointment for you and you will keep it. Yes. He makes appointments. We're appointed to afflictions. Here he tells Paul, you must.
[10:47] I've got an appointment for you at Rome. You must bear witness also at Rome. Amen. You know, God does have a sense of humor. He does.
[10:58] I mean, here's Paul. He's a prisoner on a boat in a horrific storm, about to be bitten by a viper, headed to Rome to get beheaded, and God says, cheer up.
[11:09] He has a sense of humor. And I appreciate that about the Lord. I mean, it's kind of like the disciples in Acts chapter 5, after they were beaten and told not to go preaching Christ throughout the city.
[11:21] You know, the angel of the Lord came, led him out of jail. They went preaching Christ again through the city, and they got beaten to death. And they got up praising God that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
[11:34] You know, to have the right attitude as you're going through your affliction, it's so important. So important. I mean, because seriously, what do you do to tenderize a steak?
[11:46] You poke it. You stab it. You pour salt into it. You know, and that makes it more tender. You know, what did he say to Paul the Apostle? Paul, it's hard for you to kick against the pricks.
[11:59] Yeah. He's trying to tenderize you. And he puts us through afflictions in order to do that. It's important that we understand that. Look at 1 Thessalonians chapter 3.
[12:11] 1 Thessalonians chapter 3. And look what it says in verse 3.
[12:23] 3. That no man should be moved by these afflictions. For yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
[12:35] They're appointments. God has appointments for you and for me. If we name the name of Christ, if we're born again, blood bought, there's afflictions that are appointed to you.
[12:46] For your good, for his glory. Amen. You know, you remember Peter? What a wild man Peter was. Cutting off a guy's ear.
[12:58] You know, and I don't know that he was aiming for the ear. He was a fisherman. He wasn't a swordsman. He was probably aiming for the head. He just missed. You know, you think about Peter. He was just wild.
[13:08] Though all men forsake thee, Lord, yet not I. Why? And he ends up denying the Lord three times. But in Acts chapter 12, you know, the Bible says that Herod killed James with the sword.
[13:22] And he saw that it pleased the people. So he took Peter also. Put him into jail. Surrounded him with four quaternions of soldiers. That's 16 soldiers. Chained him between two.
[13:34] Paul knows he's going to be killed tomorrow. Probably get his head cut off tomorrow. And he's screaming at the top of his lungs. God, is this any way to repay me? After leaving my father.
[13:45] Leaving my ship. Leaving my business. Leaving it all. Following you for three years. Is this how you repay me? No. What's Peter doing? In between 16 soldiers.
[14:00] Chained him between two. And you're sleeping. Knowing that you're going to get your head cut off tomorrow. Yeah. Thou will keep him in perfect peace. Whose mind is stayed on thee.
[14:11] Because he trusteth in thee. You know. Knowing you're going to die tomorrow. And there he is sleeping. This is the same Peter that cuts people's ears off. And you know, all the rest.
[14:23] And how about Paul in 2 Timothy 4. He's in jail. All men have forsaken him. You know. And what does he say? Hey, you know, I'm going to get my head cut off tomorrow.
[14:34] Would you mind bringing me the parchments? I'm not quite done writing that last epistle. Seriously, Paul? You're going to die tomorrow? And all you're concerned about is finishing your writings?
[14:47] Yes. Wow. How do we go through affliction like that? With such peace. You know. With such comfort. You're appointed to your afflictions.
[15:00] When you know that there are appointments. When you know that the Lord loves you. And he's designed it for your good. You can be at peace with it. You know, hurricanes have very little effect on palm trees.
[15:14] You ever notice a hurricane rolls in? Semis tipped over. Roofs ripped off of buildings. Everything's just demolished. Except for those skinny little palm trees. Just standing there.
[15:24] Just like this. Just like they were before the storm. And there they are after the storm. Why? They're flexible. You know what they used to tell boxers? Roll with the punches.
[15:35] When a punch comes in. Roll with it. So you don't have to feel the effect of it. As if you're sitting there stubborn and rigid. Be flexible. Allow God to bring into your life what he wants to bring.
[15:48] Without you kicking and screaming. Turn your Bible to 1 Peter chapter 4. 1 Peter chapter 4. And in verse 12.
[16:07] The Bible says. Beloved. Wow.
[16:35] Really? Yes. Really. You remember Job? Remember Job? He was a good man. The Bible says he was an upright man. One that feared God and eschewed evil.
[16:46] Who was responsible for the day of Job's adversity? The devil? No. God. He was a perfect man.
[16:58] Upright. One that feared God and eschewed evil. And God did what he did to Job? Yeah. Hath thou considered my servant Job? You can do whatever you want to him.
[17:09] You just can't kill him. At the end of the story. God restored to Job everything twofold. Job submitted himself.
[17:21] Under the hand of the Lord. Lord giveth. Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. The Bible says. And with his mouth he did not sin. After all of what God brought his way.
[17:32] Why? Perfect peace. And you know. He trusted in the Lord. That God was doing what needed to be done. For God's glory. And God got glory. The devil got kicked out of the throne room.
[17:43] With his tail between his legs. And I love that story. You know. And I'm sure you've had your day of adversity. I've had my day of adversity. In 2008. When my first wife died of breast cancer.
[17:55] And you know. For two years. I was basically caring for her in the house. And when at the end of it all. I was having to carry her to the bathroom. In the middle of the night. Because she couldn't walk.
[18:06] And you know. I couldn't work. You know. I had a business back then. I couldn't work. And so I ended up. You know. Having to file bankruptcy. Because I couldn't pay my bills.
[18:18] Everything. It was terrible. And my in-laws blamed me. For her death. They never spoke to me again. After the day of the funeral. After the funeral. They never spoke to me again.
[18:29] Her entire side of the family. They blamed me for her death. Because I would try to. Try and do some work during the day. And she knew that. But they thought I should have been with her.
[18:39] You know. All during the day. And at night. I was up with her at night as well. So it was a very difficult time. And I was ready to quit.
[18:50] I was ready to chuck it all. Just say forget it. I'm done with this. I'm done with pastoring. I'm done with everything. I'm done. And the Lord said no. You cannot be done. You got to press on toward the mark.
[19:01] Which is why my ministry is called pressing on ministries. You know. Not quitting. Not quitting. Knowing that what God did. Was for my good. And so many people gained encouragement.
[19:12] As I got stronger and stronger through it. I even preached her funeral. That was very difficult. So. And. But God used it for his glory. God got. It was for his glory.
[19:23] And it was for my good. And it was also for good. For all those that were watching. And observing. How to go through trials. Does it make. Does it not surprise you. That a pastor.
[19:34] Might have to go through it. So that his congregation. Can learn how. So. You know. It rises and falls on leadership. I had to do what was right. But you know. It's one thing to find a.
[19:46] Comfortable church. But that's not what it's all about. You need to find a church. That will help you be conformable. Not comfortable. You know. And conformable.
[19:57] You know what that means. You know. We're to be conformed. Into the image of Jesus Christ. What does that require. Pressure. How do you conform anything.
[20:08] Clay. Play-Doh. Pressure. Pressure. Must be applied. And people don't like pressure. Get off me. You know. Get back up. You know. Let me live my life. It's not your life anymore.
[20:20] You've been bought with a price. Therefore. Glorify God in your body. And in your spirit. Which are God's. The Bible actually says. In Psalm 119.
[20:31] Verse 71. David said. It is good for me. That I have been afflicted. That I might learn thy statutes. Are you learning anything. Through the afflictions. You go through. You know.
[20:41] Back when I was in grade school. If you failed third grade. You had to take it again. Not like today. Where they just pass you on through. I had to. You'd have to take it all over again.
[20:52] Same thing when God puts an affliction upon you. If you don't go through it. And learn what you're supposed to learn. You may have to go through it again. So the best thing we can do.
[21:03] Is to accept what God brings into our lives. With peace. With comfort. With joy. Joy. Rejoicing. In that you're a partaker in Christ's sufferings. We had a lady in our church.
[21:15] Years ago. Her name was Miss Kitty. Not the same one as on Gunsmoke. But Miss Kitty was in her 30s. She was a young woman. And she had rheumatoid arthritis.
[21:27] Most of her joints had already been replaced. She couldn't go through a metal detector at the airport. They'd go crazy. And they lived 105 miles away from our church.
[21:41] And drove every day. Every Sunday. Every Wednesday. Two hours there. Two hours back. And so you can imagine with rheumatoid arthritis.
[21:51] Sitting in a car for two hours. By the time she got to church. She was very stiff. Very sore. For having sat that long. And she would get out of the car.
[22:01] And she would come into church. Again in her 30s. Hi. How are you? So good to see you. Hey. God's been so good. You know. Let me share a testimony. What God's done for me. And can I pray for you about anything?
[22:13] She was always. Always with a smile. You never saw her frowning. You never saw her complaining. Well one day I got a phone call. And Miss Kitty said. Pastor you got to come help.
[22:24] The river that runs by our house. Has overflowed its banks. And they were the only one down in the valley. The only house in the valley. And it overflowed its banks.
[22:34] And it was flooding the valley. And said. Please come quickly. Because we can't get out of the house. The water's rising so quickly. And I said. Okay. We'll be there. You know. Two hours.
[22:45] And we got a boat. We got a pickup truck. We got some of my men. We headed on out there. And we got there. By the time we got there. Water was coming into the house. It was already over the threshold of the door.
[22:56] The kids were crying. The animals were going crazy. You know. Every. It was. It was frantic. They didn't know if they were going to make it or not. So we got the boat up to the house. We got everybody into the boat.
[23:07] Animals. The kids. And the parents. Got everybody safely to shore. You know what God did for that woman? And gave her an insurance check. That was so large.
[23:18] She was able to buy a house the closest to the church. One mile down the road. No more two hour drive. That's what God did.
[23:29] Why? Because she went through the trial. With the Lord. Learning what God wanted to do. To give God the glory. Rather than complaining. And crying.
[23:40] And moaning. And pouting. She gave God the glory. And God said. I'm going to give you a house right down the street from the church. What a blessing that was. I mean.
[23:50] Seriously. Have you ever played with Legos? Now listen. If you've never played with Legos. You're not human. Okay? Everyone's got to play with Legos at one time in their life.
[24:01] But when I played with my kids. We would dump out. They'd have the big bucket. We'd dump them all out on the floor. Boy. Legos everywhere. We'd start building things. And I remember putting something together once.
[24:13] And I needed a little white one with two bumps on it. Not a green one. Not a yellow one. Not a red one. Not a blue one. A little white one with two bumps on it. Not a long one.
[24:24] No. Just a one with two bumps. You know what my mind's eye was able to do? As I go through the pile. I'm able to disregard everything else. Because I'm focused on finding a little white one with two bumps.
[24:37] And I'm totally ignoring the blues. The reds. The greens. The yellows. Because I'm looking for a little white one with two bumps. And I was able to find it. Because that's what I was looking for. If you look for the good in the affliction or the trial that you're going through.
[24:51] You'll be able to find it. You'll be able to find it if you're looking for it. We were taking a missions trip out to Denver. Brother Adrian's church. And my son is a Mustang enthusiast.
[25:07] He loves Mustangs. And a Mustang would drive by us. We're driving out to Colorado. And he goes, oh man, there's a 5-0. Oh, look at that. That's a Roush. Oh my God. A Shelby.
[25:17] Look at the Shelby. Oh, a 1965. Oh my goodness. Just one after another after another. By the time we get to Denver, I walked up to him. I said, man, you saw a lot of good Mustangs, didn't you?
[25:27] Oh, yeah. They're beautiful. I said, how many Volkswagens did you see? He said, none. I said, why not? He goes, I wasn't looking for them. If you look for the good, you can find it.
[25:42] If your heart is in wanting to rejoice and wanting to give God the glory, you can find it. Be of good cheer. Be of good cheer, point number three.
[25:53] Because you're accompanied in your afflictions. Turn to Mark chapter 60. Six, sorry. Try and find 60. Mark chapter six.
[26:04] Mark chapter six. And in verse 50. This is the disciples in a storm.
[26:16] It says, for they all saw him and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them and saith unto them, be of good cheer. It is I. Be not afraid. Point number three.
[26:26] Be of good cheer because you're accompanied in your afflictions. There's no affliction you go through that the Lord does not go through with you. Did he not say, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee?
[26:37] He sure did. Never. You know, in Isaiah 41.10, he says, fear thou not, I am with thee. Be not dismayed, for I am by God. I will strengthen thee.
[26:48] Yea, I will help thee. Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Didn't David say, yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, thou art with me?
[26:58] No matter what. Paul in jail in 2 Timothy 4, though all men forsook him, yet notwithstanding the Lord stood with me and strengthened me. There's nothing you go through that he doesn't go through with you.
[27:12] But you know, that's not only the Lord. It's not just the Savior that goes through it with you. Also the saints. The Bible says, be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
[27:30] That verse we know well. How about the one right after it? Whom resist, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished by your brethren that are in the world.
[27:43] The same afflictions are accomplished by your brethren that are in the world. You're not going through anything that somebody before you hasn't already gone through. Successfully. Where God got the glory.
[27:55] I mean, you look at people like Fanny Crosby. You look at, you know, the things that they went through and continued to press on, continued to strive in spite of the afflictions that God brought into their life.
[28:07] It's amazing to me. You're accompanied by the Savior. You're accompanied by the saints. There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man.
[28:19] But God is faithful. Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that you may be able to bear it.
[28:33] And that's point number four. Be of good cheer. You're able in your afflictions. Turn your Bible to John chapter 16. You know, I'm thankful for the Old Testament.
[28:54] Because as I read about Abraham and Moses and these great men of God, and I see what they went through. You know what I say to myself? If they can do it, I can do it. So that's what, you know, the same afflictions are accomplished by your brethren that are in the world.
[29:08] If they can do it successfully, if David could get up, even after all what he went through, if he can do it, I can do it. And you can do it. You can. If the Lord is with you, he gives you whatever you need to get the job done right.
[29:23] John chapter 16, look at verse 33. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation.
[29:35] But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world. You're able. If he's in you, and he can overcome the world, then you can overcome the world. You're able to overcome the world.
[29:46] Because he's in you. I used to work out with my boys. They didn't really like it much. But we'd work out. We'd go out. You know, I homeschooled them. So we would get up at 5 o'clock every morning.
[29:58] We'd go out. We'd turn on the propane heater in the shed. Because there was no electricity out there. We'd get that thing all warmed up. And then we'd go inside and have breakfast. An hour later, we'd come out.
[30:09] It'd be nice and toasty in the shed. And we'd do our workouts. You know, I had my son, who's the pastor today at our church. He was only 13 at the time. You know one thing I did not do?
[30:20] I didn't put 400 pounds on the bar and set it down upon his chest. It would have killed him. So what did I put on him?
[30:32] I put on him what he was able to bear. And no more. Why? Because I love him. Do you think that I loved my son more than God the Father loves you?
[30:45] Boy, he loves you. Why do you think he would ever put more on you than you could bear? You're able to do it. If he puts it upon you, he knows you're able to do it.
[30:56] But I'll tell you the one thing I did do. If my son lifted 135, the next time we came out to the shed, he would find 135 on the bar plus an extra five on each side.
[31:08] Why? Because if I don't increase the resistance, I don't increase the strength. And God wants to build us up, conform us into the image of his son.
[31:20] He wants to build our strength a little at a time. But he knows how much you can bear. If he's placed it upon you, he said you can bear it. You'll need my help.
[31:30] Now, if you try and do this alone, it's probably going to be more than you can bear. But if you allow me to help you, everything will be just fine.
[31:42] Remember David with the cart? You know, remember putting the ark of God on a cart? And the cart tipped? And Uzzah put forth his hand to catch the ark, keep it from hitting the ground. And all the mess that happened, and they took it into the house of Abedidim.
[31:55] And David goes back, and he's just so distraught. And he's going through the instruction manual on how to carry the ark. And, oh, look at here. The Levites are supposed to carry it on their shoulders with staves.
[32:10] Not supposed to be on a cart. Let's go back and do it the right way. Okay, great. They go back, and the Levites get the ark. They put it up on their shoulders. They take six steps and stop, wondering if they're going to die.
[32:24] And they worshiped, because God did not kill them. So then they're carrying the ark. And you know what it says? It says, and God helped them. Can you imagine the finger of God underneath that gold?
[32:37] Gold's heavy. That gold ark. And God helped them. Why did God help them? Because you're now doing it my way, rather than your way. You're allowing me to help you because you're doing it my way.
[32:48] The way I told you to do it. And that's when God helps. God helps when you go through it the way he wants you to go through it. Growing and learning as you go.
[32:59] So those Levites, they must have been totally confused. Man, this ark is so much lighter than it used to be. Well, you know, I've been working out at Planet Fitness, you know, so. But no, it was the finger of God that was helping them along the way.
[33:13] And God will help you, too. Never putting more on you than you can bear. You know, a grandfather clock, you know those pendulums? You know those pendulums only keep moving provided the weights are on the chain.
[33:25] Take the weights off and the clock stops ticking. Those weights have to be applied. And God's going to place weights on you and me. So that we can be strengthened to do what he wants us to do.
[33:37] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Faithful is he who calleth you who also will do it.
[33:48] Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. David said, by thee have I run through a troop and by my God have I leaped over a wall.
[34:01] It's God. It's God. It's God. It's God. It's God. It's God. Don't try and go through it alone. Go through your trials. Go through your afflictions with the help of the Lord. And last point.
[34:13] Point number five. Turn your Bible to Acts chapter 27. Acts chapter 27. And in verse 23.
[34:26] For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am and whom I serve, saying, Fear not, Paul, thou must be brought before Caesar. And lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
[34:38] Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer. For I believe God that it shall be even as it was told me. Wow. When God sends affliction, he's sending us a compliment that our shoulders are big enough to carry it.
[34:54] Point number five. Be of good cheer. You're approved in your afflictions. Approved? Approved of what? What am I proving? 2 Corinthians chapter 6.
[35:04] 2 Corinthians 6. Turn there quickly with me. And in verse 4 of 2 Corinthians 6.
[35:17] But in all things, approving ourselves as the ministers of God. In much patience, in, ooh, there's that word, afflictions, in necessities, in distresses.
[35:33] Have you ever had the attitude, I don't have to prove myself to anybody? Oh, yes, you do. As a child of the king, you have a lot to prove to a lost and dying world.
[35:44] Approving ourselves as the ministers of God. How? In afflictions. In patience? Yes. Taking your afflictions patiently.
[35:56] Yes, God's doing a work in my life. I can have a smile on my face, even though none of you know what I'm going through. I can still have a good cheer in my mouth.
[36:07] The Bible says, But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions. Endure afflictions. Do the work of an evangelist.
[36:18] Make full proof of thy ministry. Prove it. Prove it. How? Enduring afflictions. Going through them the right way. Be of good cheer in the midst of it all.
[36:31] Last verse I want you to see is 2 Corinthians chapter 4. And Paul says in verse 8, We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed.
[36:42] We are perplexed, but not in despair. Persecuted, but not forsaken. Cast down, but not destroyed. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus.
[36:53] Why? That the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. Look at verse 17. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
[37:12] So Christian, be of good cheer. You're absolved in your afflictions. Be of good cheer. You're appointed to your afflictions.
[37:24] Be of good cheer. You're accompanied in your afflictions. Both by the Savior as well as the saints. Be of good cheer. You're able. You can do it in your afflictions.
[37:35] And lastly, be of good cheer. You're approved by your afflictions. Making manifest in your body the dying of the Lord Jesus.
[37:46] Maybe if you could today, get with the Lord. Look for that little white one with two bumps on it. Try and find the good in what God's doing.
[37:57] And I'm sure you'll be able to find it. Preacher. Amen.