Triumph Despite Trouble
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
- John 16:33
My wife and I are currently expecting our first child. As of now, we have about 5 months until our daughter is born. With all the change that has already happened in our lives, and all the change that is to come, an example God’s grace is that He gives 9 months to prepare for a child! Imagine if it all happened in a day – if in the morning you had to process becoming a parent and that very night navigate an infant’s (notoriously difficult) sleep schedule. God is gracious that He gives us time to prepare for certain challenges in life. This passage of scripture is no different; Jesus is giving His disciples, including us, time to prepare for great challenge.
Jesus just finished giving His disciples mixed news. On one hand, He told them He was going to send the Holy Spirit to empower every believer, but on the other hand Jesus said the time of His departure was imminent. Not only was Jesus going to leave, but Jesus promised His disciples they would be scattered, that Jesus would be abandoned during His most demanding trial, and that in this world the disciples should expect trouble.
One of the guarantees of the Christian life is trouble – but Jesus has not left us without hope. In fact, He tells the disciples and us to have peace in Him. Tomorrow, we celebrate the event that cut a path of hope through the thicket of despair – the resurrection of Jesus.
You can have lasting hope because of Jesus Christ. It is a hope that sustain through sleepless nights, screaming toddlers, and moody teenagers; it is the only hope that will last through trouble, that has conquered sin and death, and that cannot be shaken no matter how we may feel. Trouble will most certainly come; do not be caught unaware. We have been warned, and we can prepare by leaning upon the everlasting victory of Jesus.
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Lord, remind me that I can take heart because You have overcome the world. Help me prepare for the challenging times You have promised by learning to lean on Your victory today. Thank You for the promise of new life and for the hope You have given me. Please ground my life in the truth that Jesus has conquered the grave. Amen.
ABOUT ROCKPOINTE CHURCH
RockPointe strives to provide a welcoming, family-friendly environment where people of all walks of life encounter the transforming power of a relationship with Jesus.
You will find RockPointe to be a place of imperfect, but genuine and authentic people seeking to glorify Jesus with their lives. Our hope is to point to the empowering grace of Jesus that transforms people to become impactful disciples for the kingdom of God.
The worship music is modern in style and highly gospel-centered in content. People are encouraged to passionately worship Jesus in “spirit and truth.” At RockPointe we value singing songs that are Christ-exalting and theologically rich.
We hold the Scriptures in high regard as the final authority in a person’s life. Messages at RockPointe are Christ-centered and will provide great insight as to what the Bible teaches about living your life for the glory of God. There is also a Family Room for parents to observe the services even while attending to their family needs.
Learn more about who we are here >>
