How to Find Strength in Suffering

Hopefully those who are here today, we- because of the grieving loss of a mother, or a father, or strife within a relationship, suffering under the weight of life, whatever it may be- may we who have faith in God use that strength to strengthen one another when they are too weak. And we pray for them- notice- in their presence. This is why the church gathers to pray. It's a means of God's grace to us. We'll address this more in the coming weeks. But this is why as a church, we implement singing; we implement confession; we implement prayer. Because it's through those means God takes the power of our faith, and he unites us. I know this to be true because I've done this, and I've seen you do it. There are times that you show up and you cannot sing. Your heart is too heavy. By the way, I'm not judging you if someone's not singing. I know sometimes if you just stop to listen- and I do the same thing- it's wonderful. But I also know I've been in those moments where my heart's too heavy. I, I don't have the energy to sing. There have probably been times you've sat in my sermons and not had the energy to listen. No judgment here. I grew up a pastor's kid. I did the same thing. The last thing I want you to do is walk out of here and not hear what James says. If you find yourself at the end, you're not alone. The point of elders is not to buy the right chairs. The point of elders is to bring the right of Christ to you that you may sit in his goodness. That's the point of the church. I'll close with this quote you've heard me say, but I think it fits. The Holy Spirit, by his power, gave the church teachers and preachers that they might equip the saints for the work of ministry. That's what James is talking about. Everyday Grace 054