“Trouble” John 14.1-4; 1 Peter 1.6-7, Preached @ Christ Our Savior Lutheran High School Oct. 9th, '12

“Trouble” John 14.1-4; 1 Peter 1.6-7

1.                 In the name of Jesus.  Amen.  Job 5:7 says, “Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward.”  You can almost picture it can’t you?  A craftsman is hunched over a grinder’s wheel, sharpening a blade.  The most important piece of equipment he can have is safety goggles to protect his eyes, because that’s the direction the sparks fly--upward.  It’s a difficult thought that in this world, trouble will find us, or we’ll find trouble, popular books like the “Hunger Games” can remind us of this.  But, thanks be to God that Jesus knows our troubled hearts, and He promises that He’s overcome the world.
2.                 Jesus says in John 14:1-4-- “¹“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. ²In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. ⁴And you know the way to where I am going.”  We know that Jesus is with us in the midst of our troubles and promises us that He has prepared for us a home with Him in heaven.  But, sometimes the worries and anxieties of this life can make us forget that or at least cloud our vision from these promises our Lord Jesus gives to us.
3.                 There’s trouble that’s of our own making, as we’re often able to recognize it.  For instance, if we didn’t do our homework the night before, we shouldn’t be surprised that we’ll get punished for it when we get to school the next day.  If you didn’t study for a big test that you know is coming up, then it’s probably a no-brainer that you won’t be getting a good grade on it after you’ve taken it.  Or, if you don’t exercise and practice hard along with your teammates in the High School sport you play in, then chances are your team probably won’t do well when you compete against other schools.  But, then there’s trouble that seems to come out of nowhere.  And there are troubles we have in our relationships.  These things are hard to understand and we ask, “Why did this happen to me?”
4.                 But, we have a merciful God in Christ who is full of forgiveness toward troubled people like you and me.  Jesus was tempted in every way like we are, yet without sin.  He understands those who suffer, for He suffered for us on the cross and suffers with us in all of our troubles.  The Apostle Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:6-7--“⁶In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
5.                 One day a teenage named Joe was approached by Mr. Kidd, one of his father’s friends, “Joe,” he said, “I’ll be gone a lot over the next six months, and I need someone to take care of my place.  You know, wash the windows, dust, vacuum, and mow the lawn.  Also, my 3 cars need to be started now and then just to keep the batteries up.  What do you say?  Joe knew that Mr. Kidd was a wealthy man, and he was delighted at this opportunity to make money for college.  “I’ll be glad to,” said Joe. 
6.                 All went well.  Joe kept the yard neat and the house clean.  He doted on the cars but grew weary of just revving the engines and letting them idle.  “This isn’t doing much good,” Joe said to himself one day as he sat behind the wheel of Mr. Kidd’s beautiful ’57 Chevy.  “It would be even better for the engine if I took it for a spin.”  Joe pulled out of the driveway and onto the street with a rush of exhilaration.  But the feeling didn’t last long.  Halfway through a busy intersection a truck ran a red light and crashed into him.  Joe was shaken but not hurt.  Foremost on his mind was the question, “What will I do know?” Joe’s trouble shows us that bad decisions usually lead to unpleasant and often dangerous consequences.  Despite Joes’ best intentions, trouble literally ran right into him! 
7.                 We know that poor choices will likely result in poor outcomes.  When we smoke too much it will result in weak lungs, when we spend money frivolously, it can lead to money woes, an unkind word or action can return to haunt us.  King David made the worst possible choice in committing adultery with Bathsheba.  Even though he had to suffer the consequences, God didn’t cast him away from His presence.  God forgave David, and He’ll forgive you.

8.                 When trouble strikes us without warning, we’re left dazed and confused.  The worst natural disaster in our country’s history occurred in 1900 when a hurricane slammed into Galveston, TX and killed 8,000 people.  None knew when they woke up that morning that it would be their last.  The insurance industry calls these things “acts of God.”  But, the greatest act of God was to bring His wrath down upon His own Son Jesus Christ, on the cross, so that in Him we have forgiveness of sins.
9.                 Trouble hits us hardest when it comes to our personal relationships.  A famous psychologist once said that human beings are always moving in one of three directions--toward, against, or away from others.  Those who move against or away from people, he claimed, experience troubled relationships.  Which of us isn’t moving against or away from God?  That’s the trouble with our own sinful flesh.  But, thanks be to God that while we were yet sinners, God sent His Son Jesus to die for us and restore our broken relationship with God so that we can then take that forgiveness that God gives to us in Christ into our relationships with those around us.
10.                 Troubles tend to isolate us.  In the midst of sorrow we feel all alone.  But, we’re not.  God is with you in Christ.  He sends to you His Holy Spirit to comfort you in all your trouble.  He’s placed you in this school here at Christ Our Savior where you can learn more about your relationship to your God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Here at Christ Our Savior you have learned that God invites us to bring our troubles to Him in prayer.  With such assurance we’re enabled to refocus our circumstances in healthy ways.  God tells us to “Call upon Me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you and you will honor Me.”  And when our troubles get the best of us we can take comfort that God has placed us in His Church where we can gather around His Word and receive the Lord’s Supper.  In worship God makes Himself known, continual proof of an amazing grace that moved Him to make the greatest sacrifice to save us from the troubles of the devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh.  “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16).  Amen.