Sermon by Bruce McCallum 10 Augusut 2014

1. “And I will make you”
How God shapes, fashions
and forms our lives.
Part # 3: God has a purpose behind every problem. God
uses our circumstances to shape our lives.

2. NO ONE GOES THROUGH LIFE PROBLEM FREE
John 16:33 (NIV)
33 "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."

3. Christians are a chosen race but not a protected
species.
(Bryan Mowrey)

4. 1 Peter 4:12 (TLB)
12 Dear friends, don’t be bewildered or surprised
when you go through the fiery trials ahead, for this
is no strange, unusual thing that is going to happen
to you.

5. 2 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV)
9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of
death. But this happened that we might not rely on
ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

6. Romans 8:28-29 (NLT)
28 And we know that God causes everything to
work together for the good of those who love God
and are called according to his purpose for them. 29
For God knew his people in advance, and he chose
them to become like his Son, so that his Son would
be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

7. WE KNOW
THAT GOD CAUSES
EVERYTHING
TO WORK TOGETHER
FOR THE GOOD
OF THOSE WHO LOVE GOD AND ARE CALLED
ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE

8. Romans 5:3-4 (NIV)
3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces
perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and
character, hope.

9. 1. God’s plan is good.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the
Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.

10. Genesis 50:20 (NIV)
20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it
for good to accomplish what is now being done, the
saving of many lives.

11. Isaiah 38:17 (CEV)
17 It was for my own good that I had such hard
times.

12. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and
perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before
him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat
down at the right hand of the throne of God.

13. “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you
look within you, you’ll be depressed. But if you look
at Christ you’ll be at rest.
Corrie Ten Boom
Embracing suffering without a clear understanding
of the goodness of God is self-harm not
sanctification!
Julian Adams

14. 2. Give thanks
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
18 give thanks inall circumstances, for this is God's
will for you in Christ Jesus.

15. Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again:
Rejoice!

16. 3. Don’t give up
James 1:3-4 (NIV)
3 because you know that the testing of your faith
develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish
its work so that you may be mature and complete,
not lacking anything.

17. When you grasp the nature of how God forms our
lives you will pray fewer COMFORT ME prayers and
a lot more CONFORM ME prayers. (Lord, make me
more like you)

18. Hebrews 10:36 (MSG)
36 But you need to stick it out, staying with God's
plan so you'll be there for the promised completion.

19. If you're going thru a storm, stay in the ship:
WorSHIP,
FellowSHIP,
DiscipleSHIP,
StewardSHIP!

20. "If you're going through hell, keep going"
Winston Churchill
The best part of going thru hell, is that you come
out ON FIRE
Rick Godwin

21. There's no oil if olives not crushed, no wine if grapes
aren't crushed. Feeling pressure? God is bringing
out the BEST in you!
Rick Godwin