Promise Land Week 3: God Can Use This Message Summary: We often feel like we simply can’t. We can’t go another day. We can’t get out of bed. We can’t step up and follow in the steps of Jesus. But God promises us that we can, because all things are possible for us through the Jesus who gives us strength. ✦ Tension: No pain…no gain vs. No gain…no pain! ✦ Romans 8:19-22 — 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ✦ Truth #1 — Pain was never a part of God’s plan. ✦ Romans 8:26-27 — In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. ✦ Truth #2 — God is present in your pain. ✦ Romans 5:3-5 — Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. ✦ Truth #3 — Pain serves a purpose and is a gift not a goof. ✦ Romans 8:28 — And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ✦ The Promise: All things may not be good, but God can and will work all things for good. ✦ Romans 8:18, 38-39 — I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us…No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Planting Jesus Roots GATHER — Study the lyrics of “Jesus is My Healer,” noting the connections with today’s message. GROUP — Help a friend with their neuroplasticity by repeating one or more of God’s promises from this series. GROW — Read Romans 8:31-39. Write down and compare both what God says and what he doesn’t say about suffering. GIVE — If you missed the service fair last month but are interested in serving, check out the new serve wall in the gathering space for all the ways you give of your time and bless others at 922. GO — Do you know someone who is lacking peace due to their current circumstances? Next week’s message will be a perfect promise for them to hear. Invite them today! Homework: Philippians 4:10-20 (Hashtags: pain, suffering, hope)