January 28, 2007
Rev. Terry D. Campbell

The Place of Problems
Romans 8:35-39

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’
³⁷No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹neither 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.”

During the presidency of Andrew Jackson, George Wilson, a postal clerk, robbed a federal payroll from a train and in the process killed a guard. The court convicted Wilson and sentenced him to hang. Because of public sentiment against capital punishment, however, a movement began to secure a presidential pardon for Wilson (first offence), and eventually President Jackson intervened with a pardon. Amazingly, Wilson refused it.

Since this had never happened before, the Supreme Court was asked to rule on whether a person could refuse a presidential pardon. Chief Justice John Marshall handed down the court’s decision: “A pardon is a parchment whose only value must be determined by the receiver of the pardon. It has no value apart from that which the receiver gives to it. George Wilson has refused to accept the pardon. We cannot conceive why he would do so, but he has. Therefore George Wilson must die.”

George Wilson, as punishment for his crimes, was hanged.[i]

This is an extreme example of how a gift must be accepted and used to be of value. So it is with the love and peace of God that we have in Jesus Christ. As we talk today about the place of problems in our lives, let me begin by asking you:

I. Do you allow problems to separate you from Christ’s love or drive you to it?

Text says, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” The inference is that nothing on God’s end will separate us from the love, grace, power, life, hope of God. But what about on OUR end—we’re the only ones who can separate us from the effects of God’s love. And so I ask the question again? Disciples, do you allow problems to separate you from Christ’s love and peace or drive you to it? I have—but I have since learned from it and am doing better.

When we are embroiled in life’s trials and are filled with anger, frustration, impatience, lack of trust or faith, or have serious questions about the un-explained or the unexplainable—the “Whys” of life, if we are not careful we can pull away from God and hunker down in a defense-against-life mode. God is reminding us, “I don’t leave you, you leave Me.”

But every problem is an opportunity to prove God’s power. This is especially true since we know from 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.” Essentially, this passage promises that nothing will touch our lives that is not first sifted through God’s permissive will. It takes trust—faith to receive this—trust that God is greater than and is working beyond this “crisis”—on our behalf.

We must continually ask ourselves, #1. “Am I going to allow this situation to steal the peace with God that I have in Jesus Christ?” and #2. “What do I need to do in this situation to be renewed in the peace of Christ so that I can live in the faith of Christ?”

II. Jesus’ peace can grow us into conquerors.

Colt’s 2006 season was a struggle each week to win. A case can be made that because of it they better learned how to not panic in hard games, difficult situations, and to come from behind in games. They developed confidence, inner strength and the discipline of peace in the storm—that can turn the hard season into a championship season.

The same is true for us Christians—learning how to rest in the Lord in times of trial. Out of the peace we have in Christ, grow patience, trust, and confidence handling problems.

Suffering is a part of life—including for Christians. Not all suffering is God’s will—God’s desire. But it is purposefully allowed by God who uses it, mysteriously, for helping us become our best, complete selves. James 1:2-4-“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ⁴Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Romans 5:3-4-“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope.” We are to rejoice in the midst of, but not in the suffering. It is not easy. We hate it. To those who are suffering we need to begin with, “I’m sorry—that must be incredibly painful,” and let them talk. Reassure them of God’s love and support. But spiritual muscle develops when we walk through trying situation with our hand in God’s hand. We don’t have to live in fear . . . we can choose to live by faith. 2 Timothy 1:7-“God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”

III. Problems, like weights, can grow our muscles.

Problems can grow our spiritual muscles, but only if we allow them to drive us to rest in and draw more strength from God.

Many of you have seen the movie “The Christmas Story” of a family in the 1940’s and a young boy wants the supreme Christmas gift, a Red-Ryder BB gun. But he is told he will put his eye out.—Supposedly his parents don’t think he is old enough to know how to use it safely. We all need to grow into greater life opportunities and responsibilities.

Without our struggles, there are no muscles—we are into Discipleship Lite.
There are different ways of expressing it:
“If it weren’t for the rocks in its bed, the stream would have no song.”[ii]
“A faith that can’t be tested, can’t be trusted.” Warren Wiersbe.[iii]
An African proverb, “Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.”[iv]
The ABC’s of spiritual growth: Adversity Builds Character.[v]

Jesus said in John 16:33-“’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.’” Physical health, emotional, mental, relational well being.

When Jesus was on earth, a vine would be cultivated and then planted and left to grow for three years before it was allowed to bear fruit. Every time it tried to bring forth a bunch of grapes, the gardener would cut it back. After the third year the grapes would be allowed to grow on their own. By then the branches were strong enough to support the weight of the grapes without braking. After the harvest, the branches were pruned back for a time of nourishment and rest before the fruit-growing season began again.[vi]

If dealt with correctly, problems can help us grow spiritual muscle and deepen our affirmation of Jesus Christ and witness for Him. It is important for us to learn to R.E.S.T. in the Lord:

Recline in God’s arms. Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)-“But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Let God know your need, your feelings, anger, doubts, etc. This position speaks of intimacy—of being able to be completely honest and speak your mind. Let it all hang out with God. Open the dialogue and talk it out.

Express faith in God. With Job, I have a few times had to say, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” Having expressed you heart to God, decide to end with trusting God. A world with God, even one you don’t understand, is better than the world without Him.

Show obedience in spite of your feelings. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)-“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.” Things like anger, frustration, fear, doubt can lead us to do some strange things—things we would not normally do or want to do. Watch yourself and control this with God’s help.

Take God’s promises to sustain you. 2 Peter 1:3-4-“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” Read God’s promises in Scripture, memorize them, repeat them, and believe them. REST. Amen.

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