1. TRIBULATION
(ROM 8:35)
2. It has been estimated that as many as 10,000 children lost a parent in the WTC attack.
3. At least a dozen of the men who died left behind wives who are pregnant.
4. Some of these wives are now calling credit card companies saying they cannot pay some bills.
5. A few moments ago we heard the words from Rom. 8:35.
6. One of the words that Paul used is translated tribulation.
7. This word occurs 45 times in the New Testament.
8. One of the places where this term is found is found is Jas. 1:27.
9. James said, that children without fathers and those who are widows can be afflicted.
10. READ Jas. 1:27. James and Paul used the same word though it is translated differently.
11. The words affliction and tribulation are good translations of the original word.
12. The term used by Paul and James literally meant “to press, squeeze, and crush.
13. Though the New Testament rarely uses the word in a literal way, the meaning is clear.
14. There are circumstances were we feel like we are hemmed in; squeezed; we have few if any options.
15. Whatever our choices are they are difficult.
16. In studying this word I found that it is also used in Jn. 16:21.
17. This reference further illustrates the meaning of tribulation (anguish).
18. READ Jn. 16:21.
19. Do you see the word anguish in 21b?
20. This is the same word that is used in Jas. 1:27 and Rom. 8:35.
21. Perhaps this is an ideal term to describe childbirth.
22. When it is time for a child to be born the mother is in a bind.
23. She is hemmed in; it is time to deliver a baby. That is her only choice.
24. Another place where this word is used (and I am not turning there) is Mk. 3:9.
25. A crowd was pressing upon Jesus.
26. Some translations used the word thronged.
27. Jesus was being squeezed. He didn’t have much room.
28. The NKJV uses the word crush.
29. ONE OF THE SONGS WE SING IS, IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL.
A. It is said that the author of this song was a Chicago lawyer.
B. Several months before the Chicago fire of 1871 this man invested a lot of money in real estate.
C. His real estate was on the shore of Lake Michigan.
D. When the Chicago fire struck this man lost his holdings. He lost a lot.
E. Just before the property loss and the great fire this same man had lost a son.
F. Because this man had suffered so much he believed it was time to get some rest.
G. This man was married and he had four surviving daughters.
H. In 1873 this man decided o take his family to Europe.
I. Due to some last minute business matters he had to stay behind in Chicago.
J. He sent his wife and daughters ahead, intending to join them a few days later.
K. The ship that carried this man’s wife and four daughters was struck by another vessel.
L. The ship that carried this man’s wife and daughters sank in 12 minutes.
M. The wife survived and she sent this message to her husband: saved alone.
N. When this man and his wife returned to the area where his daughters had drowned he wrote:
O. When sorrows like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot. Thou has taught me to say, it is well….
P. Tho Satan should buffet, tho trials should come….Christ hath regarded my helpless estate.”
29. In Rom. 8:35 Paul said, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
30. Shall tribulation separate us from God?
31. That is, if we are squeezed by circumstances; if we are hemmed in by difficulties;
32. If it seems that we are about to be crushed, can we be separated from the love of God?
33. The answer is no.
34. At the present time some are feeling a lot of pressure.
35. Instead of living as they once did, some feel like they have been separated from safety and protection.
36. People are buying gas masks.
37. There has been a noticeable increase in the sale of antibiotics.
38. With the recent attention on Anthrax some people some feel like they are in a tight spot.
39. In fact, at the end of last week there were people throughout KY who were afraid to open their mail.
40. I suspect that concern was not limited to that state.
41. Our nation is beginning to be squeezed by fear.
42. At the end of last week the FBI announced that it believes more attacks are imminent.
43. People are feeling the pinch of terror.
44. To the Christian Paul says, “don’t worry.”
45. The people outside of the Lord may feel squeezed and hemmed in.
46. They may wake up each morning and not have a lot of hope.
47. That child of God is “more than a conqueror” (verse 37).
48. Why are God’s people so special? Part of the answer is found in the word tribulation.
49. The word translated tribulation is also found in Jn. 16:33.
50. Jesus said that in the world we have tribulation. That’s true.
51. A Christian’s home is not in the world.
52. This world can be torn asunder, collapse, or prosper. For the Christian it doesn’t matter.
53. Our hope and home is elsewhere.
54. Some who lost loved ones in the recent bombings may have had their hopes based on the world.
55. In an instant some may have lost nearly everything they had because their hope is in the here and now.
56. Think about the man who wrote the song I described.
57. The author of this song lost five children. He lost a substantial amount of money and property.
58. In the world this man clearly had tribulation.
59. Yet, he clung to a spiritual hope and this allowed Him to say, “Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul.”
60. This is the song that says, “It is well with my soul.”
61. The Christian can be squeezed by and hemmed in by secular events.
62. Yet, the child of God can still truthfully say and sing, “It is well with my soul.”
63. Things are well because our home is in another place.
64. The word translated tribulation is also used in 2 Cor. 4:17.
65. I want to read this verse because it conveys two important truths.
66. READ 2 Cor. 4:17.
67. Paul said that our affliction is for a moment.