MY CONCLUSION TROUBLES WILL COME

So, we will all face troubles in life because that is the condition of human beings while living in this life. Yet, we must realize they are only temporary and that there is an eternal weight of glory awaiting us in heaven and we must ever keep our eyes upon that goal no matter what we have to face. We should use the experiences we face in times of trouble to render comfort to others who may face similar experiences. And we should try to the best of our ability to develop the right attitude toward these things.

Let me leave you with one verse and then the lesson is yours. The Hebrew writer was writing to comfort Christians in the first century who were going to face severe persecution, In chapter eleven, he had given the examples of many of those who faced terrible circumstances in life and yet remained faithful despite what they faced. He then says beginning in verse one of chapter twelve, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." If we will but "look unto Jesus" -- keep our eyes on the goal and follow His example, we can be with Him in eternity -- we can overcome the troubles we face in life -- we can be saved eternally.

But "looking unto Jesus" means more than just learning about Him in His word. It means we must follow Him -- we must obey His will. And as we close the lesson, we want to encourage you -- if you have never obeyed Jesus Christ to do so this evening. Jesus gives us a plan of salvation to follow. He told us we must hear His word  and hearing His word produces faith in our hearts. He has told us that we must repent of our sins -- turn away from sin . He has told us we must confess our faith in Christ being the Son of God  and that we must be baptized to be saved .

Maybe you have let the troubles you have been facing in life weaken your faith -- even to the point of falling away. If so, won't you come back to your first love tonight? Repenting of sin, confessing it and asking God's forgiveness through prayer? If you will humbly respond in obedience to Jesus tonight, won't you do so while we stand and sing?