HOPE AS A PRODUCT OF TRIBULATION

Text: Romans 5
15 January 2012

(I) THE TRIBULATIONS OF LIFE

1. Encountering problems in life

2. Engulfed by problems in life

3. Extinguishing in some:-

a) Energy

b) Joy

c) Power

(II) LEARNING HOW TO MAKE TRIBULATION WORK FOR US

1. Glorying in tribulation

a) Tribulation need not be feared

b) Tribulation need not destroy our faith in God

c) We can glory in the tribulations of life

2. What Tribulation can Produce in us

a) Tribulation can produce perseverance

i) We learn patience

ii) We learn how to press on

iii) We finally achieve perseverance

b) Perseverance in turn produces character

i) Our character becomes stronger

ii) It becomes firmer

iii) It becomes established

c) Character in turn produces Hope

i) Hope is the flip side of faith

ii) Hope is optimism

iii) Hope is future blessing not yet realised

(III) FEAR OF TRIBULATION

1. It is replaced by knowledge of God’s reason for allowing tribulation to take place

2. It is resisted and defeated by a strong and optimistic faith in God