From Gory to Glory (There May Be Trouble Ahead)

Matt Richards

1 Thessalonians 3:4 Not that the troubles should come as any surprise to you. You've always known that we're in for this kind of thing. It's part of our calling. When we were with you, we made it quite clear that there was trouble ahead. And now that it's happened, you know what it's like.

You know there are times I feel proper sorry for myself. I really do. Often we have gone from crisis to crisis and trouble to trouble. As a church it looks like we have gone from 'gory to gory'. Not Glory to Glory. Ever feel like that?

Sometimes I ask myself, "have I done something wrong?" Why is this happening to me, to you, to us..again?

But God then reassures me that I need to stand strong as this should be no surprise. And I've done nothing wrong. In fact, quite the opposite.

You see trouble goes hand in hand with the call. Matthew 5 says: 'Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me.'

So when there's trouble I am blessed.

( And you know I am so, so blessed at the moment I'm losing count. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank those who have contributed to my many blessings recently. Thank you.)

You know in all seriousness we were never promised an easy ride and maybe you're going through some stuff, going through some trouble like me.

Everyone wants the good stuff, everyone wants the Glory but no one wants to go through the Gory.

Know this in being best mates with trouble, in the middle of the gory Jesus is with you and you WILL overcome.

There maybe trouble ahead but there is; like this sunday just gone, greater Glory than we've ever seen.And that makes it worth it.

Bring the tests, bring the trouble but bring the Glory.

There maybe trouble ahead; but along with it there's a greater Glory.

Lets go from Gory...to Glory.

Prayer:

Father thank You that I'm not the only one experiencing trouble. Thank You that I've done nothing to deserve it but it comes with the call. Thank You that You are taking me from a place of gory to Glory help me to stand strong and never sell-out in Jesus' Name, Amen.