This is the manuscript of the sermon I preached at Christ Church, Los Angeles October 14, 2018. This is the third sermon my "That's Not In The Bible" series.
Psalm 19:14
(NKJV)
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation
of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.
The Bible may be the most revered book in America,
but it's also one of the most misquoted. Politicians, motivational speakers,
coaches - all types of people - quote what they believe are passages from the
Bible that are not there. For example at
a news conference after he was fired as
coach of the Chicago Bears Mike Ditka,
in tears, said, “Scripture tells you that all things shall pass.” Surprise Mike that is not in the Bible.
The phrase “this too shall pass” is most likely a proverb from around 1200 AD.
The proverb means that all material conditions, whether good or bad, are
transient. This proverb has the ability to make the happy person sad and the
sad person happy because of the realization that both the 'best and worst of
times' will soon pass.
The legend of the quote finds its roots in the court
of a powerful eastern Persian ruler who called his wise men to him, and asked
them for one quote that would be accurate at all times and in all situations.
The wise men consulted with one another, and came up with the answer
..."this too, shall pass".
The ruler was so impressed by the quote that he had
it inscribed in a ring.
The quote was popular in the first half of the 19th
century particularly with the English poet Edward Fitzgerald and was later used
in a speech by Abraham Lincoln, in his address to the Wisconsin State
Agricultural Society in 1859.
The closest thing in the Bible to “this too shall
pass” may be ;
2
Corinthians 4:17-18 (NKJV)17 For our light
affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding
and eternal weight of glory,18 while we
do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.
For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen
are eternal.
Remember that I've said the last couple of weeks
that some of things that we think are in the Bible are actually contradictions
to what the Bible says. The two that
we've talked about, “When the praises go up the blessings come down” and “God
helps those who help themselves” both contradict what is in the Bible.
Obedience not praise results in blessings, and while God doesn't help the lazy,
he doesn't need our help to do anything.
He helps the helpless not those who help themselves.
While”this too shall pass” is not in the Bible it
does not contradict the Bible.
This too shall pass is something we say to make
ourselves feel better when we are going through difficult times. It could be sickness, financial difficulties,
relationship problems, work related stress, any number of unpleasant things.
Troubles Are
Opportunities
The Bible reminds us that tough times actually
produce endurance, character, and a strong hope of salvation, because we know
that God loves us.
Romans 5:1-5
(NKJV)1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we
have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,2 through whom also we have access by faith
into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.3 And not only that, but we also glory in
tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;4 and perseverance, character; and character,
hope.5 Now hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit
who was given to us.
Again tough times produce perseverance, character,
and hope, which are all characteristics of faith in God which when acted on end
in perfection?
That's what it says in
James 1:2-4
(NKJV)2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall
into various trials, 3 knowing that the
testing of your faith produces patience.4
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and
complete, lacking nothing.
Because we know that while we are going through
those trials God is with us.
Deuteronomy
31:6 NIV
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for
the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
I told you that is one of my favorite scriptures
because it's such a comfort to know that whatever is happening God is with me.
And if your trial is a lack of money or resources;
Hebrews 13:5
NIV Keep
your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have,
because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
That's great.
However, if we're honest, when difficult times come it’s hard to keep
focus even on God. It's at those times
we need to remind ourselves that whatever is going on is only temporary. It will pass.
Psalm 34:19
(NKJV)19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
Each
Time…... Really?
What about the believer who dies of cancer without
being healed; what about the believer
who has financial difficulty after losing a job; what about David whose family was a
catastrophe; what about Paul who was
martyred; what about Peter who it is
said was crucified upside down; what about you and me; what about Jesus?
Jesus was crucified so when was He delivered from
all His troubles? He was not delivered until after His death. Jesus’ deliverance came when God raised Him
and welcomed Him back to be with Him in heaven.
Our trouble may be sickness, loss of material
things, friends, dishonor, or persecution. At times we don’t think that we will
be able to bare them. But the Lord will
give us the strength to handle them if we let Him.
1
Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)13 No temptation
has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who
will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the
temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
That brings to mind another saying that's not in the
Bible either and that is that “God will never give you more than you can bear”,
which probably came from a mis-quote or misinterpretation of this verse, but
that's another sermon for another day.
What the verse does say is that God gives us the
strength to resist through Christ.
Philippians
4:11-13 (NKJV)11 Not that I speak in regard to
need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to
abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be
hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
The key here is the ability to persevere through the
strength that Christ has given us through the Holy Spirit.
Yes the Lord does deliver the righteous from all
their troubles but, like Jesus, that complete deliverance may not happen until
we are with Him.
2
Corinthians 5:6-8 (NKJV)6 So we are always
confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the
Lord.7 For we walk by faith, not by
sight.8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body
and to be present with the Lord.
Suffering actually reminds us where true joy and lasting hope are found.
1 Peter 4:12-13 (NKJV)12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning
the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to
you;13 but rejoice to the
extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is
revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
God tells us not to be
surprised at the troubles we face, but to “keep
on rejoicing.” they will pass.
To keep rejoicing is a
choice. And it can be a very difficult one when facing great loss, suffering,
and the pressure of hard places. When we choose to rejoice, not being thankful
“for” the hard times, but “in” the hard times, we are pushing back. The devil
would love nothing else but to defeat us in despair, to stop us in our tracks.
But when we’re choosing not to allow our circumstances and feelings to get in
the way of what we know to be true, that’s powerful and life-changing. And we
know this: Christ suffered greatly on our behalf, and to share in his
sufferings and remember that we are victorious through him, is all the reason
we need to keep looking forward with hope and joy in the days still ahead.
His power actually works within
us.
2 Corinthians 4:7-10 (NKJV)7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.8 We are
hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but
not destroyed--10 always
carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus
also may be manifested in our body.
One of the most miraculous
reminders of God’s constant and loving care over us everyday is this: He’s
given us the the spirit of his very presence. He’s with us, continually. The Holy Spirit is in us. Though we may forget, he never does. He
fights for us. He carries us. He strengthens us. He protects us. He covers us.
He leads us.
John 14:16-18(NKJV) If you love me keep My commandments, And I
will pray the Father, and He will give your another Helper, that He may abide
with you forever - the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it
neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and
will be in you.
We may not even be aware
at times of the incredible ways he is working even within our greatest times of
need. Be assured, if you’re hurting today, God has not forgotten you. He sees
the pain you’ve carried, he offers you the peace and security of his very
presence rising up within you. Don’t ever feel like you’ve got to face things
on your own. No amount of suffering we may endure can hold that power over us.
When we belong to Jesus, He is greater than all we face.
Philippians 4:13 NIV I can do all this through him who
gives me strength.
Yes, Things
Will Pass...Eventually
In my own past when I was dealing with an issue and
God had given me a solution that I didn’t like I just wouldn’t do
anything. Instead I said “this too shall
pass” rather than obey. I would just sit
back and say “I’m still waiting on God He’ll take care of it” or, “God
promised” and I would find some scripture that fit the solution that I wanted
and I would just sit back and wait doing nothing. Yes, things did eventually pass but often
much later and uglier than they would
have had I obeyed, sometimes the passing was very ugly.
Things will eventually pass just maybe not how or
when we want it, but they shall pass.
And when it passes, we will come out as gold.
Job 23:10 NKJV But He knows the way that I take;
When He has tested me, I shall come
forth as gold.
Greatest beauty is often formed in
the darkest of places. That’s how diamonds are formed; that’s how gold is
found. The pressure and heat of hard circumstances is creating within us an
eternal beauty, one that lasts far beyond our own years. We will come out “as
gold,” tested, tried, and true. We’re not meant to stay stuck in our trials and
pain. He reminds us that we will come out to the other side. Changed for the
better, stronger, shining, beauty deepened from within, we won’t ever be the
same again.
When we eventually walk
out of the place of great suffering we will be different from when we walked
in. We can be assured, that God’s work within us is never for harm, but to
strengthen us, to build deeper character and faith, and to bring us out as
“gold,” leaving lasting impressions for His glory in this world.
Revelation
21:1-4 (KJV)1 And I saw a new heaven and a
new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there
was no more sea.2 And I John saw the
holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a
bride adorned for her husband.3 And I
heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with
men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself
shall be with them, and be their God.4
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no
more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:
for the former things are passed away.
No, “this too shall pass” is not in the Bible but,
everything, the good, the bad, and the
ugly will all pass. God is the only
constant. He and His love are the only
things that will never pass. Only God
is forever and we are called to place our trust in Him because He will never
leave or forsake us.
Deuteronomy
31:6 (NKJV)6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear
nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you.
He will not leave you nor forsake you."
Yolanda Adams recorded a song a few years ago
entitled “This Too Shall Pass”. I'll close with some of the lyrics of that
song. I've excluded those that I think
are not scriptuptural but it doesn't change the point that she was making in
saying that “this too shall pass”
“This Too
Shall Pass”
In the middle of the turbulence surrounding you
These trying times that are so hard to endure
In the middle of what seems to be your darkest hour
Hold fast your heart and be assured
This too shall pass
Like every night that's come before it
This too shall pass
So in this thought be comforted
It's in His Hands
This too shall pass
The Father knows the tears you cry before they fall
He feels your pain, His heart and yours are one
The Father knows that sorrow's heavy chains are
strong
But with His strength, you'll overcome
This too shall pass
Like every night that's come before it
This too shall pass
So in this thought be comforted
It's in His Hands
This too shall pass
So set your eyes upon the mountain
And lift your hands up to the sky
And let His arms of love surround you
And take you to the other side
This too shall pass
Like every night that's come before it
This too shall pass
So in this thought be comforted
It's in His Hands
This too shall pass
If you have never accepted Jesus as your Lord and
Savior yes, all things will eventually pass but the result for you won’t be the
same as for the believer that I read from Revelation
Revelation
21:1-4 (KJV)1 And I saw a new heaven and a
new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there
was no more sea.2 And I John saw the
holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a
bride adorned for her husband.3 And I
heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with
men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself
shall be with them, and be their God.4
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no
more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:
for the former things are passed away.
Your fate will be quite different
Revelation
21:7-8 (NKJV)7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and
I will be his God and he shall be My son.8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable,
murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have
their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second
death."
If you don’t want to spend eternity in the lake of
fire the remedy is in confessing the fact that you have been cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers,
sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and a lier. Then asking God to forgive you and agreeing
with Him that His Son Jesus has already paid the penalty for you disobedience
and asking Him to come into your life as Lord and Savior. You do that by doing what it says in
Romans 10:8-10 (NKJV)8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart"
(that is, the word of faith which we preach):9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord
Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will
be saved.10 For with the
heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made
unto salvation.
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