Text: Matthew 1:18-25

Introduction: Is anything “Broken” in your life? Seems like things are “Breaking” all the time! Can you fix what’s “Broken”? The Gospel of Matthew gives us an account of Things that were “BROKEN” in Joseph and Mary’s pre-marital life. When things are “BROKEN” in your family or life, what do you do? Check out the three (3) CHRISTian responses when things are BROKEN:

1. When do we need to RESPOND when things are “BROKEN” and need fixing? (Matt 1:18-20)

“18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”

** Joseph’s Dilemma

Mary’s pregnant. He knows he’s not the father.

** Joseph’s Dream 

God dispatched an angel to help facilitate the repair.

2. How do we need to RESPOND when things are “BROKEN” and need fixing? (Matt 1:20-23)

“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. “

** Joseph needed some time to process this problem.

** God had a remedy for the problem.

3. Why do we need to RESPOND when things are “BROKEN” and need fixing? (Matt 1:22-25)

“22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”

** Joseph needed reminding of God’s purpose and plan for his life.

** God’s solution to fixing the problem was to send His Son, Jesus as the Savior of the world.

Conclusion: Have you noticed our Lord uses us at times to be the catalyst of “fixing” the broken pieces of the puzzle! What are you facing today that our Lord may be wanting to use you to “FIX” the problem? Please follow the process which was demonstrated in Joseph’s life.

And then, ultimately, God the Father’s plan will unfold because of the Son, Jesus Christ, and its made possible thru the power of the Holy Spirit.

1. A “CANDY CANE” is shaped like a SHEPHERD’S STAFF! (2 Cor 5:9)

2. A “CANDY CANE’S” stripes speak of the SAVIOR’S SACRIFICE! (2 Cor 5:21)

“21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

3. A “CANDY CANE’S” white color speaks of SINS FORGIVEN! (2 Cor 5:17)

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

4. A “CANDY CANE” resembles a SHEPHERD’S STAFF which speaks of SERVANTHOOD! (2 Cor 5:15)

“And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”

5. A “CANDY CANE” has a distinct SMELL which speaks of HEALING! (2 Cor 4:16-5:8)

“16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory…. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

6. A “CANDY CANE” can be BROKEN and SHARED! (2 Cor 5:20)

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

7. A “CANDY CANE” reminds us of SACRIFICES today but REWARDS tomorrow at JESUS’ SECOND Coming! (2 Cor 5:10)

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

Personal Application: It will be WORTH it all to be rewarded at the Judgment Seat (bema) of Christ. All the heartaches, persecutions, menial sacrifices – in comparison to His will – pale in comparison to the lost person who faces the terrible sentence at the “Great White Throne” Judgment.

Conclusion: Why not go out and buy some CANDY CANES for CHRISTmas? What a great way to share the love of JESUS this time of the year! After all, isn’t HE the REASON for the SEASON?

Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese

Introduction: 

8. Is there proof Jesus keeps His promises?

1. Who foretold of HOW the Saviour would be born? (Isaiah 7:14)

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call[1] his name Immanuel.”

{Is the book of Isaiah credible? In the affirmative….because of the confirmation of archaeology; namely the DEAD SEA SCROLLS. The manuscript of Isaiah was preserved in the Qumran caves dating after the writing of Isaiah but before Matthew’s gospel according to some archaeologists}

{The word “virgin” in the Hebrew is almâh, which means a young woman at a marital age, virgin}

{The Greek translates this word almâh into parthénos, which means a woman who had never had sexual relations with a man according to both Mounce and Thayer}

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2Tim 3:16)

2. Who declared WHEN the Saviour was born as a fulfillment of the Old Testament passage? (Matt 1:21-23)

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS:[1] for he shall save his people from their sins….

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying….

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

{Notice the credible witness, Matthew, who specified this was a fulfillment of the prophet – he was speaking of Isaiah}

{Also notice the purpose of Jesus’ birth was to “save the people from their sins”}

3. Who foretold WHERE the Saviour would be born? (Micah 5:2)

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

{Did you notice the prophet Micah, whose name means, “who is like unto God,” foretold the birthplace was to be in Bethlehem Judea?}

{It just so happens that at the time when Mary was to deliver her baby – Jesus – that her and Joseph could have gone about 6 miles north of Nazareth to Bethlehem, Galilee. However, instead, they traveled 85 miles down to Bethlehem, Judah. Why? Because it was a fulfillment of the prophet Micah, who predicted it. Another confirmation of the reliability of Scripture}

Personal Application: Who and how could one make such a bold prediction with confidence?

“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty….. We have also a more sure word of prophecy…… Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation…. For the prophecy came not in old time[1] by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost,” (2Pet 1:16-21).

4. Who declared WHERE the Saviour was born? (Matt 2:1)

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.”

{Matthew’s writing approximately 700 years after the prophet Micah, who foretold of this event, verified that Jesus was born in Bethlehem}

Personal Application: Not only is the birthplace of Jesus pinpointed but also the timing of Jesus’ birth was appointed as well.

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,” (Gal 4:4).

Have you?
Will you?

This prediction and fulfillment in the past concerning Jesus Christ’s first coming is proof that the Word of God will be fulfilled in the future….Jesus will come again….the next time as the Bridegroom and then the “KING of KINGS” and “LORD of LORDS”!

Introduction: Have you ever heard the song….? “People need the Lord!”

Here are the words:

Do you know that is why Jesus Christ came to earth? Because people really do need the Lord!

That’s why God sent us a SAVIOR- Jesus Christ!

John records the works and words of Jesus. After His resurrection, Jesus speaks to His disciples and us today, these words:

1. The Risen Lord Jesus Christ changes Mary Magdalene from a DEMONICALLY POSSESSED Woman into a DEVOTED Disciple! (John 20:1, 11-18)

“The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre… 
11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.”

{“People need the Lord”! Mary Magdalene needed the Lord! She had seven (7) demons cast out of her, “…he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.” (Mark 16:9)}

2. The Risen Lord Jesus Christ changes Simon Peter from a SAND MAN to a ROCK MAN! (John 20:2-10)

” Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.”

3. The Risen Lord Jesus Christ changes John, the SON of THUNDER, into a DISCIPLE of LOVE! (John 20:8, 9)

“Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. 9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.”

(Luke 9:54)
“And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?”

Conclusion: These words by our Lord are our marching orders for today.

“21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”

Listen to the last stanza of that song, “People Need the Lord”….

We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right
What could be too great a cost
For sharing life with one who’s lost?

Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear
They must hear the words of life
Only we can share

People need the Lord
People need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams
He’s the open door
People need the Lord
People need the Lord
When will we realize
People need the Lord?

Introduction: One of my favorite passages of Scripture is Galatians 2:20. It is a “GOLD MINE” of truth! Paul writes to the believers in Galatia, as well as to us today. One of his purposes as he was led by the Holy Spirit was to counter the legalistic views that were creeping into the Church. First, he refutes the idea that a person can be saved by works instead of “Grace Alone” thru “Faith Alone” in “Christ Alone” (Gal 2:16)……

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

Next, he debunks the idea that after being saved, one is to live by the power of the flesh (Gal 3:1, 2 ,3)

“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?”

“Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?”

“Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”

1. We Exchange our “SINS for His DEATH” on the Cross! (Gal 2:20)

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

2. We Exchange our “DEATH for His LIFE”! (Gal 2:20)

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

3. We exchange our “WORKS for His GRACE”! (Gal 2:20)

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

4. We exchange our “HATE for His LOVE”! (Gal 2:20)

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

5. We exchange our “DOUBT for His FAITH”! (Gal 2:20)

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Conclusion: The CHRISTian life is not a life of imitation, but rather participation. It is not rules and regulations, instead it is a relationship.

1. EXPECT to be COMMISSIONED for MISSIONS by the Holy Spirit! (Acts 13:1-4)

“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.”

{I love the process the Lord used in how they were called. After fasting and praying, they “laid their hands on them” – conferring, if you will, and sent them out. This indicates being both “Blessed” and “supported” by the local Church of Antioch. In addition, notice there was put in place some “ACCOUNTABILITY”!}

2. EXPECT OPPOSITION for MISSIONS by the enemy! (Acts 13:6-9)

“6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: 7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. 9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.”

3. EXPECT TRANSFORMATIONS & UNIFICATION for MISSIONS by the Holy Spirit! (Acts 13:13)

“Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
13 Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.”

4. EXPECT PERSECUTIONS doing MISSIONS by the power of Holy Spirit! (Acts 14:19-22)

“19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. 20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch. 20 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

5. EXPECT a great CELEBRATION from being COMMISSIONED for MISSIONS by the Holy Spirit! (Acts 14:26, 27, 28)

“26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. 27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. 28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.”

1. How does God “WORK thru the POWER of PRAYER”? (Dan 2:16, 23)

“16Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.”

“23I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.”

Personal Application: God reveals things, “In His Time” (v. 16). He does this, “All for His Glory” (v. 23).

2. When does God “WORK thru the POWER of PRAYER”? (Dan 2:17)

“17Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions.”

Personal Application: There are two important factors to “When God Works through Prayer.”

1. When there is unity (v. 17).
2. When there is maturity (v. 17).

3. What does God “WORK thru the POWER of PRAYER”? (Dan 2:13, 18)

“13And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.”

“18That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.”

4. Where does God “WORK in answer to the POWER of PRAYER”? (Dan 2:20-23)

“20Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: 22He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. 23I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.”

Conclusion: Since our Lord sets up Kings and removes them, He intends for His people to be led by Him through the vehicle of PRAYER. As we trust and obey Him, we begin to understand HOW, WHEN, WHAT, and WHERE the Lord WORKS in relation to PRAYER. Doesn’t that make you want to PRAY more? Why? Because remember:

Love you,

1. WAIT upon the Lord with a “WORSHIPFUL” Heart! (Psa 27:1-4)

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?… Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident….. One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty[1] of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.”

• The word “Lord” is yehôvâh, which means self-existing
• The word “seek after” is baw-kash, which means search out by any method
• The word “beauty” is nô‛am, which means splendor, or grace, delightfulness
• The word “inquire” is bâqar, which means seek out, make search

2. WAIT upon the Lord with a “SURRENDERED” Will! (Psalm 27:8)

“When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.”

• The word “heart” is lêb, which means will, innermost being

3. WAIT upon the Lord with an “EXPECTANT” Trust! (Psalm 27:14)

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

• The word “wait” is qâvâh, which means hope, look, expect
• The word “courage” is châzaq, which means be strong, prevail, hold fast

1. Our God- “BLOTS out our Sin”! (Isa 44:22; Isa 43:25)

“I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.”

“I even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.”

• The word “blot” is mâchâh, which means erase, wipe out
• The word “transgression” is rebellion

2. Our God- “CAST our Sins BEHIND His Back”! (Isaiah 38:17)

“Behold, for peace[1] I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.”

• The word “cast” is shâlak, which means throw, hurl, fling

3. Our God- “Cast our Sins in the DEPTHS of the SEA”! (Micah 7:19)

“He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”

• The word “iniquity” is âvôn, which means depravity, perversity
• The word “compassion” is râcham, which means love, mercy

4. Our God- “CLEANSES us from our Sin”! (Isa 1:18)

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

5. Our God-“FORGETS our Sin”! (Heb 8:12)

“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”

• The word “remember” is mimnḗskō, which means remind, to recall, or to bring to remembrance

6. Our God- “FORGIVES our Sin”! (Psalm 32:1-5)

“I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.”

7. Our God- “PARDONS our Sins”! (Isaiah 55:7)

“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous[1] man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”

• The word “pardon” is sâlach, which means to be forgiven, spare

8. Our God- “REMOVES our Sin”! (Psalm 103:12)

“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”

• The word “removed” is râchaq, which means to send away, loose

1. Have you had a “Christ-like TRANSFORMATION”? (2 Cor 4:1-7)

“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

2. Do you have a “Holy Ghost-Powered CONNECTION”? (2 Cor 4:7-15)

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12So then death worketh in us, but life in you. 13We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; 14Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.”

• The word “vessel” is thēsaurós, which means treasure, wealth, storehouse
• The word “earthen” is ostrákinos, which means clay
• The word “troubled” is thlíbō, which means pressed as grapes, afflicted
• The word “distress” is stenochōréō, which means crushed, hemmed in, cramped
• The word “perplexed” means puzzled, no way out
• The word “despair” is exaporéomai, which means to be utterly at a loss

3. Are you Focused in your “God-given DESTINATION!” (2 Cor 4:16-18)

“16For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

Conclusion: If we are going to “Turn Trouble into Triumph,” then we must have a “CHRIST-like TRANSFORMATION,” with a “HOLY GHOST-Powered CONNECTION,” in order to get ready for our “FINAL DESTINATION”!