A Message in the Mess by Tope Koleoso

A Message in the Mess by Tope Koleoso April 27, 2020

1 Kings 17:17-24

On Sunday 26 April my friend and pastor Tope Koleoso preached this sermon online at Jubilee Live. I found it very encouraging and relevant to today’s situation. Here are some brief notes or you can watch the video. At the end of the sermon we sang the outstanding and topical song “Psalm 23” which I have embedded at the end of these notes. 

1) Recognise the Mess

“What do you do when life takes a bad turn? How do you handle it when opportunities suddenly seem like losses. How do you handle it when life seems like a mess? There is a message in the mess.

(a) recognise reality   (Exodus 13-15)

This is a transition to a new normal. We have to bridge the gap between the old and the new.

(b) recognise you are not alone.

You may be in isolation but you are not isolated. As a child of God you belong to a family.

(c) Recognise this will pass

2) Respond to the Mess (IN FAITH)

(a) Respond practically (Deuteronomy 11:32)

Things will change permanently but it will end. Who will you be when this is all past? How you handle this moment may determine the trajectory of your life? Some handle it with passivity, anxiety, or unreality.

Some will emerge the same or worse, but some will come out better stronger and newer. Use the time wisely. Use it working. Beware of laziness.

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:15-16)‬ ‭

(b) Respond with faith (Ephesians 5:15; James 2:17)

Spirituality: your help comes from God not what you can fix yourself. This is a Time for you to grow in faith. Everyone can take a step forward at this time. Hearing the word of God is how faith comes. This is a time of solitude and an opportunity for you to hear the voice of God. You cannot let this moment go by and you learnt nothing.

The word of three lord is established for ever. This virus will not outlive the word of the lord

(c) Respond courageously (Exodus 14:13; Joshua 1:9)

Fear has a way of blighting lives.Be silent. It’s not a time for gabbling. We need calm and space to listen to God. Sometimes people who talk a lot is because they already have fear in there.

“Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the lord.” (Exodus 14:13)

He will deliver you too. The battle is the Lord’s. That you may do good and your life preach the gospel to all around.

If he’s going to deliver us why does he let us go through all that?

3) Reasons for the Mess

 

There are many. He wants us to grow in dependence, devotion to him, in deep conviction,

There is a miracle in the mess. He wants you to find it. God takes care of us. We are going to come through this by the grace of God and look and see the catalogue of things he’s done. Learn to be thankful for the little things.

“Weeping may tarry for the night but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5)

“God is calling you back to him no matter how much a mess your life is. He wants to come into your mess and fix it. The messiah is there in the mess. The lord will visit everyone who says this is me and my mess I need you.”

“And all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.” (1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:4‬)

He goes ahead and makes provision for you.

This is the biggest message in the mess:

You are not alone. the lord is your shepherd and your salvation. He goes before you. He is your defender. He is behind you all the days of your life . . He fills and you anoints you makes your cup run over. No weapon fashioned against you shall prosper. He will guide you. He will refresh you. Therefore not fear

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-6‬)

 

More from Tope Koleoso

Loving God A Sermon by Tope Koleoso

SHORT VIDEO: Hope Reborn by Tope Koleoso and Adrian Warnock

Jubilee Church Live YouTube

More from Adrian

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/adrianwarnock/2020/04/do-you-need-some-soul-time/ ‎

Coronavirus, Christian Mindfulness, and Meditation

Lockdown broke my to do list!

Five Truths about Suffering

The four pillars of mental health and wellbeing


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