"Series": Life changes. God doesn't."

Series verse

Let’s start with a question . . .

Have you ever had an R.I.P. moment?

Technically, “RIP” means Rest In Peace. And although it’s usually reserved for the people who have passed away, it seems like a phrase more people use these days for situations where things feel done and over with.

Last week we introduced the idea that life is full of changes. Everything should have a note beside it that says, “Subject to change,” because it all is! And that’s enough to make even the thrill seekers nervous, isn’t it? Because we’ve all seen how change can be a good thing. But we’ve all probably experienced the negative side, too!

If I graduated high school with A's & B's, my parents said they would get me car. I did & they did: used jeep Cherokee!

We were tight. Maybe you don’t have a car, or maybe you don’t like your car. I get that. But for me? I felt cool, thought "look at me" :) After I had the car only about a year:

"look at me" "Big man on campus" "showing-off" - driving too fast

Maybe I could get it fixed.

Maybe it wasn’t as bad as I thought.

Maybe it was just cosmetic.

I called my parents. I was in Virginia...he was in Florida. I had to take care of this. I still remember standing in the tow truck lot when my dad looked at me and said, “There’s no fixing that!” It was over. I couldn’t go back and undo what happened, so I walked out of the parking lot without my car.

RIP, Jeep Cherokee.

Thorough this: God used

-remove some pride, showing off (no car)

-grow-up, insurance on my own, etc.!

And if I had to guess, I bet you can relate.

When life is subject to change, it’s only a matter of time before we encounter disappointments, let downs, and situations that aren’t good and aren’t changing back to the way we want them.

No matter what it is, all of our situations with negative change have one thing in common: They feel final. In other words, the story doesn’t end with a comma, waiting for what’s next. It ends with a definitive period. THE end. No new chapters, no next phase. It’s an RIP moment.

And the problem with that kind of change, is . . .

When our new reality no longer matches what we expected, we can feel completely alone.

—at some point we all face this question: What do you do when there’s nothing you can do?

God's word - Can comfort us in ANYTHING we are facing.

Isaiah had the unfortunate job of delivering some really bad news to the people: They were in danger of being invaded by a hostile country. Apparently, their rebellion had some really bad consequences for them. The future of Judah was subject to change, and it wasn’t going to be good. Things were about to get bad—they wouldn’t be able to go back to the way things were.

But in the middle of all of these warnings and negative forecasts, God made a remarkable promise through Isaiah. Check out what He says:

These are HUGE promises, especially considering the circumstance the Israelites were in. God was essentially saying, “No matter what has happened or how bad things might get, I won’t abandon you. Your situation may change, but my love for you will not, My desire for you to follow-me will not.”

*And notice that the passage doesn’t say “if” we go through deep water, “if” we go through difficulty, or “if” we walk through flames. No, he says, “when”! Change is going to happen, bad things are going to happen, and chapters are going to end.

In the New Testament, Jesus reaffirmed this truth in the book of John. John was one of the original twelve followers of Jesus.

Again, Jesus confirms it’s not a matter of “if.” He recognizes we will have troubles. It’s inevitable for all of us. But that’s not the end of it. He says that even when we experience change and face trials, we can take heart because He has overcome the world.

It means that Jesus is greater than anything we’ll ever face. He’s bigger than any change, divorce, breakup, or crisis. It doesn’t mean He will reverse it. A broken situation may stay broken forever, but this RIP moment won’t define you.

Yes, you will go through difficult changes and circumstances, but because of Jesus, that’s not the way your story ends. Because of His death and resurrection, Jesus has overcome the world, and that includes every trouble you will face.

... In other words . . .

No matter what, God is with you.

“take heart” is actually where we get the word “encourage.” When you encourage someone—cheer them up, believe in them, support them—you’re actually helping someone take heart (instead of losing heart) in their situation.

So how do you do that? Here are a few ways:

Remind yourself of what’s true. In the passages of Scripture that we looked at today, we learned that.

God is with you.

Your story isn’t over.

Jesus overcame death.

He can get you through this.

TAKE AWAY: No matter what, God is with you!!

Never forget that God is with you (and them), no matter what. He may not reverse the situation, but He will walk with you—through it. And because He is there, you can have more encouragement than you’ll ever realize!