Why Does This Have to Be So Hard?

Why does our life and Jesus' life have to be so hard? What does this tell us of who He is and of how glorious His salvation is?

Matthew 1:18-2:23,4:1
Hebrews 2:17-18,4:14-16
John 3:16
Romans 6:23

Observe how the Lord Jesus was "a man of sorrows" even from His infancy. Trouble awaits Him as soon as He enters into the world. His life is in danger from Herod's hatred. His mother and Joseph are obliged to take Him away by night, and "flee into Egypt." It was only a type and figure of all His experience upon earth. The waves of humiliation began to beat over Him, even when He was a nursing child.

The Lord Jesus is just the Savior that the suffering and sorrowful need. He knows well what we mean, when we tell Him in prayer of our troubles. He can sympathize with us, when we cry to Him under cruel persecution. Let us keep nothing back from Him. Let us make Him our bosom friend. Let us pour out our hearts before Him. He has had great experience of affliction. J.C. Ryle Expository Thoughts on Matthew

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why did the announcement to Joseph have to be so hard?
• Why did Jesus' life have to be so hard?
• What impact did His trials have on our relationship with Him in our daily trials?
• Why is the mission of Jesus so accompanied by brutality?
• What does this tell us about the ultimate questions in life?
• Why does this make what He does for us glorious beyond description?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Where Is God When It Hurts?

Troubles, difficult times, hurts, challenges... everyone has them. But why? What do they mean? Why does it seem like God is so far away when troubles come? Let's turn to Scripture and learn where to turn in our times of need.

Psalm 73
2 Corinthians 4:8
Isaiah 55:8-9
Hebrews 12:15
Ecclesiastes 1:12-14
Matthew 5:10-13,7:13-14
Acts 5:40-41

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What or who is the proper focus of Scripture?
• How does this truth affect your understanding of why we go through difficult times?
• How does Satan work in your hardship?
• Where does the Psalmist tell us to go when facing trouble?
• From where do we find meaning in our circumstances?
• Why does one protect himself from bitterness?
• How does one protect himself from bitterness?

Scott Graubard
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA