“There Will be Heartaches Before You Get to Heaven”
Preacher
Rev. Lamont Waddles

Date
December 27, 1998

Scripture Text
John 16:30-33
emphasis v.33

 There are some television evangelists who say that once you accept Jesus Christ as Savior, your problems will all be over.  The truth is, when you get saved your problems have just begun.  Satan doesn't disappear when you become a Christian.  No preacher has a right to say that your problems will all be over.  We know that the rain falls on the just and the unjust.  There must be:
  • Grief before goodness
  • Trials before testimony
  • Hell to pay before hallelujah
  • Misery before mercy
  • Heartaches before you get to Heaven

One day, we'll get to heaven.  We will see our forefathers, forerunners, predecessors, ancestors... those who bore the heat of the day.  Those who climbed the rough side of the mountain.

While we are still on this spiritual journey, there will be heartaches before you get to heaven.  In other words, if you haven't been through affliction, one is headed in your direction.  Everybody has to cry sometime.  No one escapes the heartaches that life hits us with over and over again.  If there was a man with power over life, it was the Apostle Paul.  Paul was:

  • Beaten with rods three times
  • Stoned and left for dead
  • Shipwrecked
  • Spent night and day in the sea
  • Exposed to difficulties
  • Set upon by his countrymen
  • In danger in city and country
  • Often cold
  • Often hungry
  • Often weary
  • Often in pain.

 

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 

Peace

Paul talks about the peace he has in Jesus Christ.  That inner peace brought him through.  If you raised a child, it gets older and won't listen to what you have to say.  You used to have a relative that once greeted you with love but now only gives you bitterness.  They want your help but not your advice.  There will be heartaches before you get to heaven.  When you go out of your way to help others but when you need help no one is around.  When church folk smile in your face, shake your hand and kiss your cheek... then they talk behind your back.  There will be heartaches before you get to heaven.  There comes a time when your beliefs and everything you stand for will be tested.  You pray and don't get the answer your soul wants.  Your courage and faith reaches the breaking point.  Storms will come.  Sickness will come.  One day, the grave will be your resting place.  But nothing will separate you from the love of God.

It's not easy for the preacher to lead God's people, but just believe God.  People bring their baggage to weigh you down, but remember:

 

Matthew 12:28

But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

 

God gives you a signal to move forward, but some people don't want to move at all.

 

2nd Chronicles 20:15

\And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.

  • Give God your sorrow, He will give you joy
  • Give God your confusion, He will give you peace
  • Give God your despair, He will give you hope
  • Give God your hatred, He will give you love
  • Give God your hurts, He will give you life

There will be heartaches before you get to heaven.   However...

  • You must believe that He came down through 42 generations. 
  • You must believe that He was betrayed
  • You must believe that He was denied
  • You must believe that He was humiliated
  • You must believe that He was crucified
  • You must believe that He was buried
  • You must believe that He on the 3rd day, He got up not with some power, but with all power in His hands

There will be heartaches before you get to heaven.   What is it that has you down?  We all will go through something before you get to heaven.

 

John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 

There will be tribulations and trials.  But, be of good cheer.  Peace is in Jesus.  He has overcome the world.  The victory has already come.  I studied His word.  I pray.  That is comfort in Jesus.  You need to settle in Jesus in 1998 to get ready for 1999.  Who are you anchored in in the 20th Century?   We are going in to the 21st Century, but how will you go?

There will be heartaches before you get to heaven.   But if you rest in Him, there is peace that passes all understanding.  Rest in Jesus.  There is peace in the midst of the storm.  Paul could go through it because he rested in Jesus.

Come hell or high water, rest in Jesus.  Don't get caught up in the news or in the newspaper.  Rest in Jesus.  If you learn to rest in Jesus, in Him there is peace.  In the world there are tribulations, but you need to rest in Jesus.   Don't let the world get you down.  L:earn how to step over and rest in a tall God.

Just like Jesus woke up and calmed the storm, He can calm any storm in your life.   The only way to prepare for 1999 is to rest in Jesus.

  • Pray
  • Read the word
  • Fellowship