BIG IDEA

Jesus can redeem what has gone wrong.

MESSAGE NOTES:

WHAT:

There are times when we experience some really painful failure, and hurt, and loss, and pain.

Failure and loss is unavoidable. If you haven't already experienced this, there will be a day when you'll encounter hard times and unfortunate circumstances. I don't say that to scare you or to be a downer. I say it because, when it happens, I want to help you be prepared.

Sometimes the pain we experience happens because of something we do, or something we fail to do.

Sometimes the pain we experience happens because of something that's not our fault.

Whether it's because of us, or because of someone else, or because of no reason at all, sometimes life goes wrong.

SO WHAT:

In the very beginning, God created everything, and everything God created was good.

Sin created consequences that we can’t escape. We carry the effects of sin in our own heart, and the world we live in carries its effects as well.

Sin has caused so much hurt and pain, but Jesus redeems what's gone wrong.

When we experience pain for any reason at all, Jesus says, "I can redeem what's gone wrong. In my hands, any pain you've suffered can take on new life."

NOW WHAT:

We need Jesus to redeem us before we ask Him to redeem our situations.

Will you let your pain make you fall apart? Will you let it make you hard and bitter? Or will you let Jesus redeem your situation? Will you let Him make your faith and character stronger through difficulty?

It's easy to let pain and hurt control you, but when you choose to trust that Jesus can redeem what's gone wrong, it changes everything.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Q1: What are some ways we might cause ourselves pain because of our own actions?

Q2: What do you think it means for Jesus to "redeem" someone?

Q3: If you've asked Jesus to redeem you, how has your life changed since then?

Q4: Is there a painful situation in your life right now that you need Jesus to redeem? How do you want Him to redeem it?

Q5: When life gets difficult, is pain more likely to make you weak and afraid, or tough and bitter

Q6: Psalm 13:1-2. How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

Have you ever felt like saying something like that to God? Why do you think passages like this are included in Scripture?

Q7: Over the next few weeks, what's one way you hope to grow stronger through pain and difficulty?