BE OF GOOD CHEER BROTHER!

Acts 27:25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

   Ever feel grumpy? Not too long ago I was feeling less than my best when a cashier asked me, “How are you doing?” By reflex I replied with what I have replied with since Thanksgiving 2000, “Better than I deserve,” and instantly my attitude changed.

 

   Several days later, I was experiencing the doldrums again when the Lord directed me to our text in my daily reading. Brother, that’s a wake-up call. So here we are, and I want to share this truth with you if you are a child of God, “BE OF GOOD CHEER BROTHER!” “BE OF GOOD CHEER SISTER!”

 

 

Now you may be thinking: Why? How? What? Who? When? Oh man, I’m glad you asked. Be of Good Cheer because:

 

I. YOU ARE SAVED [Mt. 9:2]

And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

 

II. CHRIST IS WITH YOU IN YOUR TROUBLES

[Mk. 6:50, Acts 23:11]

-For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

- And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

III. CHRIST HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD [Jn. 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.

 

IV. CHRIST IS IN CONTROL OF THE SITUATION

[Mt. 9:22, Mk. 10:49, Acts 27:22

 -But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

-And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

-And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.

V. GOD’S WORD IS TRUE [Acts 27:23-25]

For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

Conclusion,  earlier today I was finishing a book I have been reading, Compassion Unlimited, by the late Lee Roberson and he made this statement that kind of sums up what we have been saying:

 

“Take an inventory. See what you have in the Lord Jesus Christ. Child of God, you can be optimistic of Christ the Saviour. You have the Word of God---the Bible. You have prayer. You have the fact of His coming again. You have the assurance of His presence with you in every hour. Come and rejoice, and be optimistic because of that which God has done for you”.