A Problem For My Problem | Jonathan Rivera | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

A Problem For My Problem

Jonathan Rivera

Elevation Church • Oct 4, 2026 • 48 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this encouraging message, Pastor Jonathan Rivera teaches from Philippians 1:12–14 that our hardships and painful seasons are never wasted by God. Drawing from Paul's imprisonment in Rome, he reminds believers that pain produces spiritual character and perseverance that success never could. Ultimately, believers can stand bold and unafraid in every trial knowing that their problem has a problem—and His name is Jesus.

Themes

Perseverance Through TrialsPurpose in PainAdvancing the GospelOvercoming FearThe Power of Testimony

Key Points

1.
Every believer will one day stand before the judgment seat of Christ, where our primary concern should not be past mistakes already covered by Jesus' blood, but the regret of quitting too soon on God's call.
2.
Quitting prematurely causes us to miss out on the full destiny God designed for our lives, families, and ministries; perseverance means pushing past the pain.
3.
Our painful seasons and unexpected trials are not wasted; God uses them to produce inner spiritual growth, character, and strength that success never could.
4.
God uses unexpected setbacks to advance the gospel in ways we cannot predict, just as Paul used his imprisonment to turn his Roman prison guards into his congregation.
5.
Seeing others endure trials faithfully removes the mystery and fear of what lies on the other side of pain, inspiring the community to speak God's word with boldness.
6.
Throughout Scripture—from Moses, David, and Daniel to Mary and Jesus Himself—God demonstrates that His people will go through the fire and make it through safely in the end.
7.
Whatever hardship or enemy you face, remember that your problem has a problem, and His name is Jesus.

Sermon Moments

“The only thing harder than obedience is regret; the only thing harder than saying yes to God is wishing you would have said yes to God.”

“Pain produces something on the inside of you that success, money, promotion, or answered prayer never could.”

“Paul turned his prison guards into his congregation, preaching Christ to every soldier chained next to him.”

“Seeing someone else endure trials faithfully removes the mystery of what lies on the other side of pain.”

“You can look at the enemy and declare, 'I'm not afraid anymore, because I know who my God is and I know He's with me.'”

“Your problem has a problem, and His name is Jesus—you might be afraid of your problem, but your problem is afraid of your God.”

This Week

Refuse to quit on your marriage, family, calling, or faith during seasons of friction, knowing that God is at work on the other side of perseverance.

Trust that God is using your current painful season to produce internal spiritual growth and character that success could never build.

Look for opportunities to share Christ right where you are, using unexpected or restrictive situations as your personal mission field.

Share your testimony of God's past faithfulness to help remove fear and inspire confidence in others facing hard times.

Reframe your current setback by asking how God might be using it to advance His gospel and purpose.

Overcome the fear of future hardship by remembering that throughout Scripture, God always brings His people through to the other side.

Speak faith over your current trial this week, declaring that your problem has a problem and His name is Jesus.

Remember This

Whatever difficulty or enemy you face, you do not have to live in fear because your problem has a problem, and His name is Jesus.

A Challenge for You

Lift up your hands and voice in praise right in the middle of your trial, refusing to be afraid of the future because your problem has a problem—His name is Jesus—and you will emerge with a testimony of His goodness.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.