Standing Firm – In Hard Times
Chapel service at DCS – 10.27.2022 • Sermon • Submitted
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· 20 viewsGod uses suffering for our good. How do we stand firm in the midst of suffering?
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 – skit – need 2 volunteers. One reader, one to play “Satan”
Focus on 2nd seed. Rocky Road
What Kind of Suffering?
What Kind of Suffering?
Primarily because of being a follower of Jesus
Affliction – thlipsis: to crush, press, squeeze, so as to break
Persecution: diogmas – to pursue for persecution.
Any trial that challenges our faith.
James 1:2 (NASB95)
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
What Kind Of Suffering This Is Not
What Kind Of Suffering This Is Not
This is NOT suffering due to doing something wrong, or the consequences of sin.
God might redeem those situations and we will learn from them and grow from them, but that is not the thrust of what Jesus is saying here.
Who Is The Author Of Suffering?
Who Is The Author Of Suffering?
God has given Satan limited free agency.
Job 1:9–12 (NASB95)
Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? “Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. “But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face.” Then the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord.
Satan’s whole goal is to ruin your life.
1 Peter 5:8 (NASB95)
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
John 10:10 (NASB95)
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy...
But, God Does Allow Suffering, Why?
But, God Does Allow Suffering, Why?
To test our faith.
To grow us to maturity
James 1:2–4 (NASB95)
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
The word trial can mean temptation or a trial. If the Satan is behind the difficulty it is for the purpose of causing you to stumble and fall. That’s when the word is translated temptation. If God is behind it, then it is for the purpose of proving your faith genuine and refining your faith, never for the purpose of you stumbling. Then it’s translated trial.
However, God could use a temptation of Satan and use it as a trial for His purposes. That’s what we see with Job and what we see with Jesus in the wilderness.
Our Response to Suffering
Our Response to Suffering
R e-evaluate
Notice in verse 5 – Rocky road, no depth of soil
Evaluation: What’s the condition of my heart? Rocky? Shallow?
Rocks – anything not of God. What am I allowing in my life that is weighing me down?
Shallow – am I being proactive in deepening my faith? Or am I just crawling along like a baby?
Notice verse 20-21 – no firm root, not taken root. Temporary.
Evaluation: How deep are my roots?
Roots – Do I tap into the living water of God on a daily basis? How well do I know His voice?
R esist the devil firm in your faith
1 Peter 5:9 (NASB95)
But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
You have to learn the Word.
Matthew 4:3–4 (NASB95)
And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ ”
Each temptation was put down with a quoted Scripture. Each verse you have memorized is another arrow in your quiver or bullet in your gun against Satan.
You have to listen to the Holy Spirit
John 14:26 (NASB95)
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
You have to lift up the shield of faith
Ephesians 6:16 (NASB95)
in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
You have to lean on the promises of God
2 Peter 1:4 (HCSB)
By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires.
R emember you’re not alone. – others have suffered just like you.
Our Hope In The Midst Of Suffering
Our Hope In The Midst Of Suffering
1 Peter 5:10 (NASB95)
After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger
Trust that God is working all these things together for your good.
Restore – to be put together in its appropriate manner. Our brokenness will be repaired completely. No more hurting!
Confirm – to set fast or fix firmly. Our doubts will become conviction. No more fear!
Strengthen – to be made strong and healthy. Our weaknesses will be healed. No more sickness or pain!
Establish – a foundation laid. Like setting up concrete. Our stumbling and slipping will become firm. No more messing up!
We experience this in part now, but will in totality realize it in Heaven!
The Right Result of Suffering
The Right Result of Suffering
Isaiah 61:3 (NIV84)
and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
A Crown of Beauty
Oil of Gladness
Garment of Praise
Called an Oak of Righteousness
The Lord’s planting on display for His glory
God does everything for our good and His glory, even our suffering!