Living with Trials & Tribulations
Hope for the Pilgrim's Path • Sermon • Submitted
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· 6 viewsBelievers undergo trials & suffering to conform us to the image of Christ
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Believers can endure Trials & Tribulations with Graciousness because we know they are Temporary ()
Believers can endure Trials & Tribulations with Graciousness because we know they are Temporary ()
Explanation: Peter follows up his encouragement to his fellow travelers by telling them the reality of sufferings and trials they were sure to face as Christians. While on the surface this doesn’t seem encouraging, letting people know the truth is always more helpful for the long term.
The encouragement is found in the phrase, for a little while. Peter makes it clear that a believer’s suffering will not last forever. Our problems may actually be in temporary terms: loss of a job, being made fun of for a semester, or a cancer that lasts 2 years. OR we may be stuck in poverty, living in a literal war zone, or be dealing with a life-long illness. The ability to deal with the trial, regardless of the specific issue, is the matter of the believer’s perspective.
Illustrate: Imagine a 4 year old being put in time out for 10 minutes. For him, it seems like it lasts forever. But getting out is followed by 5 hours of play time
Argument: Believers can deal with these issues with Grace because we know this world is not our home. And we know that an Eternity with the Savior waits for us. We can’t fathom how short this life is because it is all that we have known, but Eternity is forever. Our life span is simply a blink.
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Application: We can and should live in light of Eternity. And, just as importantly, we must be honest in our Evangelism. While Jesus is the answer, we must not sugar coat the reality of Trials & Tribulations for believers.
Believer can endure Trials & Tribulations with Graciousness because we know they have Purpose ()
Believer can endure Trials & Tribulations with Graciousness because we know they have Purpose ()
Explanation: Not only our our Sufferings temporary, they also have purpose. Peter illustrates his point by referencing the refining process for gold. The gold is place in an extremely hot furnace in which the impurities are melted away. At the end of the process, the product is pure and worth more. Peter explains that suffering for believers is like being put in the fire; at the end the Christ-follower is more pure.
Illustrate: Pressure is not always a bad thing. Vast pressures and heat are used in the process of transforming coal into diamonds. And don’t forget that the irritant of a grain of sand is what becomes a pearl
Argument: This piece of information can provide incredible encouragement and hope to those struggling under the pressure of long-term sickness, especially something like ALS or Alzheimer's. Knowing that God has a purpose, even if we don’t understand it, can make a huge difference.
Application: As humanly as possibly, do not demand answers for the WHY question, especially in the midst of the crisis. God may not reveal that to us, but we can trust Him explicitly. Remember that everyone that comes to His children is filtered through His hand of Grace.
This piece of information can provide incredible encouragement and hope
Believers can endure Trials & Tribulations with Graciousness because we know we will receive a Reward ()
Believers can endure Trials & Tribulations with Graciousness because we know we will receive a Reward ()
Explanation: When believers endure sufferings with grace, they are actually storing up rewards in heaven. Peter tells his fellow travelers that when they endure with a good witness they will receive praise and glory when Jesus returns. They will be honored by the LORD for being faithful and that is definitely an encouragement. Also, by being a faithful witness on earth, they give honor and praise to God who makes their suffering joyful and bearable.
Illustrate: The promise of Fun Friday compels good behavior through the week
Argument: Understand that while all believers will be in Heaven with Christ for Eternity, not all believers will have the same level of rewards or joys in glory (cf ; ).
Application: Decide now to store up as much treasure and reward as possible in glory (Matt. 6:19-21)