Growing Pains (Trials)
Title: Growing Pains
Topic: trials
Texts: I Peter 1:7, I Peter 4:12, II Corinthians 8:2, James 1:1-4
Proposition: Trials will start, trials will cease, fix your eyes on the Lord, and he’ll give you peace.
Introduction:
Assembly of an airplane.
Definition: the action or process of trying or putting to the proof
Illustration: Growing pains[1]
1. The Refining of Our Faith Pleases God (1 Peter 1:6-9)
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. [2]
a. Trials refine your faith
i. Trials expose Pride
ii. Trials expose self-reliance.
Illustration: Refining pot (Vs. 7)
b. Trials prepare you for Christ’s return
i. Praise – “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
ii. Honor – distinctions granted to the faithful—the crown of righteousness, the white robe, the palm.[3]
iii. Glory –he glory which was Christ’s before the world was, which he giveth to his chosen[4] (John 17:22)
2. Giving of Yourself in Trials Pleases God (II Corinthians 8:2)
1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberalitya. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same graceb also. [5]
The churches of Macedonian were in abject poverty and yet they gave abundantly.
a. They abounded in joy
b. They abounded in liberty
Illustration: More Losses Than Giving (Given in 1979)
The Russell Sage Foundation several years ago published the results of a survey.
$3,000> per year 60% of all money given away to charity
$5, 000< per year 82 % of all money given away
$10,000 - $20,000 – Gave only 1.9% of their income[6]
3. Partaking in Christ’s Sufferings Pleases God (I Peter 4:12)
a. Take joy in reproach for Christ’s sake (vs. 14)
b. Glorify God in sufferings (vs. 16)
Illustration: Adoniram Judson’s suffering in Burma
7 years – hunger and hardship
17 Months – mistreatment in prision
Upon release he asked to go to another providence to preach the Gospel.
Refused: “My people are not fools enough to listen to anything a missionary might SAY, but I fear they might be impressed by your SCARS and turn to your religion!”[7]
4. Finding Joy in Trials Pleases God. (James 1:1-4)
a. Trials produce patience
b. Patience produces maturity
Illustration: To Test A Missionary Candidate
At 3:00 A.M. one cold morning a missionary candidate walked into an office for a scheduled interview with the examiner of a mission board. He waited until 8:00 A.M. when the examiner arrived.
Asked to spell baker and add 2+2.
Recommended because
1. Self denial (no complaining)
2. Punctuality (appeared on time)
3. Patience (waited 5 hours)
4. Temper (showed no sign of it, didn’t question)
5. Humble (no complaint of childish questions)
He meets the requirements and will make the missionary we need.” [8]
Summery
1. The Refining of Our Faith Pleases God (1 Peter 1:6-9)
2. Finding Joy in Trials Pleases God. (James 1:1-4)
3. Partaking in Christ’s Sufferings Pleases God (I Peter 4:12)
4. Giving of Yourself in Trials Pleases God (II Corinthians 8:2)
Conclusion
As a believer you can expect trials to come into your life. Don’t shy away from trials and hide from them, Look forward to them and embrace them. Trials should not be an excuse to lag in giving to others. Trials are the very tools God uses to shape you into the man of God He wants you to be. You can take joy in them knowing that they are God’s plan for you and you are able to suffer with Christ.
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
why should my heart be lonely and long for Heav’n and home,
when Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
and resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
tho’ by the path He leadeth but one step I may see:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know we watches me.
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
when songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him; from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.[9]
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[1] We have all experienced growing pains and know what they are like. The muscle cramps and pain as you try to sleep at night. The lack of coordination and skill frustrates us. Spiritually we have growing pains as well. These spiritual growing pains are called Trials. Trials may start, Trials may cease. Fix you eyes on God and he will give you peace.
[2]The Holy Bible : King James Version., electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. (Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995), 1 Pe 1:6-9.
[3]The Pulpit Commentary: 1 Peter, ed. H. D. M. Spence-Jones (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2004), 6.
[4]The Pulpit Commentary: 1 Peter, ed. H. D. M. Spence-Jones (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2004), 6.
a liberality: Gr. simplicity
b grace: or, gift
[5]The Holy Bible : King James Version., electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. (Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995), 2 Co 8:1-6.
[6]The Russell Sage Foundation several years ago published the results of a survey. In the United States, families with a net income of less than $3,000 a year gave more than 60% of all the money donated to charity; families whose income was less than $5,000 donated 82% of the total; families with an income between $10,000 and $20,000 a year gave only 1.9% of their income!
According to an Internal Revenue Service analysis, Americans who itemize their deductions give less than 3% of their adjusted gross incomes to church and charity.
(Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations : A Treasury of Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers (Garland TX: Bible Communications, 1996, c1979).)
[7]Adoniram Judson, the renowned missionary to Burma, endured untold hardships trying to reach the lost for Christ. For 7 heartbreaking years he suffered hunger and privation. During this time he was thrown into Ava Prison, and for 17 months was subjected to almost incredible mistreatment. As a result, for the rest of his life he carried the ugly marks made by the chains and iron shackles which had cruelly bound him.
Undaunted, upon his release he asked for permission to enter another province where he might resume preaching the Gospel. The godless ruler indignantly denied his request, saying, “My people are not fools enough to listen to anything a missionary might SAY, but I fear they might be impressed by your SCARS and turn to your religion!”—Henry G. Bosch (Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations : A Treasury of Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers (Garland TX: Bible Communications, 1996, c1979).)
[8] The examiner said, “Let us begin. First, please spell baker.” “B-a-k-e-r,” the young man spelled. “Very good. Now, let’s see what you know about figures. How much is twice two?” “Four,” replied the applicant. “Very good,” the examiner said. “I’ll recommend to the board tomorrow that you be appointed. You have passed the test.”
At the board meeting the examiner spoke highly of the applicant and said, “He has all the qualifications of a missionary. Let me explain.
“First, I tested him on self-denial. I told him to be at my house at three in the morning. He left a warm bed and came out in the cold without a word of complaint.
“Second, I tried him out on punctuality. He appeared on time.
“Third, I examined him on patience. I made him wait five hours to see me, after telling him to come at three.
“Fourth, I tested him on temper. He failed to show any sign of it; he didn’t even question my delay.
“Fifth, I tried his humility. I asked him questions that a small child could answer, and he showed no offense. He meets the requirements and will make the missionary we need.” (Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations : A Treasury of Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers (Garland TX: Bible Communications, 1996, c1979).)
[9]Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace : 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions, Includes Indexes. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1990), 143.