Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the LORD leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble

Examples of Trials Health Financial Relationship Work Small But Irritating

Week 4 Trials

Cause of Trials Trials we bring on ourselves (require repentance) Trials someone brings on us (require forgiveness) Trials that have no apparent cause (require faith)

Rejoice in our sufferings (3) Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame because God’s loves has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Justified Through Faith therefore…(1) Peace with God – gained access by faith into grace in which we now stand (1) Rejoice in the hope of the Glory of God (2) Rejoice in our sufferings (3) Sufferings produce: (3) Perseverance (4) Character (4) Hope (4)

Perseverance (Patience) Patience is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22) James 1:22 – “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” There is no shortcut to patience except through trials

Character Character = Maturity Ephesians 4:11-15– 11“…and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ 15 “…instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ...” God is interested in our character… not our temporal comfort

Malcom Muggeridge “Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that at the time seemed especially desolating and painful with particular satisfaction. Indeed, I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my 75 years in this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my experience, has been through affliction and not through happiness.”

Hope What is the Christian view of ‘Hope’? Is Not – “I don’t know if it is going to happen but I hope it does” It Is - When God has promised that something is going to happen and you put your trust in that promise. It Is - a confidence that something will come to pass because God has promised it will. Suffering produces authentic hope in the life of the Christian

How Can We Rejoice in Trials? We are redeemed and given eternal life through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ That should result in us living in a constant state of joy within That joy is our filter when we face trials.

James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the LORD leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble Solomon knew the righteous person could not be destroyed or hurt by trials

C.S. Lewis When asked ‘Why do the righteous suffer?’ responded, “Why not? They are the only ones who can take it”

Out of the Darkness Out of the dark forbidding soil The pure white lilies grow. Out of the black and murky clouds, Descends the stainless snow. Out of the crawling earth-bound worm A butterfly is born. Out of the somber shrouded night, Behold! A golden morn! Out of the pain and stress of life, The peace of God pours down. Out of the nails -- the spear -- the cross, Redemption -- and a crown!