2. TITLE: How Hardship Shows What God Thinks About You TEXT: Hebrews 12:4-15 THEME: Hardship is one of the ways God shows you His love.

4. The way I perceive how you feel about me has a profound effect on our relationship.

5. How does God reveal His love to us during hard times?

6. I. He usually protects us from facing the worst (4)

7. Hebrews 12:4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

8. He usually protects us from facing the worst (4) A. He has just told us of the hardships Jesus endured.

9. He usually protects us from facing the worst (4) A. He has just told us of the hardships Jesus endured. B. He tells us we have not had it as bad as Jesus

10. He usually protects us from facing the worst (4) A. He has just told us of the hardships Jesus endured. B. He tells us we have not had it as bad as Jesus C. It is not likely any of us will have it that bad.

11. It could have been worse.

12. No matter what our situation Jesus could look to us and say, “It could have been worse.” And, if we ask Him, “How in Heaven’s name could it be any worse?” he would look to us and say, “At least you didn’t have to shed you blood.”

14. How does God reveal His love to us during hard times?

15. II. Hardship is often God’s loving discipline. (5-8)

16. Hebrews 12:5-8 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

17. Hebrews 12:5-8 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.

18. II. Hardship is often God’s loving discipline. (5-8) A. Hardship is a means of discipline..

19. II. Hardship is often God’s loving discipline. (5-8) A. Hardship is a means of discipline. B. Discipline is an act of love..

20. II. Hardship is often God’s loving discipline. (5-8) A. Hardship is a means of discipline. B. Discipline is an act of love. C. Discipline is for our good

21. II. Hardship is often God’s loving discipline. (5-8) A. Hardship is a means of discipline. B. Discipline is an act of love. C. Discipline is for our good D. Lack of discipline reveals indifference.

23. How does God reveal His love to us during hard times?

24. III. Discipline produces essential characteristics in us. (9-15)

25. Hebrews 12:9-15 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.

26. Hebrews 12:9-15 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

27. III. Hardship is often God’s loving discipline. (5-8) A. Respect- honoring his authority.

28. III. Hardship is often God’s loving discipline. (5-8) A. Respect- honoring his authority. B. Holiness- set-apart from the world for God

29. III. Hardship is often God’s loving discipline. (5-8) A. Respect- honoring his authority. B. Holiness- set-apart from the world for God C. Righteousness and Peace- with God and others.

30. Hebrews 12:11 “disciplines produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

31. Sociologist Reuben Hill Conducted a study of thousands of teens and parents in Minnesota

34. APPLICATION Tragically, many believers have perceptions of how God feels toward them that are not accurate, and these perceptions create unnecessary distance. It is important for you to consider what God feels about us when we are facing hardship.

35. James 1:2-4 “2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

36. James 1:2-4 “5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

40. We were made to fly spiritually. Going through life without trials and hardship is like sitting in the pond and eating corn- it will make you fat and you lose the desire to fly the way God designed too.