God’s Heart For You During Trials

March 8, 2015

Jesus never promised a life without hardships or trials, however, He did promise that He would always be with us and that we would overcome every situation we face. Jesus said in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Today’s messages is meant to teach what true biblical trials are and how to have faith to overcome them!

SERIES TEXT

Ephesians 3:16-20, “16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

TERMS & EXPLANATIONS

BIBLICAL TRIALS: Biblical trials are considered the following:
- Persecution: Luke 22:28, “Jesus was hated by his peers.”
- Rejection: Mark 8:31, “Jesus was rejected by the Jewish leaders.”
- Personal Illness: Luke 8:43, “The woman with the issue of blood suffered over twelve years.”
- Sickness in Others: Galatians 4:14, “When Paul was sick it was a trial for those who loved him.”
- Losing Someone You Love: John 11:32-36, “Jesus wept deeply when He heard that Lazarus died.”
- Sins Against You or Those You Love: 1 Peter 1:6, “The Christians suffered many things from others.”
- Financial Hardship: 2 Corinthians 11:27, “Paul know what it was like to go hungry and without proper clothes.”
TWO THINGS BIBLICAL TRIALS ARE NOT: Often times people in the church get the concepts of trials, temptations, and consequences confused. Therefore, learn the difference below:
- Trials Are Not Personal Sins: Biblical trials are not personal sins because the one sinning can be immediately delivered from their temptation and evil, whereas, the trial is out of their control, 1 Corinthians 10:13. For example, it is improper for someone to say, “Trying to get free from this pornography habit has been such a trial, I just keep asking God to deliver me!” God has already delivered us from every sin, therefore, sin is not a trial but a choice, 1 John 3:2-9.
- Trials Are Not Consequences for Sins: Biblical trials are not people suffering the consequences for their sins because God uses hardships to teach us not to sin, 1 Peter 4:15-16. Consider the prodigal son, he couldn’t say, “Man, I’ve been going through some many trials lately, I wish God would just deliver me!” Why? Because it was his fault that he lost all his money, was homeless, and was forced to eat pig’s food. Criminals, adulteries, liars, meddlers, bitter people, and the like cannot blame God for the things they suffer in life, they should count it as God’s discipline, Hebrews 12:5-6. However, trials are not the result of something a person has done or not done- they are out of a person’s control.

TWELVE THINGS TO DO DURING A TRIAL

Commit to Prayer and Study of God’s Word: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 & 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
Keep Coming to Church: Hebrews 10:25.
Be Accountable and Vulnerable to Good Leaders: Hebrews 13:17.
Don’t Take Trials Personal or Think It’s Strange, It’s Just Life: 1 Peter 4:12.
Praise God For All the Good in Your Life: Philippians 4:6.
Cast Your Cares on Jesus and Receive His Peace and Joy: 1 Peter 5:7.
Never Compare Your Trials to Other People: John 21:22.
Find Other People to Help: 1 John 3:16.
Go Fishing: 1 Timothy 6:17.
Guard Your Mind From Depressing Thoughts: Philippians 4:8.
Trust God That Everything Will Work Out For Your Good: Romans 8:28.
Never Give Up: Galatians 6:9.