Authentic Goodness: Persevering Through Adversity in Faith

Summary

During this Lenten season, we are reminded of our journey on the path to divinity, a journey that calls us to strive for perfection in Jesus Christ. As Methodists, we embrace the challenge of becoming the best versions of ourselves, regardless of the circumstances we face. This journey is not just about doing good deeds but understanding the deeper reasons behind our actions. The enemy often tries to derail us by tempting us to do good for the wrong reasons, such as self-aggrandizement or manipulation. However, true goodness should be a natural product of our authentic Christian identity, an inextricable link between who we are and what we do.

A significant challenge arises when our commitment to doing good is met with hardship. We may question why we continue to do good when bad things happen to us, especially when it seems like those who do wrong prosper. Yet, the key to advancing in Christ is recognizing that bad things happen to good people, and our reward is not always immediate. Persistence in doing good, despite adversity, is crucial because God is faithful and will ultimately reward us.

The story of Daniel serves as a powerful example of this truth. Daniel, a man of conviction and boldness, faced numerous challenges yet remained steadfast in his faith. Despite being exiled and facing potential death, Daniel chose to honor God above all else. His unwavering commitment to his principles and values led to his rise in prominence, even when others sought to bring him down. Daniel's story teaches us that when we serve God continually, we align ourselves with His character, and He will lift us up in due time.

Our sacrifices and decisions to stand for what is right have the power to change the world around us. We must remember that doing good is not just about immediate rewards but about our conviction that God is faithful. By following the path to divinity, we can impact those around us and demonstrate God's saving power through our testimony.

Key Takeaways:

1. Authentic Goodness: True goodness stems from our authentic Christian identity, not from self-serving motives. Our actions should reflect who we are in Christ, creating an inextricable link between our identity and deeds. [06:53]

2. Perseverance in Adversity: Bad things happen to good people, but persistence in doing good is essential. God is faithful and will reward us in His time, even when circumstances seem bleak. [09:28]

3. Boldness and Conviction: Like Daniel, we must have the courage to stand by our convictions, even when faced with challenges. God provides a way for those who are bold enough to step into His path. [14:28]

4. Consistency and Humility: Consistent faithfulness and humility allow God to raise us up. When we serve God continually, we align with His character and experience His lifting power. [17:48]

5. Impact of Sacrifice: Our sacrifices and decisions to stand for what is right can change the world around us. Our faithfulness to God can inspire others and demonstrate His saving power. [28:07]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [05:30] - Doing Good for the Right Reasons
- [06:53] - The Challenge of Hardship
- [07:58] - When Bad Things Happen to Good People
- [09:28] - Persistence in Doing Good
- [10:29] - The Story of Daniel
- [13:25] - Daniel's Conviction and Boldness
- [14:28] - Finding a Way Through Faith
- [15:47] - Daniel's Rise to Prominence
- [17:15] - Consistency in Faithfulness
- [19:36] - Facing Jealousy and Opposition
- [21:05] - The Power of a Blameless Life
- [22:24] - The Scheme Against Daniel
- [23:51] - Daniel's Faithfulness in the Lion's Den
- [26:33] - Respecting Authority While Honoring God
- [28:07] - The Impact of Faithful Sacrifice
- [30:37] - Personal Testimony of God's Faithfulness

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Daniel 6:1-28 - The story of Daniel in the lion's den, highlighting his faithfulness and God's deliverance.
2. Galatians 6:9 - "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
3. 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."

#### Observation Questions
1. What were the circumstances that led Daniel to be thrown into the lion's den, and how did he respond to the king's edict? [23:51]
2. How does the sermon describe the link between our Christian identity and our actions? [05:30]
3. What examples from the sermon illustrate the idea that bad things happen to good people? [09:28]
4. How did Daniel's consistent faithfulness impact those around him, according to the sermon? [28:07]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Daniel's story teach about the relationship between faithfulness and divine intervention? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about God’s faithfulness? [24:40]
2. How can the concept of "authentic goodness" be applied in modern Christian life, as discussed in the sermon? [06:53]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that perseverance in adversity can lead to spiritual growth and maturity? [09:28]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of humility and consistency in one's faith journey? [17:48]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced adversity while trying to do good. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [09:28]
2. Identify an area in your life where you might be tempted to do good for self-serving reasons. How can you realign your motives to reflect your authentic Christian identity? [05:30]
3. Consider the story of Daniel. How can you demonstrate boldness and conviction in your faith this week, even when faced with challenges? [14:28]
4. How can you practice consistency and humility in your daily walk with God, especially when others might not understand or support your actions? [17:48]
5. Think of a situation where your sacrifice or decision to stand for what is right could inspire others. How can you share your testimony to encourage those around you? [28:07]
6. What specific steps can you take to ensure that your actions are a natural product of your Christian identity, rather than influenced by external pressures or expectations? [06:53]
7. How can you remain steadfast in your faith and continue to do good, even when immediate rewards are not visible? What role does trust in God's timing play in this process? [09:28]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

---

Day 1: Authentic Goodness Reflects Our True Identity
True goodness is not about external actions but about aligning our deeds with our authentic Christian identity. It is essential to examine the motivations behind our actions, ensuring they stem from a genuine desire to reflect Christ's character rather than self-serving motives. When our actions are a natural extension of who we are in Christ, they become a powerful testimony of our faith. This alignment creates an inextricable link between our identity and deeds, allowing us to live out our faith authentically. [06:53]

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a recent action you took. What was your motivation behind it, and how can you ensure your future actions align with your true identity in Christ?

Day 2: Perseverance in Adversity Brings Divine Reward
In life, we often encounter situations where doing good seems futile, especially when faced with adversity. It is crucial to remember that bad things can happen to good people, and our reward is not always immediate. Persistence in doing good, despite challenges, is a testament to our faith in God's faithfulness. He sees our struggles and will reward us in His time. This perseverance is a vital aspect of our spiritual journey, reminding us that our efforts are not in vain. [09:28]

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a challenging situation where you feel discouraged. How can you renew your commitment to doing good, trusting in God's timing for your reward?

Day 3: Boldness and Conviction Lead to Divine Opportunities
The story of Daniel exemplifies the power of boldness and conviction in the face of adversity. Daniel's unwavering commitment to his faith, even when faced with potential death, demonstrates the importance of standing firm in our beliefs. When we have the courage to step into God's path, He provides opportunities for us to rise above our circumstances. This boldness aligns us with God's character and opens doors for His divine intervention in our lives. [14:28]

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a situation where you need to stand firm in your convictions. How can you draw strength from God to be bold and courageous in this area?

Day 4: Consistency and Humility Allow God to Elevate Us
Consistent faithfulness and humility are key to experiencing God's lifting power in our lives. When we serve God continually, we align ourselves with His character, allowing Him to raise us up in due time. This consistency in our faith journey is a reflection of our trust in God's plan and timing. By remaining humble and faithful, we position ourselves to receive His blessings and experience His transformative power. [17:48]

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you." (1 Peter 5:6, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you need to practice more consistency and humility. How can you commit to serving God faithfully in this area?

Day 5: Sacrificial Decisions Can Transform the World
Our sacrifices and decisions to stand for what is right have the power to change the world around us. By remaining faithful to God, we can inspire others and demonstrate His saving power through our testimony. This impact is not just about immediate rewards but about our conviction that God is faithful. Our willingness to make sacrifices for the sake of righteousness can lead to profound transformations in our communities and beyond. [28:07]

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:16, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a sacrifice you can make for the sake of righteousness. How can this decision impact those around you and demonstrate God's power in your life?

Quotes

1. "A good line of focus during Lent. Because although we should always be on the path to divinity, Lent is a good time to give extra focus on your Christian spirituality. And your growth and your pursuit of perfection in Jesus Christ. And of course. As Methodists, that's not something we shy away from. Some people don't like that idea. But we don't shy away from it. Because we know that we should always be doing everything we can to be the very best people that we can be. Independent of the circumstances that might be around us." ([00:04:38] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

)

2. "And so, one of those tricks, one of those derailments, potentially, is to do good things for the wrong reasons, to do them for self-aggrandizement, to do them to manipulate others, and to think that God doesn't know our hearts. And so, we want to do good, but we want that good. And so, we want that good to be a natural product of our authentic Christian divinity. And so, it's really not so much about what we do, but who we are, because if we are who we aspire to be, the good will come." ([00:05:59] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

)

3. "You decide you're going to be a good Christian. You decide you're going to be a person of service and a person of giving and a person of character and a person of patience. And you decide that you're going to come to church and pay attention to the service. And instead of scrolling text or anything like that, you make up your mind you're going to do all of those things that you're authentically good. But then something bad happens to you." ([00:07:58] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

)

4. "And you see, what can happen is this, is that when bad things happen to people, sometimes we can get to the point of actually saying, why am I doing this good? This stuff doesn't work. I'm not going. I didn't do this Christian stuff. It's not working because it seems like the people who are lying and cheating and stealing, they're just getting away with it and they're just rising up the ranks. But look at me. I'm being meek and I'm being quiet and I'm being faithful, having character and I'm suffering still." ([00:08:28] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

)

5. "That the key to truly advancing in Christ to truly becoming godly is coming to the realization that bad things happen to good people. And therefore one would come to a very natural conclusion which is why am I doing good? Where's the reward? But I would like to encourage you and say those things are only for a time. That if you persist in doing good, God will reward you. That if you persist in doing good you will have tough times." ([00:09:29] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

)

6. "And what happens is because he continues to do it continually, there are moments in his life where those who've been noticing bring him in to solve a problem and he solves the problem and is lifted up. My beloved, if you want to advance in anything you do, continue to serve the Lord. Serve the Lord continually. Serve it when things are going well and when things aren't going well. And when the difficulty comes and when the blessing comes." ([00:18:08] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

)

7. "But you also have to realize that if you have the Christian humility to let God raise you up, when God raises you up, other people aren't going to like it. Somebody's not going to like it. They're going to get jealous. They're going to think you somehow got this, you know, through unwarranted favor. And so this is what happened. The other guys were up there and said, oh no, we can't have him over us. Oh no." ([00:20:14] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

)

8. "And so having the boldness and the consistency were keys in the character of Daniel that allow him, to rise to greatness, not because he rose himself up, but because God raised him up. But then we have the classic story. You see, what happened was this. Daniel and other administrators were over these 120 satraps, which is what they would call them. And Daniel began to rise above those guys." ([00:19:01] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

)

9. "And so we have to remember that it's more than whether good things or bad things happen to us. That it's more than whether we get what we want when we want it. That we do good, not only out of our confidence, but out of our conviction that God is faithful and therefore this is just for a time and he will continue to bless and carry us through those trials and he will restore what the locusts have eaten and the locusts that he sent were there to burn up stuff that needed to come out of us so God is in control of our perfection and spiritual formation and therefore our faith in him allows us to continue to do good." ([00:28:49] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

)

10. "My beloved if you are faithful to God, God will be there when you need him the most. Don't grow weary of doing good he hasn't forgotten you he's not forgotten your faithfulness and when you need him he'll be there for you follow the path to divinity which is doing good when times are tough when they're good because God is faithful amen." ([00:34:31] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?