Building Faith and Love Through Adversity
Summary
In today's sermon, I focused on the theme of "Building Through Hard Times," drawing from the experiences of the Thessalonians as described in 1 Thessalonians 3. I emphasized the importance of faith and love as foundational elements that enable us to persevere and build even when faced with adversity.
I began by acknowledging the challenges that come with being a target of attacks due to carrying God's favor. I stressed that to build through these hard times, we must master faith and love. Faith is the currency of the kingdom of God, and without it, it is impossible to please Him. We must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. This faith allows us to trust God even when circumstances seem impossible.
I shared personal testimonies of facing rejection and ridicule, especially when attempting to purchase our church building. Despite being laughed out of banks, we stood firm in faith, and God provided a way through a bank in Denver. This experience taught us that faith grows when we face nearly impossible situations.
Love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13:7, is equally crucial. It never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love is the propeller of faith, and it requires us to endure and forgive repeatedly, even when it's difficult.
I also touched on the concept of living "in spite of" rather than "because of" life's circumstances. We must not allow our past traumas or failures to define our present or future. Instead, we should overcome and build a better life in spite of these challenges.
Furthermore, I discussed the inevitability of trials and the importance of being settled in our faith to withstand them. Attacks reveal who is truly with us and who is merely along for the ride. True friends and believers are those who remain steadfast even when the laughter stops and adversity begins.
Lastly, I addressed the pain that accompanies the promise. The pain and the promise are inseparable; one cannot be anointed without experiencing betrayal and crucifixion. This process of being pruned by God is necessary for growth and to prevent pride from taking root.
In conclusion, I encouraged the congregation to remain steadfast and unmovable, trusting in God's faithfulness and continuing to build through attacks, knowing that with God, all things are possible.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith is the currency of the kingdom of God, and without it, we cannot please Him. We must believe in His existence and His reward for those who seek Him. This belief is what sustains us through trials and enables us to trust in God's provision, even when faced with ridicule or rejection. [01:02:22
- Love is the force that propels our faith forward. It never gives up and endures through every circumstance. To truly embody love, we must be willing to forgive repeatedly and endure hardships for the sake of Christ. This kind of love is a testament to our commitment to God and to one another. [01:06:20
- Living "in spite of" rather than "because of" life's circumstances is a choice that defines our character. We must not use our past as an excuse to remain stagnant but as a catalyst for growth and transformation. This mindset allows us to build a better future regardless of our history. [41:41
- Trials are inevitable, but they serve to reveal the depth of our faith and the strength of our relationships. When faced with adversity, our true allies and our own resilience come to light. It is in these moments that we must remain settled in our faith and unwavering in our commitment to God. [45:29
- The pain that accompanies the promise is a necessary part of our spiritual journey. It is through this pain that we are pruned and prepared for greater things. Embracing this pain as part of God's plan for our lives allows us to grow in humility and continue to bear fruit for His kingdom. [52:52
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Building Through Hard Times
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Thessalonians 3:1-7
2. 1 Corinthians 13:7
3. Hebrews 11:6
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#### Observation Questions
1. What were the two key elements that Paul emphasized to the Thessalonians to help them build through hard times? ([01:00:31])
2. How did Paul respond when he could no longer stand the worry about the Thessalonians' faith? ([39:43])
3. According to the sermon, what does faith allow us to do even when circumstances seem impossible? ([01:02:22])
4. What does 1 Corinthians 13:7 say about love and its characteristics? ([01:06:20])
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is faith described as the "currency of the kingdom of God," and how does this concept impact a believer's daily life? ([01:02:22])
2. How does living "in spite of" rather than "because of" life's circumstances change a person's approach to challenges and growth? ([41:41])
3. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between pain and promise in a believer's life? How does this understanding affect one's spiritual journey? ([50:37])
4. How does the concept of love as described in 1 Corinthians 13:7 propel faith forward, and why is it essential for enduring hardships? ([01:06:20])
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did your faith help you navigate through it, and what did you learn about trusting God in impossible situations? ([01:02:22])
2. Think about a time when you had to forgive someone repeatedly. How did this experience test and grow your love as described in 1 Corinthians 13:7? ([01:06:20])
3. Identify a past trauma or failure that you have allowed to define your present. How can you shift your mindset to live "in spite of" rather than "because of" this experience? ([41:41])
4. Consider a trial you are currently facing. How can you remain settled in your faith and unwavering in your commitment to God during this time? ([45:29])
5. Reflect on a situation where you felt the pain that accompanies a promise. How did this experience prune you for greater growth, and how can you embrace future pains as part of God's plan? ([52:52])
6. How can you practically demonstrate love that "never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance" in your daily interactions? ([01:06:20])
7. What steps can you take to ensure that you are building a better future in spite of your past, and how can you support others in your small group to do the same? ([41:41])
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This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the themes of faith, love, and perseverance as discussed in the sermon. Use these questions to foster meaningful discussions and personal reflections on how to build through hard times with a steadfast faith and enduring love.
Devotional
Day 1: Faith: Currency of the Divine Kingdom
Faith is not merely a passive state of mind but the active currency through which one navigates the kingdom of God. It is essential to understand that faith is not just about believing in God's existence; it is about trusting in His character, His promises, and His timing. When one faces ridicule or rejection, it is this very faith that must stand firm. It is the belief that God is working behind the scenes and orchestrating events for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Faith is what sustains individuals through trials and enables them to trust in God's provision. It is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen, and it grows stronger in the face of adversity. [01:02:22]
Hebrews 11:13-16 (ESV): "These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city."
Reflection: How can you exercise your faith today in a situation where you have not yet seen the outcome?
Day 2: Love: The Propeller of Faith
Love is the force that gives faith its vitality and direction. It is not a passive, fleeting emotion but an active choice to endure, to hope, and to bear all things for the sake of Christ. This love is robust and resilient, never giving up even when faced with the most daunting of circumstances. It is the kind of love that forgives repeatedly, that looks beyond faults and sees the need for grace. This love is a testament to one's commitment to God and to others, and it is the propeller that drives faith forward, ensuring that it does not stagnate but continues to grow and overcome obstacles. [01:06:20]
Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Reflection: Who do you need to show Christ-like love to today, and what practical step can you take to demonstrate this love?
Day 3: Character Defined by Choice, Not Circumstance
Choosing to live "in spite of" rather than "because of" life's circumstances is a powerful declaration of one's character. It is a conscious decision to not let past traumas or failures dictate one's present or future. Instead, it is an opportunity to use these experiences as a catalyst for growth and transformation. This mindset is about overcoming and building a better life, regardless of the challenges faced. It is about recognizing that one's identity and worth are not tied to their history but to their Creator and the future He has in store. [41:41]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: What past experience has been defining you, and how can you choose to grow from it starting today?
Day 4: Trials Reveal Faith and Forge True Relationships
Trials are an inevitable part of life, but they serve a divine purpose. They reveal the depth of one's faith and the authenticity of relationships. When adversity strikes, it becomes clear who is truly committed and who is simply along for the ride. These moments are crucial for one to remain settled in their faith and unwavering in their commitment to God. It is during these times that one's true allies emerge, and their own resilience is tested and strengthened. [45:29]
1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV): "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How can you strengthen your faith today to prepare for inevitable trials?
Day 5: Embracing Pain as Part of the Promise
The journey of faith is often accompanied by pain, but this pain is not without purpose. It is a necessary part of being pruned and prepared for greater things. Embracing this pain as part of God's plan allows for growth in humility and the ability to continue to bear fruit for His kingdom. The pain that accompanies the promise is a reminder that one cannot be anointed without experiencing some form of betrayal or crucifixion. It is through these experiences that pride is prevented from taking root, and one's character is refined. [52:52]
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: What pain are you currently experiencing that could be preparing you for a greater purpose? How can you embrace it with faith today?
Quotes
1) "You never judge your friendship based on how much you laugh together. Friends stay when the laughter stops. If you're only my friend as long as we're giggling, we're not friends. Friends are born through adversity." [46:32
2) "I'm not living a 'because of' life. I'm choosing to live an 'in spite of' life. That some people go through divorce and say, 'I'll Never Love Again.' But there's others of us that say, 'After this, I know how to be better the next time.'" [43:46
3) "My trauma is not an excuse for me to remain broken. My trauma is proof that I am an overcomer. It's proof that I'm better than what I experienced." [44:26
4) "Regardless of what happens, I'm not going to quit. I'm doing a good work and I can't come down. Regardless of what comes my way, I'm going to remain steadfast and unmovable in the work of the Lord." [01:08:38
5) "The two things they mastered was faith and love. You got to master this... Faith is powerful... it is impossible to please God without faith... Faith is the currency of the kingdom of God." [01:00:31
6) "I got laughed out of certain Banks... but I had to keep trusting God that even though it looks like it's impossible, I serve a bigger God." [01:05:49
7) "Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. If you want to make it, you need more than faith, you need love." [01:06:20
8) "The pain and the promise are not sold separately; they have to come together. You can't be anointed without a Judas, you can't be anointed without being betrayed, and you can't be anointed without being crucified." [50:37
9) "Promise with no pain produces pride and God knows if you keep producing fruit and I don't prune you, the outside of that Branch starts to get hard... so if I want you to keep producing, I got to keep cutting the layer of you that produces pride to keep you in the place of humility." [52:52
10) "Every temptation is an attack on your faith, an attack on your relationship with God... Every attack is a temptation to walk away from God... Being closer to God has nothing to do with location but everything to do with your heart posture." [57:23
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