Diehard Discipleship: Faith Tested Through Trials

Devotional

Day 1: True Devotion is Tested in Trials

In our spiritual journey, true devotion to Jesus is revealed not during times of ease and popularity but in moments of trial and challenge. Just as diehard sports fans endure harsh conditions to support their team, our faith is tested when following Jesus costs us something. This is when we must decide whether we are fair-weather followers or diehard disciples. The trials we face are opportunities to demonstrate our commitment and deepen our relationship with Him. [46:00]

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 is a current trial in your life where you can choose to demonstrate your devotion to Jesus? How can you embrace this challenge as an opportunity to grow in faith?

Day 2: Grace in Our Failures

Peter's denial of Jesus is a powerful reminder that even the most committed followers can falter under pressure. Yet, Jesus' response to Peter's failure was not one of condemnation but of intercession and grace. He knew Peter would fail, yet He prayed for him, illustrating the depth of His love and commitment to us even when we fall short. Our failures are not final because Jesus' faithfulness and intercession are greater than our shortcomings. [01:14:08]

Luke 22:31-32 (ESV): "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent failure in your life. How can you invite Jesus' grace and intercession into this situation, trusting that He can use it for His purposes?

Day 3: The Sifting Process

The sifting process described in Luke 22 is a test of our faith, much like the story of Job. Satan seeks to destroy, but Jesus' prayers for us ensure that we are strengthened and not overcome. This process is meant to separate the true from the false, the committed from the casual. Through Jesus' grace, our faith, though tested, is strengthened, and we emerge more resilient and devoted. [57:53]

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: Consider a time when your faith was tested. How did you respond, and what did you learn about your commitment to Jesus through that experience?

Day 4: Unwavering Love and Sacrifice

Jesus' love for us is unwavering, demonstrated by His willingness to endure suffering for our sake. His sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate act of diehard devotion, inviting us to respond with a similar commitment. We are called to be diehard disciples, willing to endure hardships for the sake of knowing and following Him. This love compels us to live lives of devotion and sacrifice in response to His incredible gift. [01:00:39]

Hebrews 12:2-3 (ESV): "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can demonstrate unwavering love and sacrifice for Jesus? How can you take a step towards deeper commitment today?

Day 5: Comfort in Jesus' Intercession

In our moments of failure, we can find comfort in knowing that Jesus is there to lift us up. His intercession and grace allow us to turn back and be used for His purposes, much like Peter after his denial. Jesus' faithfulness is greater than our shortcomings, and His love invites us to rise from our failures and continue our journey with Him. [01:16:40]

Romans 8:34 (ESV): "Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us."

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt like you failed in your spiritual journey. How can you embrace Jesus' intercession and grace to move forward and be used for His purposes today?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the concept of being a "diehard" versus a "fair-weather" fan, using sports fandom as a metaphor for our spiritual journey. We began by contrasting the fair-weather fans of Los Angeles with the diehard fans of Green Bay, Wisconsin, who endure harsh conditions to support their team. This metaphor was then applied to our relationship with Jesus, challenging us to consider whether we are fair-weather followers or diehard disciples. The true test of our devotion to Jesus is not during times of ease and popularity but during trials and challenges when following Him costs us something.

We delved into the story of Peter's denial of Jesus, a poignant example of how even the most devoted followers can falter under pressure. Despite Peter's failure, Jesus' response was not one of condemnation but of intercession and grace. Jesus knew Peter would fail, yet He prayed for him, illustrating the depth of His love and commitment to us even when we fall short. This narrative serves as a reminder that our failures are not final because Jesus' faithfulness and intercession are greater than our shortcomings.

We also examined the sifting process described in Luke 22, where Satan seeks to test the disciples, much like the story of Job. This sifting is a violent process meant to separate the true from the false, the committed from the casual. Yet, Jesus' prayers for us ensure that even when we are shaken, we are not destroyed. Our faith, though tested, is strengthened through His grace.

Ultimately, the message is one of hope and encouragement. Jesus' love for us is unwavering, and His sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate demonstration of His diehard devotion. We are invited to respond to this love by striving to be diehard disciples, willing to endure hardships for the sake of knowing and following Him. In our moments of failure, we can take comfort in knowing that Jesus is there, ready to lift us up and use us for His purposes.

Key Takeaways

1. True devotion to Jesus is tested in times of trial, not when it's easy or popular. Our faith is revealed when following Jesus costs us something, much like the diehard fans who endure harsh conditions to support their team. [46:00]
2. Peter's denial of Jesus illustrates that even the most committed followers can falter. Yet, Jesus' response is one of intercession and grace, reminding us that our failures are not final because of His faithfulness. [74:08]
3. The sifting process, as seen in the story of Job and the disciples, is a test of our faith. While Satan seeks to destroy, Jesus' prayers for us ensure that we are strengthened and not overcome. [57:53]
4. Jesus' love for us is unwavering, demonstrated by His willingness to endure suffering for our sake. His sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate act of diehard devotion, inviting us to respond with a similar commitment. [60:39]
5. In our moments of failure, we can find comfort in knowing that Jesus is there to lift us up. His intercession and grace allow us to turn back and be used for His purposes, much like Peter after his denial. [01:16:40]
** [76:40]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Opening Prayer
[02:00] - Introduction to Fair-Weather and Diehard Fans
[10:00] - Personal Story: High School Football
[20:00] - Jesus' Diehard Devotion
[30:00] - Are You a Fair-Weather Follower?
[40:00] - The Sifting of the Disciples
[50:00] - Judas' Betrayal
[60:00] - Peter's Denial
[70:00] - Jesus' Response to Failure
[80:00] - The Power of Jesus' Intercession
[90:00] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Luke 22:31-34
Job 1:8-21

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Observation Questions:

In the sermon, how does the pastor describe the difference between a fair-weather fan and a diehard fan? What are some characteristics of each? [39:10]
What does Jesus say to Peter about the sifting process, and how does it relate to the story of Job? [53:22]
How does the pastor illustrate Jesus' unwavering love and commitment to us, even in our failures, using the story of Peter's denial? [01:14:08]
What role does Jesus' intercession play in the lives of His disciples, according to the sermon? [57:53]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the metaphor of sports fandom help us understand our relationship with Jesus? What does it mean to be a diehard disciple in the context of the sermon? [46:00]
In what ways does the story of Peter's denial and Jesus' response illustrate the concept of grace and intercession? How does this apply to our own spiritual journeys? [01:16:40]
The sermon mentions the sifting process as a test of faith. How can this process strengthen a believer's faith, and what role does Jesus' prayer play in this? [57:53]
How does the pastor's personal story about his father at the football game relate to the way Jesus supports us in our failures? [01:16:40]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you felt like a fair-weather follower of Jesus. What circumstances led to that feeling, and how can you strive to become a diehard disciple? [46:00]
Consider a recent failure or shortcoming in your life. How can you find comfort in knowing that Jesus intercedes for you and offers grace? [01:14:08]
The sermon discusses the sifting process as a test of faith. Identify a current challenge in your life that feels like a sifting process. How can you rely on Jesus' prayers and support during this time? [57:53]
Think about a person in your life who has shown unwavering support, similar to the pastor's father. How can you emulate that kind of support for someone else in their spiritual journey? [01:16:40]
The pastor shared a story about the underground church in China. How does this story challenge your perspective on the cost of following Jesus? What steps can you take to deepen your commitment to Him, even when it's difficult? [48:04]
Reflect on the look you imagine Jesus has when you fail. How does this perception affect your relationship with Him, and how can you shift your perspective to see His grace and love? [01:16:40]
Identify one area in your life where you feel called to be more courageous in your faith. What practical steps can you take this week to act on that courage, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone? [01:09:22]

Sermon Clips

"There's no amount of suffering that Jesus will not endure for you to love you, to be with you, even when you fall. Over and over again, Jesus loves you with a diehard devotion. And that's the good news. That's the main story. That's the most important story. That's why we gather here. That's why we worship." [00:45:17] (35 seconds) Edit Clip

"The thing is, you can't know in a winning season. You can't know when all the crowds are flocking. You can only know when the weather's bad. You can only know when it costs you something to follow Jesus. You'll know when it's scary and unpopular, dangerous to be associated with Jesus." [00:46:16] (29 seconds) Edit Clip

"And this is a moment where all the fair weather fans abandon Jesus. And the disciples are tested to find out if they are truly diehard disciples of Jesus or just the fair weather fans. See, when Jesus is doing the miracles in Galilee, when he's multiplying a few loaves of bread and fish, and when he's healing lepers, there's thousands of people that flock for the healing and the free food." [00:48:09] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. Now the agricultural process of wheat harvesting is actually really violent. And you're actually, there's imagery from all the four phases of wheat harvesting throughout Scripture. I want to just give you a quick tour of what it was like. There's like four phases of harvesting. First is there's the reaping." [00:53:22] (37 seconds) Edit Clip

"Satan is accusing. Satan is hurting. Satan is beating and reaping and sifting and testing. But Jesus is praying. Jesus is interceding. Jesus is lending power and strength. So there's a battle up in heaven between the sifting of Satan and the prayers of Jesus. There's a battle down on earth between which way will this disciple go." [00:59:15] (32 seconds) Edit Clip

"If it's just about the moment of denial, just about that moment in the high priest's courtyard, it would seem that Satan wins, right? And if your life is just about that one moment of fail in your life, it would seem like Satan wins, okay? But Jesus has prayed for you. And Jesus has interceded. And that failure in your life is not going to be final." [01:00:14] (30 seconds) Edit Clip

"None of us can survive on our own the sifting of Satan. We will fail. We need grace and mercy. We need Jesus. And we need Jesus so bad because we are not Jesus. We fail tests. Jesus continues to explain the winds are changing." [01:01:14] (20 seconds) Edit Clip

"But here's the good news. Even when Peter fails, Jesus remains faithful. Jesus stays the course. I don't want to spoil the story for you if you've never read it before. But in the coming weeks, we're going to find out just how faithful Jesus is. Just how devoted to your salvation, Jesus Christ is going to prove himself to be." [01:13:39] (30 seconds) Edit Clip

"Jesus will submit to profound suffering in order to save all the people who fail the test. Every fair weather fan gets invited back because Jesus is the true diehard, devoter to God." [01:14:48] (22 seconds) Edit Clip

"Well, I want to ask you that because I think it's possible that whatever look you imagine on Jesus' face in that moment is how you might imagine the face of Jesus looking at you when you fail. Right? What happens when you fail, when you sin, when you betray, and Jesus looks at you, what expression do you see on his face?" [01:15:46] (28 seconds) Edit Clip

"So when you turn back, I've got a plan for you after you fail. And my prayer becomes powerful, and it overcomes, and all that I do for you, and it brings you back. I'm going to use you to give strength to other people who fail. I'm going to use you to give strength to other people who fail." [01:16:44] (19 seconds) Edit Clip

"you and I are going to fail, we cannot do it we cannot pass the test on our own strength we're going to fail, we are going to sin we're going to fall short but that's when Jesus' prayer and his intercession and his blood is going to come into play it's going to overcome Satan in your life it's going to allow you to turn back and be used by Christ again" [01:17:06] (28 seconds) Edit Clip