Embracing Tests: Growth Through Humility and Community
Summary
Today, I began our service by welcoming everyone and reminding the congregation about the importance of communion, which we planned to partake in at the end of the service. I emphasized the significance of having both elements of communion, the bread and the cup, and encouraged everyone to ensure they had them ready.
As we moved into the worship segment, I led the congregation in a prayer, focusing on gratitude for God's faithfulness and His promises. We prayed specifically for those who could not join us, like Kathy who is currently hospitalized, and for personal concerns such as my mother's upcoming surgery. This moment was particularly poignant as I invited the congregation to gather and pray over my mother, demonstrating the power of community support and prayer in times of need.
During the sermon, I introduced the theme of "tests" that God uses to grow and prepare us for His plans. I shared insights from the life of Joseph, highlighting the pride test he faced and how it was crucial for his development and fulfillment of God's plan. This discussion was not just about biblical history; it was about understanding how these tests apply to our lives today. I emphasized that tests like these help reveal our character and prepare us for future responsibilities God has for us.
I also touched on the importance of humility, using personal anecdotes and biblical examples to illustrate how pride can hinder our spiritual growth and relationship with God. I encouraged the congregation to embrace humility, to listen more than we speak, and to be open to learning from everyone around us.
We concluded the service with communion, reflecting on the unity it represents among believers and our connection with Christ. I reiterated the importance of examining our hearts and approaching communion with reverence and humility.
Throughout the service, I aimed to weave together the elements of worship, prayer, biblical teaching, and communal support, creating a tapestry that encourages each member to grow in faith and community.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Role of Communal Prayer in Personal Trials
Today's service highlighted the power of communal prayer, especially as we gathered to pray for my mother's surgery. This act of coming together not only supports the individual in need but strengthens the bonds within our church family, reminding us that we are not alone in our trials. [27:33]
2. Tests as Tools for Spiritual Growth
The life of Joseph illustrates that the tests we encounter are opportunities for growth and preparation for the roles God intends for us. These tests, whether they involve dealing with pride, managing small responsibilities, or enduring hardships, are designed to refine our character in alignment with God's purposes. [36:10]
3. The Importance of Humility in Leadership
Humility is crucial, not just in leadership but in every aspect of a Christian life. Today, I discussed how humility involves listening and learning from others, and how it allows us to lead and serve more effectively. By putting on humility, we align ourselves closer to Christ's example and resist the pitfalls of pride. [01:03:25]
4. Listening as a Form of Love and Respect
Emphasizing the importance of being good listeners, I shared how this skill is vital in all relationships—marital, parental, professional, and spiritual. By listening, we show respect and open ourselves to learn and understand the perspectives of others, which is essential in building strong, loving relationships. [57:11]
5. The Continuous Call to Surrender
Surrender is a recurring theme in our walk with Christ. Today, I reiterated that surrendering is not about achieving perfection but about continually aligning our will with God's will. This ongoing process is crucial for overcoming pride and growing in faith and obedience. [01:08:25]
### Youtube Chapters
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [21:08] - Opening Prayer and Worship
- [27:33] - Special Prayer for Pastor's Mother
- [31:46] - Introduction to Sermon Topic: Tests
- [36:10] - Discussing the Tests of Life Through Joseph's Story
- [57:11] - The Importance of Listening
- [01:08:25] - Closing Thoughts on Surrender and Humility
- [01:14:31] - Communion and Closing Hymn
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 37:1-8 - The story of Joseph and his dreams.
2. Luke 16:10-12 - Faithfulness in little things.
3. Jeremiah 29:11 - God's plans for us.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Joseph's relationship with his brothers like, and how did his dreams affect this relationship? (Genesis 37:1-8)
2. According to Luke 16:10-12, what is the significance of being faithful in small things?
3. How does Jeremiah 29:11 describe God's intentions for our lives?
4. In the sermon, what specific example did the pastor give to illustrate the power of communal prayer? ([27:33])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Joseph's brothers reacted so strongly to his dreams? How might this reflect on their family dynamics? (Genesis 37:1-8)
2. How can the principle of being faithful in little things (Luke 16:10-12) apply to our daily lives and spiritual growth?
3. What does Jeremiah 29:11 suggest about the nature of God's plans for us, and how should this influence our trust in Him?
4. The pastor mentioned that tests reveal our character and prepare us for future responsibilities. How can understanding this change our perspective on life's challenges? ([36:10])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a significant test or challenge. How did it shape your character or prepare you for future responsibilities? ([36:10])
2. Communal prayer was highlighted as a powerful tool for support. How can you incorporate more communal prayer into your life, especially during personal trials? ([27:33])
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of humility. What are some practical steps you can take to cultivate humility in your daily interactions? ([01:03:25])
4. Listening was described as a form of love and respect. Identify a relationship in your life where you can improve your listening skills. What specific actions will you take to become a better listener? ([57:11])
5. Surrendering to God's will is a continuous process. What is one area of your life where you struggle to surrender fully to God? How can you work on aligning your will with His this week? ([01:08:25])
6. The pastor shared personal anecdotes about pride and humility. Can you think of a recent situation where pride got in the way of your spiritual growth? How can you address this moving forward? ([53:41])
7. Reflect on the pastor's story about his mother's surgery and the communal prayer. How can you support someone in your community who is currently facing a difficult situation? ([27:33])
Devotional
Day 1: The Strength of Communal Prayer
Communal prayer is a powerful force that not only uplifts the individual being prayed for but also strengthens the entire community. When the congregation comes together to pray for specific needs, such as a member's surgery or a personal crisis, it creates a bond of support and empathy among the members. This act of unity reflects the biblical principle that we are to bear one another's burdens, thus fulfilling the law of Christ. In the case of praying for the pastor's mother, the community's involvement exemplifies how shared faith and collective prayer can provide comfort and encouragement during challenging times. [27:33]
James 5:14-16 ESV: "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Who in your community is in need of prayer today, and how can you initiate or participate in a prayer effort for them?
Day 2: Embracing Tests as Divine Preparation
The story of Joseph illustrates that the challenges and tests we face are not random misfortunes but are divinely appointed opportunities for growth and preparation. Just as Joseph's trials prepared him for future leadership, our personal challenges are meant to refine our character and equip us for the roles God has planned for us. Understanding this can transform our perspective on suffering and hardship, encouraging us to face them with faith and courage, knowing that they contribute to our spiritual and personal development. [36:10]
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: Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How can you view it as a preparation for something greater in your life?
Day 3: Humility as a Cornerstone of Leadership
Humility is essential not only in leadership but in every aspect of a Christian's life. It involves listening more and speaking less, learning from others, and putting others' needs before our own. This approach not only makes us better leaders but also aligns us more closely with Christ's example. By embracing humility, we avoid the pitfalls of pride, which can easily entangle us and hinder our relationship with God and others. This principle was vividly discussed in the context of spiritual growth and leadership effectiveness. [01:03:25]
Philippians 2:3-4 ESV: "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Reflection: In what ways can you practice humility in your daily interactions to enhance your relationships and leadership?
Day 4: The Art of Listening in Relationships
Listening is a fundamental aspect of effective communication and a profound way to show love and respect. It involves giving our full attention to others, understanding their perspectives, and responding with empathy. This skill is crucial in all relationships—be it marital, parental, professional, or spiritual. By becoming better listeners, we foster stronger, more meaningful connections with those around us. This practice was emphasized as a form of love and respect that can significantly impact our relationships. [57:11]
James 1:19 ESV: "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;"
Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where you could have listened better. How can you improve your listening skills in future interactions?
Day 5: The Continuous Call to Surrender
Surrendering to God is not a one-time event but a continuous process in our Christian walk. It involves aligning our will with God's will, which often means letting go of our desires and trusting in His plans. This ongoing surrender is crucial for overcoming pride and growing in faith. It allows us to live in freedom and peace, knowing that our lives are in the hands of a loving and capable God. The importance of this practice was reiterated, highlighting its role in spiritual growth and personal peace. [01:08:25]
Galatians 2:20 ESV: "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself resisting surrender to God? How can you begin to let go and trust His guidance more fully?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "A lot of people think the secret to dealing with pride is to pray for humility. I'm going to give you a little Bible trivia. Do you know the Bible never tells us to pray for humility? It says put humility on. Let me show you a few verses here, Colossians 3, 12. Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility. Clothe yourselves with humility, gentleness, and patience." [01:03:25]
2. "I promise you. In fact, I want to say it this way. If you want to have a better marriage, you better learn how to be a better listener. If you want to be a better parent, you better learn how to be a better listener. If you want to be a better employee, you better be a better listener. The biggest reason we aren't better listeners is we're too busy talking or we're too busy thinking about what we're going to say." [57:11]
3. "I think God uses life's events to test us. And this series is really kind of one that I have, I heard probably 10 years ago, I often do this, I use a framework of another series, sermon series, and just kind of let God speak through me through the framework of that, and this is one of those." [35:33]
### Quotes for Members
1. "I believe God uses tests to grow his people up. And I think specifically, God uses tests to grow leaders. There's a book I'm kind of going through with the Ministerial Association. And I made reference to this book before. It's called The Making of a Leader by Dr. J. Robert Clinton. A fascinating book. He's, I think he kind of wrote a PhD, or he has a PhD, and he wrote a dissertation. And what he studied was how God makes leaders." [01:07:10]
2. "God gives us character tests as a way of preparing us for the future he has planned for us. We use this verse often, Jeremiah 29, 11. But here's the first point. Kind of making him jump around. Point number one, God has a dream for you. God has a dream for you. Jeremiah 29, 11 is this. For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster. To give you a future and a home." [51:32]
3. "The pride test challenges us to examine our hearts, recognize our dependence on God, and acknowledge that everything we have is from him. It calls us to surrender our prideful attitudes and trust in God's guidance and provision. We all face the pride test." [40:48]
4. "If you want to pass the pride test in life, you're going to have to learn how to pass that test with surrender. Maybe you're in the middle of a pride test. Maybe you're just going into one. Or maybe you're just coming out of one. I just want to say very clearly that pride will keep you from realizing God's plans for you." [01:08:25]
5. "I think one of the first tests that all believers and all leaders need to be able to test, is the test of submission. I ask that question every week. Are you surrendering all? Really what I'm asking is this. Are you being obedient to God? I want you to pass those tests." [40:03]
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