Finding Joy in Trials: Embracing Faith Through Suffering

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Trials as Opportunities for Growth

Description: Trials are a regular part of the Christian journey. They test and purify our faith, making it more precious than gold. Embracing trials as friends rather than resenting them can lead to profound spiritual growth and maturity. This perspective helps us see trials as opportunities for God to deepen our reliance on Him. When we welcome trials, we allow God to work in our lives in ways that might not be possible otherwise. This mindset shift can transform our approach to difficulties, seeing them as a means to grow closer to God and strengthen our faith. [46:24]

1 Peter 4:12-13 (ESV): "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed."

Reflection: Think of a recent trial you have faced. How can you reframe this experience as an opportunity for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God?

Day 2: Finding Joy in the Midst of Suffering

Description: True joy is not dependent on external circumstances but comes from the Holy Spirit within us. This joy is a continual action, even in the face of trials. It is a profound expression of our trust in God, who walks with us through every hardship. This joy is counterintuitive but deeply transformative. By choosing to find joy amidst suffering, we demonstrate our faith in God's goodness and His presence in our lives. This joy, described by the Greek word "Agaleo," means to leap for joy and is a continual action, even amidst suffering. [42:52]

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: Reflect on a current hardship. How can you actively choose to find joy in this situation, trusting that God is with you and working through it?

Day 3: Returning to Our First Love for Jesus

Description: Maintaining our first love for Jesus is crucial in enduring trials. This love fuels our faith and keeps it vibrant. The letter to the church in Ephesus reminds us to return to our first love and to love each other deeply, demonstrating our love for God through our actions. When we prioritize our relationship with Jesus, we find the strength to endure and the motivation to live out our faith authentically. This deep love for Jesus helps us navigate trials with a sense of purpose and hope, knowing that our relationship with Him is the foundation of our faith. [52:27]

Revelation 2:4-5 (ESV): "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent."

Reflection: Think about your relationship with Jesus. What steps can you take today to rekindle your first love for Him and deepen your connection?

Day 4: Understanding that Death Precedes Resurrection

Description: Significant spiritual growth often comes through suffering and trials. Just as Jesus' suffering and death led to His resurrection and glory, our trials can lead to deeper intimacy with God and significant spiritual transformation. This process is a profound part of our Christian journey. By embracing the concept that death precedes resurrection, we can find hope in the midst of our struggles, knowing that God is working to bring about new life and growth in us. This understanding helps us to see our trials as a necessary part of our spiritual development and a pathway to greater closeness with God. [56:26]

John 12:24 (ESV): "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."

Reflection: Consider a difficult situation you are currently facing. How can you view this trial as a part of God's process of bringing about new life and growth in your spiritual journey?

Day 5: Developing a Theology of Suffering

Description: Developing a theology of suffering helps us understand that trials are a part of the Christian life. They are not a sign of God's absence but an opportunity for deeper reliance on Him. This perspective helps us navigate trials with faith and resilience, knowing that God is with us in every hardship. By embracing a theology of suffering, we can find meaning and purpose in our struggles, recognizing that they are a part of God's plan to refine and strengthen our faith. This understanding allows us to face difficulties with a sense of hope and trust in God's presence and provision. [51:25]

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: Reflect on your current understanding of suffering. How can you develop a deeper theology of suffering that helps you see trials as opportunities for growth and reliance on God?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound theme of finding joy amidst trials, drawing from 1 Peter 1:6-12. I began by sharing a personal story from our time as missionaries in France, where we faced immense challenges, including spiritual warfare, team conflicts, and financial loss. These experiences taught us that not all things work out as expected, and unmet expectations can deeply wound us. However, through these trials, we learned that God is good, no matter the circumstances, and our faith can deepen in ways we might not understand.

The passage from 1 Peter encourages us to be truly glad, even in the face of trials, as these trials test and purify our faith, making it more precious than gold. This joy is not based on external circumstances but comes from the Holy Spirit within us. We examined the Greek word "Agaleo," which means to leap for joy, and saw how this joy is a continual action, even amidst suffering. This joy is counterintuitive, as it often accompanies pain and sorrow, yet it is a profound expression of our trust in God.

We also discussed the importance of not forgetting our first love for Jesus, as highlighted in Revelation's letter to the church in Ephesus. Loving Jesus deeply helps us endure trials and keeps our faith vibrant. Lastly, we reflected on the concept that death precedes resurrection. Just as Jesus' suffering and death led to His resurrection and glory, our trials and sufferings can lead to significant spiritual growth and deeper intimacy with God.

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Key Takeaways

1. Trials are Normative: Trials are a regular part of the Christian journey. They test and purify our faith, making it more precious than gold. Embracing trials as friends rather than resenting them can lead to profound spiritual growth and maturity. This perspective helps us see trials as opportunities for God to deepen our reliance on Him. [46:24]
2. Joy Amidst Suffering: True joy is not dependent on external circumstances but comes from the Holy Spirit within us. This joy is a continual action, even in the face of trials. It is a profound expression of our trust in God, who walks with us through every hardship. This joy is counterintuitive but deeply transformative. [42:52]
3. First Love for Jesus: Maintaining our first love for Jesus is crucial in enduring trials. This love fuels our faith and keeps it vibrant. The letter to the church in Ephesus reminds us to return to our first love and to love each other deeply, demonstrating our love for God through our actions. [52:27]
4. Death Precedes Resurrection: Significant spiritual growth often comes through suffering and trials. Just as Jesus' suffering and death led to His resurrection and glory, our trials can lead to deeper intimacy with God and significant spiritual transformation. This process is a profound part of our Christian journey. [56:26]
5. Theology of Suffering: Developing a theology of suffering helps us understand that trials are a part of the Christian life. They are not a sign of God's absence but an opportunity for deeper reliance on Him. This perspective helps us navigate trials with faith and resilience, knowing that God is with us in every hardship. [51:25]
### [51:25]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[35:03] - Introduction and Personal Story
[36:04] - Struggles in France
[37:03] - Unmet Expectations
[38:30] - Reflecting on Personal Trials
[39:32] - Learning from Trials
[40:00] - 1 Peter 1:6-12 Reading
[41:24] - Three Key Lessons
[41:55] - Trials are Normative
[42:52] - Joy Amidst Suffering
[44:53] - Fellowship in Suffering
[46:24] - Welcoming Trials as Friends
[47:51] - Personal Reflections on Trials
[51:25] - Theology of Suffering
[52:27] - First Love for Jesus
[55:24] - Death Precedes Resurrection
[57:28] - Jesus' Joy and Suffering
[62:00] - Final Reflections and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are the trials mentioned in 1 Peter 1:6-12 meant to accomplish in a believer's life?
How does Peter describe the joy that believers should have, even amidst suffering? ([42:22])
What does the passage say about the relationship between suffering and the genuineness of faith?
According to the sermon, what is the significance of the Greek word "Agaleo" in the context of joy amidst trials? ([42:22])

Interpretation Questions

How can the concept of trials being "normative" change a believer's perspective on their personal hardships? ([41:55])
What does it mean to maintain our "first love" for Jesus, and how does this help us endure trials? ([52:27])
How does the idea that "death precedes resurrection" apply to our spiritual growth and daily struggles? ([56:26])
In what ways does developing a theology of suffering help believers navigate their trials with faith and resilience? ([51:25])

Application Questions

Reflect on a recent trial you have faced. How did it test and purify your faith? What did you learn about God and yourself through this experience? ([48:24])
The sermon mentioned the importance of joy that comes from the Holy Spirit, even in suffering. How can you cultivate this kind of joy in your daily life? ([42:52])
Think about your "first love" for Jesus. Are there ways you have drifted from that initial passion? What steps can you take to rekindle that love? ([52:27])
The sermon highlighted the importance of welcoming trials as friends. How can you shift your mindset to see trials as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles? ([46:24])
How can you support a friend or family member who is currently going through a difficult trial? What practical steps can you take to be there for them? ([39:02])
Reflect on the idea that significant spiritual growth often comes through suffering. How can you embrace this truth in your current or future challenges? ([56:26])
The sermon mentioned the importance of sharing our burdens with others. Is there a burden you have been carrying alone that you need to share with someone? How can you take that step this week? ([54:55])

Sermon Clips

1. "One of the deepest injuries that we as Christ followers can have is an injury of expectation. Where we have this idea, of course in our minds, we're like we're gonna plant this church and it's gonna be international like Westlake and it's gonna be amazing. And everything fell apart and we were attacked in all sorts of ways. Any possible way you could think of." [37:03] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "When you're in the middle of a really dark situation, hearing Christian cliches is not helpful. It's much better when someone sits next to you and weeps. To weep alongside those who weep is a great gift that you can give a friend who is hurting." [39:02] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I learned that the Lord is good no matter what happens. No matter what the happenings are. No matter if your expectations are hurt. He is there for you. He will walk alongside you. And your faith will deepen in ways that you don't even understand through the crucible of trials." [39:32] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "There is nothing like the fellowship that comes when you suffer for Jesus Christ. There is a camaraderie that occurs between you and Jesus like never before. When you suffer unjustly because he suffered unjustly. When you are betrayed because he was betrayed. There is this camaraderie, this friendship with the Lord that happens because you understand and he understands." [45:22] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, my brothers and sisters, don't resent them as intruders but welcome them as friends. Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance. But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed and you will find you have become men of mature character with the right sort of independence." [46:24] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Often times trials are in our lives to show us how much we depend upon ourselves. And I know it's an idol in my own life. I worship at the idol of control. I like to have everything in control. And when anything messes up, I have the illusion that I am in control because I really am not." [47:23] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Real faith is faith that has experienced testing. So a real faith is one that has been tested. And you remember the parable of the soils. One of those soils is once the seed has any sort of trial, it walks away. It goes away from the faith. And so we know that we are following Christ through those trials." [49:26] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "We want to have faith without suffering, but Peter throughout the book of 1 Peter points out that this is not possible. It's impossible. Faith must be tested just like gold is tested so that it can be proven to be faith. And it must endure through tough choices." [50:54] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "It is an American idea that if God is in a thing, it will naturally prosper. And I would say it's a first world idea. If God is in a thing, it will naturally prosper. I'm not saying that God doesn't bless us. I'm not saying that he doesn't prosper us. But God can do profound and beautiful things with kingdom math where the little is big, where the big is small." [01:00:01] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "We must keep in mind that all God plans and performs here is a preparation for what he has in store for us in heaven. He is preparing us for the life and service yet to come. Nobody yet knows all that is in store for us in heaven, but we do know that life on earth is a school in which God trains us for future ministry in eternity." [01:01:32] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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