Finding Purpose and Promise in Adversity

 

Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. Today, we continue our series "In the Mean Time," focusing on the theme of "A Purpose and a Promise." We often find ourselves in situations where we feel helpless—whether it's a physical ailment, financial trouble, or a broken relationship. The question we face is, what do we do when there's nothing we can do? It's easy to become resentful, bitter, and even angry with God. We might believe lies like "I'll never be happy again" or "Nothing good can come from this." But today, I want to challenge you to see these adversities as coming from the hands of a loving Heavenly Father.

We looked at the life of Paul, who faced immense suffering and yet saw his "thorn in the flesh" as a gift with a purpose. Paul prayed fervently for God to remove this thorn, but God's answer was, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." This teaches us that our weaknesses and adversities are opportunities for God's strength to shine through us. Paul embraced his thorn, understanding that it kept him humble and reliant on God's grace.

We also reflected on Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He asked God to take away His suffering but ultimately submitted to God's will. Jesus' suffering had a profound purpose—our salvation. Similarly, our adversities can have a purpose and a promise. They are opportunities for God to develop our character and deepen our faith.

In conclusion, we are encouraged to see our adversities as gifts with a purpose and a promise. God's grace is sufficient to sustain us through any "in the meantime" situation. Let us trust in His plan and embrace our weaknesses as opportunities for His strength to be made perfect.

### Key Takeaways

1. Adversity as a Gift: Paul saw his thorn in the flesh as a gift with a purpose. This perspective challenges us to view our own adversities not as curses but as opportunities for growth and reliance on God's grace. Embracing our weaknesses allows God's strength to be made perfect in us. [20:22]

2. God's Grace is Sufficient: When Paul prayed for his thorn to be removed, God's response was, "My grace is all you need." This teaches us that God's grace is sufficient to sustain us through any trial. Our weaknesses are not obstacles but opportunities for God's power to be displayed. [25:32]

3. Purpose in Suffering: Just as Jesus' suffering had a profound purpose—our salvation—our adversities can also have a purpose. They are opportunities for God to develop our character and deepen our faith. Trusting in God's plan, even when it's difficult, allows us to see the bigger picture. [34:43]

4. Embracing Weakness: Paul boasted in his weaknesses because they allowed the power of Christ to work through him. This teaches us that embracing our own weaknesses and adversities can lead to spiritual growth and a deeper reliance on God. Our inability is a prerequisite to experiencing Christ's ability. [28:33]

5. Trusting God's Plan: In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed for His suffering to be taken away but ultimately submitted to God's will. This teaches us to trust in God's plan, even when it involves suffering. God's purpose and promise are always greater than our immediate comfort. [34:04]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[07:28] - Introduction to "In the Mean Time"
[08:06] - Adversities from a Loving Father
[09:27] - Leonard's Story
[10:03] - Common Reactions to Adversity
[11:09] - Lies We Believe
[12:21] - God's Presence in Adversity
[13:01] - Misconceptions About God
[14:15] - Early Church's Adversities
[14:54] - Paul's Background
[16:13] - Paul's Thorn in the Flesh
[17:27] - Paul's Near-Death Experience
[19:07] - Boasting in Weakness
[20:22] - Purpose Behind the Thorn
[23:18] - Paul's Persistent Prayer
[25:32] - God's Answer to Paul
[28:33] - Embracing Inability
[34:04] - Jesus in Gethsemane
[37:02] - God's Sustaining Grace
[39:01] - Invitation to Trust God

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 - Paul's Thorn in the Flesh
2. Matthew 26:39 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane

#### Observation Questions
1. What was Paul's "thorn in the flesh," and how did he describe its purpose? ([20:22])
2. How did God respond to Paul's repeated prayers to remove his thorn? ([25:32])
3. What was Jesus' request to God in the Garden of Gethsemane, and how did He ultimately respond to God's will? ([34:04])
4. According to the sermon, what are some common lies we believe when facing adversity? ([11:09])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why did Paul consider his thorn in the flesh a "gift" rather than a curse? How does this perspective challenge our usual view of suffering? ([20:22])
2. How does the concept of God's grace being sufficient change the way we view our weaknesses and adversities? ([25:32])
3. In what ways did Jesus' submission to God's will in Gethsemane demonstrate trust in God's plan, even in the face of suffering? ([34:04])
4. How can embracing our weaknesses lead to spiritual growth and a deeper reliance on God, according to the sermon? ([28:33])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a current adversity in your life. How can you begin to see it as a gift with a purpose, similar to Paul's thorn in the flesh? ([20:22])
2. When facing a difficult situation, how can you remind yourself that God's grace is sufficient for you? What practical steps can you take to rely on His grace daily? ([25:32])
3. Think about a time when you felt like giving up because of a challenging situation. How can Jesus' example in Gethsemane inspire you to trust in God's plan, even when it's hard? ([34:04])
4. Identify a specific weakness or struggle you have. How can you embrace this weakness as an opportunity for God's strength to be made perfect in you? ([28:33])
5. How can you support someone else who is going through an "in the meantime" situation? What words or actions can you offer to help them see their adversity as an opportunity for growth? ([08:06])
6. Reflect on a past adversity that you have overcome. How did that experience shape your character and deepen your faith? How can you use that experience to encourage others? ([37:52])
7. What are some practical ways you can stop comparing your life to others and focus on God's unique plan for you, especially during tough times? ([10:03])

Devotional

Day 1: Adversity as a Gift
In life, we often encounter situations that challenge us deeply, whether they are physical ailments, financial troubles, or broken relationships. These adversities can make us feel helpless and even resentful. However, the Apostle Paul provides a different perspective. He saw his "thorn in the flesh" as a gift with a purpose. This thorn, which caused him great suffering, was an opportunity for him to rely more on God's grace. Paul understood that his weaknesses allowed God's strength to shine through him. By embracing his thorn, Paul was able to stay humble and dependent on God. This challenges us to view our own adversities not as curses but as opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on God's grace. Embracing our weaknesses allows God's strength to be made perfect in us. [20:22]

2 Corinthians 12:7-9 (ESV): "So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Reflection: Think of a current adversity you are facing. How can you view this challenge as an opportunity to rely more on God's grace and strength?


Day 2: God's Grace is Sufficient
When Paul prayed for his thorn to be removed, God's response was, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." This teaches us that God's grace is sufficient to sustain us through any trial. Our weaknesses are not obstacles but opportunities for God's power to be displayed. In moments of weakness, we can experience God's strength in profound ways. This perspective shifts our focus from our limitations to God's limitless power. It encourages us to trust that God's grace will carry us through any situation, no matter how difficult it may seem. [25:32]

2 Corinthians 12:10 (ESV): "For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel weak or inadequate. How can you invite God's grace to work through this weakness today?


Day 3: Purpose in Suffering
Just as Jesus' suffering had a profound purpose—our salvation—our adversities can also have a purpose. They are opportunities for God to develop our character and deepen our faith. Trusting in God's plan, even when it's difficult, allows us to see the bigger picture. Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He asked God to take away His suffering but ultimately submitted to God's will, serves as a powerful example. Our suffering can be a part of God's greater plan for our lives, shaping us into the people He wants us to be. [34:43]

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 past trial that you have gone through. How did that experience shape your character and faith? How can you apply that perspective to your current challenges?


Day 4: Embracing Weakness
Paul boasted in his weaknesses because they allowed the power of Christ to work through him. This teaches us that embracing our own weaknesses and adversities can lead to spiritual growth and a deeper reliance on God. Our inability is a prerequisite to experiencing Christ's ability. When we acknowledge our limitations, we make room for God's power to be displayed in our lives. This perspective encourages us to be honest about our struggles and to seek God's strength in our moments of weakness. [28:33]

2 Corinthians 12:5-6 (ESV): "On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses—though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me."

Reflection: What is one weakness you have been reluctant to acknowledge? How can you begin to embrace this weakness and invite God's power to work through it?


Day 5: Trusting God's Plan
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed for His suffering to be taken away but ultimately submitted to God's will. This teaches us to trust in God's plan, even when it involves suffering. God's purpose and promise are always greater than our immediate comfort. Trusting in God's plan requires faith and surrender, especially when we don't understand why we are going through difficult times. By following Jesus' example, we can learn to submit our will to God's and trust that He has a greater purpose for our lives. [34:04]

Hebrews 5:7-9 (ESV): "In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you are struggling to understand God's plan. How can you practice surrendering your will to God's and trust in His greater purpose today?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "It's believing that these adversities, these things that we're going through that we can't change, can't make better, seeing them is actually from the hands of a loving Heavenly Father. It seems almost like a contradiction, doesn't it? That is the best way to move forward." [08:46] (21 seconds) ( | | )

2. "The presence of adversity does not equate to the absence of God. And we talked about John the Baptist and Lazarus last week. But we are tempted to assume something, I put this also on the outline, that God doesn't exist, because God won't cooperate." [13:01] (23 seconds) ( | | )

3. "Embracing your inability, your thorn, whatever it might be, is a prerequisite to experiencing Christ's ability, strength. See, because we're just natural. If I can do it myself, I'm not going to need God, right?" [28:33] (21 seconds) ( | | )

4. "Adversity. Your thorn, whatever it might be, is an opportunity to receive what otherwise we see as a bad thing. Paul saw his thorn as a bad thing. We have the opportunity to see it as something else. As a gift from God, with a purpose." [36:15] (22 seconds) ( | | )

5. "So he said, God's answer was, my grace is all you need. Let me ask you, is His grace all you need? And you're in the meantime situation. Is it enough? Will it sustain you?" [37:02] (21 seconds) ( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "One of the big problems here is, I think, is that we lose our dream, the dream of what this relationship could be, this dream of what my health can be, the dream of what my vocation can be. And so that's what it makes it difficult if we lost our dream." [10:41] (18 seconds) ( | | )

2. "Paul developed something that was painful, humiliating, and debilitating. If you were Paul or if you have a situation you can describe that way, what are you going to do? Well, if you're a Jesus follower, you're probably going to do the same thing Paul did. So, he prayed, right?" [23:18] (26 seconds) ( | | )

3. "So, to keep me from becoming proud and boasting, arrogant, conceited, whatever. So, there's a purpose here, right? So, to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a gift. I was given something. The word gift implies given, given implies a gift, right?" [20:22] (21 seconds) ( | | )

4. "So what's God doing? He's trying to develop maturity in us, character in us. Pastor, I appreciate it a lot. He said, God's more concerned about our character, than our comfort." [36:15] (16 seconds) ( | | )

5. "If you believe like most of us do, if you don't, that's fine. Most of us here would believe that God can change your circumstances, right? He can fix that relationship. He can fix that health issue. He can fix that work situation and get you a better job, whatever. Most of us believe that, right? But He hasn't done it. He chose not to. What are your options?" [31:54] (29 seconds) ( | | )

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Transcript
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