Finding Strength in Struggle: Leaning on God Together
Summary
In today's gathering, I shared a heartfelt reflection on the nature of struggle and the profound ways God answers our prayers, often in unexpected ways. I began by expressing gratitude for the answered prayer of finding someone to lead our music and worship, a burden I had carried for years. This experience reminded me of the importance of patience and faith in God's timing. I recounted a story from my past as a youth pastor, where a young man expressed his need for help with his "daily struggle." This phrase resonated deeply with me, as it encapsulates the ongoing challenges we all face in life.
I then turned to the example of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, as described in Matthew 26. Jesus, facing immense struggle, asked his closest friends to pray with him. Despite their failure to stay awake, Jesus did not condemn them. Instead, he demonstrated the importance of leaning on God in times of struggle. Jesus' struggle was unique to him, just as our struggles are unique to us. He showed us that while we can seek support from others, our ultimate reliance should be on God.
I emphasized that everyone struggles with something, whether it's addiction, anger, pride, or identity issues. The church's role is to walk alongside people in their struggles, pointing them to God without judgment. We must overcome our fears of condoning behavior or failing to speak truth, and instead focus on loving people and guiding them toward the healing power of Jesus Christ.
As we concluded, I invited those who are struggling to seek prayer and support, and encouraged everyone to reflect on how they can walk with others through their struggles. My hope is that our church becomes a place where people feel safe to share their burdens and find the love and support they need.
Key Takeaways:
- God's Timing and Answered Prayers: Sometimes, we pray for years without seeing immediate results, but God answers in His perfect timing. This teaches us patience and trust in His plan, reminding us that He is always working behind the scenes. [02:43]
- The Daily Struggle: We all face daily struggles, and it's crucial to recognize that these challenges are part of our human experience. Instead of offering solutions, we should provide love, support, and prayer, trusting that God will walk with us through our struggles. [06:54]
- Jesus' Example in Struggle: In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus showed us how to handle struggle by seeking support from friends and relying on God. His example teaches us the importance of community and the necessity of turning to God in our darkest moments. [10:05]
- Unique Struggles and Compassion: Each person's struggle is unique, and we must avoid assuming that everyone faces the same challenges. By acknowledging the diversity of struggles, we can offer genuine compassion and support, reflecting the love of Christ. [17:59]
- Overcoming Fear in Supporting Others: Fear often prevents us from walking with others through their struggles. We must overcome this fear, trusting that by pointing people to God, we are fulfilling our role as followers of Christ. Our love and support can guide others to the healing power of Jesus. [22:01]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:22] - Introduction and Gratitude
- [02:43] - Overwhelmed by God's Answers
- [05:25] - The Daily Struggle Story
- [06:54] - Revisiting the Struggle
- [08:02] - The Intimidation of Struggle
- [10:05] - Jesus in Gethsemane
- [13:10] - The Disciples' Weakness
- [14:05] - Jesus' Compassion
- [15:58] - Lessons from Jesus' Struggle
- [16:45] - Unique Struggles
- [17:59] - Diversity of Struggles
- [18:28] - Hidden and Visible Struggles
- [19:54] - Walking with Others
- [22:01] - Overcoming Fear in Support
- [23:45] - Pointing to God
- [24:22] - Becoming a Supportive Community
- [25:20] - Communion and Reflection
- [26:38] - Invitation to Seek Support
- [28:15] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 26:36-46
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Observation Questions:
1. In the sermon, what was the significance of the pastor's story about the young man who struggled with his "daily struggle"? How did this story relate to the broader theme of the sermon? [05:25]
2. How did Jesus respond to his disciples when they fell asleep while he was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane? What does this reveal about his approach to their human weaknesses? [14:05]
3. What specific request did Jesus make to his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, and how did they respond? [10:05]
4. According to the sermon, what role does the church play in supporting individuals through their struggles? [21:21]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the example of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane illustrate the importance of community and reliance on God during times of struggle? [15:58]
2. The pastor mentioned that each person's struggle is unique. How does this understanding affect the way we should approach supporting others in their struggles? [17:59]
3. What does the pastor suggest is the primary fear that prevents people from walking with others through their struggles, and how can this fear be overcome? [22:01]
4. How does the sermon challenge the traditional view of offering solutions to those who are struggling? What alternative approach is suggested? [06:54]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a "daily struggle." How did you seek support, and what role did your faith play in navigating that struggle? [06:54]
2. Jesus asked his disciples to stay awake and pray with him. In what ways can you be more present and supportive to those around you who are facing struggles? [10:05]
3. The pastor emphasized the importance of patience and trust in God's timing. How can you cultivate more patience in your own life, especially when waiting for answers to prayers? [02:43]
4. Consider the unique struggles of those in your community. How can you offer genuine compassion and support without judgment? [17:59]
5. The sermon highlighted the fear of condoning behavior when supporting others. How can you balance offering love and support while still upholding your values? [22:01]
6. Identify someone in your life who may be struggling. What practical steps can you take this week to walk alongside them and point them toward the healing power of Jesus? [24:22]
7. Reflect on your own fears or hesitations about supporting others in their struggles. What specific actions can you take to overcome these fears and become a more supportive member of your community? [23:45]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Perfect Timing
In life, we often find ourselves praying for something fervently, only to feel as though our prayers go unanswered. However, God's timing is perfect, and He often answers our prayers in ways we do not expect. This teaches us patience and trust in His divine plan. When we look back, we can see how God was working behind the scenes, orchestrating events for our good. It is important to remember that while we may not see immediate results, God is always listening and working in our favor. [02:43]
"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a prayer you have been waiting on God to answer. How can you practice patience and trust in His timing today?
Day 2: Embracing the Daily Struggle
Every person faces daily struggles, whether they are visible or hidden. These challenges are part of our human experience and can often feel overwhelming. Instead of trying to solve these struggles on our own, we should lean on God and seek His guidance. Offering love, support, and prayer to others in their struggles is crucial, as it allows us to walk alongside them and trust that God will provide the strength needed to overcome. [06:54]
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a daily struggle you are currently facing. How can you invite God into this struggle and seek His guidance and strength?
Day 3: Learning from Jesus' Struggle
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus faced immense struggle and sought support from His closest friends. Despite their inability to stay awake, Jesus did not condemn them but instead turned to God for strength. This example teaches us the importance of community and the necessity of relying on God in our darkest moments. We can seek support from others, but our ultimate reliance should be on God, who understands our unique struggles. [10:05]
"And going a little farther, he fell on his face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.'" (Matthew 26:39, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you faced a significant struggle. How can you follow Jesus' example by seeking support from others and relying on God?
Day 4: Recognizing Unique Struggles with Compassion
Each person's struggle is unique, and it is essential to acknowledge the diversity of challenges people face. By doing so, we can offer genuine compassion and support, reflecting the love of Christ. The church's role is to walk alongside people in their struggles, pointing them to God without judgment. This requires us to overcome our fears of condoning behavior or failing to speak truth and instead focus on loving people and guiding them toward healing. [17:59]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is struggling. How can you offer them compassion and support without judgment today?
Day 5: Overcoming Fear in Supporting Others
Fear often prevents us from walking with others through their struggles. We may fear condoning behavior or failing to speak truth, but it is crucial to overcome this fear. By pointing people to God, we fulfill our role as followers of Christ. Our love and support can guide others to the healing power of Jesus, creating a safe space for them to share their burdens and find the love and support they need. [22:01]
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." (1 John 4:18, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a fear that holds you back from supporting others. How can you overcome this fear and show love and support to someone in need today?
Quotes
1) "I want to recognize God in the ways that he answers our prayers, and you know, sometimes we pray for a long time, and we get discouraged, and we think this is never going to happen. It's never going to happen, and then one day somebody walks in. You have no idea who they are, and find that... you know, they have a need similar to yours, and God just works things out, and it's pretty amazing." [03:50] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "I just need help with the daily struggle. At the time, I didn't know what that daily struggle really was. I didn't really understand it, but all of us in that room gathered around that young man, 15, 16, I don't know how old he was at the time, prayed for him right then and right there, that God would be with him in his daily struggle." [06:54] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "What he really needed from me in that moment was not correction. It was not admonishment. It was love and support and care to put my arm around him and say, I love you, and I'm praying for you. And if you need me for anything, you just let me know." [08:02] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "Jesus finds himself in Matthew chapter 26 dealing with an intense struggle. He has just sat in a room with his disciples and told them that they're all going to desert him. One of them is going to betray him. One of them is going to deny him. the one who's closest to him, who he kind of, like, I don't want to say has the most trust in, but the leader of the bunch is going to deny even knowing him." [10:05] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "Jesus asks his closest friends to be with him while he prays. This is an example to us that we need each other in relationship. That's what part of the church's whole responsibility is. We're supposed to be a living expression of the person of Jesus." [11:20] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "I think Jesus recognizes in his humanity, he also needs the source of God himself. While he asked his friends to be with him, who's he praying to, folks? He's praying to his father. God, if there's any other way, let it be. But if not, not my will, but yours." [13:10] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "I think Jesus is struggling. And Jesus is giving us an example of what to do when we're struggling. We call some friends and we say, hey, can you come and pray with me? But we don't put our faith and our trust in our friends. Because they're probably at some point in time going to fail you." [15:58] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "Sometimes I think we fall into this trap of thinking that we all have the same struggle. You know, we tend to sometimes look at each other and we think that our struggle is the same as everyone else's struggle because we're all Jesus followers. If you're a Christian, y 'all have the same struggle. And I just don't think that's true at all." [17:59] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9) "What I want you to understand is what we believe is that we point people to the source of what can heal them. And what is that? Is that you? Is that your opinions, your beliefs, your ideologies, your philosophies? What is it that can really heal people? It's the person of Jesus Christ. It's God himself." [22:01] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10) "My hope is that more people come through those back doors who are struggling. Struggling with all the things that we've already mentioned here. And I want to be one of those people who walks with them through their struggle. Pointing them to the truth of God, and the person of Jesus, regardless of what I think or feel about them in that moment." [24:22] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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