Renewal Through Faith: Trusting God's Promises in Trials
Summary
The sermon explores the theme of enduring difficult circumstances with faith and trust in God's promises. It begins by drawing a parallel between a lifeless tree in winter and the feeling of hopelessness that can arise in tough times. The speaker urges the congregation to trust in God's process and hold onto His promises, rather than fixating on the present reality.
The story of Brother Lawrence, who found hope in a barren tree, is shared to illustrate that even in spiritually dead seasons, God can revive and renew. The speaker encourages the audience to surrender to Christ and believe in the resurrection of dead aspects of their lives through prayer.
The importance of continuous dialogue with God is emphasized, with the speaker advising to pray always and give thanks in all circumstances. Personal anecdotes, such as Pastor Doug's gratitude for God's presence during his cancer battle, and the Apostle Paul's understanding of suffering, are used to highlight the power of focusing on God's promises over personal problems.
The sermon also stresses the significance of internalizing God's word, with the speaker suggesting memorization of scriptures relevant to one's life challenges. The biblical figures of Moses and Joshua are referenced, with Moses reminding Joshua to be strong and courageous because of God's constant presence, a promise reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 28.
Jesus' assurance to His disciples of His eternal presence, as recorded in Matthew 28:20, and the writer of Hebrews' emphasis on God's unending support, are discussed to reinforce the message of God's unwavering presence in believers' lives. The sermon also touches on the importance of gratitude in all situations, as instructed in the Bible.
The speaker reflects on Jesus' sacrifice, focusing on His willingness to endure the crucifixion for humanity's sake. Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He submits to God's will, is highlighted as a profound example of surrender. The sermon calls on listeners to give thanks to God even in the most challenging circumstances.
Lastly, the role of dispatchers in emergencies is likened to Jesus' role in our lives. Just as dispatchers guide and reassure during crises, Jesus provides help and hope during our painful moments. The speaker cautions against premature judgment of our life's progress and encourages trust in God's wisdom and timing.
Key Takeaways:
- Difficult seasons in life can be likened to a tree in winter, appearing lifeless but merely dormant, awaiting renewal. This metaphor serves as a reminder that, despite current appearances, there is potential for new growth and revival through faith in God's promises. Trusting in God's timing is essential, as He works to bring about restoration in His own perfect timing. [01:09:42]
- Brother Lawrence's experience with the barren tree symbolizes the Christian belief that God can breathe life into what seems dead. This story teaches that even when one feels distant from God or burdened by failures, there is hope for spiritual rejuvenation. It is through surrender and prayer that individuals can invite Christ to resurrect the lifeless areas within them. [01:06:31]
- Continuous communication with God and gratitude in all circumstances, not necessarily for all circumstances, are crucial aspects of Christian life. This approach is exemplified by individuals like Pastor Doug and the Apostle Paul, who found strength and solace in God's promises amidst their sufferings. Such an attitude helps believers navigate through life's challenges with a focus on divine faithfulness rather than their immediate troubles. [53:12]
- The biblical accounts of Moses encouraging Joshua and Jesus promising His eternal presence to His disciples serve as powerful reminders of God's commitment to be with His followers. Memorizing and meditating on scriptures that affirm God's presence can provide courage and strength to face life's adversities. Believers are encouraged to cling to these truths, especially when confronted with fear or discouragement. [59:29]
- The analogy of dispatchers to Jesus' role in our lives underscores the concept that, in moments of crisis, believers can find peace in the knowledge that divine help is assured. This perspective helps Christians avoid making hasty judgments about their life's journey based on current difficulties. Instead, they are encouraged to have faith in God's ongoing work and trust in His ultimate plan for their lives. [56:26]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - "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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
2. Deuteronomy 31:23 - "The Lord gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: 'Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you.'"
3. Matthew 28:20 - "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he says, "For when I am weak, then I am strong" in 2 Corinthians 12:10?
2. How did Moses encourage Joshua in Deuteronomy 31:23, and what promise did he remind him of?
3. What assurance does Jesus give His disciples in Matthew 28:20, and how does this relate to the theme of God's presence in our lives?
4. According to the sermon, how did Pastor Doug find strength during his battle with cancer? ([52:04])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How can Paul's experience of delighting in weaknesses and hardships (2 Corinthians 12:9-10) be applied to our own struggles and challenges?
2. What significance does the promise "I myself will be with you" in Deuteronomy 31:23 have for believers facing daunting tasks or transitions?
3. How does Jesus' promise in Matthew 28:20 provide comfort and assurance during difficult times, and how can believers internalize this promise in their daily lives?
4. Reflecting on the sermon, why is it important to focus on God's promises rather than our problems? ([53:12])
#### Application Questions
1. Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you shift your focus from the problem to God's promises? What specific promise from the Bible can you hold onto? ([53:12])
2. In what ways can you practice continuous communication with God throughout your day? Share a practical step you can take to make prayer a more integral part of your daily routine. ([51:17])
3. How can you cultivate an attitude of gratitude in your life, even in difficult circumstances? Share an example of a situation where you can give thanks in, but not necessarily for, the situation. ([52:04])
4. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How did you find your way back to feeling His presence? What role did prayer and surrender play in that process? ([01:07:50])
5. How can you remind yourself of God's constant presence during moments of fear or discouragement? Consider memorizing a scripture that reassures you of His presence. ([59:29])
6. Have you ever judged your life's progress prematurely, like the analogy of the cake in the sermon? How can you trust in God's process and timing more fully? ([56:26])
7. Think of a person in your life who might be going through a difficult season. How can you be a source of encouragement and remind them of God's promises and presence? ([01:10:46])
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting Through Spiritual Dormancy
Even when life feels barren and devoid of growth, trust that God is at work beneath the surface, preparing for a season of renewal and revival. Like a tree in winter, what appears lifeless is simply in a state of dormancy, awaiting the warmth of spring to blossom once again. This period of waiting is not a time of abandonment but a time of deep-rooted faith in the promises of God. [01:09:42]
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 - "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted."
Reflection: Can you identify a 'winter' season in your life? How can you cultivate trust in God's timing during this period?
Day 2: Hope in Spiritual Rejuvenation
The story of Brother Lawrence and the barren tree teaches that God can bring life to what seems spiritually dead. In moments of spiritual dryness or failure, there is always a beacon of hope for rejuvenation. It is through surrender to God and persistent prayer that one can invite divine restoration into the lifeless areas of the soul. [01:06:31]
Isaiah 43:19 - "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: What part of your spiritual life feels barren? How can you open yourself up to God's renewing power in this area?
Day 3: Gratitude and Communication in Trials
In the midst of trials, maintaining a continuous dialogue with God and expressing gratitude can profoundly shape one's experience. It's not about being thankful for the hardships themselves, but for the presence and promises of God within them. This attitude of gratitude and prayerful communication can sustain and strengthen believers through life's most challenging seasons. [53:12]
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: How can you practice gratitude and continuous prayer, even when circumstances seem bleak?
Day 4: Clinging to God's Presence in Fear
The biblical encouragement from Moses to Joshua and Jesus' promise of His eternal presence are reminders to hold fast to God's word, especially in times of fear or discouragement. Memorizing and meditating on scriptures that affirm God's unwavering presence can provide believers with the courage and strength needed to face any adversity. [59:29]
Joshua 1:9 - "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
Reflection: What scripture can you commit to memory that will remind you of God's presence in times of fear?
Day 5: Divine Guidance in Life's Emergencies
Just as dispatchers provide guidance and reassurance during emergencies, Jesus offers help and hope in our moments of crisis. This analogy encourages believers to refrain from making hasty judgments about their life's journey based on current difficulties, and instead, to trust in the divine help that is always available. [56:26]
Psalm 121:1-2 - "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth."
Reflection: How can you remind yourself to seek Jesus' guidance and reassurance when facing life's emergencies?
Quotes
"In your moment of tragedy, dispatchers remain calm, peaceful, and maintain an easy pace about them in the midst of our most difficult crises, continually reminding us that help is on the way." [54:31] (Download)
"Trials will come, temptations will come, but guess what, Jesus will also come because help is on the way. This is a painful moment, yes, a difficult moment, but there is hope because help is on the way." [55:50] (Download)
"We judge the product by the progress and forget the process. If we are judging it based upon its progress in this moment rather than understanding the process, we can greatly miss what God's doing." [56:26] (Download)
"Got to trust the process and not judge the progress. You have to hold to God's promises and not just keep reliving your problems." [01:09:42] (Download)
"It's a season, and the Life of Christ, for those of us who are believers, still yet remains and abides within us, and out of this season will come forth fruit." [01:09:42] (Download)
"God was going to take that which was dead within him and bring it into life, and some of us understand what that is because maybe the season that you're in right now is that spiritually you're dead." [01:07:12] (Download)
"Focus on the reality of God's presence rather than your present reality... we do give thanks for the presence of God amidst our pain because He's near to us." [57:40] (Download)
"Imagine what those words must have meant to Joshua who was completely overwhelmed with his situation... 'I will be with you'." [58:57] (Download)
"Paul says give thanks in all things for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. It is God's will that we Rejoice always, that we pray always, and that we give thanks in all things." [01:02:14] (Download)
"Focus on God's promises rather than your problems because we all have problems and we can allow our problems to overwhelm us or we can focus on God's promise towards our problems." [53:12] (Download)
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