Transforming Trials: The Power of Testimony
Summary
Reflecting on 42 years of our church's journey, we recognize the profound testimony that has emerged from our experiences. Each of us carries a personal testimony, a story of God's provision, sovereignty, and grace. This morning, I focused on a single verse that encapsulates the essence of a testimony: Genesis 50:20. Joseph's words to his brothers, "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good," illustrate how God transforms our trials into triumphs. Joseph's life, marked by betrayal and hardship, ultimately led to a position where he could preserve many lives. This mirrors our church's journey, where initial struggles were transformed by God's hand into a thriving community that impacts lives.
Joseph's story teaches us that God's investment in our lives often begins in the red, with challenges and setbacks, but it is designed to move us into the black, into a place of abundance and purpose. We must not judge others by their current circumstances, as we do not know the journey God has taken them through. Our testimony is not just for us; it is an investment in the lives of others. Just as Joseph's hardships prepared him to lead during a famine, our struggles equip us to empathize and support others in their times of need.
The enemy seeks to strip us of the external evidence of God's favor, aiming to discourage us internally. However, God's purpose prevails, turning our pits into platforms for His glory. Our church's history is a testament to this truth. When we faced losing our meeting place, God provided in unexpected ways, demonstrating His faithfulness. Our testimony is a reminder that God's plans are not random; they are purposeful, designed to preserve lives and advance His kingdom.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Transformative Power: Joseph's story in Genesis 50:20 shows that God can turn what was meant for evil into good. Our trials are not the end but a part of God's greater plan to bring about His purposes. We must trust that our hardships are stepping stones to a greater testimony. [01:51]
2. The Investment of Testimony: Our testimonies often begin in challenging circumstances, but they are investments God makes in our lives to bring us to a place of abundance. We should not judge others by their current state, as we do not know the journey God has taken them through. [03:44]
3. External Stripping, Internal Strengthening: The enemy may strip us of external signs of God's favor, but this is to strengthen us internally. Our true testimony lies in how we respond to these challenges, trusting that God is working for our good. [08:32]
4. Purpose in the Pit: Our struggles are not without purpose. Like Joseph, our experiences in the pit prepare us to empathize and support others. God uses our past struggles to equip us for future ministry and to preserve the lives of others. [24:56]
5. God's Faithfulness in Provision: Our church's journey is a testament to God's provision. When we faced losing our meeting place, God provided in unexpected ways, demonstrating His faithfulness. Our testimony is a reminder that God's plans are purposeful and designed to advance His kingdom. [22:06]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - The Power of Testimony
- [00:59] - A Testimony for the Ages
- [01:51] - Joseph's Story: From Evil to Good
- [03:44] - The Investment of Testimony
- [05:12] - Joseph's Journey: Favor and Dreams
- [08:32] - External Stripping, Internal Strengthening
- [10:33] - Our Church's Journey
- [12:07] - God's Purpose in Our Lives
- [14:29] - The Contrast Conjunction
- [16:14] - God as a Meaning Changer
- [18:12] - Preserving Lives Through Testimony
- [22:06] - God's Faithfulness in Provision
- [24:56] - Purpose in the Pit
- [41:38] - Jesus' Testimony and Our Hope
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Genesis 50:20
- Genesis 37:23-24
- John 10:10
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Observation Questions:
1. What was Joseph's response to his brothers' actions, and how did he interpret their intentions versus God's intentions? (Genesis 50:20)
2. How did Joseph's brothers attempt to strip him of his father's favor, and what was the significance of the pit they threw him into? (Genesis 37:23-24)
3. According to the sermon, what is the enemy's tactic as described in John 10:10, and how does it relate to Joseph's story? [08:32]
4. How did the church's experience of losing their meeting place illustrate God's provision and faithfulness? [22:06]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Joseph's statement in Genesis 50:20 reflect the broader theme of God's sovereignty and transformative power in our lives? [01:51]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our personal testimonies can serve as investments in the lives of others? [03:44]
3. How does the concept of "external stripping, internal strengthening" challenge our understanding of God's favor and presence in difficult times? [08:32]
4. What does the sermon imply about the purpose of our struggles and how they prepare us for future ministry? [24:56]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt stripped of external signs of God's favor. How did you respond internally, and what did you learn from that experience? [08:32]
2. Joseph's story shows that God can turn what was meant for evil into good. Can you identify a situation in your life where you have seen this transformation? How did it impact your faith? [01:51]
3. The sermon emphasizes not judging others by their current circumstances. How can you practice this in your daily interactions, especially with those who seem to be struggling? [03:44]
4. Consider a personal testimony you have. How can you share it with someone who might benefit from hearing about God's work in your life? [22:06]
5. The sermon mentions that our struggles equip us to empathize with others. Is there someone in your life who is going through a similar struggle you have faced? How can you support them? [24:56]
6. How can you remain hopeful and trust in God's provision when facing a "pit" experience in your life? What practical steps can you take to maintain this trust? [12:07]
7. Reflect on the church's journey and God's unexpected provision. How can this encourage you to trust in God's faithfulness in your own life challenges? [22:06]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Transformative Power in Trials
In the story of Joseph, we see a profound example of how God can transform what was intended for harm into something good. Joseph's journey, filled with betrayal and hardship, ultimately led him to a position where he could save many lives. This narrative reminds us that our trials are not the end but stepping stones in God's greater plan. We are encouraged to trust that our hardships are part of a divine purpose, leading to a greater testimony. [01:51]
Genesis 45:7-8 (ESV): "And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt."
Reflection: Think of a recent trial you have faced. How can you see God's hand at work in transforming this situation for good?
Day 2: The Investment of Testimony
Our testimonies often begin in challenging circumstances, but they are investments God makes in our lives to bring us to a place of abundance. We are reminded not to judge others by their current state, as we do not know the journey God has taken them through. Our personal stories of overcoming adversity are not just for us; they are meant to inspire and uplift others. [03:44]
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you were judged by your circumstances. How can you use your testimony to encourage someone else today?
Day 3: External Stripping, Internal Strengthening
The enemy may attempt to strip us of external signs of God's favor, but this is often a means to strengthen us internally. Our true testimony lies in how we respond to these challenges, trusting that God is working for our good. This internal fortitude becomes a powerful witness to others of God's sustaining grace. [08:32]
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: Identify an area in your life where you feel stripped of external blessings. How can you focus on internal growth and strength in this season?
Day 4: Purpose in the Pit
Our struggles are not without purpose. Like Joseph, our experiences in the pit prepare us to empathize and support others. God uses our past struggles to equip us for future ministry and to preserve the lives of others. This perspective encourages us to view our hardships as preparation for greater service. [24:56]
1 Peter 5:10 (ESV): "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."
Reflection: Think of a past struggle that has equipped you to help others. How can you use this experience to support someone in need today?
Day 5: God's Faithfulness in Provision
Our church's journey is a testament to God's provision. When faced with losing our meeting place, God provided in unexpected ways, demonstrating His faithfulness. This reminds us that God's plans are purposeful and designed to advance His kingdom. We are encouraged to trust in His provision, even when circumstances seem dire. [22:06]
Philippians 4:19 (ESV): "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: Consider a current need or challenge you are facing. How can you trust in God's provision and faithfulness in this situation?
Quotes
Joseph was the man who had favor from his father. His father loved him and gave him a robe or a tunic, a very color tunic that represented Dominion and authority, that represented his calling, that represented the fact that he had been handed the rights firstborn right, even though he wasn't the firstborn. [00:05:20]
The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He's trying to take your testimony from you, and the way that he does that is to strip you of the external evidence of the father's favor in your life so that you will feel like you have lost the father's favor in your life. [00:08:23]
Just because the enemy strips it doesn't mean that God doesn't still have it. Just because you lose because the enemy does this, just because you lose the external evidence of the father's favor doesn't mean you don't still have the internal Providence of what God is doing. [00:11:22]
God will always prepare you for how he's about to use you. If you see in chapter 41, he's giving Pharaoh answers to his dreams that there is a famine coming. Pharaoh puts him in charge over a famine. A famine means you have people who are experiencing emptiness, no food, and who are experiencing no water. [00:24:36]
God will allow you to endure a stripping, but it's only because he's trying to position you for a future equipping. Understand that when you are down to nothing, it's only because God is up to something. You realize nobody can really strip you of what God has for you. [00:17:48]
The testimony has to start in the red, but it's only so God can move you to the black, and you can say it wasn't me, he did it. As I recount that story in my dad's story and LDL Turner because I didn't finish it, we got stripped. [00:18:24]
God will allow you to be stripped, but it's only so that he can show up and do some equipping up in here so that you can talk about the goodness of God so that you can see how you got to from point A to your point B. Don't forget you didn't get here because of yo two feet. [00:22:06]
You can't quit in the pit. You can't stop. You can't give up. You got to understand that this good God wants to use that bad scenario to bring you to the pinnacle point that he created you for, and it may not be me, it may not be Tony Evans, it may not be Carolyn, it may not be, but it's yours. [00:23:06]
God will allow you to do is experience the purpose of what he's going to do when he puts you in the palace because he doesn't just want you to have the information. When you preserve somebody's life, you need to be able to sympathize with their weaknesses. [00:24:56]
Your passion to help somebody comes from the very thing you used to struggle with. God uses that and turns it upside down so that you can have a testimony to preserve somebody's life. Realize this is not just about you. [00:26:24]
God has a plan for your testimony. Now it may not be your plan, but it's a good plan, and it's to give you a future and to give you a hope. You have a testimony in the room. What I came here to say this morning is the church has a testimony, but it's to preserve somebody's life. [00:41:38]
Jesus Christ has a testimony. The reason why we have a testimony is because he has a testimony. He was rejected by the people who he came to save, but he lived a perfect life. He experienced death, and then he rose to be with the Father. [00:42:06]
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