Trusting Jesus Through Life's Tests and Trials
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, I want to share a journey of faith and trust in Jesus, drawing from both personal experiences and the life of Abraham. Amy and I spent 17 years in Asia, where we saw many young people grow in their faith, often through significant trials. This morning, I want to ask you a simple yet profound question: Do you trust Jesus? And if so, how do you know you trust Him?
Trust in Jesus is often tested, much like how students are tested in school to gauge their understanding. God tests us not for His knowledge, but for ours, to reveal our hearts and areas where we need to grow. Our life of faith is a journey filled with tests, and these tests cultivate our faith. Abraham's life is a prime example of this journey. He faced multiple tests, including the test of famine, the test of waiting, and the test of sacrifice.
The test of famine came when Abraham was called to leave his homeland and faced a severe famine in Canaan. Instead of trusting God, he went to Egypt, where his faith faltered. Yet, God did not give up on him. Similarly, many young people in our ministry have faced their own "famines," whether emotional, relational, or financial, and have grown through these trials.
The test of waiting is another significant challenge. God promised Abraham a great nation, but he had to wait 25 years for his son Isaac to be born. In today's fast-paced world, waiting is difficult, but it is a measure of our trust in God's timing. Jim, a young man from our ministry, learned to trust God through a long period of waiting and transformation.
Finally, the test of sacrifice is perhaps the most challenging. God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, a test of ultimate trust. Abraham obeyed without question, demonstrating complete faith in God. Sandy, another member of our ministry, faced severe persecution but remained steadfast, eventually leading her family to Christ and becoming a strong leader.
So, I ask you again: Do you trust Jesus? Are you willing to trust Him through your own tests of famine, waiting, and sacrifice? Let us respond to God's call and trust Him as Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides.
### Key Takeaways
1. Trust in Jesus is Tested Through Trials: Just as students are tested to gauge their understanding, God tests us to reveal our hearts and areas where we need to grow. These tests are not for God's knowledge but for ours, to help us understand our faith and dependence on Him. [39:05]
2. The Test of Famine: Abraham faced a severe famine in Canaan and faltered by going to Egypt. This test reveals that our faith can waver during difficult times, but God remains faithful. Our own "famines," whether emotional, relational, or financial, are opportunities to deepen our trust in God. [42:44]
3. The Test of Waiting: Abraham waited 25 years for his promised son, Isaac. In today's fast-paced world, waiting is a significant challenge, but it is a measure of our trust in God's timing. Learning to wait upon God, as Jim did, transforms us and strengthens our faith. [50:33]
4. The Test of Sacrifice: God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, a test of ultimate trust. Abraham's obedience without question demonstrates complete faith in God. This test challenges us to consider what we are willing to sacrifice and whether we trust God more than the blessings He provides. [57:35]
5. God's Faithfulness and Provision: Despite our failures, God remains faithful and continues to provide for us. Abraham's story and the experiences of people like Sandy in our ministry show that God is Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. Our sacrifices are opportunities for God to demonstrate His provision and faithfulness. [01:01:11]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[0:30] - Introduction and Personal Story
[1:45] - Defining a Christian
[3:00] - The Importance of Trust
[4:30] - The Role of Testing in Faith
[6:00] - Abraham's Journey and Tests
[7:30] - The Test of Famine
[9:00] - Personal Stories of Famine
[10:30] - The Test of Waiting
[12:00] - Jim's Story of Waiting
[13:30] - The Test of Sacrifice
[15:00] - Sandy's Story of Sacrifice
[16:30] - God's Faithfulness and Provision
[18:00] - Invitation to Trust Jesus
[19:30] - Closing Prayer and Response
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 12:1-10 (The Call of Abram and the Famine in Canaan)
2. Genesis 21:1-7 (The Birth of Isaac)
3. Genesis 22:1-14 (The Sacrifice of Isaac)
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Abraham's initial response to the famine in Canaan, and what did he do instead of trusting God? ([48:14])
2. How long did Abraham have to wait for the birth of his promised son, Isaac? ([50:33])
3. What was the ultimate test of trust that God gave to Abraham involving his son Isaac? ([57:35])
4. How did Sandy demonstrate her trust in God despite severe persecution and challenges? ([59:45])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God tests our faith through trials, as seen in the life of Abraham? ([41:13])
2. How does the test of waiting challenge our trust in God's timing, and what can we learn from Abraham's experience? ([50:33])
3. In what ways does the test of sacrifice reveal the depth of our trust in God, as illustrated by Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac? ([57:35])
4. How does God's faithfulness and provision, as seen in the stories of Abraham and Sandy, encourage us to trust Him more? ([01:01:11])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a "famine" in your life (emotional, relational, or financial). How did you respond, and what did you learn about your trust in God? ([46:11])
2. Waiting can be incredibly challenging in our fast-paced world. What is something you are currently waiting for, and how can you practice trusting God's timing in this situation? ([51:33])
3. Consider a blessing in your life that you might be holding onto tightly. Are you willing to trust God with it, even if He asks you to let it go? How can you demonstrate that trust this week? ([57:35])
4. Sandy faced severe persecution but remained steadfast in her faith. How can you support someone in your life who is going through a difficult time, and what practical steps can you take to encourage them? ([59:45])
5. Abraham's story shows that even when we fail, God does not give up on us. How can you remind yourself of God's grace and faithfulness when you face setbacks or failures? ([49:25])
6. Jim's story of transformation involved a long period of waiting and growth. What specific area of your life do you need to be patient with, and how can you actively wait on God during this time? ([52:39])
7. Reflect on the name "Jehovah Jireh" (The God who provides). How can you trust God to provide for your needs this week, and what steps can you take to rely on His provision? ([01:01:11])
Devotional
Day 1: Trust is Revealed Through Trials
Description: Trust in Jesus is often tested through various trials in our lives. These tests are not for God's knowledge but for ours, to reveal the true state of our hearts and areas where we need to grow. Just as students are tested in school to gauge their understanding, God allows us to face challenges to help us understand our faith and dependence on Him. These trials are opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper trust in God. [39:05]
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: Think about a recent trial you faced. How did it reveal the state of your trust in Jesus? What did you learn about your faith through this experience?
Day 2: The Test of Famine
Description: Abraham faced a severe famine in Canaan, which tested his faith. Instead of trusting God, he went to Egypt, where his faith faltered. This test reveals that our faith can waver during difficult times, but God remains faithful. Our own "famines," whether emotional, relational, or financial, are opportunities to deepen our trust in God. These challenging times can help us grow in our reliance on God's provision and faithfulness. [42:44]
Psalm 37:19 (ESV): "They are not put to shame in evil times; in the days of famine they have abundance."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you are experiencing a "famine." How can you actively choose to trust God in this situation today?
Day 3: The Test of Waiting
Description: Abraham waited 25 years for his promised son, Isaac. In today's fast-paced world, waiting is a significant challenge, but it is a measure of our trust in God's timing. Learning to wait upon God transforms us and strengthens our faith. Jim, a young man from the ministry, learned to trust God through a long period of waiting and transformation. This test of waiting teaches us patience and deepens our reliance on God's perfect timing. [50:33]
Lamentations 3:25-26 (ESV): "The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."
Reflection: Reflect on a promise or desire you are waiting for. How can you use this waiting period to grow closer to God and strengthen your trust in His timing?
Day 4: The Test of Sacrifice
Description: God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, a test of ultimate trust. Abraham's obedience without question demonstrates complete faith in God. This test challenges us to consider what we are willing to sacrifice and whether we trust God more than the blessings He provides. Sandy, a member of the ministry, faced severe persecution but remained steadfast, leading her family to Christ and becoming a strong leader. [57:35]
Hebrews 11:17-19 (ESV): "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, 'Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.' He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back."
Reflection: What is one thing you hold dear that God might be asking you to sacrifice? How can you demonstrate your trust in God by being willing to let it go?
Day 5: God's Faithfulness and Provision
Description: Despite our failures, God remains faithful and continues to provide for us. Abraham's story and the experiences of people like Sandy in the ministry show that God is Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. Our sacrifices are opportunities for God to demonstrate His provision and faithfulness. Trusting in God's faithfulness allows us to experience His abundant provision in our lives. [01:01:11]
2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV): "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's provision in a significant way. How can this memory strengthen your trust in His faithfulness for current and future needs?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Do you trust Jesus? And if your answer is yes, how do you know you trust Jesus? And how much do you trust Jesus? You know, this is where testing comes in. Right? We don't know until we're tested how much we know. And that's why you get tested in school. You don't know how much you've learned and whether you're eligible for the next grade until you're being tested. And you hopefully have passed the test. So testing really reveals us. And testing also points to areas in which we need to grow." [39:05] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "It is not by accident that the Bible commands us to walk by faith, not stand by faith or sit by faith. You see, faith is cultivated by walking. Walking. Faith is developed on our journey. Of course, a journey can be physical, like moving out of home. It could be emotional, like going through a painful experience. It could be intellectual, like thinking through the issue of God's sovereignty. Or a journey can be spiritual, like attending a spiritual retreat. It is really through our journeys that we will be tested." [41:13] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "There is absolutely nothing wrong with a desire to be great. Because that's how God wired us with a desire for significance. It is who or what we trust to make us great that can lead us to sin. Do you trust yourself to become great? Do you trust your intelligence, your ability, your strength, your beauty, your talent to become great? Do you trust money to become great? Do you trust your network of relationships to become great? Or do you trust God? Your trust in yourself should come in last. Your trust in God should come in first." [44:49] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Are you willing to wait for God's timing? Do you trust God to wait for Him? Do you trust God enough to wait until after marriage? For sex? Do you trust God enough to wait for His signal and affirmation to go ahead with your critical decisions? Do you trust God enough to wait for His timing to answer your prayers?" [51:33] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So let me ask you again. Do you trust Jesus? How much do you trust Jesus? Are you willing to trust him during the years of famine? Are you willing to wait upon Jesus? Do you trust God to be Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides?" [01:01:55] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "You know, God tests us. Not for him to know, because God is omniscient. He knows everything. God tests us for us to know what's on our heart so that we would know how to grow. And that is why, if you think about it, our life of faith is really made up of tests. Our life of faith is really a journey. We go from one place to another, and along the way, God tests us. He might test us by moving us around, or he might move us around because we have passed the test and we're ready for the next test." [41:13] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When we first meet Abraham in Genesis 12, you know, God just called him to leave his family of origin, his hometown. He called him to go to a place that he said, I will tell you. He didn't tell him exactly, but he said, leave. Leave where you're comfortable and I'm going to take you to a place I will tell you. And God promises that he will make Abraham into a great nation. And make his name great. And make him into a blessing to all the world. That's essentially the definition of greatness. Who doesn't want that?" [42:44] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The test of waiting is a hard test. But it is necessary if we truly want to learn to trust God. The final test I want us to think about this morning is a test of sacrifice. Towards the latter part of his life, Abraham had become very wealthy. You know, his son Isaac was finally born, and he was healthy. He lived in the land that God had promised him. And Abraham was truly, truly blessed. So God wanted Abraham to know, Abraham, do you still trust God, or do you now trust the blessings? So God tested him. You know, there will come a time in your life when God will ask you that same question as well. Do you still trust God, or do you now trust the blessings?" [57:35] (69 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When Sandy first came to our ministry, she was this very frail, very timid, and very young girl, who spoke with a very shaky voice. Over the years, she applied three times to join our leadership development program. Twice, she was rejected, because it was clear to all that she was not ready. She needed to wait. So she waited. On her third try, we accepted her. In the early days of her training, we often saw her weeping from all the persecutions she incurred from her family, who accused her of having joined a cult, they even threatened to kidnap her to bring her back to her hometown." [59:07] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "It is the name that Abraham gave to the place where God spared Isaac and provided for Abraham. And that's because the reality is that when God asks us to make sacrifices, our sacrifices are really God's opportunity to provide for us. Isn't it true? Isn't it true? He did that for Abraham. He is doing that for Sandy. And he will do that for you and I as well. You know, Sandy today is this strong and effective leader who speaks and prays with tremendous power and authority. She led her parents to Christ and leads a growing ministry team and church." [01:01:11] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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