WHAT DO YOU SEE?
Pastor Josh Weisbrod – August 23, 2020
KEY IDEA: How can we have perspective as we look at 2020? Press into God in the midst of suffering.
KEY PASSAGE: “ . . . we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame . . . “ - Romans 5:1-5
SUMMARY:
We all face suffering in some way. It’s not a question of if we will face suffering, but how we will face suffering. How we look at trials will decide how suffering makes us look. It comes down to perspective.
INTRODUCTION:
We can all look at the same situation and yet have different perspectives. In the midst of suffering we can have joy, not happiness, but a purpose, a promise, and a joy. We often make suffering part of our identity. It’s not your whole purpose; it is only part of your story. You have a God-given identity as His child. You still have a purpose in relationship with God, in the midst of suffering
Rejoice in Our Suffering
· The word suffering that Paul is talking about is large scale suffering. The word literally means
pressures and opposition.
· You can have joy in the face of immense oppositional pressure. Delight in what the trials will produce in your life because you have a God who loves you deeply.
· Trials can produce something powerful in your life.
Suffering Produces Endurance
· Being in a state of distress cultivates a steadfast endurance. James 1:2-4
· Being steadfast by pressing into God or shutting down are the only 2 responses to suffering.
· We have to “suffer” in order to grow, but we don’t call it suffering. I endure difficulty so that over time I will grow and become stronger.
· Endurance is the catalyst for the development of character
Endurance Produces Character
· Character means dependability, in the sense of a veteran soldier who has been battle tested. There is a confidence to character that has been tested.
· 1 Peter 1:6-7 – Analogy: Testing of gold – Heat gold so that it sinks to the bottom and skim off all the impurities—things not in alignment with my purpose.
· Everyone will go through hard times, but not everyone will grow through hard times
· Mercy requires conflict. How can you give mercy if there’s nothing to give mercy for? What about grace? Someone must offend you in order for you to give grace? Love requires relationships. Peace requires chaos. Suffering and trials are like building a muscle.
· We need to encounter obstacles to build trust in God.
· Instead of asking, “Why, God, are you doing this to me?” cry out, “God I need you right now!”
· The primary element of character is faith.
Character Produces Hope
· This world is a broken world. I know that Jesus who loves me is with me. I know I can trust Him.
· The One, who saved me when I became a Christian, is the One who can save me now.
· Hope makes it possible to endure, and hoping in God produces more hope.
· God is faithful.
Hope Does Not Put Us to Shame
· The evidence of this is that we have God’s love poured out through the Holy Spirit.
· We already have the Holy Spirit. He reveals and pours out the love of God more and more.
· The assurance the God is trustworthy is that He gave it first before we even asked for it.
· We can rejoice in the hope of God and we can rejoice in suffering, knowing the Jesus is with us and will not leave us. God will never fail. 2 Timothy 2:11-13
The question is not whether we will face trials, but rather how we will face trials.
REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Use these reflection questions as a way to deepen your relationship with God. Allow the Holy Spirit to shine a light into your heart.
1) What are some of the different perspectives you have been encountering in 2020? How are those different perspectives affecting you? (Note: People may have been experiencing a range of fear, anxiety, bitterness, anger, denial, false positivity, etc.)
2) When you face trials and you are feeling the pressure, how does it affect your relationship with the LORD for good or bad? What does that tell you about what you believe about the character and nature of God?
3) Pastor Josh said, “Mercy requires conflict. How can you give mercy if there’s nothing to give mercy for? What about grace? Someone must offend you in order for you to give grace? Love requires relationships. Peace requires chaos. Suffering and trials are like building a muscle.”
Have you considered this perspective before? Or is this a new idea to you? How does this concept affect 1) your perspective and, 2) your responses to others in this season?
4) What does it look like to “press into God” in times of suffering, rather than shutting down?
5) How is God inviting you to grow in this season?
Full Podcast Episode: http://banner.church/podcast/2020/9/12/real-love-for-real-life-what-do-you-see-82320