Is it sufficiant for you?

Intro:

A. In math class they won’t give you a calculator even though it would make it so much easier. (2 Cor. 12:7-10)

B. We often describe grace as the “unmerited favor of God”, but more simply than that it is getting something that we don’t deserve.

C. We did not deserve to have Jesus come and die for us; to give us a way to heaven.

D. So, how is that grace going to be enough for us to deal with the struggles we face in our own lives?

Body:

I. God will allow our problems to remain.

A. God allowed Job to go through the trials of not just loosing his property, but his family and health. (Job 1:7-9)

1. The immediate question that everyone asks when they have trials is “Why is this happening to me?’ (Job 3:11-12)

2. Job asked why 26 times and the answer is that sometimes we do not know why things happen.

3. Sometimes it is others sin, sometimes it is our own sin, sometimes it’s just an accident.

B. While God was not the one to tempt Job, he did allow him to go through those things.

1. I want us to remember that God has a reason for us to go through these trials.

2. If we are willing it can be a test that will allow us to grow in faith. (Jam. 1:2-6)\

3. If our faith is not tested, how can we prove we have faith?

C. God even allowed His own Son to go to the cross. (Mt. 26:39)

1. Jesus was made perfect through his suffering. (Heb. 2:9-10)

2. Not in that he was without faith but that through suffering he would be the perfect savior.

3. That is why he said that we likewise would suffer and would have trials. (Jn. 16:32)

II. God will carry us through

A. God allowed Job to be tried but he also made preservation for him so that he could make it through. (Job 1:12; 2:6)

1. Notice that Job even going through all this never sinned. (Job. 1:20-22; 2:10)

2. We don’t want to go through trials but when we do I pray we go through it with a faith like Job had.

3. Also because Job endured and remained faithful God blessed him even more than before.

B. God’s grace is sufficient to get us through trials if we rely on the Lord. (Prov. 3:5)

1. We need to acknowledge that God is in control of every situation, and it is only working together for good. (Rom. 8:28)

2. This can be so hard to do sometimes because we want to be in control.

3. However, if we keep our mind on the things that matter, we can endure anything knowing what awaits us. (Heb. 10:32-34)

C. There is also a growth that comes with these difficult times if we are open to learning from them.

1. This progression will build up as we grow and learn. (Rom. 5:2-5)

2. It is like metal forged in a fire.

3. Of course the only way we can rejoice in trial is when we have the assurances our God gives us.

III. God’s grace will always be free

A. That grace to get us through every trial we face is available for all.

1. No one is perfect in this life, and at one point or another we have all done something that we know was wrong. (Maybe after the fact)

2. As a result of doing wrong and sinning we have the condition that we are separated from God. (1 Cor. 6:9-11a)

3. However, through Jesus we can be washed clean and become partakers of that grace extended to us. (Eph. 2:8)

B. God’s grace has already been sent out and opened to all but if a person does not obey the will of God, then they cannot partake of it. (Mt. 7:21)

1. How do we know the will of the father? (Jn. 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17)

2. How do we become partakers of that grace?

a. Hear the word of God. (Rom. 10:17)

b. Believe on Jesus the Christ. (Jn. 3:16-21)

c. Confess Jesus as Lord. (Mt. 10:32)

d. Repent of your sins. (2 Cor. 7:9-10)

e. Be baptized for the remission of sins. (2 Peter 3:21-22)

f. Live a faithful life. (Rev. 2:10)

C. Why should one follow Christ? (1 Pet. 1:3-9)

1. Because he is the only person by who we can be forgiven of sins.

2. Through him we have the assurance of heaven.

3. Through him we have a blueprint for how to lead the best possible life.

Conclusion:

A. Are we allowing the trial that we face test our faith and make it stronger?

B. God is in control, and he allows us to go through things so that he may receive honor and glory, and so that we will come out stronger and more resilient.

C. If you are not in Christ where is your home because you are going to go through trials too and the only comfort one can have is the knowledge that there is life after this one. (2 Tim. 4:6-8)