WHEN GOD STRECHES OUR FAITH

One father said: Who can ever forget Winston Churchill’s immortal words: “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, and we shall fight in the hills.” It sounds exactly like our family vacation.

Ill - A typical concert piano has over 240 strings that, when tuned and tightened, create a pull of 40,000 pounds on the frame. Without the tension, there would be no beautiful music.

I. The Purpose of the Trial - verses 1-3

Note – Count=consider, regard, judge, to think, to reckon

Note- Note the word “fall”. Indicates that it was an obstacle that you were unaware of, not one that you saw coming and did nothing to avoid….

Not good examples of falling: bad blood work after a week at the fair….

Most of what people call trials are self-induced problems, not trials from God. God is just letting the natural consequences of bad choices play out.

Romans 8:28 KJV 1900

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

A. The development of our faith. “the trying of your faith.”

Note – We are either going through life or we are growing through life.

Note – “Temptations” = testings or trials in verse 2

Note – The word “tempt” in verse 13 means “to solicit to do evil.” The context(that which comes before and after) makes a difference.

Note – God has not promised to make me comfortable, but to make me conformable. (Romans 8:29- Predestined to be conformed to His image)

B. The Display of Our Faith “Worketh Patience.”

Romans 5:3 KJV 1900

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

Note – The word “patience” means endurance…

Ill – Joseph was 17 when his brothers attempted to kill him. Thirteen years later he was the most powerful man in the world.

Note – The world is looking for people whose faith is not only spoken, but also proven.

The Purpose of the Trial

II. The Process of the Trial – verse 4

A. A process of surrender

Note - “Let patience have her perfect work…”

Ill – Not My will, but Thine be done…

1 Peter 5:6–8 KJV 1900

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Ill – Peter had many mistakes and sins in his life. With each mistake or failure, he was being brought closer to his potential to be used by God.

1. Surrender your past

Philippians 3:13

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before…

Quote – “Don’t ruin your future by living in the past.”

2. Surrender your present

Romans 12:1–2 KJV 1900

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

3. Surrender your future

2 Corinthians 4:14–18 KJV 1900

14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Ill - A very nervous airline passenger began pacing the terminal when the bad weather delayed his flight. During his walk, he ran across one of those life insurance machines. It offered $100,000 in the event of an untimely death aboard his flight. The policy was just three dollars. He looked out the window at the threatening clouds and thought of his family at home. For that price it was foolish not to buy, so he took out the coverage. He then looked for a place to eat. Airports now carry a good variety of eateries, so he settled on his favorite, Chinese. It was a relaxing meal until he opened his fortune cookie. It read, "Your recent investment will pay big dividends."

Note – No matter what your problems—past, present or future—Jesus is our ever present High Priest and Interceder.

Ill- Many people are rightfully disappointed with the church of Rome…

I remember about 10 years ago: The pope announced that if you follow him on Twitter that it counts towards getting time off for your sins in purgatory.

Hebrews 4:14–16 KJV 1900

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Ill – Worry is the result of calculations made without God in the equation.

Quote – “It doesn’t matter how great the pressure is. What really matters is where the pressure lies. Be sure that it doesn’t come between you and the Saviour.”

B. A process of Strengthening “that ye may be perfect.”-vs. 4

1 Peter 5:10 KJV 1900

10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

The Purpose of the Trial

The Process of the Trial

III. The Product of the Trial – verses 5-6

Note – We are more apt to gain real wisdom during a trial than at any other time.

A. We will ask for wisdom. – 5a

1. Trials reveal our need for wisdom.

Psalm 111:10 KJV 1900

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: A good understanding have all they that do his commandments: His praise endureth for ever.

Quote – “The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is a knowledge of our own ignorance.” - Charles Spurgeon

2. We must ask for wisdom by faith. – verses 6-8

Romans 4:20-21

20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Ill – Proverbs 3:5

Proverbs 3:5 KJV 1900

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding.

B. We will receive wisdom. – verse 5b

Note – It’s one thing to ask for wisdom, it’s another thing to receive it!

2 Corinthians 12:9

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Note – Paul was willing to receive God’s grace in order to grow in wisdom and spiritual power.

C. We will mature spiritually. – verse 4

Note – Perfect and entire…

1 Thessalonians 5:23

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Note – The God of Peace will establish us.

Ill – Horatio Spafford, 1860’s wealthy developer… He grew in Christ under D. L. Moody.

In 1871, his faith was tested during the Chicago Fire.

In 1873, he sent his wife and four children to England aboard the Villa De Harve. (He would follow later.) At mid-ocean, they collided with another ship…

Rescuers found Mrs. Spafford clinging to a board… She wired her husband just two words, “Saved Alone.”

Mr. Spafford boarded a ship to meet his wife in England. One evening, the captain of the ship said to Spafford, “We are now passing over the spot where your daughters perished.”

He went to his cabin and wrote, “When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll… Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, ‘It is well. It is well with my soul.’”

Note – If you know Jesus, it is well with your soul. Even during trials, He will attend to you.

Conclusion:

Some are going through trials of your own bad choices: it is time to respond to God’s conviction and confess the sins you are involved in and forsake them.

Wrong friends, wrong choices, wrong activities….

Quit blaming God for what you have brought into your life!!!

Some are going through trials and you are not seeking God’s wisdom in the midst of them.

Vs. 5

It is easy to spend all of the time asking “Why Me”, rather than asking “How can I grow through this?”

Often, it is through the trials of life that we are able to appropriate God’s grace and to develop a character that is like gold in its spiritual value.

1 Peter 1:6–7 KJV 1900

6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

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