Responding Correctly to my Trials

2 Corinthians 4:7–11 (NLT)

7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.

9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.

10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies.

INTRODUCTION:

A- Trials are never pleasant.

1- Generally, they hit us at our weakest point.

2- Trials come from:

The adversary by the allowance of God

Other people who do not know our God

The desires within us.

The fears that paralyze us.

3- Trials come in the form of:

Pressures

Perplexity

Persecution

Personal Injury

Peril of Death

Recognizing where trials come from and the forms they take are helpful.

The big question is :

How am I to respond to my trials?

I- REMEMBER THE SOURCE OF YOUR POWER TO FACE THE TRIAL (2 Corinthians 4:7).

2 Corinthians 4:7 (NLT)

7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

A- Remember that the Holy Spirit resides within you.

1- The remarkable fact: The Holy Spirit chooses to live in a frail human body.

2- Your body is the temple of Almighty God.

(1 Corinthians 6:19)

1 Corinthians 6:19 (NLT)

19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,

If you had a priceless treasure in a fragile vessel, how would you treat it?

B- The remarkable power released is not ours.

1- The amount of power released: ὑπερβολὴ- “beyond measure, exceeding abundance.”

2- The type of power released:

a- The power of God (δυνάμεως ᾖ τοῦ θεοῦ).

b- Not man’s ingenuity.

(Isaiah 64:6,8)

Isaiah 64:6 (NLT)

6 We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.

Isaiah 64:8 (NLT)

8 And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.

II- REFUSE TO LET THE TRIAL DEFEAT YOU (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

2 Corinthians 4:8–9 (NLT)

8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.

9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.

A- Don’t let the pressure crush your spirit.

1- It can make you turn back from following Christ.

Like John Mark on the first journey with Paul and Barnabas.

2- It can make you lose faith.

B- Don’t let the perplexity make you give up hope.

1- Glean from the trial in order to renew and build-up your hope.

(Romans 5:1-5)

Romans 5:1–5 (NLT)

1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.

4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

2- Search out godly, scriptural principles that will answer the perplexing questions.

(2 Timothy 2:15, 3:16)

2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)

15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

3- Be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit for guidance in the trial.

(John 16:13)

John 16:13 (NLT)

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.

C- Don’t accept the lie of Satan that you have been forsaken by God.

1- Remember His promises.

(John 14:18)

John 14:18 (NLT)

18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.

(Hebrews 13:5)

Hebrews 13:5 (NLT)

5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

a. He is with you even when you can’t see or feel him.

D- Don’t allow allow Satan to make you lose sight of the spiritual warfare through the trial.

1- Remember who the real enemy is.

(Ephesians 6:10-17)

Ephesians 6:10–17 (NLT)

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.

15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.

16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.

17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

2- Fight the good fight of faith.

(1 Timothy 6:12)

1 Timothy 6:12 (NLT)

12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.

III- RE-EVALUATE EVERYTHING IN LIGHT OF YOUR ULTIMATE GOAL (2 Corinthians 4:10-11).

2 Corinthians 4:10–11 (NLT)

10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies.

A- What is the goal of the believer’s life?

1- Jesus is to be lifted up and made visible to the world through our lives.

a. Through our attitudes.

b. Through our words.

c. Through our actions.

Why?

(John 12:32)

John 12:32 (NLT)

32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”

(Matthew 12:30)

Matthew 12:30 (NLT)

30 “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.

2- Decisions we make must be made with this in mind.

B- How is this goal accomplished?

1- Die to the world to live unto Christ.

(Galatians 2:20)

Galatians 2:20 (NLT)

20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

2- Remember, to die to self is the only way to live.

(Matthew 10:39)

Matthew 10:39 (NLT)

39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

3- Keeping eternal things in view helps us to see past earthly circumstances.

Like Moses did.

(Hebrews 11:24-27)

Hebrews 11:24–27 (NLT)

24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.

25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin.

26 He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward.

27 It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.

CONCLUSION:

What is to be your response to trials?

Remember the source of your power to face the trial.

Refuse to let the trial defeat you.

Re-evaluate everything in light of your ultimate goal.

What is the key to being able to respond properly to your trials?

Your unhurried time alone with Christ - in his word, in prayer- talking to Him and listening to Him.

He will use this time to refocus your attention from your trial and onto Him.