Endurance Living

Introduction

The apostle Paul was imprisoned on several occasions, beaten close to death many times, was whipped with 39 lashes five different times, he was stoned, Paul was even shipwrecked 3 times with many other dangers in his life and ministry. Yet, he endured and had the mindset of glorifying God through Christ. 2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

You probably haven’t been through tough times like Paul. But you have had a financial crisis, the death of a family member, a physical ailment, pressure from friends or co-workers to bend your convictions and values. You have had hard times in life, and if it hasn’t happened yet, then just wait, it’s coming. We face many different trials and obstacles in our lives, most of which impact our faith.

Will we trust God to provide during our financial crisis or try to handle it ourselves? Will we turn to God for comfort when we lose a loved one or will we shun God as the reason for death? Will we rejoice and be thankful when we are physically ill or wallow in self pity? Everything we face in life acts as a test or trial that can either strengthen our faith or break it down. It all comes down to how we respond to these trials.

The church was dealing with trials and temptations, namely, “the Dispersion” (James 1:1). in other words, great persecution.

I. Christian Attitude Toward Trials (vs. 2-4)

A. “Consider it all joy” (vs. 2). This is a mindset shift

1. Our perspective of hard things, obstacles, and temptations must flip from negative to positive

a. Instead of, “Ugh, this is tough, I don’t know how I’m gonna get through this” to “I don’t know what to do, but I know God will use this for my good”

b. Joy is not feeling happy all the time, but having a positive outlook on life, being glad about things, seeing the opportunity to grow toward God in every situation, even if it is through growing pains.

2. The early Christians elated at the opportunity to suffer for Christ’s sake

a. Acts 5:40–41 “and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.”

b. They praised God for their afflictions because they suffered in the same way Jesus did. They were worthy to suffer to be like Jesus.

3. We can praise God for our trials because it results in us being like Christ

a. 1 Peter 4:13 “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” When we face hardship we realize that Jesus has warned us about it and gives us the opportunity to endure it that we may be like Him. We share in His sufferings that we might share in His glory.

b. John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””

B. Does that mean trials are fun? No! We don’t rejoice because of the trial itself but because of what it produces when we endure it. (vs. 3-4).

1. How we approach trials makes all the difference

a. Our faith is tested through hardships. Sometimes we may feel shaken to the core and struggle with doubts and wonder why these things are happening

b. We have a choice to make: give in to doubt and give up the fight (which results in weakening/losing our faith) or trust in God’s ways and power and endure, push through the pain (which results in stronger faith).

2. Illus. At the beginning of June I was privileged to participate in Run the River in Wabash. I ran the 10k (6.2 miles). I’ve never done a race for that distance before and I wanted to run a personal record. I trained hard and ran even harder on race day

a. When the race began I ran harder than I anticipated or planned. So, my legs were feeling the burn and my breaths were harder. I wasn’t sure I could push as hard as I wanted to, it hurt too much. But then, around the 4 mile mark, someone at a drink station said, “I think that guy in front of you is in 3rd place.” That rekindled my fire and I ran faster, trying to beat the dot in the distance

b. The last half a mile was uphill and my legs were spent. I began doubting my ability, thinking, “I’ve given it all. I can’t sprint this final leg the way I planned. Oh well”. But then a lady caught up to me and encouraged me, “You can do this, you’re so close to the end. Keep going.” She inspired me and I kicked it into overdrive and sprinted as hard as I could for the last quarter mile and beat that guy (which was actually 15th place). Boy, that feeling was so special and I ran the best 10k I’ve ever done (51 min. 18 sec.)

c. When you push through hardship there is such a reward when you complete the task. When you endure your trial you will grow in your faith and trust. You will be mature, complete, not lacking anything because God is running beside you, strengthening you, helping you to grow.

II. Christian Response toward Trials (vs. 5-11)

A. That sounds great and like something we want to strive toward

1. But, how do we endure our trials that we might grow in our faith? Every situation is unique and every trial needs to be taken in stride, assessed in the moment

2. What general principles can we follow when facing our trials?

B. First, ask God (vs. 5)

1. He gives generously and won’t fault you for asking

a. Sometimes we feel silly asking questions, thinking it makes us look dumb or weak

b. Silly Illus. At preaching camp years ago we were having a Q & A session. One kid raised his hand and said, “I have a bit of a dumb question” to which the dean quickly responded “There’s no such thing as a dumb question.” Another kid raised his hand and asked “If I stare at a picture of the sun long enough will I go blind?” The dean paused for a moment and said “I stand corrected. There is such a thing as a dumb question.”

c. Genuinely, if you don’t know the answer then ask. You may never know until you humble yourself so that you can learn and grow

2. God does not fault you for asking, He won’t mock you or make you feel small. Asking God for wisdom will strengthen you and help you grow more complete because God will generously give you what you ask for to help you in your trials

C. Second, exercise your faith (vs. 6-8)

1. Believe God cares and will answer you, don’t doubt when you ask for His help

a. When you doubt you are like a surf of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. The foam of the sea is unpredictable in how far it comes on shore or how powerful it is. The wind blows it wherever it wishes, it has no clear direction

b. In the storms and waves of life, when we pray with doubt, then we let life dictate our direction randomly instead of standing our ground and letting God direct us with His wisdom

2. Be focused on God and His answer (or ways)

a. Don’t be unstable in your ways. When you ask God then believe He will answer to help you in your trials

b. Don’t ask and turn right around thinking, “It won’t do any good. I prayed because I know I should”. God wants to help you and He often waits for you to ask

D. Third, learn humble thanksgiving in your circumstances (vs. 9-11)

1. You either learn to humble yourself or God is trying to humble you

a. Often our pride keeps us from growing in our faith. We can humble ourselves and trust God, being thankful, and following His ways. Or, God will knock us down a couple of pegs

b. Asking for God’s help shows humility, doubting or doing it ourselves proves arrogance. Starting to see why believing is important?

2. Our possessions and comforts will fade away. They keep us from trusting God, because we can comfortably provide for ourselves and handle things on our own

a. Who do you trust more when you’re facing something hard? God or your stuff? Your reaction to hardship tells you the answer

b. God is trying to show us that trials are not meant to be battled alone, but to turn to Him to fight your battles with/for you (ex: Gideon and 300 soldiers, Joshua and the battle of Jericho, Moses and the Red Sea, etc.)

c. Our stuff and our power fades and will do us no good in the trials we face. God is our only hope. Learn to ask for His help and follow His ways to endure your trials

Conclusion (vs. 12)

A. When you endure your trial with God as your power and guide then you will pass the test. There is a guarantee for your reward because you are growing toward maturity, continuing by faith in God rather than faith in yourself.

Glorify God for your humble circumstances (time of testing) for your are blessed when you persevere. You pass having built a stronger faith from a love for God and the reward is the crown of life, because you stand firm in faith to the very end.

B. You prove your love for God when you turn to Him in your trials and He has promised to provide for you (Romans 8:28). Jesus entrusted Himself to the Father when facing persecution and death “Let this cup pass from me, yet, not as I will, but yours be done.” The Father strengthened Him and glorified Him after He endured the trial of the cross. Now, Jesus is Lord of all and given the Name above every name.

When you endure your trials, endure by your love for God (obeying Him through an exercise of your faith) then you will pass the test, confirming the promise and guaranteeing the crown of life, for you will be like Jesus, sharing in His sufferings and sharing in His glory.

So, be joyful in your trials. Ask for God’s wisdom, exercise your faith through your trust in God and your focus on the Lord’s ways, and glory in humble thanksgiving. You are learning to trust God more and more. He has the power to carry you through and He rewards those who endure. Persevere so you can enjoy the crown of life at the end.