Renewing Your Priorities 4

Prioritizing Your Trials

Text:

Introduction

Illustration: In 1799, Conrad Reed discovered a seventeen-pound rock while fishing in Little Meadow Creek. Not knowing what it was made of, his family used it as a doorstop for three years. In 1802, his father, John Reed, took it to a jeweler who identified it as a lump of gold worth about $3,600. That lump of gold, which was used as a doorstop for three years in North Carolina, is one of the biggest gold nuggets ever found east of the Rockies. Until its composition was determined, its value was unknown. Even so, until the composition of our faith is determined, its strength is unknown. God allows trials in our lives, not to hurt us, but too strengthen and prove us. Source: Gold Mines in North Carolina, John Hairr & Joey Powell

The principals surrounding the trials you face in your life can be found in different places in scripture as well as around other words describing trials (i.e. testing, try, temptation…)

Psalm 139:23 “23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts:”

Genesis 22:1 “1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.”

James 1:2–3 “2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”

It is extremely important to know God’s role in the area of testing! God tempts (entices them to enter into sin) no one, but He often times tests them to bring to light their currently quality of heart and living.

1 Corinthians 3:13 “13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”

We are commanded to flee from any form of temptation that would deform the image of Christ in our thinking and living.

With this in mind, I understand that many trials are like Christmas gifts you would like to re-gift, you just don’t want them or you think you have no use for them.

Grace is a very heavy thing! Therefore, the heaviest of trials should be seen as a gift, when fully opened, will pour into your life a enormous amount of God’s richest grace. (this example from Paul Chappell)

I want you to leave today with this understanding; I never again need to run from trials that are intended to shape me into a holy vessel for God’s glory. I must go forward willing to give every trial high priority in my journey of sanctification.

1) Where Do Trials Come From?

Take a listen to Paul extensive list of personal trials:

2 Corinthians 11:24–28 “24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.”

This is somewhat of a paradox.

Do they come from Satan or God?

ANS — Yes…they come in some sense from both.

Notice Paul’s explanation (v7)

“messenger of Satan”

“sent to buffet me”

Meaning “to strike with the fist, to hurt”

This exactly what Jesus experienced — Matthew 26:67 “67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,”

Satan did the work and God guarded the boundaries.

Example: Job’s trials performed by Satan.

Job 23:10 “10 But he knoweth the way that I take: When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”

Trials are truly painful!

Notice what the Galatian believers were willing to do for Paul if possible! — Galatians 4:13–15 “13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. 14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.”

Paul reveals to us his humanity. (v8)

Paul’s thorn did not encourage him to quit on God, but kept an honest conversation with God continuing.

Paul’s words revealed his understanding of his weakness.

Paul’s words were confessional to God that he did see himself to be weak.

Paul knew that any truth about this thorn would have to come from God.

2) What Do Trials Give Me?

Never forget this fact! There is always purposeful hope in ever trials God permits into your life.

Romans 8:28 “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.”

What kind of things would this include?

Physical, mental, emotional pain/trauma…personal slander, loneliness, even the “messenger of Satan.”

God is the only one who can bring beauty from ashes, good from bad, joy from pain...

The variety of blessings given to those who embrace their trials can’t be numbered!!!

What did Paul receive that would be essential to his effectiveness in gospel ministry?

A. A Purposeful Humility

B. A Restful Power

C. A Peaceful Stability