Sifted, but I choose to stand
Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 3 viewsNotes
Transcript
Intro and tension
Intro and tension
Empart | Different type of Message | Share some testimonies and a message | Some key stats
Something was highlighted | Watched over 200 pastors graduate = plant 1-3 churches | Heard multiple testimonies and all, not some, all had gone through unique trials for Jesus.
Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
Oath they take at Graduation:
*Read Oath out* or picture.
Are you willing to continue to love and serve God with all your heart, mind and soul and if required give your life for him?
How can we, here, view trials in a similar way? Be Zealous for what is good?
How can we set our mind on the things above - Even when it’s tough?
Here’s the truth:
Trials will either push you farther from God, or Closer to God.
Title: Sifted, but I choose to stand.
*pray*
Series = Sifted | Go through 4 Biblical characters that went through trials | Look at What God did through each | See what we can learn.
I want to be sensitive | Trials = Hard, Real, Don’t stand here minimising but stand here knowing our Lord | Be faithful and God will work.
Where going?
Today = Intro and Peter
Week 2 - Jesus
Week 3 - Job
Week 4 - Jeremiah.
As Christian = Trials in 4 forms.
Attacks from Satan | Our Flesh | Natural Consequence of Sin | Natural Consequence from a fallen world.
Doesn’t matter where trial comes from - Purpose usually stays same.
Satan wants to use the trial to push you further from God. God wants to use it to bring you Closer to himself
Question: Is trial pushing you farther or bring closer?
Let’s unpack Peters story.
[Context]
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”
Not a closer parrellel to Job
Demanded = Exaito (Asked)
Passage use to annoy me | Why did Jesus not zap him?
Because Trials produce something in us for Gods purpose;
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
*Testimony of Ar J - Kept going - Now has 70 people under him - look after 50 kids*
sifting is something we all go through | Why?
God wants to remove us from us | Look at text - Sift you like wheat
They use to Sift Wheat | All rubbish to top | Wants to sift ourselves away. flour + sift.
God wants to say…I’ve got you
“When you have turned Strengthen your brothers”
Means = When you have retraced your steps | Strengthen = Action.
Jesus saying = There is something you need to go through, to remove you, so my power can work through you for a purpose.
Listen - Your trial might be preparing you for what God wants to do in and through you.
Ps. Ranjan | Mercy Home (shut down) Pivoted. use to help 15 people | now thousands
Imagine if he stopped…Let satan push him farther away | He chose Faithfulness.
Start finish - Trial is not the end of your story.
A trial can either push you further from God, or closer to God - It’s much easier to hear the Will of God, when we are close to God.
Let’s keep going;
Here comes Peters Pride.
Peter = Puffed up = Said never would deny him.
In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”
Pride says = I’ve got this | Humility says = “God’s got this”
But Peter: I got this…
What happened to Peter?
Denied Jesus 3 times | Felt Shame | Condemnation | Went back to doing what he was doing before - Far from God.
This is what satan wants - Take you out of Game.
The higher the pride is within ourselves, the further the fall will push us away from God.
Peter had choice | Stay in Boat | Or jump in and swim to Jesus.
He chose to jump in and swim.
Question: What does Jumping out of your boat look like today?
**use examples of being down and Jesus asking you to get up**
The calling you feel unqualified to walk in might be found in the forgiveness you’re unwilling to ask for.
Why? It is only through forgiveness of God that we meet the character of God | And the character of God is to use unqualified people to do extraordinary things.
Wants to be glorified through you | Doesn’t want you to be glorified in Him.
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
The lack of a need of forgiveness points to a lack of a need of Jesus and is the breeding place for pride.
Get up - If you need forgiveness | Jesus is here.
Trials will either push you farther away or closer to God - Let it be closer.
India Confusing - No road Rules - Cars going everywhere - so glad passenger, not driver
When we go through a trial, it’s also confusing | We have a loving God, and yet, God is allowing us to go through this trial.
Peter - Jesus Closest Disciple | Walked with Jesus for 3 years | Heard his teachings | Saw miracles | Declared his Life for Jesus
Described as Pillar of early Church and first one to declare Jesus as “The Christ, the Son of the Living God”
Despite all this | Jesus allowed Peter to go through massive Trial | Why?
Because Jesus wanted Peter close to Him, so God could work through him.
Jesus had a purpose for Peter | but something had to be stripped away | Something had to be produced in Him - This is what Peter wrote after the trial.
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Peter had too much Peter for Purpose.
I am not standing here knowing your trial | and I am not saying that you have to love it or even like it | but I am saying that I know Jesus is good.
So what do we do?
1. Pre-Decide on the Character of God and your response to a Trial
**Graduates Song**
Song:
I will Serve serve you O Lord
No matter what comes, No matter if the Enemy kills us, We will not leave Christ, We will Share His Name Everywhere.
2. Know that God is doing something in you during the Trial
Yes trial is hard, God is good.
Remember the Trial is not the end, God knows the end.
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
3. Know that Satan is fighting a losing fight and set our mind on Jesus Christ
Palm Sunday.
And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
Still oppressed | Chose to praise | They knew the King was coming | They knew Jesus | Sometimes we need to know that the MESSIAH IS HERE.
What is the purpose of our trials?
To get us closer to Jesus - To produce something in us - to Give glory to God.
Let me show you response of some church planters - From the testimonies we heard.
We are going to pre-decide.
We are not going to make the trial the testimony
and we are going to set our mind on Jesus
So that we can say;
Even though I may be sifted, I Choose to stand.
**Stand**
I read this at the graduation, and I would love to read it over us.
you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
