I. We must be servants of the church and of the gospel first.
A. We must be servants of God’s people.
B. We must be servants to the lost.
II. It is inevitable that controversy will come.
A. Pride says we deserve to be without controversy.
B. Pride will cause us to respond with anger and bitterness.
C. Humility allows us to think of others first.
D. Romans 12:3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think,…
III. Our comfort in this world is not God’s priority.
A. Our discomfort is to be seen as something to take joy in. (I Peter 1:6-7)
B. Our faith must be tested as was even Abraham’s
IV. Discomfort comes from God to build us up and glorify Him. (James 1:2-4)
A. We learn to be steady and have endurance. (v.3)
B. “…be patient in tribulation…”(Romans 12:12)
C. Endurance leads to maturity. (v.4)
D. Seeing that this trial is something to be joyful about. (v.2)
V. What do we do with the challenges in our lives?
A. Receive them with joy.
B. Look for God’s purpose in them.
C. Commit to meeting those purposes.
D. Be careful how we view those who bring controversy in our lives. (Acts 7:60)
