Rejoicing Through Adversity Series

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Rom. 5:1-5

There is another purpose. TELL YOUR NEIGHBOR, “HE’S GOT MORE!”

When our faith is tried and proven, when we walk strongly through the trials of life THE WORLD SEES IT. They see the power of Christ in our lives! When they experience the “joy of the Lord is our strength”, then they will want to know more about Jesus. God will use our trials and sufferings to pour His strength into us to show us and our world His power.

Jesus’ words, “He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. Lk 6:48

TO REJOICE THROUGH ADVERSITY I MUST:

APPRECIATE THE END RESULTS.

“ 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

We must remember, it is all about bringing glory to Christ! It is not about us. When we lose focus of this we become discouraged.

To endure such tribulations, we must understand what will happen in the end! It is about giving Jesus glory, honor, and praise!

Peter thought he was doing this when he said to Jesus, “You are the Son of God.” But when Peter was at his best was after he denied Jesus. Why? Because Peter was humble enough to receive the Holy Spirit and obey Him. Then Peter had God’s power to proclaim His message at Pentecost; and 3000 got saved!

Saul thought he was bringing God glory. Saul was the man among men; the Hebrew among Hebrews. He was the most wise; looked upon. He thought that he was doing God a favor by persecuted and killing those non-believing Christians. Saul THOUGHT he was doing God a favor! He was great in man’s eyes, he was even greater in his own eyes; but not God’s! Then he met Jesus. And Jesus blinded him and changed his name to Paul. Paul who wrote almost all of the letters to the churches in the New Testament. After he met Jesus he said these words, “7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.” Phil 3