Introduction

Good morning, family. It's a beautiful day, isn't it? We gather here, in this place of worship, with hearts full of hope and spirits yearning for wisdom.

Let's begin with a quote from G.K. Chesterton, a man of great faith and insight, who once said, "Hope is the power of being cheerful in circumstances that we know to be desperate." In life, we often find ourselves navigating through stormy seas, under dark skies. Yet, we hold on. We hold on because we have hope. Hope that is anchored in our faith.

Today, we will be turning our attention to the book of Luke, specifically Luke 9:51-56. It reads:

"As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, 'Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?' But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then he and his disciples went to another village."

A powerful passage, isn't it? It speaks of trials, of grace, and of faith. We will be reflecting on these aspects today.

But before we do, let's pray.

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you today with open hearts and minds. We ask that you fill us with your wisdom and understanding. Help us to see the trials we face not as burdens, but as opportunities to grow in faith and grace. Remind us, Lord, that even in the darkest times, we can find hope in you. Guide us through this service and let your Word resonate within us, shaping us into better followers of Christ. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Are you ready? Let's begin.

Thanking Through Trials

In the passage we read, we see Jesus and his disciples facing rejection from the Samaritan village. It's a trial, a hardship. But instead of reacting with anger or vengeance, Jesus shows grace. He doesn't allow the situation to rob him of his peace or his purpose. He simply moves on to another village.

We face trials too: We face rejection, disappointment, loss, and pain. And it's easy to let these trials steal our joy, our peace, and our hope. But what if we chose to respond differently? What if, like Jesus, we chose to respond with grace?

What is grace?: Grace is more than just a nice word. It's a powerful force. It's the ability to stay calm in the face of adversity. It's the strength to keep going when everything seems to be going against us. It's the courage to forgive when we've been hurt. And most importantly, it's the capacity to give thanks, even in the midst of trials.

A difficult task: Now, you might be thinking, "Give thanks? In the middle of trials? That's easier said than done." And you're right. It's not easy. But it's not impossible either. And that's where faith comes in.

What is faith?: Faith is not just about believing in God. It's about trusting in His goodness, His love, and His power. It's about believing that He can turn our trials into triumphs, our tests into testimonies. It's about holding on to hope, even when everything seems hopeless. And it's about giving thanks, not just for the good times, but also for the bad times.

When we give thanks in the midst of trials: We're not denying the reality of our situation. We're not pretending that everything is fine when it's not. What we're doing is acknowledging the presence of God in our situation. We're acknowledging that He is with us, that He is for us, and that He is working all things together for our good. And that's not all. When we give thanks in the midst of trials, we're also strengthening our faith. We're reminding ourselves of God's faithfulness in the past, which gives us confidence for the future. We're declaring that our hope is not in our circumstances, but in our God. And we're choosing to focus on the blessings, rather than the burdens.

How do we do this?: How do we give thanks in the midst of trials? Well, it starts with a decision. A decision to trust God, to focus on the good, and to express gratitude, no matter what. It's not a one-time thing, but a daily practice. And it's not something we do in our own strength, but with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Once we make this decision: We can start to see our trials in a new light. Instead of seeing them as obstacles, we can see them as opportunities. Opportunities to grow in faith, to develop character, and to experience God's grace in a deeper way. And as we do this, we'll find that our trials are not just bearable, but beneficial.

Make that decision today: Let's choose to give thanks in the midst of trials. Let's choose to trust in God's goodness, to focus on the blessings, and to express gratitude, no matter what. And as we do, let's remember the words of the apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Grace in Grit

As we continue to reflect on the passage from Luke, we find ourselves drawn to the grace that Jesus displays in the face of rejection ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO