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THINGS EVERY CHRISTIAN NEEDS IN THEIR

Introduction

As you read the writings of Paul, you will find that Paul wrote a lot about enduring trials. That’s because Paul knew a lot about enduring trials because he endured many trials in his Christian life.

2 Corinthians 4:8-11–“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.”

2 Timothy 2:10 –“Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”

Because Paul had endured so much, he could unashamedly exhort Timothy, as well as us, to endure:

2 Timothy 2:3–“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

2 Tim 4:5–“But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”

I.            WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ENDURE?

According to Noah Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language:

“To last; to continue in the same state without perishing; to remain; to abide.”

“To bear; to sustain; to support without breaking or yielding to force or pressure.”

II.           IN WHAT WAYS DID PAUL ENDURE?

               A.         He Would Not Surrender Any Ground.

                            Paul was “strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.”

He was clothed with the whole armor of God so that he was able “to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

               B.         He Would Not Be Shaken With Fear.

2 Timothy 1:7–“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

               C.         He Would Not Let Others Steal His Joy.

Philippians 4:4–“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say rejoice.”

Romans 5:11–“. . .we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Romans 14:17– “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

Romans 15:13–“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

               D.         He Would Not Silence His Message.

Ephesians 6:19-20–“And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

III.    WHAT ARE SOME THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND ABOUT TRIALS?

               A.         Remember That Trials Are A Short Term Reality.

1 Peter 1:6-7–“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”

The difficulties that we face in life are short term realities because our existence is not mortal but eternal. This life is not the end but a stepping stone for eternity

               B.         Remember That God Has A Good Purpose For Us In All Things He Allows To Come Our Ways, Even Our Trials.

Romans 8:28–“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.”

               C.         Know That Enduring Trials Can Lead Us To Some Great Blessings.

1 Peter 1:7–“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”

James 1:12–“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

Standing up for God in the midst of life’s heartaches and

heartbreaks leads us to a great reward.

                            James says that those who persevere will gain the crown of life.

               D.         Know That Trials Can Give Us Proper Perspective.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18–“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

If our life here were nothing but good, there would be no desire for heaven. Paul tells us that this life may be fading away but eternity is drawing closer. Each day we live, we get closer to the day we will stand before Jesus.

               E.         Trials Can Help Us Experience God’s Presence And Grace.

Psalm 27:5-6–“For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.”

God’s Divine presence is available to us in the midst of trials and difficulties.

When we go through hard times we don’t ever have to go through them alone.

We can come to know and experience God in greater and more intimate ways when He shows up to help us.

God is there to give us strength in every situation 2 Corinthians 9:8–“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

God knows our every need and graciously supplies everything that we need to make it through the trials of life.

There is no situation too hard, no time when He forgets and no problem too great that His grace cannot help us through.

               F.         Trials Help Us To Look Forward To Heaven.

Romans 8:18–“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

One day we will reach the shores of heaven and see Jesus face to face. Think about that the next time you go through trials!

Every difficulty and trial will simply melt away in the light of eternity.

As Christians, we are not living for today but instead we are living for that day when we stand in the very presence of Jesus.

Romans 8:23-24–“And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?”

               G.         The Captain Of Our Faith, Jesus, Has Defeated The Source And Power Of Trials.

John 16:33–“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Jesus gives us security in an insecure world.

He is the one who helps us overcome the troubles of the world. Jesus gives us His calm assurance in the midst of the world’s chaos.

There is nothing that happens in this life that Jesus has not already overcome

               H.         One Day All Trials Will Be Removed.

Revelation 21:3-4–“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Conclusion

Are experiencing a trial or trials that are overwhelming you?

Strength to endure the trials and to come out on the other side are found in Christ.

Home Page   Contact Us    Service Times   Sermons   Are You Going To Heaven?

NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!