Joy In Trials
My dear friend, Pastor Bob O'Bannon, prepared 3 sermons on Joy (related to difficulties and trials) as follows:
Joy in Suffering (Philippians 1:27-30)
Joy in Death (Phil 1:18-26)
Joy in Trials (Philippians 1:12-18)
Notes from his third sermon, Joy in Trials, are below.
Joy in Trials
"The greatest opportunity to glorify God is when you are walking thru the fires of affliction and trials" - Bob O'Bannon
"Whoever the Lord has adopted ought to prepare themselves for hard, toilsome and unquiet living." John Calvin
Our culture today is giving us the exact opposite message - - that we deserve a life of comfort - - and that the #1 goal is to be as comfortable as you can.
But Paul's life was different - - and, it appears - - the more he was faithful to God, the more trials the Lord allowed in his life.
Trials in the World
Consider Phillipians 1:12-14 - 12Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
Trials in the Church
Consider Phillipians 1:16-18 -15It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Trials in Pauls' life
2 Corinthians 11:23b-33 - I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? 30If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. 32In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. 33But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.
The truth
We live in a fallen world - - we will (or have) faced trials:
Jesus said - In this world you will have trouble
Peter said - dont think its stange when trials enter your life - - you live in a fallen world:
I Peter 4:12-13 - 12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
However - - There is a Divine Purpose in Suffering
From a human point of view, Paul's imprisonment is pointless.
BUT - - Paul sees the Divine purpose - - (both a current purpose and a future purpose)
Phillipians 1:12-13 - 12Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
Who is actually imprisoned to who? It really appears that the soldiers are imprisoned to Paul........ He sees the current purpose of preaching to a captured audience!
And what would we do? I would probably beg the guards to hear why I was falsely imprisoned - - - but not Paul - - - he preached to the soldiers!!
Phillipians 1:16b - .....knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. (Again, Paul sees the divine purpose - - and here he sees the future purpose - - of going to trial and defending his position in front of the leaders of Rome!)
Paul views all of his circumstances in life, in relation to the higher purpose of spreading the Gospel - - Paul is willing to lose his freedom, comfort, reputation and perhaps his life in order to spread the Gospel of Christ - - that's how much he loves Jesus - - and that's how he finds joy in trials - - and its the key for us in finding joy in trials.....
Our trials make all the sense in the world to God! He has a Divine Purpose for our trials!
Finding joy in trials !
1. You will never lose Jesus in your trial !
2. Don't squander your trial - - find the Divine Purpose !!
There is a divine purpose in our trials
Ask questions:
what is God doing here?
what is he teaching me?
what sin is he exposing to me?
how is he drawing me closer to Him?
in what ways is He making me more like Jesus?
how is he preparing me for some future glorious task?
Alexander Solzenitsyn said - "it was only when I lay there on rotting prison straw that I sensed within my self the first stirrings of good - the first inclination to come to Christ - - and I turned back on my years in prison and said "Bless you, prison. I nourished my soul there. And I say, without hesitation, Bless you prison for having been in my life" - - He saw the divine purpose - Solzenitsyn saw God drawing him closer to God Himself."
3. Others can be encouraged by watching you under your trial!
1:14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
The conclusion from the brothers was - - - if Paul can be that bold in prison for the Gospel - than I can be more bold outside of prison for the Gospel!
This is a huge way to bless others by following Christ in the pressure and midst of trials!
Missionary David Brainard - died at the age of 29 from tuberculosis - - was a huge encouragement to Jonathan Edwards (in fact Brainard spent his dying days with Edwards and Edward's wife) - Edwards said "I saw his dying behavior, heard his dying speeches, received his dying counsel and the benefit of receiving his dying prayers."
Conclusion
"Sorrow enlarges the capacity of the heart for Joy" Richard Mahew
Look at the life of Jesus:
He faced the greatest trial ever : His death on a cross for the sins of the world
He was despised and rejected by men
He was familiar with suffering
He was crushed for our iniquities
He was a man of sorrows
Jesus knows our trials!
Did Jesus find joy in his sorrows? Yes He did because Jesus saw the Divine Purpose!
Hebrews 12:1-3 - 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
So - in suffering - - pray that the trial increases your capacity for faith!
In any trial and difficulty say - - it is well with my soul!
