Shaping Disciples Through Trials – Conclusion
Sermon Title: Shaping Disciples Through Trials – Conclusion
Sermon Purpose: To call the hearer to endure and win the victory in trials, in order to experience blessing.
Sermon Proposition: There are 5 absolutes for being blessed in and through trials.
I. Blessed is the Christian that endures trials. V.12a (Luke 6:48-49; 1 Peter 1:6-7)
The word blessed (makapios) means inward and spiritual joy and satisfaction; an inner assurance and confidence that carries one through trials and temptations of life no matter the pain, sorrow, loss, or grief.
Job 17:9 Yet the righteous will hold to his way, And he who has clean hands will be stronger and stronger.
Hebrews 5:8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
James 5:11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord -- that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
II. Blessed is the Christian that is approved. V.12b (1 Cor. 15:58; James 1:25)
Matthew 10:22 "And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
1 Peter 2:19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.
John 6:38 "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
Revelation 22:14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
III. Blessed is the Christian that receives the crown of life. V.12c
A. Being crowned with the crown of life fills us with unbroken joy and rejoicing.
B. Being crowned with the crown of life bestows honor and dignity.
C. Being crowned with the crown of life gives us a deep and perfect sense of victory and triumph.
D. Being crowned with the crown of life conforms us to the image of eternal glory.
IV. Blessed is the Christian that trusts in the Lord’s promises. V.12d
1 Thessalonians 5:24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
Hebrews 10:33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated;
Hebrews 6:18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.
Revelation 2:10 "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
A. Lovers of God have a consistent abode.
John 15:9 " As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.
B. Lovers of God have a consistent ability.
Ephesians 3:17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height --
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
C. Lovers of God have a consistent aim.
Matthew 22:37 Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'
2 John 1:6 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.
D. Lovers of God have a consistent assurance.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
E. Lovers of God have a consistent attractiveness.
2 Thessalonians 3:5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
F. Lovers of God have a consistent appearance.
Ephesians 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
G. Lovers of God have a consistent anxiety.
Jude 1:21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.