Why God Allows Trials in the Life of the Believer

Notes: Why God Allows Trials in the Life of the Believer

James 1

Pastor Greg Laurie

SERIES: What Every Growing Christian Needs to Know

Thursday, October 15, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

There are certain things all Christians need to know if they want to be growing.

1. You must read, study and love God’s word.

Joshua 1:8 NKJV

[8] This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

2. You need to have a prayer life.

3. You must be actively involved in church.

Hebrews 10:25 NKJV

[25] not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

If you are doing all these things and you don't see any change. Remember it takes time.

Sometimes to see if you are growing spiritually ask your spouse. Sometimes as a believer you don't feel as spiritual as other times. Just because you are not feeling it, doesn't mean you aren't walking in the word.

We will all go through trials.

Without warning trials can come crashing through our lives.

James 1:1-4 NKJV

[1] James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. [2] My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, [3] knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. [4] But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Why do trials happen? Why do we deserve such a fate?

1. God allows trials in our lives so we will grow spiritually.

They usually are just laid on us.

Like in John 6, Jesus fed the 5000 and then the apostles sailed right into a storm.

Do you believe God can provide for you even when the odds are not in your favor?

John 6:5-11 NKJV

[5] Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" [6] But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. [7] Philip answered Him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little." [8] One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him, [9] "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?" [10] Then Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. [11] And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.

Just because we know something doesn't mean we don't need to be tested on it again and again.

Like the gym, just because we have gone doesn't mean we can stop going.

Trials are like the gym; they break us down so that we can be built back up.

In essence trials make us strong.

James 1:3 NLT

[3] For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

The testing of your faith produces spiritual toughness, endurance, steadfastness and perseverance.

While Joseph was in prison he was being prepared.

Psalm 105:18 NLT

[18] They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar.

God took Joseph from a pampered boy to a heroic man of God.

James 1:4 NLT

[4] So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Don't treat trials as intruders but as friends.

These trials were either done by God or allowed by God.

No two trials are exactly the same.

2. Even when things look bleak, all things work together for Gods glory and your good.

The book of Job shows us that God allows trials.

Even the devil can serve the purposes of God. The devil’s attacks can help strengthen a man’s faith as we are put through trials. The devil’s attacks can help us learn to cling to God. The devil isn't trying to help God, but God can use anyone for His glory, the devil is no exception.

Genesis 50:20 NLT

[20] You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

3. Gods ultimate purpose for us through trials is that we might be conformed to serve his glory.

Romans 8:28-29 NLT

[28] And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. [29] For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Something’s come into our lives as bad things and they will always be bad things. God promises they will work together for our good. He does not say that bad things will become good.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NLT

[17] For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! [18] So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

The good news is that God is still in the miracle business.

When God puts us in the furnace, we need to know God has his hand on the thermostat and his eye on the timer.

4. Suffering can bring glory to God.

Miracles still happen today.

God can also leave the problems there and have you glorify Him all the same.

Give God the glory now, before He fixes it. Give God the glory even before the answer.

Job prayed and worshiped as he lost everything.

A disability can become an ability in the hands of God.

Nick Vujicic is a perfect example of this.

Joni Eareckson Tada is another perfect example.

Hebrews 10:38 NLT

[38] And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away."

Joni says she is on a battlefield and she wants to glorify God.

Can you give God the glory in your trials?

Job 1:21 NLT

[21] He said, "I came naked from my mother's womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD!"

5. Suffering can be used to prepare us for a special task.

When Greg lost his son, he turned to others that have lost their children.

Don't waste your pain.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NLT

[3] All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. [4] He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. [5] For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.

You comfort with the comfort that you have been comforted with.

God can take the worst things and work through them.

Remember, God gives you what you need when you need it.

Corrie ten Boom is another example for us. She knew God would give her what she needed when she needed.

All of our lives will have trouble.

Do you have the Lord to hang on to through your troubles?

I don't know the state of your problems now, but I do know who the answer is.

Turn to God now!