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!

Valor - Faith is the First Requirement

Notes: Valor - Faith is the First Requirement
Jonathan Laurie
Galatians 3
Harvest OC
Week 4

Jonathan is talking about how he grew up in his parents strict house.

How he started getting busted for partying and doing drugs. How he hated that. 

Once he got saved he enjoyed coming home and not getting busted, proving he was a changed person.

The Judaizers taught to obey and you will be saved. Paul teaches to believe and you will be saved.

Paul presents the personal arguments.

Galatians 3:1-5 NKJV
[1] O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? [2] This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? [3] Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? [4] Have you suffered so many things in vain-if indeed it was in vain? [5] Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?-

Paul is reminding them that they were saved by faith, that they are being foolish by following the law thinking it would save them.

Galatians 3:6-14 NKJV
[6] just as Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." [7] Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. [8] And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed." [9] So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. [10] For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them." [11] But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith." [12] Yet the law is not of faith, but "the man who does them shall live by them." [13] Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), [14] that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Judaizers pointed to Abraham. Paul was ready for this.

Genesis 12:3 NKJV
[3] I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

Abraham believed that God would bless him by his faith.

God gave the covenant 430 years before he gave the law.

Galatians 3:15 NKJV
[15] Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man's covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.

Abraham did not get just an earthly blessing but also an eternal blessing.

So why did God give the law?

Galatians 3:15-29 NKJV
[15] Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man's covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. [16] Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ. [17] And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. [18] For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise. [19] What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. [20] Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one. [21] Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. [22] But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. [23] But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. [24] Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. [25] But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. [26] For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. [27] For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. [28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [29] And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

The law was:
1. Temporary

Romans 2:14-15 NKJV
[14] for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, [15] who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)

2. The law convicts us.

3. The law acts as a mirror for us.

The law shows us that we all sin and have fallen short.

John 3:16 NKJV
[16] For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

The Death of a Conscience

Notes: The Death of a Conscience

Matthew 14

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

SERIES:

God Came Near

Sunday, October 11, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

Woodlawn is opening October 16.

Have you ever heard of Arthur Conan Doyle, he wrote the Sherlock Holmes series? As a joke he wrote twelve friends an anonymous note saying, "Flee at once, all is discovered!" All of those people fled the country. Apparently they all had a guilty conscience.

What shape is your conscience in?

A clear conscience never fears midnight knocking.

A conscience can be seared, as if by an iron, where it becomes less responsive.

Today we are talking about the life and death of conscience. King Herod had seared his conscience.

Luke 23:5-7 NKJV

[5] But they were the more fierce, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place." [6] When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. [7] And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

Matthew 14:1-5 NKJV

[1] At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus [2] and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him." [3] For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. [4] Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." [5] And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

Who was King Herod? This Herod is not Herod the Great that was searching for the King of the Jews when Jesus was born.

This is Herod of Antipas, he is the son of Herod the Great.

John the Baptist was one of Herod's advisers.

John the Baptist was the first prophet the Jews had heard from in over 400 years.

John was a man of immense moral courage and the greatest prophet that ever lived. John was the direct forerunner of Jesus Christ.

Mark 6:20 NKJV

[20] for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

Herod liked John, but his wife Herodias despised John.

John the Baptist was a true friend to Herod because he told him the truth.

Proverbs 27:6 NKJV

[6] Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

A true friend will stab you in the front.

Mark 6:20 NKJV

[20] for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

"He did many thing" we don't know what he did, but maybe he was a little better to others.

A little religion in your life could be a bad thing; you can be searing your conscience if you are not all the committed.

Mark 6:19 NKJV

[19] Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not;

Alcoholism is a choice not a disease. The Bible calls them drunkards.

Herod was a drunkard.

Mark 6:21-24 NKJV

[21] Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. [22] And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you." [23] He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom." [24] So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"

In the pursuit of keeping yourself looking good, don't forget your soul.

Titus 2:3-5 NKJV

[3] the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things- [4] that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, [5] to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

Matthew 14:6-11 NKJV

[6] But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. [7] Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. [8] So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter." [9] And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. [10] So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. [11] And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.

Herod was prompted to kill his only friend for two reasons, sexual desires and the desire to please others.

Don't feed lust you need to starve it.

Matthew 14:9 NKJV

[9] And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.

Instead of admitting he was wrong, Herod had murder committed.

Herod's conscience was not just troubled it was dying.

Mark 6:16 NKJV

[16] But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"

Herod had a guilty conscience, because your sin will find you out.

Sometimes we don't even realize what we have done in our sin until later in life. Women who have abortions seem to get hit later in life with the realization of what they have done.

Jesus did not speak a single word to Herod.

Luke 23:8-11 NKJV

[8] Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. [9] Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing. [10] And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. [11] Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.

Jesus would not engage Herod.

John 2:23-25 NKJV

[23] Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. [24] But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, [25] and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.

Jesus knows when a commitment to Him is either true or fake.

Luke 23:11 NKJV

[11] Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.

The death of a conscience starts with small things. Then those things grow.

1 Timothy 1:19 NKJV

[19] having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck,

Has God been speaking to you through your conscience and you have been ignoring it?

Hebrews 10:22 NKJV

[22] let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

1 John 1:9 NKJV

[9] If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Ephesians 1:6 NKJV

[6] to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

The only way to get rid of a guilty conscience is by going to the cross.

We all need the Gospel.