Real Joy: Trusting God in Adversity Part 3

Real Joy: Trusting God in Adversity     Part 3
Conduct Yourself in a Manner Worthy of Christ
Philippians 1:27-30

Tim Keller - “I am so flawed that Jesus must die for me and so loved that He chose to die for me.”

Henri Nouwen - “It is such a comfort to know that Jesus' wounds remain visible in his risen body. Our wounds are not taken away, but become sources of hope to others.”    

I. Stand firm in Christ.

1. Is steadfastness of worship a way of life for me?

1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

2. Do I daily offer myself to God and renew my mind?

Romans 12:1-2 - “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”

3. Do I continually reject what Satan, my flesh, and the world offer me?

James 4:7 -“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

4. Do I persistently encourage my spiritual leaders and my family in Christ to stand firm in Christ?

Hebrews 3:13 – “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.”

II. Strive fervently for the Gospel.

1. Do I regularly serve my “family” and others for God’s glory and their joy?

2 Corinthians 1:24 - “…we are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.”

2. Am I perpetually sacrificing my resources and myself in order to get the gospel to the world?

Luke 14:26-27 - “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”

Luke 16:9 - “And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.”

3. Do my lifestyle choices consistently reveal my passion for Christ-like living?

2 Corinthians 7:1 - “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

4. Is making disciples a relentless lifestyle for me?

Matthew 28:18-20 -“And Jesus said….. All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,   teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

III. Stay satisfied in Christ during adversity.

1. During adversity, are others often encouraged by my reliance on Christ?

1 Peter 1:7 - "These [trials] have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

2. Does adversity continually give me a platform to make much of Him?

Romans 8:35-37 - “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...but in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.”

3. Is it clear that Christ is my great treasure by the way I consistently speak and live?

Matthew 13:46 - “Upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

4. Do I consistently “make my soul joyful in the Lord”, or do I just talk about it?

Psalm 16:11 - “You will show me the path of life: in Your presence is fullness of joy….”

Adoniram Judson - “If I had not felt certain that every trial was ordered by infinite love and mercy, I could not have survived my accumulated sufferings.”

Faith Sheet  

Transformation Verse - He must become greater; I must become less… John 3:30

Main Points: Tim Keller said, “I am so flawed that Jesus must die for me and so loved that He chose to die for me.” We must know this truth deeply. As this truth becomes more of a reality in us and we are growing in being satisfied in Christ, then we are willing to suffer for Him. This kind of life prepares us to be used to lead others to know and treasure Jesus Christ.

#1- Reviewing this past Sunday  

1. Read Philippians 1:27-30 and discuss the message with someone.
2. What suffering are you experiencing now? Are you running to the Lord or away from Him? Who do you trust to pray with you?
3. What has God communicated lately about His presence “in” suffering?
4. Why is it so tempting to doubt the presence and goodness of God despite what Scripture shows us?
5. Who do you know that is suffering? How are you moved to reach out to him or her?

# 2- Preparing for next Sunday
Real Joy: Descending into Greatness-Part 1
1. Read Philippians 2:1-4. What are some key words and phrases?
2. Humility means to be “joyously low” and to see ourselves correctly as God sees us. Why is this important in family life? Church life? Elsewhere?
3. How does the lack of humility sometimes hurt your relationships?
4. Read Isaiah 66:2 – What is the promise here, and why is it so important?
5. Pray that God will grow us in true humility.