Last summer, multiple speakers kicked off the year with a series called OTHERS FIRST. Like all of the 2018-2019 series, this one explored 1) what the Bible actually says, and 2) how we, as a congregation, are trying to apply what the Bible says. This year, we are building on that foundation. We will revisit each of our core themes assuming that everyone knows what we're talking about and why it's important, focusing on how, when, and where. Each message this year will primarily offer practical application, with lots of stories, inspiration and deeper insight to fuel the fire. The title of this series is "How To Tell The Story..." and each sermon will complete that sentence with a different scenario.
Speaker: David Pryor, Discipleship Minister
Notes:
How we as Christians handle suffering, tragedies, disappointments, and even death can negatively affect our spiritual growth and our witness—or it could be a great source of spiritual growth, expand the scope of our ministry, and become our most effective witness. Others are watching how live our lives.
Trust and be obedient even when you don't understand.
In addition to experiencing illness, disease, tragedies, and death, we will also face persecution. And the closer we get to the return of our Lord, the greater our persecution will be. John 15:20, Matthew 5:11-12, Acts 14:22, 2 Timothy 3:12, Hebrews 11:6, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
The answer to the problem of evil and suffering is not a philosophy but a Person; not words, but the Word. Hebrews 4:15, 2:18 & 12:2-3, 1 Peter 2:20-21
“How the believer deals with undeserved suffering may be the primary witness of God's goodness, justice, grace and love—not only to the sufferer, but to a non- believing world.” - Larry Waters
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Serve like you are serving Christ.
Your answer to Jesus's question, “Who do you say that I am?” will be revealed in your lifestyle, the words you speak, your demeanor, your intonation—in everything you do. Christ shared in our suffering; we are to share in His. Luke 24:26, Daniel 7:27, 1 Peter 4:13 & 5:9, Philippians 1:29 & 3:10, Romans 8:17-18, Acts 5:41, Colossians 1:24, Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 12:3, 1 Peter 2:21
Persevere and grow through suffering.
Satan wishes to destroy our faith through suffering; God desires to refine our faith using the same situations. 1 Peter 4:1, James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5 & 8:28, 32, 38-39, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Hebrews 3:15, 1 Peter 5:7 & 4:19, Matthew 18:20
This week, I will...