He Performs All Things for Me and Glory Revealed Through Suffering — David L & Alan T — May 5, 2024
http://rlcf.church River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker emphasizes that all good things and spiritual gifts are ultimately from God, preventing any sense of personal entitlement or deserving reward. He draws from Psalms 57 and 18 to illustrate God's perfect work, concluding that even after fulfilling all obligations, one remains an unprofitable servant. The central message is profound humility: all glory belongs to God, and hope is found in the future glory that will eclipse present suffering.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
God performs all things for meDrawing from Psalm 57, the speaker notes that God performs all things for His people, and humans cannot take any credit or ownership of spiritual good at the end of life.
God is our strength and shieldPsalm 18 highlights how God's way is perfect, serving as a shield, arming believers with strength, and holding them up with His right hand.
What do you have that you did not receive?Paul asks in 1 Corinthians what anyone possesses that was not given to them from heaven, reinforcing that all spiritual blessings come from God alone.1 Corinthians 4:7
Conditions of seeking the LordThere are biblical principles and conditions, such as seeking the Lord with all one's heart, in order to receive His rewards and find Him.
The danger of a sense of entitlementWhen we fulfill commandments or conditions, our hearts have a natural tendency toward pride and entitlement, feeling that we deserve God's promises.
Still an unprofitable servantEven when we do everything the Lord commands, we only produce water; God is the one who turns it into wine, making us unprofitable servants who deserve nothing.
God completes the work He beginsPhilippians and Hebrews remind us that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, and He is the one who completes the good work in us.
Suffering compared to future gloryRomans 8:18 states that present sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory to be revealed, offering hope that God will eventually remove all sorrow.Romans 8:18
Grieving with hope versus having no hopeFirst Thessalonians explains that believers do not grieve like the rest of the world who have no hope and face eternal separation from God.1 Thessalonians 4:13
Glory revealed in us todayAn alternative translation of Romans 8:18 speaks of the glory being revealed *in* us, meaning God works through our present trials and sufferings.
Count it all joy in various trialsJames instructs believers to count it all joy when facing trials because the testing of faith produces endurance and maturity.
Suffering to grow strongerFirst Peter 5:10 speaks of being perfected and established after suffering, much like a weightlifter getting excited when heavier plates are added because it means they are growing stronger.1 Peter 5:10
