Josh McGuire - “Singing Through Trials” | Austin CFC | 2024-07-14
Summary
The speaker encourages listeners to endure life's trials by fixing their eyes on Jesus, who endured the cross for the joy set before him. He uses examples from scripture—including Jesus singing a hymn before Gethsemane—to illustrate that maintaining faith and expressing devotion through song or worship is possible even amid intense suffering. The core message is finding perseverance in one's own trials by comparing them to the struggles of others, ultimately drawing strength from God's grace.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Finding endurance through the example of JesusThe speaker points to Hebrews 12 to show how fixing our eyes on Jesus and considering what He endured provides the perseverance needed in our own trials.
Jesus singing a hymn before GethsemaneBefore facing the cross, Jesus sang a hymn with His disciples, demonstrating a heart of humility and a desire to sing right before His greatest trial.
Job's response of worship and praise in immense lossJob lost his wealth, servants, and children, yet he tore his robe, fell to the ground, and worshiped God, mirroring the spirit of the song Blessed Be Your Name.
Paul and Silas singing hymns at midnight in prisonAfter being beaten with rods and locked in stocks in the inner prison, Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns to God at midnight while other prisoners listened.
Jehoshaphat and Judah facing invading armiesWhen vast armies came to attack Judah, King Jehoshaphat was afraid, proclaimed a fast, and led the people to fix their eyes on God and send singers ahead into battle.
Recognizing our spiritual blessings in the New CovenantEven if we lack earthly wealth or health, every believer can give thanks for salvation, the Holy Spirit, divine love, and everything pertaining to life and godliness.
Offering the sacrifice of praise in the midst of afflictionHebrews 13 calls us to offer a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that give thanks—which is an expression of faith when problems are not yet solved.Hebrews 13:15
Walking with God daily prepares us for trialsThe common thread among Job, Paul, Silas, and Jehoshaphat was not a secret trick, but a daily walk with God in the boring, ordinary moments of life.
