NCCF Church Sharing - October 5, 2014
Date: 10/05/2014 Speaker: Church Title: NCCF Church Sharing
Summary
The speaker discusses the purpose of trials, drawing from scripture to show that God uses difficulties to bring us back to Him when we wander or become self-sufficient. Trials serve to empty us of our own fullness so that God can fill us with His nature and purpose. Ultimately, enduring suffering allows us to receive God's comfort so that we can, in turn, comfort others.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Why does God send trials in our way?Trials are lessons from life and scripture to show what God wants to accomplish and teach us.
God brings us to our senses like the prodigal sonWhen we wander away and become full of ourselves, God sends hardships as a wake-up call to bring us back to His presence and instruction.Psalm 119:176
Avoiding the fate of Moab by being emptiedJust like Moab who stayed at ease and retained his flavor, we resist trials that empty us out of ourselves so God can fill us with His nature.
Learning to receive and give God's comfortGod comforts us in affliction so that we can take those lessons and offer the exact same comfort to others going through trials.
Reading David's complaints in the PsalmsWhile reading about David's complaints against his enemies, we look for how to apply these passages under the New Covenant of rejoicing always.
Replacing David's enemies with our sinful fleshWhen we read David's cries for rescue and replace his enemies with sin or our sinful flesh, we see how dreadful sin truly is.
Recognizing our powerlessness and turning to JesusRealizing we cannot fight sin in our own strength reveals that Jesus is the only secret and source of victory who gives us the Holy Spirit.
The call to go and make disciplesJust as Jesus commanded before ascending, we must look beyond our own purification and be willing witnesses in our unique circles.Matthew 28:18
Two ways to share our faith with othersWe can invite people to come and see the difference in our lives, and we can be prepared to explain the hope we have in Christ.
Reaching our own little world for GodGod loves the specific little world and social circle around each of us, placing us there so we can point people to eternal life.
Loving God out of a pure heartWe must love God for Himself rather than focusing primarily on the physical and spiritual blessings He gives us.
Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strengthInstead of waiting years to attempt this high standard, we can simply ask God to help us obey this command right now.
