Church Sharing - October 18, 2015

October 19, 201538mWatch on YouTube

Speaker: Church Title: Church Sharing Date: 10-18-2015 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Summary

The speaker discusses the importance of vulnerability and openness in sharing struggles, drawing parallels between personal sin and the public humiliation of Christ on the cross. The message emphasizes that affliction is a gift from God that opens understanding, refining faith and building capacity for grace and compassion toward others who suffer. Ultimately, the goal is to deepen one's understanding of God's faithfulness through suffering.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

Overcoming the fear of vulnerabilityThe speaker reflects on being convicted by the Holy Spirit for hiding personal struggles and being afraid of exposure, contrasting this with Jesus enduring total humiliation on the cross.

Learning from LamentationsDrawing from Jeremiah's grief and hope in Lamentations, the speaker realizes there is no reason to complain about personal struggles and sin, welcoming prayer and accountability instead.

Finding comfort in the path through sufferingFacing an aggressive cancer, the speaker turns to Elizabeth Elliot's book on suffering and learns the importance of accepting affliction as from the Father's hand.

Learning from Peter's denialAfter getting caught up in a high-status social environment and forgetting the Lord, the speaker relates to Peter's overconfidence and failure, reminding listeners not to put confidence in the flesh.

Jesus's forward-thinking restorationReflecting on Jesus restoring Peter in John 21, the speaker highlights that God is forward-thinking, does not dwell on past failures, and wants us to move forward without condemnation.John 21:15

Confident rest in our adoptionThe next speaker reflects on Paul's confidence in belonging to Jesus, emphasizing that through spiritual adoption we can rest securely in what God says about us rather than being dragged down by others.

Counting all things as lossReflecting on Philippians 3, the speaker notes that how much of Christ we gain depends on how little we clasp in our hands, letting go of earthly pursuits and works-based righteousness.

Enduring to the endDrawing from Proverbs and Matthew 24, a speaker warns against letting sin grow our love cold, encouraging believers to keep going daily and trust in God's faithfulness to preserve us.Proverbs 17:9

The honesty of Gideon and God's strengthReflecting on Gideon's honest doubts and questions in Judges 6, the speaker highlights that God meets our limitations and nothingness with His strength when we humbly cry out to Him.