Why trials?
Why me?
Do you know anyone who thinks or says these questions?
Please bring them Sunday.

Trials are something we all have in common. We all experience stress and it is easy to assume that being stressed by various things gives us a pass on being unstable. No matter the situation the fruit of the spirit is still the standard for spirit filed followers of Jesus.

Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Once you know God will protect you unconditionally what will keep you growing in Christ like character?  God will allow trials.  Please read Gods word slowly and let the Holy spirit apply its truth.

1 Peter 1:1-5 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen; according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1 Peter 1:8-12 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven–things into which angels long to look.

It is through trials that your faith is grown and proven. It is through trials that you learn to handle life with stability and dignity.  The tendency for followers of Jesus to get spun up and over react has greatly damaged the Gospel in recent years. Reacting and jumping from cause to cause, church to church. opinion to opinion.  To be unstable is the true mark of immaturity.

Ephesians 4:14-15 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,

At home, work, church, online or in person we are called to become rocks of stability not block heads of opinion and fear.

Blessings,
Joe

1. Share how a trial taught you something you could not have learned any other way? Examples could be in understanding others etc…
2. Describe a trial that you brought on yourself. What did you learn?
3. Why is having security   of salvation essential to learn and rejoice in times of trial
   

   1 Peter 1:4-5 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

4. Why is it necessary for us to have different kinds of trials?
   

   1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

5. Why should we not compare trials?
6. “Stress isn’t an excuse it’s a revelation.”  Agree or disagree?
7. Does going through trials guarantee growth and stability?
   

   1 Peter 2:20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

8. How can giving thanks in trials help you to see the lesson?
   

   1 Th 5:18-19 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  Do not quench the Spirit;

9. How can trials make us appreciate our salvation more?