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Our view of trials is generally all wrong.
- 2 Tim. 3:12
I. SPIRITUAL MATURITY AND FULLNESS OF JOY
Paul is an example to us of spiritual maturity. One clear indicator that one
is not spiritually mature is that it doesn't take much to rob them of their ________.
JOY is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
But, our joy is not necessarily full, is it? 1 John 1 explains.
Now what will keep your joy from being full? Breaking your ______________________ with God!
And how does that happen? ___________!
Now, anything other than sin - no matter the degree of difficulty or tribulation, no matter how painful or disappointing - should _____________ _______ us of our joy.
II. THE RIGHT REACTION TO TRIALS PRODUCES CHRISTLIKE CHARACTER IN US AND GIVES CONFIDENCE TO OTHERS.
Our witness (vv. 12-14), our wisdom (vv. 15-18), and our worship (vv. 19-26) are all improved when we respond correctly to adversity.
The question most of us ask in our trials is, _____ ____ ______ __________________ ___ ___?
What is the principle we need to apply? - We must react to adversity with the "Principle of ____________." When we do, we encourage other believers to be more determined in their walk of faith.
And that's exactly why Satan wants to defeat you... John 10:10
So here is our path to a greater understanding of how we should react to trials...
A. UNDERSTAND THAT TRIALS ARE A NORMAL PART OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
-Job 5:7
-Psalm 90:8-10
-John 15:20; 16:33
-2 Timothy 3:12
-James 1:2-5
-1 Peter 4:12-17
B. UNDERSTAND THAT GOD HAS A PURPOSE IN THE TRIALS HE PUTS YOU THROUGH.
-Acts 20:24
-Romans 1:14-16
-1 Corinthians 16:9
-1 Thessalonians 2:2
-2 Timothy 2:8-10
-2 Corinthians 6:1-10