Young Life Campaigners2-7-05
Learn From Hard Times
Romans 8:28 - We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
- When do we praise God?
It is really easy to praise God and be thankful when things are going well for us. But at times when things go wrong, it is easy for us to feel abandoned or forgotten.
- Do you really believe that good can come from the worst of situations? Why is it so hard to believe that?
The truth is: we just don’t get it! God has a plan for everything, and it is normal for us to want things to go a certain way because—in our eyes—it appears to be the ‘right’ or ‘best’ way. And the blessed truth for us is, even after we sin, or bad things happen—God can make it good! He can take the worst situation and make it better, and purposeful! Specifically (in this campaigners) we are going to look into using bad situations in order to learn from them. And yes, learning is good!
- Think of a time when something bad happened to you, but ended up being all ok in the end… or at least you learned from it.
Trials
Habakkuk 3:17-19- Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
- ______teach us ______.
When we go through tough times, we need to learn to count on and rely on God. If we do not learn this, spiritual growth is very difficult.
Why rely on God? Philippians 4:6-7.Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Relying on God gives us peace that we cannot even comprehend.
Temptations
James 1:12- Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
- ______teach us ______.
The next verse shows us why this is of utmost importance to our faith and our lives:
James 1:13-18 -No one, when tempted, should say, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one.But one is tempted by one’s own desire, being lured and enticed by it;then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death.Do not be deceived, my beloved.
Hebrews 5:8 - Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he sufferedand, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.
Trespasses (sins, something ‘bad’ done to another person)
Ephesians 2:1-5 - As for you, you were dead in your trespasses and sins,in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.But because of his great love for us, God, who is forgiving,made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in trespasses—it is by grace you have been saved.
- ______teach us ______.
Matthew 6:14-15 - For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you;but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Personal Application: Learn from hard times.