Purpose in Trials

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Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
(James 1:2-4, ESV)

Notice that there is a purpose in our trials.  Our trials are a testing of our faith.  Not to see if we have faith, but to test our very real faith.  The word has the idea of refining or purifying.  You put metal in a fire to melt it down and drain off impurities.  In the same way, our times in the fire are designed by God to refine and purify our faith. 

And this testing produces steadfastness or endurance.  You are more able to endure the same trial today than before because it has developed in you this steadfastness.  It is like lifting weights – you can endure more repetitions and more weight as your muscles are developed.  And you can endure more trials and harder trials as your faith is developed and strengthened.  You are gaining the ability to faithfully endure, to remain steadfast.

And this steadfastness then must have its full effect.  It must keep developing so that you might be perfect or mature – mature in this life, and perfect in the life to come.  So that one day you will be complete, lacking in nothing.

Your trials exist to help you grow in your faith and steadfastness to make you mature in Christ.  There is a purpose in your trials.

So rejoice expectantly.  Rejoice when you have trials because you know that it brings maturity.  We rejoice not in the trial but in the purpose.  We rejoice in expectation that our suffering is for our ultimate good.  Which means that we might at same time be weeping, struggling, crying out to God, and lamenting before Him.  We are not denying the hardship and all sorrow and struggle of our trials, we are just remembering the purpose.  So even as we wrestle, we can rejoice expectantly.

Sermon Songs: Hebrews 13:8-16

On By BrianIn Hebrews HymnsLeave a comment

Do not follow strange, diverse doctrines
That subtract from or add to Jesus
He died to cleanse us from all our sins
He’s all we need – just stick with Jesus

Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son

Behold the sacrifice of Jesus
For Him will we gladly do the same?
He has prepared a city for us
So to all do good and praise His name
(Repeat Chorus)

© 2023 Brian J. Mikul

(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)

A Servant

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James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.
(James 1:1, ESV)

Notice James’ self-description: “A servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.”  That is his self-description.

Now that is not how I would do it.  If I was James, I would open it this way: “James, a brother of Jesus.”  Let me just remind you of how close I am to Him.  Recall my intimate connection to Him – we are brothers, you know. 

Wouldn’t you be tempted to play the brother card? 

That is how our world operates.  We try to impress each other with our connections – I know so and so, look at me!

James, a servant of God – just a servant.  And of the Lord Jesus Christ – not my brother but my Lord!  He is the master; I am just a servant.  He is the Christ, the promised King; I am just his servant.  I am a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Is that your self-description?   Is that how you see yourself?  Would you introduce yourself that way?  Hi, I am a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As His servant then, let’s humbly serve him.  It’s not about you or me; it’s all about Him.  It’s not about what we want, but about what He wants.  It’s not about our amazing ideas, but about His truly wise plans. 

So let’s join James and humbly serve the Lord.  Serve Him in our homes.  Serve Him in our church.  Serve Him in our community.  Serve Him with our time and money.  Serve Him with our words and actions.  Serve Him even in our suffering.  Serve Him with whatever strength God gives us. 

We are servants of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.  So let’s humbly serve Him with all of our lives.

Sermon Songs: Hebrews 13:7-8, 17-19

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Hear your leaders speak God’s Word to you
Their faith and life, imitate each day
Pray for them as they watch over you
Follow them as they show forth Christ’s way

Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son

© 2023 Brian J. Mikul

(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)

Sermon Songs: Hebrews 13:1-6

On By BrianIn Hebrews HymnsLeave a comment

Jesus has made us a family
Love each other in practical ways
Honor marriage, flee adultery
Don’t live for money or things today

Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son

Our God will never, never leave us
He is the source of ev’ry good thing
So we can share what God gives to us
We need not fear for we know the King
(Repeat Chorus)

© 2023 Brian J. Mikul

(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)

Cling to His Crucial Assurance

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And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
(Matthew 28:20b, ESV)

The Exciting Assurance

Jesus is with us always!  All the time.  All the days.  The whole of every day.  He is with us in the good days and the bad days and the so-so days.  He is with us in the trials and the blessings.  He is with us all the time and everywhere.  Jesus is always with us.

Which means, by the way, that Jesus is God.  No one else can be omnipresent.  No one else could be everywhere, with each of us all the time.  Jesus, fully God and fully man, is with us always.

And He is with us to the end of age, or the consummation of the age.  He is with us until He returns and brings forth the glorious new heaven and earth.  Until that exciting day we have this exciting assurance that Jesus is with us always.

The Encouraging Assurance

No matter what we face in life, Jesus is always with us.

No matter what we face as we carry out the Great Commission, the One with all authority is always with us.

We don’t have to face life alone, and we don’t do the Great Commission alone.  Jesus is always with us.

Be encouraged that Jesus is with you this week in your trials and struggles, at work, at home, and on road.

Be encouraged that Jesus is with you as you go and talk about Jesus, as you point people to Jesus, as you seek to obey Him.

He will never leave you nor forsake you.  He is always with you, always right there with you – be encouraged!

Cling to Your Hope

On By BrianIn PASSION ReflectionsLeave a comment

And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”  (Acts 1:10-11, ESV)

Will comes as you saw Him go.  Our hope in the flooding that Michigan just experienced was that the water would eventually go down.  The disciples’ hope and our ultimate hope is that Jesus will come as they saw Him go – that Jesus will return.  For now, we have to deal with floods – of water and tears and trials and suffering and pain and heartache, but our hope is that Jesus will come as they saw Him go.

Longing for Him.  The disciples were gazing into heaven, looking into heaven – in amazement, for sure!  But I think also in longing already for His return.  Here was a sad goodbye.  They wouldn’t see Him again in this life.  Are you longing for His return?  Are you longing to see Jesus, your Savior who loves you so much that He died for you?  Does the thought of His return and seeing Him fill you with excitement?  Does the final prayer of the Bible: “Even so, come Lord Jesus!” flow from your heart? Are you longing for Him?

To bring the final kingdom.  When Jesus comes, our hope of the final kingdom will be realized.  As we read in Revelation 21-22, there will be a new heaven and earth.  And there will be a New Jerusalem – a city and a people, God’s people.  God will dwell with us forever.  There will be no more tears or death or pain.  He will make all things new.  It will be a place of unimaginable beauty, ablaze with glory of God.  And nothing unclean or evil or sinful will ever enter it.  The water of life will flow in it.  The tree of life will bring healing.  We will see Jesus and worship Him and reign with Him. 

In the flood of struggles and sorrows, cling to your hope – as Jesus ascended so He will come again.  Our longing to see Him will be satisfied, and we will dwell in His glorious kingdom forever.  Cling to your hope.

Sermon Songs: Hebrews 12:18-29

On By BrianIn Hebrews Hymns

We do not come to what we can see
We do not need to hang back in fear
From our guilt Jesus has set us free
And He invites us to now draw near

Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son

When we draw near in worship and prayer
We come to God’s heavenly city
With God’s people and the angels there
Jesus whose blood cleanses you and me
(Repeat Chorus)

And in the center – behold our God
For we have come into His presence
Offer Him gratitude, honor, laud
Worship Him with awe and reverence
(Repeat Chorus)

© 2023 Brian J. Mikul

(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)

OT Journey 2.0: Joshua

On By BrianIn OT Journey 2.0

There are 5 studies for the book of Joshua, which you can find below. You can use them to continue leading a study through the Old Testament or to just lead a study on Joshua. Be sure to read the introduction to OT Journey 2.0 at the bottom of the page here for more information. You are encouraged to use the Bible Project overview video to introduce the study.

Study 1: Joshua 1-5

Study 2: Joshua 5-9

Study 3: Joshua 10-13

Study 4: Joshua 13-19

Study 5: Joshua 20-24

May God bless you as you study His Word!