Still Growing in Christ

 

 "Still Growing in Christ"

Romans 5:3-4; 1 Timothy 4:15; Hebrews 5:14; James 1:2-4

 

Theme: The chances of being sidetracked increase with trouble and pain, but we must remain focused on learning of the Lord and drawing closer to Him.

Relevance:

Scripture frames pain as a brief test that builds endurance, spiritual strength, and eternal hope.

Introduction:

The idea of maturing in Christ is a subject we have given substantial thought to and have even taught this on a regular basis. Still the possibility of distraction exists, especially during painful experiences; we must focus ourselves on spiritual growth still. The following thoughts help us do just that.

Lesson:

God even Deals with Overcoming Hardships as a Positive Means to our Continuous Growth.   

     A.  Trials test our faith and produce endurance, which leads to spiritual completion and maturity. James 1:2-4, My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3, Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4, But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

     Believers can discover deeper joy during life’s hardships. Difficult times test and strengthen our faith, building patience—endurance. Enduring these tests with patience helps us grow spiritually mature, strong, and complete in our faith, lacking zero crucial qualities for life.

·       “Divers temptations” point to various trials, tests, or troubles sent to try our character, rather than enticements to sin.

·       “Count it all joy” is purposefully choose a mindset of complete holy gladness. This means changing how we view pain…reframing it to see it as a tool for growth instead of just another bad event.

·       “Patience” is steadfast endurance, perseverance, or the ability to remain strong under heavy pressure.

·       “Perfect and entire” or spiritually mature, fully developed, and whole in character, rather than completely sinless.

·       “Wanting nothing” refers to no essential spiritual quality or strength needed for life is missing.

The components that we can immediately adapt are surrounding learning—that is habitually learning with people devoted to God as the primary resource—especially those who are biblically successful in areas we desire progress. We must learn through others ministries. It may be shocking, but we really have incredibly few original thoughts.... Most biblical concepts typically came from someone else…which came from someone else…. This is fairly a humbling fact that helps us remain teachable—always seeking growth in the Lord. Yet, life is full of illustrations of brokenness eventuating into considerable growth:

·        Broken and Repaired: Pottery fixed with gold paint, showing that damage makes life unique.

·        The Heavy Load: A person carrying a big rock or giant book, showing how stress builds inner strength.

·        The Storm: A ship moving through big waves, showing bravery during scary changes.

Many Biblical and Historical Examples Demonstrate Using Faith to Face Challenges:

          ·       Joseph’s Pit to Palace: Sold into slavery and falsely imprisoned, Joseph learned humility, perseverance, and deep compassion. He later recognized that God used those hardships to preserve many lives (Genesis 50:20).

          ·       Corrie ten Boom’s Prison Experience: Imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp where she lost her family, Corrie ten Boom learned firsthand that “no matter how deep our pit, God’s love is deeper still.”

          ·       John Bunyan in Bedford Jail: Arrested for preaching without a license, Bunyan used his time in confinement to write The Pilgrim’s Progress, an enduring Christian allegory of persevering through life’s trials.

     B. Suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope, not quitting and giving up. Romans 5:3-4, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:”

     Christ’s followers can rejoice during hard times because tough situations build inner strength. Enduring trials leads to proven character, which then builds a strong and confident hope. 

·       “Tribulations” are hardships, pressures, troubles, or suffering.

·       “Glory in” is to rejoice or exult in, not because pain is good, but because of what God achieves through it.

·       “Worketh patience” or produces endurance, steadfastness, or the ability to remain under pressure without giving up.

·       “Experience” is proven character, testing, or spiritual maturity that has stood the test of time.

·       “Hope” is a certain, confident expectation of God’s promises and eternal good that does not disappoint.

Believers can find joy and purpose in these hard times. Difficult trials build patience, patience builds proven character, and that character strengthens a confident, unshakeable hope in God. We conscientiously reframe suffering as a tool for spiritual growth rather than a punishment.

·       Reflect on the Refiner’s Fire: Precious metals like silver and gold are heated intensely so that impurities rise to the top and can be skimmed off. A refiner knows the process is complete only when he can see his own reflection mirrored in the metal.

·       Meditate on the Next Mile Wisdom: Reminiscent of early explorers facing a daunting 450-mile wilderness trek, the best advice is often given by an old guide: “Just think about the next mile you have to go, never about all 450.” Faith calls believers to trust God for daily, step-by-step grace (Matthew 6:34).

C. It is Extremely Helpful to Note the Spiritual Progression! These verses outline a step-by-step chain reaction in our lives:

     ·       Trial comes first.

     ·       Patience is forged by surviving the trial.

     ·       Character is shaped by long-term patience.

     ·       Hope is the final outcome, rooted deeply in God’s love.

     D.  God in His Wisdom Gives Us Visual Symbols of Growth to Help Us Stay with It and Not Quit.

·        The Mountain Climb: A small person walking up a steep and rocky hill. This shows that reaching the top takes hard work.

·        The Lotus Flower: A pretty flower growing out of thick, dirty mud. It tells us that beauty and wisdom come from bad places.

·        The Kink in the Tree: A tree trunk with a sharp bend that keeps growing tall anyway. It proves that scars do not stop life.

Conclusion:

There must be no genuine differences in our personal philosophy and these thoughts presented in the Word. Concentration in the Scriptures will always be greater than our ideas, but the impressions of mentoring, training our minds to think, and processing godly concepts are all components we must take ownership. There are helpful disciplines we must adopt:

     ·       Fix your eyes on Jesus: Hebrews 12:2 encourages looking past the immediate trial to Jesus, the author and finisher of faith.

     ·       Reframe the pain as temporary: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 notes that outer struggles are light and momentary compared to unseen eternal glory.

     ·       Keep on praying without ceasing: Philippians 4:6-7 tells us to swap anxiety for prayer and thanksgiving to receive God’s peace.

     ·       Depend on God’s daily grace: 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us that God’s power is made perfect in weakness. 

Learning during hardships means growing stronger through hard times. We grow wiser when we face dark days, pain, difficulties, or heavy work. Beloved, learning of Christ who points constantly to God must be the goal for us. We will enjoy discovering truths and insights we’ve never seen or thought about before. Consider, the Spark in the Dark: A small light bulb or glowing star shining in a black room. It means a new idea is born from trouble.

Child of God, Recall the Deep-Rooted Sapling: Trees that grow in sheltered, easy environments develop shallow roots. Hard winds, storms, and rocky soil force a tree’s roots to go deep into the earth, resulting in a core strength that withstands future devastation. (Unknown)

The scriptures should always be the final authority in every matter. If the subject was not important enough for God to address it directly or in principle in the Bible, then it is okay for us to be quiet about it as well. You and I may have a personal preference, but that’s all it is…a personal preference. We are not free to elevate that idea to a requirement or standard for others. Know that trials deepen faith, build character, and produce resilient hope.

Today there are many avenues to ingest more Bible content and godly substance. Though we must proceed with real caution, much can be learned as we apply ourselves. We may study more Bible chapters, read more helpful commentaries and books, listen to solid podcasts, watch spiritually edifying videos, listen to inspiring individuals speak in person, set under God-centered preaching and teaching, pay close attention to a panel that’s assembled with godly growth in mind, and many other ways to expose our hearts to God’s truth. There are notable benefits relationally, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and experientially for such endeavors. God works powerfully through a willingness to submit ourselves to His authority in our lives. It is wise to cultivate a holy fear of God as we endeavor. So, take seriously this effort to intentionally learn and develop in the Lord. A life could not be better spent learning and obeying Him. 

Ridiculous Joy

Ridiculous Joy

1 Peter 1:8, 9

Trials are that part of life we feel we can live without. However, God can use them to strengthen and mold us with our cooperation.

1 Peter 1:8 says: “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory”. Peter speaks of the immense love and inexpressible thrill we feel for our Lord Jesus Christ. He first loved us and we love and believe in Him even though we have not physically seen Him. We correctly anticipate the magnificent deliverance of our souls.

Such sentiments are nothing short of profound and inexpressibly filled with godly joy marking our deep, triumphant happiness because of our Lord’s grace and presence.  

How Does This Truth Enable Us to Conquer Trials? (1 Peter 1:8, 9)

The trails of life, though real and often painful, are not to defeat or discourage us. On the contrary, we are to regard them as steppingstones to becoming stronger in the Lord. But how do we do this? How can we conquer trails when they are so painful, devastating, destructive, disorienting, powerful, damaging, and threatening? Fortunately, our feelings don’t tell the entire story!

                A.  Conquer them by Our Love for Christ, Vs 8 “Whom having not seen ye love….” Because we love Christ, we obey him, we keep his commandments, turn away from temptations, and we walk with him through trails. True love does everything possible to show love and avoid hurting our beloved; in fact, when we love someone, we do our best to please them. I read something that said, ‘love is still the strongest force on earth.’ If this is true, then the most formidable power to overthrow our trails is ours.

In times of trails, reflect on how Christ saved you and forgave you and how greatly He suffered for our sin. He freely demonstrated His great love for us! Permit your natural appreciation for Him to empower you to stand for God in trails and temptations. Love is not primarily an emotion, it is action.

Recall the example of Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicademus. They loved the Lord and openly identified with Him at a very trying time for any followers of Christ. Matt 27:57-58, When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: [58] He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.

                B.  Conquer them by Our Faith in Christ   Vs 8

We must continue to believe or trust Christ, and we must continue to be faithful to His teachings.  Stand firm upon His council and rely completely on His power and presence to conquer and carry us through all trails.

The Three Hebrew Boys understood what it meant to stand for God in Faith and be true to God centered convictions during trials! They were literally in the fires of their trial, but they enjoyed wonderful fellowship of the Son of God during that experience. Through their trial they bore testimony for Christ before a watching world! They knew what it meant to rely on God’s Power and Presence during trails!

Eph 6:13-16, Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14, Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15, And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16, Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

I Jn 5:4-5, For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5, Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

                C.   Conquer them by Our Rejoicing in Christ   Vs 8

Our Joy is not based on circumstances but upon the finished work of Christ. There are times though when this joy is to be filled up with “glory”. Our present joy and rejoicing are to be based on things to come; again, this will enable us to stand during trials. Sometimes you must rejoice on credit and there is strength from God during such periods!

Isa 61:10, I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

Neh 8:10, Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

                 D.  Conquer them by Focusing on our Salvation Christ Provided   Vs 9

1 Pet 1:9, Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

The goal of our salvation is living in the very presence of God to execute His great will continually free of opposition or difficulty! Stay focused on this goal!

                                      TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS

O soul are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There's light for a look at the Savior and Life more abundant and free!

His word shall not fail you He promised; Believe Him and all will be well: Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face; and the things of the earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His Glory and Grace.

A Perfect Priest (Jesus Understands Us) Part 4

 

Lesson Three

Jesus Understands Us

Hebrews 2:17-18

 

Theme: Jesus Christ is not inferior to angels because of his humanity.  Christ, through His humanity, secured our great salvation which involves the exaltation of believers, freed us from the fear of death, and affords us the help of a compassionate High Priest in Heaven during temptations.  Christ’s humanity enables Him to understand our needs and challenges fully. 

Introduction:

Jesus was “made like unto His brethren” (vs. 2:17) in that He experienced the sinless infirmities of human nature. But, why?

Lesson: 

Why is Jesus the perfect high priest for us? (Heb. 2:17-18)

A.    His Experience for the Office. Jesus’ humanity enables Him to be a perfect and sympathetic High Priest to His people (2: 17–18).

a.      Being pure spirits who have never suffered, the angels cannot identify with us in our weaknesses and needs.

b.      But Jesus can! While He was here on earth, Jesus was “made like unto His brethren” (vs. 2:17) in that He experienced the sinless infirmities of human nature. He knew what it was to be a helpless baby, a growing child, a maturing adolescent. He knew the experiences of weariness, hunger, and thirst (John 4:6–8). He knew what it was to be despised and rejected, to be lied about and falsely accused. He experienced physical suffering and death. All of this was a part of His “training” for His heavenly ministry as High Priest.

B.     His Execution of the Office. Jesus Christ is both merciful and faithful: He is merciful toward people and faithful toward God. He can never fail in His priestly ministries. He made the necessary sacrifice for our sins so that we might be reconciled to God. He did not need to make a sacrifice for Himself, because He is sinless.

 

Question 7. It might also help the discussion if you ask how Jesus' pain and temptation are different from our own.

8.  In what ways is Jesus able to help us?

A.    Christ Can Run To Our Aid. But what happens when we who have been saved are tempted to sin?

a.      There will still be temptations to fall back into the way of death. But now Christ lives as our faithful High Priest to help us when we are tempted.  We who have been dead are now alive—and now we can hear and respond to the voice of God calling us back to a life of righteousness.

b.      Christ stands ready to help us!

                                                    i.     He was tempted when He was on earth, but no temptation ever conquered Him. Because He has defeated every enemy, He is able to give us the grace that we need to overcome temptation.

                                                  ii.     The word “succour” (Heb. 2:18) literally means “to run to the cry of a child.” It means “to bring help when it is needed.” The Lord promises to help us (Isa. 41:10; Ps. 37:40)!

                                                 iii.     Angels are able to serve us (Heb. 1:14), but they are not able to succour us in our times of temptation. Only Jesus Christ can do that, and He can do it because He became a man and suffered and died.

B.     Christ Can Intercede For Us. It might be good at this point to explain the difference between our Lord’s ministry as High Priest and His ministry as Advocate (1 John 2:1).

a.      As our High Priest, our Lord is able to give us grace to keep us from sinning when we are tempted.

b.      If we do sin, then He as our Advocate represents us before the throne of God and forgives us when we sincerely confess our sins to Him (1 John 1:5–2:2).

c.      Both of these ministries are involved in His present work of intercession; and it is this intercessory ministry that is the guarantee of our eternal salvation (note that in Heb. 7:25 it is “to the uttermost”—i.e., eternally—and not “from the uttermost”).

C.     Christ Can Understand Us. Because he was fully human, Jesus himself was tested by what he suffered (Heb 2:18).

a.      “Tempted” refers to Jesus’ exposure to conflicts, tensions, and suffering. The testing was not to show that he might fail, but to show his real power and strength under fire.

b.      This suffering refers not only to the Cross, but also to the testing Jesus experienced throughout his life—from Satan’s temptations in the wilderness to the drops of blood he shed in prayer before his crucifixion. Having undergone all the tests and temptations of human life, Jesus is able to help us when we are being tested.

c.      Knowing that Christ suffered pain and faced temptation helps us face our trials. Jesus understands our struggles because he faced them as a human being. We can trust Christ to help us survive suffering and overcome temptation.

d.      What are you facing that you need Christ to face with you? When you face trials, go to the Lord for strength and patience. Jesus understands your needs and is able to help (see 4:14-16). –The Life Application Commentary Series

D.    Christ Has Exalted Us. As you review this section, you cannot help but be amazed at the grace and wisdom of God. From a human point of view, it would seem foolish for God to become Man; yet it was this very act of grace that made possible our salvation and all that goes with it. When Jesus Christ became Man, He did not become inferior to the angels, for in His human body He accomplished something that angels could never accomplish. At the same time, He made it possible for us to share in His glory!

He is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters. Are we ashamed to call Him “Lord”?

 

Inspiration

 

Here is an uplifting thought.

It is an undeniable fact that usually it is those who have suffered most who are best able to comfort others who are passing through suffering. I know of pastors whose ministries have been enriched by suffering. Through their trials they have learned to “live through” the difficulties of the people in their parish. They are able to empathize as well as sympathize with the afflictions of others because of what they have experienced in their own lives.

Our sufferings may be rough and hard to bear, but they teach us lessons which in turn equip and enable us to help others. Our attitude toward suffering should not be, “Grit your teeth and bear it,” hoping it will pass as quickly as possible. Rather, our goal should be to learn all we can from what we are called upon to endure, so that we can fulfill a ministry of comfort—as Jesus did. “For in that he himself suffered being tempted, he is able to succor [help] them that are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18). The sufferer becomes the comforter or helper in the service of the Lord.

By the way, by “enduring” suffering, God led me to my wonderful wife, Ruth, who was His intended one for me. (From Unto the Hills by Billy Graham)

 

Response

 

Use these questions to share more deeply with each other.

 

 

9.  How is Jesus' pain and temptation relevant to us?

 

 

 

10.  In times of trouble, why do we turn to other people rather than to Jesus?

 

 

 

11.  In what way does God equip us to reach out to others with compassion?

 

 

Prayer

 

Lord, we stand in awe of you for what you have done—you left your throne to live among us, you faced temptation, ridicule, and shame so that you could understand us, and then you died on a cross to save us from our sins. You gave up everything so that we could spend eternity with you. Help us to grasp the depth of your love. And as we experience your great love for us, help us to share it with others.

 

Journaling

 

Take a few moments to record your personal insights from this lesson.

 

 

How has Jesus shown his love for me? How can I thank him?

 

 

Additional Questions

 

 

12.  How should Christians respond to the pain that comes their way?

 

 

 

13.  How has knowing God increased your sensitivity and compassion for others?

 

 

 

14.  What can you do to show God's love to someone who is hurting?

 

 

For more Bible passages about Jesus' ability to help hurting people, see Job 36:15; Psalm 46:1; 121:1, 2; 147:1–5; Isaiah 41:10; 53:3–5; Romans 8:26, 27.

 

To complete the book of Hebrews during this twelve-part study, read Hebrews 1:1–2:18.

Recommended reading material:

Wiersbe, Warren W.: The Bible Exposition Commentary.