Joyful Faith. (410)

• We are tested in this life to refine our faith or even to see if we truly possess faith at all.
• The testing of our faith reveals who we really are,
• how we respond to the trial reveals what we really believe.

• God suffered and sacrificed Himself for all of humanity.
• You suffer because of your trust in Him.
• You have good reason to believe that your suffering is not in vain.

Question

• What does it look like to be joyful even when you don’t feel like it?”

confidence in beliefs helps to:

• remain joyful during trials:
• be Willing to endure persecution.

2. Ridiculous Joy.
1 Peter 4:14 HCSB

14 If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ,
you are blessed,
because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

Question

• When have you been discredited or ridiculed because of your faith?

Transition:

Some Christians bring slander and insult upon themselves in those times, it’s inappropriate to claim that one is “suffering” for Jesus.
we are to witness to the truth of Jesus
with gentleness and respect’
so that we will not bring shame to the name of our Lord.

3. Joyful Reset.
1 Peter 4:15-19 HCSB

15 None of you, however, should suffer as a murderer,
a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler.
16 But if anyone suffers as a “Christian,”
he should not be ashamed but should glorify God
in having that name.
17 For the time has come
for judgment to begin with God’s household,
and if it begins with us,
what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?
18 And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?
19 So those who suffer according to God’s will
should, while doing what is good,
entrust themselves to a faithful Creator.

Question

• Do you struggle with meddlers and murderers being on the same list?

three reasons to choose joy even in suffering:

1. God does not leave us stranded here to endure oppression, suffering, and evil on our own.
2. God will judge evil for what it is.
3. God will set things right and back to the goodness He intended at the beginning of creation.

Question

• In light of these verses, how do we choose joy?

Choose joy even in life’s difficulties.

Conclusion

seeking joy in all seasons of life:

1. Seek joy.
   • Do something this week that you know will help you experience joy.
   • Don’t feel guilty about it, either. Accept your joy as a gift from God.
2. Have honest conversations.
   • Ask your friends and family members if there are areas in which you’ve caused your own suffering.
   • Listen to what they say, then respond appropriately.
3. Trust God.
4. Read Psalm 71:1-8 several times during a quiet moment this week.
5. Rewrite those verses to express your own requests to God in connection with your current suffering.

Encouragement

Choose to stick with God even when you feel like your heart is breaking or the world is crashing down.
That choice will help you grow nearer to Him and begin to understand how He ministers to His children in this world.

Psalm 71:1-8 HCSB

1 LORD, I seek refuge in You;
never let me be disgraced.
2 In Your justice, rescue and deliver me;
listen closely to me and save me.
3 Be a rock of refuge for me,
where I can always go.
Give the command to save me,
for You are my rock and fortress.
4 Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and oppressive.
5 For You are my hope, Lord GOD ,
my confidence from my youth.
6 I have leaned on You from birth;
You took me from my mother’s womb.
My praise is always about You.
7 I have become an ominous sign to many,
but You are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is full of praise
and honor to You all day long.

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