SUFFERING - GOD'S INSTRUMENT FOR GROWTH (11 OF 15)
Scripture: PHILIPPIANS 3:7-11
This content is part of a series.
Suffering - God's Instrument for Growth (11 of 15)
Series: Growing Closer and Going Deeper with God
Rick E. Ferguson
Philippians 3:7-11
Series Verse: BUT GROW IN THE GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST (2 PETER 3:18).
Question: Have you noticed that our greatest spiritual lessons are learned through episodes of pain, suffering, and adversity?
Question: Have you noticed that real spiritual growth and character development does not happen during times of prosperity and comfort? They occur rather during times of intense pain and suffering.
Ex: If I could go back and chart the greatest episodes of growth and spiritual depth in my life, they ALWAYS occurred during times of adversity and pain I mean without exception.
This is why I must deal with the issue of suffering in this sermon series entitled ''Growing Closer and Going Deeper With God.'' None of us will ever truly grow closer or go deeper with God apart from pain. Today's message deals with ''Suffering: God's Instrument For Growth.''
The fact of the matter is, grass grows thicker and greener in the valley than it does on the mountaintop. And so it is with us. We grow more in character and spirituality in the valleys of life, than we do on the mountaintops of life.
That's just the way it is: - Just as fire purifies gold. - Just as abrasion polishes metal. - Just as heat strengthens and tempers steel. - Just as boiling water brings out the flavor of tea.
We, too, must enter times of adversity, fire, pain and suffering if we are going to ever be fully refined in our character, and drawn to a deep abiding relationship with Christ, apart from the brokenness and pain, that comes through suffering and adversity.
Suffering Truly is God's Instrument for Growth.
Job said in Job 23:10, ''when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.''
David said in Ps. 66:10-12, ''For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. (11) You brought us into prison and laid bu ...
Series: Growing Closer and Going Deeper with God
Rick E. Ferguson
Philippians 3:7-11
Series Verse: BUT GROW IN THE GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST (2 PETER 3:18).
Question: Have you noticed that our greatest spiritual lessons are learned through episodes of pain, suffering, and adversity?
Question: Have you noticed that real spiritual growth and character development does not happen during times of prosperity and comfort? They occur rather during times of intense pain and suffering.
Ex: If I could go back and chart the greatest episodes of growth and spiritual depth in my life, they ALWAYS occurred during times of adversity and pain I mean without exception.
This is why I must deal with the issue of suffering in this sermon series entitled ''Growing Closer and Going Deeper With God.'' None of us will ever truly grow closer or go deeper with God apart from pain. Today's message deals with ''Suffering: God's Instrument For Growth.''
The fact of the matter is, grass grows thicker and greener in the valley than it does on the mountaintop. And so it is with us. We grow more in character and spirituality in the valleys of life, than we do on the mountaintops of life.
That's just the way it is: - Just as fire purifies gold. - Just as abrasion polishes metal. - Just as heat strengthens and tempers steel. - Just as boiling water brings out the flavor of tea.
We, too, must enter times of adversity, fire, pain and suffering if we are going to ever be fully refined in our character, and drawn to a deep abiding relationship with Christ, apart from the brokenness and pain, that comes through suffering and adversity.
Suffering Truly is God's Instrument for Growth.
Job said in Job 23:10, ''when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.''
David said in Ps. 66:10-12, ''For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. (11) You brought us into prison and laid bu ...
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