How do we trust God in hard circumstances?
If you haven’t been following the past 2 sermon recommendations, this is my last sermon pick out of 3 sermons by Doug Wilson. I felt these 3 sermons connected very well to each other. 1st – How To Be Free From Bitterness (Doug Wilson), 2nd –The Sinfulness of Worry (Doug Wilson)
When we go through hard trials or if we struggle with worry in general, the peace of God seems to avoid us. We may not feel a particular way that we believe we should feel as a Christian. Which then can lead us to experience bitterness and more worry. We try to hold onto the deception of “control” when it is God alone who has all things within the palm of His hand.
Today’s sermon pick concludes how we should put our trust in God.
In order that you may be encouraged to check out the video, I’ve turned many answers given into questions, while sharing some main key points.
- “We live in a world where rough things happen.” – Doug Wilson
- “The human race always lives in tough times.” – Doug Wilson
- What is a misconception about Calvinism?
- “We have to look at the hard realities and see how God is in control.” – Doug Wilson
- We can only give thanks, if there is a purpose.
- “You are praising God in the mess.” – Doug Wilson
- What does Thessalonians and Ephesians say regarding how we are to give thanks?
- “We always assume that we have things in control…and whoever is running the universe does not have things in control.” – Doug Wilson
- Why are our assumptions often wrong?
- Scripture says there is a time for us to grow up. What are we to be childlike in? Why do we need to be an adult in our understanding?
- Doug says we are to argue our case with God. What does this mean? How is this connected with gratitude and not grumbling?
- “We may argue with God, but we may not grumble at God.” – Doug Wilson
- Why does life have meaning only if there is a source of meaning to give life?
- Why can we argue (or appeal) to God, but we cannot accuse God?
- What is the connection of accusing God and being like a devil?
- What does it mean to ”fly” to God, to appeal to God? What are we to assume before speaking to the Lord?
- What are the 2 good kind of students?
- Why is it important to understand God’s character before engaging with Him in prayer?
- What does the peace of God protect?
- Do we protect the peace of God?
- Is God oblivious to problems in the world?
- Romans 8:28
- Ephesians 1:11
- Ephesians 2:10
- What does it mean to live in the “evil day?”
- Why give thanks for evil? How does the Bible answer this?
- How does God work His good through evil?
- What is functional atheism regarding not wanting to say God is engaged in circumstances?
- How is true Christian devotion defined?
- How does evil work in telling a story?
- “Rebellious people do not give thanks.” – Doug Wilson
- When we give thanks during communion, why are we giving thanks for a murder?
- If God does not have good reasons for why things happen the way they do, should we believe in Him?
- When we fully understand the story of the Lord and how He weaved everything together, we will give Him glory.
- “We will not deny it happened, but we will see why it happened.” – Doug Wilson
- What model prayer does Doug recommend when we have trials?
- How are troubles connected to opening presents?
- How can trials be connected to blessings?
- How are troubles good?
Check Out: Hard Providence & Trusting God by Doug Wilson
If the video below does not work, please click on the link above.
The Gospel Message: With the Good News means there’s bad news. We all are sinners and condemned. We all deserve the just punishment of God’s wrath. Christianity is unlike any other religion because we cannot earn our way into Heaven. God saw the weakness of man and his utter depravity. Yet, He showed us grace. Jesus, God, One Person of the Trinity, became God in the flesh, the God-Man. He was always perfect and sinless. And His humanity was perfected on the cross, living the full sinless life. He became our atonement sacrifice. Dying in our place, taking on the wrath of God upon Himself. He died on the cross, and He was resurrected because death could not hold Him. Jesus is the answer. We, as guilty sinners, need His blood to pay off our debt of sin. For all who put their faith in Him – meaning eyes are opened to the Gospel, we see ourselves as a sinner, we see the need for Christ, we desire our Savior, and we see the ugliness of our sin. Putting our faith in Jesus, we seek HIs forgiveness and repent from our sins, we turn away from our old way of life. We, through the work of the Holy Spirit, continue to become convicted of sin daily. Our eyes will never be the same again. We see things in a different light, and the truth of Christ affects how we live and serve Him. Christ tells us to count the cost. Salvation is a serious topic, it is not to be taken lightly. For a breakdown of this powerful message, understanding how Christ could be God and Man, why God required sacrifices, and more -please see: Why Did A Loving God Kill His Son? (Does God Hate?)
If you think you know the Gospel, check out these questions and see how prepared you are for the day someone might ask you why you believe: The Gospel Challenge (30 Question Quiz) – Are You Ready To Defend Your Faith?
Scripture To Meditate On – (ESV) Proverbs 28:14, “Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.”
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