Test of Trials and Gifts of Grace

Have you ever asked as I have, why me Lord? How could you have allowed this to happen to me? That's an honest question. Many of the trials and tribulations that we experience in our lives are not designed from the heart of God; regardless of whether or not it’s a result of our decisions or what life and people have done against us. God takes what the enemy has designed to rob, kill, or destroy us and uses it to bring forth His good purposes. His character is always redemptive and restorative when we choose to trust Him with our lives.

PREMISE: Discovering your gifts are often forged in your greatest trials and passions.

Test of Trials and Gifts of Grace

Trials of Testing in Joseph’s Life Thrown in the pit and sold by his brothers to the Ishmaelites

Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife/Joseph in Jail (13-15 years)

Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams/ Joseph becomes his right hand

Gen 50(15-20)  When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!” 16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father charged before he died, saying, 17 ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph, “Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.

God has Long Term Plans

God used the trials and tribulations in Joseph's life to refine his character and gifts which provided provision (Goshen in Egypt) for God’s promise to Abraham to continue towards fulfillment.

"AND IN YOUR SEED ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED." Act 3(25b)

Through Abraham's descendants, Isaac and Jacob (Jacob who became Israel), whose sons became the 12 tribes of Israel.

God called Israel ,prophetically, His first born son. (Ex 4:22) Jesus the Messiah came through the tribe of Judah(Israel’s lineage) whom Apostle Paul declared: that Jesus Col 1(15) “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”.

Point: Our lives in Christ affect future generations for Kingdom purposes. (Think Multi-Generational)

Saul's Passion and Paul's Apostleship

N.T. example of the Apostle Paul's life. He was so zealous about the Kingdom of God, that in His zealousness for God, he promoted murder and imprisoned many of those who were in the way.

1Corinthians: 15 (9-10)  for I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

 Point: It was the empowering work of Grace that transformed Saul into the Apostle Paul.

God’s grace re-directed Paul’s zealousness to serve His purposes to write most of the New Testament.

Gifts of Grace are given in weakness. (Kingdom principle)

2 Cor 12(9-10) And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul’s conclusion 

Romans 8(28) and we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8(37-39)  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Choice in the Midst of Trials-- "Get bitter or get better."

Hebrews 12(15)  See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;  

Quote from Helen Keller:

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us."

The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.

No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.

It is wonderful how much time good people spend fighting the devil. If they would only expend the same amount of energy loving their fellow men, the devil would die in his own tracks of ennui. (Lethargy and boredom)

Attitude Determines your Altitude

In the Apostle Paul’s life of trials and tribulations he came to these conclusions:

Philippians 4(8-9 &11-13) 8-9Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Romans: 12(6) Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is

to exercise them accordingly. 1. God cultivates your gifts through the trials of life.

2. God gives you passion for a destiny. Use it for Jesus.

3. Your life choices have long term consequences.

4. God uses weaknesses and failures for His purposes to succeed.

5. We make the choice to get "better of bitter."

6. Right attitudes lift us up to Heavenly places.

7. Get through life's trials by living through Jesus.

8. His Grace is *sufficient *to rise up and meet the challenge.