May 3, 2020

ACORNS AND OAK TREE
 May 03, 2020
Charles Billingsley

Does anyone grow a garden, plants, or an orchard? What are some of the things you have learned about the adventures of horticulture?

Open:

Testing and trials have been coming hard and fast the past two months for most of us, as we continue to struggle with issues related to social distancing and staying at home. Being forced to stay away from friends, co-workers, extended family, or people who ignore current rules is a constant challenge. Today we want to look at the spiritual reactions we are having as our faith is tested, determining if our responses are helping us grow as a believer, or if they need some “pruning” by our God in order to remove sinful behavior.

Key Verse: James 1:2-4: My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Focal Passages: Matthew 16:24; James 4:13-14; Hebrews 11:1, 12:1-2, 11.

The beginning of our trial

  • Read Phil. 4:6. When a trial comes, what is the first request we usually ask from God? Rather than asking Him to remove the problem, what should we ask for?
  • Why should our request be made with “thanksgiving,” and what is the gratitude for?
  • Read Phil. 4:7. If we pray for God to help us accept His will, whatever that may be, and truly let Him be in control, what will happen?

Life is fragile

  • Read James 4:13-14. What are some of the differences between life at the end of January, 2020, and that of today? How would you have responded if you had been told in December that these changes would be in effect?
  • Can someone whose life was changed at some point, in the space of one phone call or doctor visit, share how you felt? Were you prepared for such an impact?

Faith is essential

  • Read Hebrews 11:1, in a modern version if possible. Describe why you believe you have faith. When was the last time it was tested, and how did you react? Were you pleased with your reaction?
  • Which is easier for you, to have faith that God will bring you to heaven, or trust that He is going to be with you through every step of your current trial?
  • Why do we want miraculous healing with a quick end? Just like an oak tree, why does your faith take time to grow?

Fear is not an option

  • Read Phil. 4:6 again. What are some of the names for the cousins of fear? Why does God tell us not to “be anxious”?
  • As we try to plan our actions to resolve whatever issue we are dealing with, what message are we sending to God? What is the antidote for worry? (Phil. 4:7).

No matter what, keep your eyes on Jesus

  • Read Hebrews 12:1-2. What is our “weight” and why is it sinful?
  • How consciously aware are you that God has your story, has read every word in it, worked out the places where you messed up and made good come out of it (Rom. 8:28), and is going to see that you finish well? How does that overwhelm you? Is He trustworthy?
  • How is He rooting for you to continue well? Is He telling you, “YOU’VE GOT THIS!!” “YOU CAN DO THIS, I’M RIGHT HERE WITH YOU!”?

Close:

By now, most of us know someone who has actually been a victim of COVID 19, and are aware of the ravages of this virus. It’s not pretty. In most cases, healthy people who are in their prime can get through it with fairly mild symptoms; for others, perhaps with issues of additional conditions, or elderly, or infants who are too young to fight, life can become tragic very quickly. However, in the end it is really no different than receiving a phone call of the sudden loss of a loved one, a premature death in the family, or a verdict of a terminal illness. These and more immediate issues send us to God, beseeching Him to give us a miraculous healing so that everyone will give Him glory! But should that be our prayer?

In today’s sermon, Charles Billingsley has told us of the Valley of the Shadow of Death that he has just walked through—one which, had he not been in excellent health—would have killed him. What a wake-up call! Our life is so fragile, as James tells us in 4:14, that it is like fog, it appears for a little time, then vanishes away. We realize that more and more as we age, and wonder how we got old so quickly, when it feels we should still be in our twenties or thirties.

If you’re going through trials right now, especially as we all deal with the Coronavirus, you probably wish you could read the end of your “story”! But God has your back, He is pushing you to get through this season, and like the plants in the garden or yard, your root system has to be deep in Him. The winds, rain, hail, blight, and insects will try to destroy you, but He alone is the finisher of your faith. He is saying, “LISTEN TO ME! FOLLOW ME! TRUST ME! YOU CAN DO THIS WITH ME!”