READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary | This is a new series exploring intentional discipleship. Discipleship is about growing in the likeness of Christ. To grow is to be intentional about maturing in our Christian walk, so that we are not a Christian of Sunday services. Let us start by doing a Spiritual Health Check. There are 40 questions found in the 5 sections of CORDS. It takes less than 10mins to complete the questions, after which a score will be computed, and then the church will send an email giving recommendations for the next step in our discipleship.
Significant Circumstances
Circumstances that are significant in our lives and impact our faith may be positive or negative. Our responses to them could lead us to trust in God more and become more like Christ. When we share testimonies of spiritual growth, it is mostly about something significant that has happened. Positive circumstances lead us to thanksgiving and happiness, which draw us close to God. Negative circumstances are challenging because they inflict deep pain and suffering, so we try to avoid them. When trials happen, we may be disappointed or miserable, and may move away from God to seek our own solutions.
How does one understand trials of difficult measures as part of our spiritual growth? These significant circumstances remain within us to inspire our faith journey and daily walk with God, moving us closer into His presence, purpose, and power to transform us into Christlikeness. Here are some biblical principles to ruminate on:
1. Choose to respond differently
James commanded us to consider it pure joy when facing trials and not succumb to the usual responses. Although Jesus was fully divine and fully human, He shared the same emotions when it came to suffering and loss. James encouraged us to live out an active discipleship, from living for the Lord and being in the world. There will be temptations coming from our own desires, but we are expected to pay attention to our responses when we are faced with trials. Learn to respond differently because God is constantly at work in and through all circumstances.
2. Contemplate on the authenticity of our belief
We have the opportunity in trials to reflect on who God is and what He is doing in us. The testing of our faith through trials that produces perseverance. To consider it pure joy and to respond differently is to know God who delights in us and journeys with us side by side patiently. Nothing will separate us from the love of God. Consider how we have grown in faith through the significant circumstances in our life. What did they teach us about God and our relationship with Him?
3. Commit to maturity in Christ
Let perseverance finish its work so that we may be mature and complete. Allow our responses during trials to move our hearts and minds and to release our anxieties and trust in God more. Learn to release so that as God increases, our burdens and anxieties decrease. Trust in God so that our responses will please God as He transform us. Some small steps that we can take include the following:
a) Do not give up giving thanks – as we pray, even in trials, we acknowledge the presence of God in our lives and remember His faithfulness.
b) Do not give up serving another – do not miss any opportunity that God can use to continue to teach and humble our hearts through service and loving one another.
c) Do not give up meeting together – trials isolate people, but God does not mean for us to be alone. We are called to be in the Body of Christ. He who surrounds himself with the faith community will be able to receive help to reframe our experiences in trials. Allow people to speak into our life in trials so that it will get easier to hear when God starts speaking to us.
John Wesley was a founder of our Methodist denomination and considered as a spiritual giant to many. But in his fearful close brush with death aboard his journey on a ship, it was his encounter with the Morvarians’ steady faith in God that impacted his faith and cause him to embrace a deeper call and purpose in his spiritual walk and journey. Spiritual Giants may still fall in circumstances, but God has a greater plan and is always at work. Can we ever understand all of God’s ways? May we choose to respond differently in the Lord with every battles of trials and circumstances, with joy anchored in Christ who loves us.
(Sermon Notes by Honey Vreugdewater)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. Recall your significant circumstances in life thus far. What made it special? And was there any moment of helplessness?
2. Reflect on James 1:2-4. How were you moved in your mind and heart in those trials? Did you draw closer to God? Or were you wrestling with Him?
3. Consider how you have grown in faith through those significant circumstances in your life. What did they teach you about God?
4. Commit to the Lord one thing that you would take the next step and grow in this faith environment of significant circumstances. Is there a faith community journeying with you through your trial? Or is there an opportunity to surrender to the Lord and allow Him to define His glory and love through your current circumstance? Take some time to pray and seek Him for your next step in your discipleship.
