08 Jan “Spirit of Suffering” | New England Locations

Announcements:

GO TO WATERSCHURCH.ORG/EVENTS TO REGISTER

NEW ENGLAND LOCATIONS:

JASON GRAY CONCERT: At our SoCo Location on January 29!  Click link below for more info and to purchase your tickets!

Jason Gray Concert

All announcements and the Waters Event Calendar can be found at:  waterschurch.org/events

Alpha: New ministry – conversation style Small Group called Alpha that Mehdi and April will be leading.It is for seekers, those on the fence about faith, or disenfranchised from faith.It is to reach lost people. Join the conversation today @ waterschurch.org/alpha

All announcements and the Waters Event Calendar can be found at:  waterschurch.org/events

Alpha: New ministry – conversation style Small Group called Alpha that Mehdi and April will be leading.It is for seekers, those on the fence about faith, or disenfranchised from faith.It is to reach lost people.  Join the conversation today @ waterschurch.org/alpha

Location Text Alerts:

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Key Verse: 1 Peter

Travelers Rest SC is our future home for our next plant, Josh Vining and his family will starting meeting in their home in April.  Families around area will join them.

The Spiritual Side of Suffering

We live in a society where we see much suffering.  Our society has completely turned against biblical values, principles and morals and will demonize anyone that holds true to them.  God wants to reminds us of his promises and to strengthen us as followers of Christ.

1 Peter 4:12-19

Peter is speaking to Christian exiles facing persecution who are scattered throughout Asia Minor.  This passage can also relate to all types of suffering we go through as believers because the underlying heart condition is the same.  Our main purpose in life is to magnify and glory the name of Jesus especially in our suffering no matter what suffering we go through.  This can be applied to all types of suffering, trials, and persecution we go through.

No matter what, we are going to suffer trials in our own lives.  Our Enemy has the biggest foothold around the idea of comfort. It is easy for us to fall into being comfortable because everything around us is for our comfort, everything is right at our fingertips and this is not by accident.  It is not wrong to have things but when our comforts can become an idol that is when it is wrong. When our comforts become our purpose we start to fear loss.  We start to allow our fear and anxiety to dictate our lives.

Q. What are some comforts that make you anxious because of your fear of losing them?

Question:

Who will you trust when suffering comes your way?

1 Peter 4:19

As believers, our purpose is to magnify Christ.  The non-believer, when suffering comes and ransacks his/her life, is left discouraged because their purpose was in those things.  As Christians, we don’t have to be anxious or live in fear.  We should not even be surprised by our suffering, it is inevitable.  We can rejoice and have joy in suffering.

Q. What, can you honestly say, is the first thing on your mind when trials come? (think of a recent struggle you have had, what was your initial thought, did you immediately rejoice and find joy in it?).

Reasons we can rejoice in our suffering:

1. We know that God’s Glory is being added to our story.

1 Peter 4:12 ESV

Fiery trial means refining. Like the refining of gold.  The process of refining gold is to put it into a hot vat and the impurities get burnt off so all that is left is the gold.  The more the impurities are burnt off, the more you can see your reflection in the gold. We can rejoice because our suffering  it is not by accident, it is allowed because there is refining and purification going on in our lives. The more impurities burnt off, the more God sees his reflection of Jesus in us and others too will see Jesus reflected in our lives.  Our suffering is not wasted.  Sometimes we feel as if there is no purpose in it, but as followers of Christ, there is.

Q. What is a specific trial where you can now clearly see that God was doing a refining work in you? (How has your life reflected more of Christ in you after this trial).

2.  The Holy Spirit will rest upon you.

1 Peter 4:14 ESV

The Spirit of glory and of God rests on us! In that moment of trouble, there will be an e special power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives.  This only happens in suffering.  Whether insulted or persecuted, if we are living according to His will, the Holy Spirit will rest upon us in a special way.

Ephesians 5:18 (ESV)

To be filled with the Holly Spirit means to experience Him fully.  We can be filled with he Holy Spirit by:

• Daily reading God’s word.  The world changes lives.  He does a supernatural work when we read it.
• We can be filled through prayer.  When we come into God’s presence and lay our requests before Him, the Holy Spirit does something (Romans 8:26).
• By obeying God’s word.  We cannot experience the fullness if we are not in His will and obeying His word.

Q. If the Holy Spirit rests upon us, as we live according to His will, why do we not seek the Holy Spirit more in our daily lives? (What is keeping you from seeking Him more often?).

What the Holy Spirit gives us in our time of suffering and trials:

1. He gives truth.

John 16:13 ESV

In that moment of hurt and pain, the Holy Spirit rests upon us and brings truth to our hearts.  He will remind us of the scripture we have read, remind us he would never leave us etc.

Q. What truth has the Holy Spirit brought to your heart in a specific trial you have gone through?

2. He gives you the words to speak.

Matthew 10:19-20

When accusers are coming at you, co-workers, or your family insults you because of your faith, or when  sickness comes, we don’t have to worry, The Holy Spirit gives us the words to speak. Sometimes it may be through your actions not words.  But He will provide the words or actions we need.  The Holy Spirit knows what to say and gives us the words.

Q. How has the Holy Spirit given you the right words to speak in a given situation?

3. He gives Glory to Jesus.

Ephesians 1:17

This is the essential, main, and only focus of the Holy Spirit, to give glory to Jesus. In our time of trials and our weakest hour, in that moment, the Holy Spirit is going to remind and confirm that Christ gets the glory and it is for His purposes.  We don’t need the power to suffer before our suffering.  He will give us the power and strength we need at just the right time.  We don’t need to fear but we can rejoice in our suffering if we are in Christ Jesus. 

Challenge: Read God’s word daily and seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that when trials come, you are assured He is resting upon you.