THRIVE: Persevering in Uncertain Times

Written by Ed Allen
 Sunday, 15 February 2009 09:00

Sermons - THRIVE: A Field Guide to Uncertain Times

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Sermon Outline

Thriving in uncertain times depends on us choosing to believe that God is working in all circumstances for our good – even in uncertainty.

Hebrews 12:1-13

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:

“My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”

7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

12Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13"Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

We thought it would be easy! We have forgotten that perseverance is required!

  • u`pomon`e – a steadfast adherence to a course of action in spite of difficulties, testings and uncertainties.
  • To persevere we have to throw everything off.
  • To persevere we have to learn from Jesus; we have to follow his example!
  • What do you need to throw off?
  • What would Jesus do?

YouTube Video of Nick Vujicic

We thought we were self-sufficient and in control! We have forgotten that we can’t do it alone!

  • You need God.
  • You need others who are relating to God.
  • Lean into community!

We thought that hardship was a sign that something was wrong! We have forgotten that uncertainty makes us better!

  • paidei,a – the act of rearing and guiding a child toward maturity.

Choosing to believe that God is working in all circumstances for our good...

“My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” We have to see that discipline is connected with love.
“7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. We have to see all discipline in light of the relationship in which it occurs.
10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. We have to see that discipline is for our good and results in our participation in God”s character.

Choosing to believe that God is working in all circumstances for our good involves...

  • Perseverance

    God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
    courage to change the things I can;
    and wisdom to know the difference.
    Living one day at a time;
    Enjoying one moment at a time;
    Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
    Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
    Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;
    That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next.
    Amen.

  • Leaning on community
  • Simply making the choice to see uncertainty as an opportunity for God to grow us

Small Group Study Questions from Hebrews 12

  1. What can prevent you from thriving in uncertainty?
  2. When faced with uncertainty, which is harder for you:
    • Choosing to believe right information about God?
    • Choosing to believe right information about yourself?
    • Choosing to believe that God is working for your good in all circumstances?
  3. “Our perception of the problem is the problem.” (Stephen Covey) How have you seen this truth at work in your own life?
  4. How does it make you feel to hear the writer of Hebrews 12 label our difficulties, trials and uncertainties as “discipline”? Why does he say this?
  5. One of the principles that emerge from Hebrews 12 is that discipline is connected with love. In fact, discipline is an expression of love. Why is this hard for us to understand (or believe)?
  6. Another principle that comes from this passage is that discipline results in holiness (see verse 10). Have you ever seen this pattern in your life?
  7. Hebrews 12 starts with an athletic analogy. Read verses one through three. What do you need to “throw off” in order to run the part of the course that you are running right now?
  8. How can you fix your eyes on Jesus right now?
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