Jam 5:7-11; Psa 62:5-8; 2Co 4:5-18; 5:11-15; 6:3-10; 12:1-10; Php 4:10-13; Isa 40:28-31; Rom 8:38-39.
PRCHR-92-170409 - length: 75:41 - taught on Apr, 9 2017
Class Outline:
www.chosenpeople.com
Chosen People Ministries exists to pray for, evangelize, disciple, and serve Jewish people everywhere and to help fellow believers do the same.
Today, Chosen People Ministries serves in sixteen countries across the globe. Their outreach programs include evangelism and discipleship,
Messianic Centers and congregations, equipping the local church for Jewish evangelism, print and web publications, and benevolence work.
With your help, they will continue proclaiming the Good News through Jesus the Messiah to Jewish people around the world.
www.chosenpeople.com
James here has his eye on the OUTCOME of our Lord’s dealings with us.
All you can do is learn how to get better at - Waiting. Enduring. Remaining under pressure.
What is the outcome that the Lord has in mind as He deals with us in this way?
We get a small hint in verse 8: the outcome will reside in our heart.
How do the compassion and mercy of the Lord manifest in our lives as we go through trials and afflictions?
Conformity to Christ is the all-encompassing answer.
What is the outcome when it comes to our hearts?
In 2 Corinthians, Paul reveals so much about his experiences as a Christian.
In chapter 3, we saw how the Spirit is transforming us from glory to glory. I’s the glory of the Lord.
It is a creative work of the Spirit of God.
And as such it does not take a predictable or smooth course.
The outcome toward which our Lord is working in our lives occurs in the inner man.
For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.
The Greek word for “beside ourselves” means to be out of your mind. To lose your senses.
When we are going through something that will deepen our relationship with God, there will be a time when we are out of our mind.
There is a positive and negative side. Astonishment and insanity. Ecstasy and madness.
Great revelations followed by great torment.
Paul arrives at the place where he can honestly say that he is well content.
With what?
with the weaknesses of this life with Christ, the insults, and distresses, and persecutions, and difficulties.
Experiencing the power of Christ dwelling in you will make you content.
It hits you that since you have to go through this anyway, …
… you might as well remain under the pressure as a contented person.
God loves us so much, and He knows what a wonderful and enduring blessing it is to have a contented heart.
And it’s something each of us must learn for ourselves.
I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.