Joy:
8:2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
5:3 And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Peace:
16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
2. Who
Everyone:
3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Jesus:
1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory;
3. Promises and Help From God:
Promises:
10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].
1 Corinthians 10:13
23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
25:18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
Help:
6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation.)
11:28 Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
4. Examples
*Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: Daniel 3
*Daniel: Daniel 6
*Joseph: Genesis: 37:12-36, 39:20, 40:23, 41:43
*Job: Job 1&2
*Paul: 2 Corinthians 11:23-28
5. Concluding Remarks:
Everyone, even Jesus, faced temptations. Most temptations have two choices in every situation. Fall down or fall on God. If you fall on God, at least you know he'll pick you up. If you fall down or fall on someone else, theyll drop you. God doesn't tempt you, he allows you to be tempted so you can fall on him. So what'll it be? Who catches you?
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> So thank you for reading this message. (I know it was kinda long. But its a sermon... what did you expect? lol) I hope it lifts you.
Maseaela Renee' N.