The wonderful joy and excited anticipation that we can experience as we grown in our faith is often seasoned by disappointment and regret as we discover that our walk is not always without its pain. The picture painted by John is sometimes far from reality.
For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified of the truth that is in you, even as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than these things, to hear that my children walk in the truth. Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you work for the brothers and for strangers, who in love bore witness of you before the church, whom you will do well to send forward worthily of God. 3 John 1:3-6
Sometimes problems and troubled conditions overwhelm us and we struggle with our faith; it’s during such times that many will fall away. At such times we have ongoing responsibilities to care for each other.
Brothers, if a man is overtaken in a fault, you the spiritual ones restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering yourself, lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so you will fulfill the Law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2
Living through the difficulties.
Can you remember the moment that Jesus Christ filled your heart? Do you remember the joy of your salvation?
When most of us become Christians we are filled with joyful anticipation.
And when they had come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more. And he went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8:39
We became excited about ~
1. Excited about forgiveness of our sins
2. " " the chance for us to start over
3. " " the help God is going to give us to change
Sadly for many of us that picture soon fades.
We discover….
1. That the temptations can be just as strong as before we became Christians (sometimes even stronger!)
2. That we can easily become discouraged and sometimes fall.
Those on the rock are the ones who, when they hear, receive the Word with joy. And these have no root, who for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. Luke 8:13
Transformation Is An Ongoing Process
I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2
I believe that at least part of the reason why we are so often disappointed is twofold~
A. Our own unrealistic expectations of what it means to a disciple of Christ.
B. We expect others to behave perfectly, while excusing (or blind to) our own deficiencies.
We sometimes fail to realize that our brothers and sisters in the faith also struggle with their share of disappointments and hurts.
Common disappointments
Imperfect Christians
Disappointment in others
A. Inconsistency In The Lives Of Others...
1. We see those who do not practice what they preach
2. This especially hurts when seen in those we look up to, and try to model our lives after
3. This problem is not a new one –
But when Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was to be blamed. For before some came from James, he ate with the nations. But when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also dissembled with him, so as even Barnabas was led away with their dissembling. But when I saw that they did not walk uprightly with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before all, If you, being a Jew, live as a Gentile, and not as the Jews, why do you compel the nations to judaize? Galatians 2:12-14
B. Ill Treatment By Other Christians...
1. This is especially painful in situations where we expect others to be on their “best behavior” but can occur anywhere ~business meetings, at work, at play
2. Harsh words can be devastating, especially to those to those new in the faith
C. What Can We Do?
First, we all need to be the best example of our faith that we can be –Let no one despise your youth, but be an example of the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 timothy 4:12
2. Confess wrong when it occurs
3. Understand and ACCEPT that all Christians are going through the life-long process of "transformation"
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect, but I am pressing on, if I may lay hold of that for which I also was taken hold of by Christ Jesus. My brothers, I do not count myself to have taken possession, but one thing I do, forgetting the things behind and reaching forward to the things before, press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14
Trials And Temptations
Disappointed by the world
A. Such As The Many Pleasures And Responsibilities Of The World...
1. There are many things that can draw us away for a close relationship with Jesus Christ (e.g., job, family, hobbies)
2. These things can choke us to the point of unfruitfulness -And those which fell among thorns are the ones who, when they have heard, go forth and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of life, and do not bear to maturity. Luke 8:14
B. Discouragement by unconverted friends...
1. Who want them to come back to the things of the world.
2. As Paul warned ~ Do not be deceived; evil companionships corrupt good habits.
Be righteously awake, and sin not; for some have ignorance of God. I speak this to your shame. 1 Corinthians 15:33-34
C. What Can We Do?
1. Remember what as believers we are called to do first and foremost- But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33
2. We need to remind ourselves who it is we are serving…i.e., not our jobs, hobbies, etc.- Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him, because all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passes away, and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17
3. Develop close friendships with Christians centered ON THE LORD
a. Friendships centered on Christ and His work
b. Not just social interests
IV. False Conceptions About Prosperity
Disappointed by lack of success
A. False Thinking That All Our Problems Will Go Away...
1. An idea propagated by the "gospel of health and wealth" teachers
2. But such is not always the case, even as it was in the days of the first century - In which you greatly rejoice, yet a little while, if need be, grieving in manifold temptations; so that the trial of your faith (being much more precious than that of gold that perishes, but being proven through fire) might be found to praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen, you love; in whom not yet seeing, but believing in Him you exult with unspeakable joy, and having been glorified, obtaining the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9
B. We Need To Be Prepared For Possible Adversity...
Even as Paul was - And preaching the gospel to that city, and having made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and Iconium and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, calling on them to continue in the faith and that through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God. Acts 14:21-22
CONCLUSION
It is easy to lose sight of our goal, eternal life with Christ, especially today, when there is little teaching on the eternal hope of Christians. If we are awake to the fact that our “faith walk” will not always be a “bowl of cherries” then we are less likely to be “thrown” by the difficulties that we face along the journey.
