Grace in Trials
Grace in Trials4
Wilderness Grace
By John Nelson Darby0EXO 14:13EXO 16:4EXO 17:1ISA 38:16JER 20:7LUK 5:8JHN 15:5ROM 3:19GAL 3:19HEB 2:14John Nelson Darby emphasizes the concept of 'Wilderness Grace,' illustrating how God's grace was evident in Israel's journey from Egypt to Sinai, despite their constant murmuring and disobedience. He explains that the law was introduced to reveal humanity's inability to uphold God's standards, while God's promises of grace were given freely, independent of human merit. The wilderness experience serves as a time of testing and dependence on God, where believers learn to rely on His provision and grace amidst trials. Darby highlights that true victory comes through recognizing our weakness and God's strength, culminating in worship and dependence on Him.
He Opened Not His Mouth
By A.B. Simpson02SA 16:11A.B. Simpson emphasizes the grace required to endure misunderstandings and unkind judgments with a spirit of sweetness, highlighting that true Christian character is tested in such moments. He reflects on the hidden blessings that can arise from enduring criticism, encouraging believers to adopt a perspective similar to David's when faced with cursing. Simpson warns against being distracted by grievances, which can lead to a life filled with petty conflicts, and instead urges the pursuit of Christ's spirit, who remained silent in the face of revilement. The sermon calls for a deeper reliance on God’s judgment rather than seeking personal vindication.
Sifted as Wheat
By John Nelson Darby0LUK 22:31John Nelson Darby emphasizes the importance of relying on the Lord amidst our struggles, illustrating how the disciples, despite being in the presence of Jesus, were distracted by their own ambitions. He highlights Peter's experience of being sifted by Satan, showing that trials reveal our weaknesses and the necessity of grace. Darby points out that while God allows us to face temptations, He also intercedes for us, as seen in Jesus' prayer for Peter. The sermon encourages believers to recognize their dependence on Christ and to learn from their failures, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of God's grace. Darby concludes that through our trials, we can find strength in Christ and be equipped to support others.
I Am Poured Out Like Water, and All My Bones Are Out of Joint
By C.H. Spurgeon0PSA 22:14ISA 53:5MAT 26:38JHN 16:33ROM 8:182CO 12:9PHP 3:10HEB 4:151PE 5:10REV 21:4C.H. Spurgeon reflects on the profound suffering of Jesus, describing Him as feeling weak and dislocated, burdened by the weight of the cross and the wrath of God. He emphasizes the intensity of Christ's agony, which was so great that it would have been unbearable for anyone else, yet He endured it fully. Spurgeon encourages believers to remember the sacrifice of Christ and to draw strength from His suffering, as it prepares a throne of grace for us. He draws a parallel between Christ's physical suffering and the spiritual trials believers face, assuring that just as Christ emerged victorious, so too will His followers. The sermon calls for a deep reflection on the grief of Christ and the grace it affords us in our own struggles.