For Leaders: ”Resources to Help the Struggling” by Glenn Hitchcock

April 21, 2023 - Equipped Workshop Day 2

10:00AM MPR 4 Speaker 

 

Glenn Hitchcock looks at adversity and how it affects both biblical examples and us as church members today. 

 

Slides:

• Resources For The Struggling:

  The Manifold

  Wisdom of God In Practice

• The Prayer For Unity: (John 17:20-23)
  Our Foundation to end struggles
  
  • Prayer of Unity (20) I do not pray for these alone, [ENCOMPASSING] →INCLUSIVE, Matt. 16:26; Prov. 11:30.
  • People of Unity (20) but also for those who will in Me believe on me through their word; [enlisting]→divine authority
  • Pattern of Unity (21) That they all may be one; as You, Father, are in me, and I in You, that they also may be one in us: [EMBRACING] →UNIQUELY FORMULATED
  • Purpose of Unity (21) that the world may believe that You sent Me. [EVIDENCING]→DIVINE PROOF [Eph. 3:10]
  • Preparation for Unity (22) And the glory which You gave Me I have given them; that they may be one, just as We are one: (23) I in them, and You in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them, as You have loved Me.[ENVISIONING]→INTERVENTION OF AUTHORITY
• Reasons Congregations Struggle
  • Congregations Struggle Due to Lack of Vision→ Strategy
  • Congregations Struggle Due to Worldly Division→ Satan
  • Congregations Struggle Due to Lack of Leadership→ Shepherds
  • Congregations Struggle Due to Lack of Spiritual Growth→ Study

• THE CHURCH OF CHRIST - Eph. 3:10-11

• “Through the Church
  the Manifold Wisdom of God”
  • The manifold, or many-sided, wisdom of God might be made known, as it is unfolded in the working of his church on earth. David Lipscomb and J.W. Shepherd, A Commentary on the New Testament Epistles: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Gospel Advocate New Testament Commentary (Gospel Advocate Company, 1989), 61.
• Man’s Need For Salvation 
  LAW OF PARDON→Deliverance
  John 3:16; Rom. 1:16; Tit. 2:11-12
  • “God Loves Us” → “We Have Worth”

    Grace – God’s Part

    Obedience – Man’s Part

    Decision Required: Salvation or Damnation

• LAW OF PLACEMENT [Diversity]
  1 Cor. 12:12-18

  • “We Belong”

    Placed In The Body By The Impartial God, 1 Cor. 12:18

    “Goodness of Fit”

    “Our Diversity is Our Strength”

    If God Did Not Place It – Then It Does NOT Belong!

• LAW OF PURPOSE
  [Dependence]  1 Cor. 12:19-24
  • “We Are Necessary”
  • “We Have Purpose In Christ”

    Member Purpose:

     To Glorify The Head

• LAW OF PEACE
  [Direction]  1 Cor. 12:25–26
  • “We Are Unified As ONE”
  • “We Care For Each Other”

    Directed By The Authoritative Head

    Disciplined By The Word

    Never Cause For Alarm

• LAW OF PERSEVERANCE
  [Defense] 1 Cor. 12:26; 2 Pet. 3:18, Eph. 6:10-17

  • “We Are Strong”

  • “We Are Maturing”

    Our Defense Against Struggles

    “Fight the Good Fight of Faith”…1 Tim. 6:12

• *Law of PERSEVERANCE

  • INSTRUCTS CHRISTIANS CONCERNING STRUGGLES

  • 1 Pet. 4:15-16 - But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
• HOW DOES GOD USE ADVERSITY TO MANIFEST HIS CARE?
  
  Practical Ways God Uses Adversity To Show His Care
  
  • God Cares For Us By Using Adversity To Direct Us
  • God Cares For Us By Using Adversity To Inspect Us
  • God Cares For Us By Using Adversity To Correct Us
  • God Cares For Us By Using Adversity To Protect Us
  • God Cares For Us By Using Adversity To Perfect Us.
• ADVERSITY TO DIRECT
  US
  • Oftentimes life can bog down with insignificant matters, and we fail to put God first (Mat. 6:33).
  • In ignorance, some attempt to serve two masters (Mat. 6:24) and God has the right to light a chastening fire to direct movement in the proper direction.
  • Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, As do stripes the inner depths of the heart. (Pro. 20:30).
• ADVERSITY TO DIRECT US
  • This impacts the human comfort zone. When the comfort zone has been impacted and one recognizes the detour because of adversity, one must decide on a solution.
  • Satan is full of wiles that seem to care, but only God can resolve the matter (John 10:10).
  • God wants to direct us to the place of healing (Heb. 12-11-13).
• ADVERSITY TO INSPECT US
  • Much like members of the military who must stand rigorous inspections, the Christian’s armor (Eph. 6:10-17) is subject to inspection.
  • My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (Jam.1:2-4).
  • This impacts the free agency of Christian compliance. No soldier in the Lord’s Army wants to receive a demerit due to non-compliance, (1 Pet. 5:6-9)!
• ADVERSITY TO INSPECT US

  • Adversity is that mirror that we must all view, but God cares enough to offer us the Perfect Law of Liberty to free us from the demerits of sinful conduct (Jam. 1:23-25).

• ADVERSITY TO CORRECT US
  • God will use problems to correct one’s course.
  • The course corrections prevent apostasy among Christians (2 Cor. 13:5).
  • “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12).
  • “Before I was afflicted, I went astray: but now have I kept thy word” (Psa. 119:67).
  • “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver” (Psa. 119:71-72).
• ADVERSITY TO PROTECT US
  • A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents one from harm by something far more serious.
  • Consider the life of Joseph who was sold by his own brothers into slavery (Gen. 37:28).
  • How Did God Protect Joseph? First, He moved Joseph to a place of usefulness (Gen. 50:20).
  • Joseph’s life was improved via tragedy and thus it increased his surrender (Gen. 39:3-6).
  • As a slave God protected Joseph as Joseph developed his capacity for service. His humility and compliance to God was more important than honor (Pro. 15:33).
• ADVERSITY TO PROTECT US
  • When there are problematic delays in life trust the caring Father to protect us as we convert obstacles into opportunities!
  • Joseph’s timetable for reunion with his family could have been a problematic delay but he never allowed family matters to detour his walk with God (Gen. 50:20).
  • If we are unable to traverse through adversity, perhaps God will carry us around it, but never give up or give in! Joseph’s life is a testimony of trials that happen for our good and God’s glory (Rom. 8:28).
• ADVERSITY TO PERFECT US
  • Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders, (Rom. 5: 3-4).
  • As Christians grow in the grace and knowledge of God through His word (2 Pet. 3:18), we take joy in trials and tribulations. Not because of the experiencing of tribulations but we rejoice because of our declaration of dependence on God’s care (Phil. 1:21).
  • The perfecting via adversity impacts Christian discernment. It is obligated to continue in the righteous path (1 Cor. 15:58).
• WHAT MUST I DO TO RECEIVE THIS CARE?
  Learn The Lessons Of Adversity
  • First, understand that adversity teaches humility (2 Cor. 12:7).
  • Second, adversity teaches reliance upon God (1 Pet. 5:7).
  • Third, understand that adversity teaches the powerful need for prayer (1 The. 5:17).
  • Fourth, Adversity teaches obedience to the will of God. It is submitting to His authority rather than our own authority (Gal. 6:7-8).
• 10 Points to mastering struggles
  • Rejoice in the Lord (Phil. 4:4)
  • Rely on older Christian women and men (Titus 2:ff)
  • Learn to Forgive Self and Others (Matt. 6:12; Eph. 4:32)
  • Studying God’s Word Regularly (Matt. 4:4)
  • Worship God & Pray Regularly (John 4:24)
  • Spreading Good News (Mk. 16:15)
  • Know Your Place in the body (1 Cor. 12:18)
  • Know Your Purpose in the body (1Cor. 12:19-24)
  • Work for Peace in the body (1 Cor. 12:25-26)
  • Persevere in the body (1 Cor. 12:26)
• Conclusion

  • You Are Not Alone, God Cares!

  •  

    Through Trauma And Drama, God Cares!

  • Through Loss Of Wealth, Loss Of Health, God Remains, And He Cares!

  • God Continues To Manifest His Care In Time Of Struggle Through His Church.

 

Duration 40:01