Sorrowful, Yet Always Rejoicing

Sunday, July 25, 2010

“Sorrowful, Yet Always Rejoicing”

6^th in a Series

LIFE: Upside Down

Teaching Pastor Barry Wingfield

Why does God allow the saved to endure sorrows?

1. To show we follow the Man of Sorrows. (Isa 53:3; Matt 5:11-12; John 15:20, 1 Pet 4:13)

2. It refines and grows our faith. (1 Peter 2:6-7)

A reality sometimes hard to swallow:

The reality is that both unbelievers and believers experience joy and sorrow.

What’s the difference?:

Where do our joys come from?

1. Life in the Lord (Acts 16:31-34; 1 Peter 1:8)

2. Spiritual Treasure (Matt 5:11-12)

3. Unity and Fellowship in Christ (Phil 2:2-3)

Where do our sorrows come from?

1. Division between believers (2 Cor 2:4)

2. Godly sorrows (sin in me) (2 Cor 7:7-11)

3. Rejection of the Gospel (Rom 9:1-4a; 10:1-4; Phil 3:18-19)

What is a Christian to do with joyless sorrow?

1. Check your life to see if there is a sin root to your sorrow

2. Check the location of your current treasures

3. Check your connection to the God of all comfort (2 Cor 1:3-4)

How do we express joy in the midst of sorrows?

1. Through joyful expression (Phil 4:4)

2. Through thankful tears (Rom 12:15)

3. Through comfort given to others (2 Cor 1:5-7; 2 Cor 8:2)