Three Essential Questions
After watching the message take some time reflect on the following three questions.
- What did you hear? What point in this message was most impactful for you?
- What do you think? How did this message challenge, change, or affirm your thinking?
- What will you do? How will you put into practice what you've learned today?
". . . when tests and challenges come at you from all sides, know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors." James 1:2-3 (Mes)
"God looks down from heaven on the whole human race to test and see whois acting with understanding and truly seeking Him." Psalm 53:2
"Examineyourselves to see if your faith is really genuine. Test yourselves!"
2 Cor. 13:5 (NLT)
YOUR FAITH IS BEING TESTED THESE DAYS
Through 5 Cultural Flashpoints
Viral Infirmity Covid-19
Social Instability Violence in Cities
Financial Insecurity Shaky Economy/Out of Work
Racial Inequality Will Anything Change?
Political Incivility Bitterness & Blaming
GOD IS TESTING OUR FAITH THROUGH VIRAL INFIRMITY
"King Uzziah had a contagious skin disease for the rest of his life and hadto live in quarantine. He was not permitted to set foot in the Temple ofGod. So his son, Jotham, managed the royal palace and governed thenation." 2 Chron. 26:21 (Mes)
"My friends and companions must keep their distance because ofmy plague. Even my relatives must stay far away." Psalm 38:11 (ESV)
WHEN DO PLAGUES HAPPEN IN THE BIBLE?
3(of many) Reasons
1. When we IGNORE GOD'S RULES FOR LIVING
"The people soon forgot God and what he'd done for them, and theywouldn't wait for God's plan. Instead, they became greedy and they lettheir cravings run wild. They tested God's patience. So God gave themwhat they wanted, BUT he sent a plague along with it." Psalm 106:13-15 (NLT)
Action Plan: Now is a great time to dig deeper into your knowledge of God's word and what it teaches about life by taking the Foundations online class. Visitsadddleback.com/foundationsto start today.
2. When WE ALLOW INJUSTICE AND INEQUALITY
God: "A short time ago, you repented and did what was right. You freedyour countrymen who had been slaves. You even made a covenant withme about this in my Temple. But now you've changed your mind and dishonored me. You've enslaved them again in a new slavery. Therefore, here's what I'm going to do: Since you've disobeyed me by not giving freedom to ALL of your countrymen, I'm going to give you some 'freedom' – freedom to die by a war or a plague or famine! And you'll be considered a disgrace by the other nations of the world."
Jer. 34:15-17
3. When LEADERS SIN AND DISOBEY GOD
"David prayed to God, 'Was it not I who ordered this? I'm the one who has sinned and done wrong! These people are innocent. What have they done? So, O Lord my God, let your hand fall upon me and my family, but do notlet this plague remain on your people.'" 1 Chron. 21:17 (NIV)
"For when the time of judgment comes, judgment must begin with the family of God!" 1 Peter 4:17
WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING DURING OUR PLAGUE?
1. CONTINUE TOWORSHIP GOD
"David built an altar to the Lord there and he gave offerings of worship toGod. And the Lord answered his prayer, and the plague was stopped." 2 Sam. 24:25 (NLT)
Action Plan: Take ownership before God in prayer like David does in 1 Chron. 21:17. Take ownership for any shortcomings you have regarding doing things God's way in obedience and love for others. Write them out on paper. Ask for his forgiveness for each of them. Then toss the paper away and accept that God has promised to toss those charges out from your guilt as well.
2. CONTINUE TO SERVE PEOPLE
"Aaron the priest stood between the living and the dead until the plaguewas stopped." Num. 16:48 (NLT)
- Serve in a Local PEACE Food Distribution
- Serve with Care Callers & Care Writers
- A NEW ministry: First Aid for Families Initiative
Action Plan: In thankfulness for God's grace shown to you, think about someone in your life who's going through more stress than you whom you can serve. Take action this week to relieve some of their stress by meeting a real need in their life.
WHO'S GOT MORE STRESS THAN YOU IN YOUR LIFE?
Text SERVE to 83000 or email SERVE@saddleback.com.
Every Service Action Steps
We recommit our lives to Jesus Christ. Text NEWSTART (1 word) to 83000 or email newstart@saddleback.com
We express our gratitude to God for his goodness by giving back to him.
Your generosity online is feeding tens of thousands of out-of-work families
and serving many other needs. Give at Saddleback.com/give
We meet in small groups online to discuss what we've heard. To join a group, text SMALLGROUP to 83000 or email SMALLGROUP@saddleback.com.
To be baptized, email mybaptism@saddleback.com.
Listen to our podcasts "Doable Discipleship" and "The Well" from our Saddleback Growth team at Saddleback.com/learn
