FRIDAY MESSAGE
PARABLE OF THE SOWER #4/12
TRIBULATIONS #2

1. INTRODUCTION / SUMMARY OF THE PREVIOUS LESSON
To understand the parable of the sower, it is essential to understand the spiritual law of “sowing to reap” – Mark 4:26.

In the Kingdom of God everything works by seeds: the Word is the seed and the heart is the soil – Mark 4:14-29. The devil tries to prevent the Word from taking root, and one of his strategies is tribulation, which will be the focus of this lesson.

2. ATTACK #2 – TRIBULATIONS
Tribulations:

-are problems that suddenly appear because of being a Christian.

-are adverse circumstances that come into our lives because we serve God;

-are storms that are provoked by the devil because we do God’s will;

a) JOB’S TRIBULATIONS
Job was a faithful and God-fearing man, and therefore he was prosperous – Job 1:1-3

Since there was nothing to point to, the devil had to find a legal way to enter Job’s life, so he began by “sowing” thoughts of doubt, worry, and fear in Job’s mind.

Job lived worried and afraid that something bad would happen. From a certain point on, he became afraid of getting sick, losing his wealth, and losing his children. That is what ended up happening – Job 3:25 and 26

It was not God who was behind these tribulations, but the devil.

Job accepted the fear and doubt, and from that moment on, the devil had the legal right to enter his life. Job repented of thinking that God was behind the tribulation, and God blessed him in such a way that he became better than before – Job 42:10, 12 and 17

God is not the author of tribulation – it is the devil who tries to make a person stop believing in God and His promises. The believer must remain firm, for God will make him even better than before.

b) PAUL’S TRIBULATIONS AND THE THORN IN THE FLESH – 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Paul’s thorn in the flesh was not a disease, but a messenger of Satan to afflict him.

Paul found pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties, for the sake of Christ;

Some aspects of Paul’s thorn in the flesh – 2 Corinthians 11:23-33

• As soon as he converted, the Jews plotted to kill him;

• He was prevented from joining the disciples;

• Satan resisted him;

• The crowd of Jews resisted him;

• Expelled from Antioch and Pisidia;

• Attacked by the crowd and expelled from Iconium;

• Stoned and left for dead in Lystra and Derbe;

• He continually disputed with false brothers;

• Flogged and imprisoned in Philippi;

• Attacked by the crowd in Thessalonica;

• Attacked by the crowd and expelled from Berea;

• Attacked by the crowd in Corinth and Ephesus;

• Attacked by the mob and arrested in Jerusalem

Furthermore, the Apostle Paul:

– was judged 5 times, suffered reproach, hardship, persecution, affliction, beatings, riots, dishonor, and infamy. He was in danger of death many times – 5 times forty lashes by the Jews and 2 times beaten with rods. He suffered shipwrecks, dangers from robbers, from Jews, Gentiles, and false prophets, suffered cold, nakedness, was insulted, blasphemed, considered the scum of this world and the refuse of all.

But the Bible itself reveals that this is a possibility in the lives of believers:

Matthew 10:16-22
1 Peter 4:12-14

3. ROLE OF OLDER BELIEVERS
God calls each believer to serve – Ephesians 4:11. The work includes:

– evangelizing;

– transforming converts into disciples;

– training servants;

– protecting new converts;

– accompanying them in courses, small groups, baptisms, and Bible teaching.

4. FINAL EXHORTATION – 1 Peter 4:12-14
Those who are ashamed of Jesus lose protection and blessing; those who remain steadfast receive God’s help.

For those who do not yet walk with God:

– surrender your life to Jesus;

– study the Bible;

– come to church;

– begin to walk with God.

For those who already walk with God:

– remain steadfast;

– disciples with roots are not intimidated.