Three-Fold Cord
The purpose of trials and difficulties is to provide opportunities for our hearts to grow in acquaintance with God, ultimately conforming us to the image of Christ.
Miles J. Stanford preaches about the purpose of suffering and trials in the life of a believer, emphasizing that the difficulties we face are opportunities for us to grow in our acquaintance with God. He highlights the importance of depending on God and experiencing His presence in the midst of challenges, as it is through these experiences that we are conformed to the image of Christ. Stanford encourages believers to see past trials as a means for God to display His grace and bring glory to Himself through the thanksgiving of many.
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"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).
The Word of life, the Lord of life, and the exigencies of life all must combine to give us a ministry of life.
"There is no personal knowledge of God but as we count on Him, as we are practically conscious of depending on Him and of His caring for us. One without straits, and victories, really has no growing acquaintance with God; and where there is not this, however great the intelligence or sincerity, there is little or no savor."
"It is the trials and difficulties of the way that are the opportunities for our hearts to grow in acquaintance with Him; and it will be found, while there may be a great enjoyment in ministry, and in the unfolding of truth, that really there is not strength but in proportion as one has learned how God has been for and with one in the trials and sorrows of the way; and as one has known Him in them, so is one able to speak of Him."
"The one purpose which our Father has in view, in all His ways, is to conform us to the image of His Son. This may explain our perplexities as to the past; it will govern our behavior in the present; it is to be our guidance in the future. The chief concern of our Lord is not to instruct us about a multitude of details, not to explain to us the reason for the trials which we are called to pass through. He is working out everything to serve His supreme purpose in displaying the character of His Son in His redeemed ones."
"For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God" (2 Corinthians 4:15).
Sermon Outline
- The Ministry of Life
- Trials and Difficulties as Opportunities for Heart Growth
- Conformity to the Image of Christ
- Combination of the Word of Life, Lord of Life, and Exigencies of Life
- Practical Consciousness of Depending on God
- Enjoyment in Ministry and Unfolding of Truth
- Strength in Knowing God in Trials and Sorrow
- Purpose of God in Trials and Suffering
- Guidance for Behavior and Future
Key Quotes
“It is the trials and difficulties of the way that are the opportunities for our hearts to grow in acquaintance with Him;” — Miles J. Stanford
“The chief concern of our Lord is not to instruct us about a multitude of details, not to explain to us the reason for the trials which we are called to pass through.” — Miles J. Stanford
“The one purpose which our Father has in view, in all His ways, is to conform us to the image of His Son.” — Miles J. Stanford
Application Points
- We must learn to depend on God in our trials and sorrows to grow in our acquaintance with Him.
- Our strength in ministry comes from knowing God in the midst of challenges.
- The ultimate purpose of God is to conform us to the image of His Son.