1. Purpose of Discipleship Romans 8:28-29

2. Romans 8:28,29 – “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

3. I.God uses trouble to teach us to trust Him  Trials: Situations designed by God to draw us closer to Him Romans 5:3,4 – “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope”

4. I.God uses trouble to teach us to trust Him  Trials: Situations designed by God to draw us closer to Him  Troubles are opportunities to be like Christ

5. II.God uses temptation to teach us to obey Him James 1:13 – “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil”

6. II.God uses temptation to teach us to obey Him  He allows temptation to teach us obedience Matthew 4:1-11 – “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward hungered. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread…

7. II.God uses temptation to teach us to obey Him  He allows temptation to teach us obedience Matthew 4:1-11 – “…alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time…

8. II.God uses temptation to teach us to obey Him  He allows temptation to teach us obedience Matthew 4:1-11 – “…thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith…

9. II.God uses temptation to teach us to obey Him  He allows temptation to teach us obedience Matthew 4:1-11 – “…Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”

10. II.God uses temptation to teach us to obey Him  He allows temptation to teach us obedience John 14:15 – “If ye love me keep my commandments”

11. II.God uses temptation to teach us to obey Him  Practical Helps:  Focus on good thoughts Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

12. II.God uses temptation to teach us to obey Him  Practical Helps:  Focus on good thoughts  Get a spiritual partner / Small group

13. III.God uses trespasses to teach us to forgive  How did Jesus respond in times of hurt?  He yielded His right to get even  He absorbed the hurt  He put up with the pain  He responded to evil with good  Becoming like Christ involves pain

14. God will take you through everything Jesus went through in order to make you like Him:  Troubles of Gethsemane that we might learn to trust Him  Temptations of the desert that we might learn to obey Him  Trangressions of the cross that we might learn to forgive