Sunday, February 11th, 2018 Message By: Pastor Bam Lauvao Series: Building Life in Purpose “Why the Struggle?” "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4 NASB) STRUGGLE IS NOT THE GOAL, BUT A MEANS TO A GREATER END! 1. STRUGGLES ALARM US TO CHANGE. "Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways." (Proverbs 20:30 GNT) 2. STRUGGLES REVEAL THE QUALITY OF OUR CHARACTER. "Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered." (Hebrews 5:8 NASB) 3. STRUGGLES BUILD CREDIBILITY. Credibility = The quality of being trusted and believed in "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. " (1 Peter 2:11-12 NKJV) OUR LIVES AFFECT GOD’S REPUTATION. Life Group Discussion: Are you struggling with something (looks, identity, health, sin, etc…)? How has the struggle affected your life? Struggles can either be a testing or a tempting? Discuss among yourselves what you believe is the difference between a testing and a tempting. Character is critical because it can affect our theology (i.e. If our character is permissive, then our theology is permissive). Explain how struggle has developed your character. Have you broken trust before because you struggled with sin? How can you build credibility to where you can be trusted once again? Remember, God’s reputation is at stake.