GRACE UNVEILED, #14, “Revelation Grace” | Jim Hammond
Recap
Pastor Jim shared the 14th installment of his series on the book of Romans, entitled “Grace Unveiled.” Romans 5:3 was the text for the message: “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” It goes against our flesh nature, but this verse is telling us to jump for joy when you experience tribulation. Pastor Jim goes on to explain why!
Dive Deeper
The 14th installment of the teaching series on the book of Romans was based on Romans 5:3: “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.”
The word “tribulation” in the Greek language means “under pressure.” It can also mean “oppression, affliction.” It can also mean you are going through some kind of trial of pressure.
The word “glory” in the Greek language means “jumping for joy.” So this verse is saying to jump for joy when you’re under pressure.
Examination of the last part of verse three: “…knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.”
The word “know” in the Greek language means “to notice, to perceive, to discover.” So the reason we exalt in our stress, perceiving or discovering that the trial we’re going through produces patience.
The meaning for the word “patience” is closer to “endurance or perseverance.” It’s not the kind of patience one would need while waiting in a traffic jam. This type of patience means “endurance” or “not quitting.”
Patience works experience. And experience takes you to hope.
One might think hope is not a big deal. But hope is everything. People who are in a dire situation will often have no hope. This starts a chain reaction that starts with one going through a trial. If you don’t “fall apart,” the trial will work experience in you. It will make you stronger. It gives you endurance. It will put the “no quit” in you. From there, it gives you experience. From experience, you will go to hope.
Getting upset is not always a bad thing. Getting frustrated is an indication you haven’t yet lost hope. The fact that you “just don’t care anymore” is a sign you have lost hope.
The word “experience” in the Greek language means “a specimen of tried worth.” That means you’ve gone through it, you’ve experienced it, you’re still there, you’re not hiding, you’re not isolated from the trial.
This is talking about more than just enduring your trial. It’s not talking about having “no reaction,” like no one would be able to know you’re going through a trial because you didn’t even lift an eyebrow.
One late well-known minister said, “If you don’t understand this chain reaction in regard to the trial(s) you are going through… It’s a spiritual process of maturity. If you don’t understand it and you’re going through trials again and again and again, not understanding there’s a process… then you are an out-of-shape-in-the-spirit Christian. You’re a weak Christian. Mature Christians pay attention to this chain of events: affliction, endurance, proof of character, to hope.”
Read About It
Rom. 5:3, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope.”
Discussion Questions
Can you explain why we are to rejoice when we go through tribulation?
When going through a tribulation (or trial), can you explain the process of what it means to go from “patience to experience and then experience to hope”?
After learning about the well-known minister’s quote, can you describe what the term “chain of events” means when someone is going through a trial?