CRUSHED OR PRESSED?

March 19, 2023

Main Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

Additional Scriptures: Philippians 3:10, John 12:24, 15:1-5, Psalm 102:8-11, 119:71, 1 Kings 7:9-16, James 1:2-4, Hebrews 12:1-3, Romans 8:28

POINTS:

• To form to Jesus in suffering, we must participate in the suffering.

• It is through the process of pressing that anointing comes.

• Pruning can often feel like punishment.

• The presence of pain in your life isn’t a prophecy of your destruction but the starting place for a harvest that will reap immeasurably more than all you can hope for or imagine.

• We form to pain when we wallow in self-pity and self-pity will crush us.

• God will always create something new from what was meant to crush you if you press into Him in the pressing.

• When the Lord prunes you He strategically leaves a remnant that will give rise to more fruit in the next season.

• We must let the pressing God is doing finish its work in our lives.

• Pressing is always meant to press us into persistent prayer.

• Prayer is how we participate in suffering.

• A seed must be pressed before it can produce anything more.

• The pressing is necessary because you would think you made the fruit in your life and pride like self-pity crushes.

• When you are pressed reach for Jesus instead of reaching for things that will numb your pain or people to save you.