Wounds that Glow in the Dark | Jentezen Franklin

Sunday, April 28

Introduction

Welcome to our Group Guide for "Wounds that Glow in the Dark," a recent sermon by Pastor Jentezen Franklin that explores the profound themes of suffering, divine comfort, and the redemptive power of shared pain. Drawing inspiration from the historical Battle of Shiloh during the American Civil War, where soldiers' wounds eerily glowed in the dark—a phenomenon that turned out to be a blessing as the glow resulted from a healing process—this guide is designed to help us understand and apply the spiritual lessons embedded in our own "glowing wounds."

In his sermon, Pastor Franklin poignantly urged us not to "die in our 'Why?'"—a powerful reminder not to surrender or become embittered by the uncertainties of our suffering.

What do you remember about this message that was preached? What stood out to you?

Let us embrace our trials as opportunities to manifest God’s love and comfort, becoming beacons of hope and healing in a world that desperately needs it.

One Divine Comfort, Comforts Us All

The Apostle Paul begins his letter to the Church at Corinth with the powerful encouragement that God is the God of compassion and comfort. This was a much-needed word to the Corinthian church and brings comfort to many of us today.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Notice how Paul gives purpose to the comfort we receive: God comforts us so that we can do the same for others in similar or worst situations.

Paul’s comfort abounded through Christ even as he shared in the sufferings of Christ.

What was the motivating factor behind Paul’s selfless ministry? And how was he able to share both the joys and sufferings with such ease?

God's comfort in Paul's numerous trials and persecutions not only fostered endurance within him but also empowered him to impart this divine comfort to others, thereby strengthening and expanding the church. In a nutshell, this how God was glorified through his life.

How have you experienced God’s comfort in recent times? And how did it strengthen you?

Our sufferings may sometimes exceed our ability to cope. However, when we turn to God and place our full trust in Him, as Apostle Paul did, we can be assured that God will comfort us, grant us His peace, and deliver us.

What are some ways you can extend divine comfort to others during difficult times?

Is there anything hindering you from sharing and helping others? How can you overcome it?

God's divine purpose for us during our troubles is to draw us closer to Him, strengthen us, and comfort us with His love. We are His chosen vessels, meant to help others and bear fruit for His glory. During trials, don't give up; instead, give in to God.

Lessons From Job

Good People Get Tested, Tried, and Sometimes Blamed. Although Job was blameless and upright in God’s eyes, God allowed Job to be tested at the hands of Satan [Job 1:6-12]. All of Job’s 10 children and his servants were killed, all 10,000 of his livestock were either stolen or consumed by fire, and Job himself was covered in painful sores from head to toe. Add to that, throughout 20 chapters in the book of Job, Job’s friends conclude Job has sinned and brought all this on himself [Job 4-23]. Job’s wife encouraged him to curse God and die [Job 2:9-10]. Yet, Job still praised God and did not charge God with wrongdoing [Job 1:20-22].

Victor Hugo, renowned French Romantic writer said “Tomorrow, if all literature was to be destroyed and it was left to me to retain one work only, I should save Job.” He said this because everyone finds themselves in the book of Job at one point in their life; it's the human experience.

Has God allowed you to be tested right now and you don’t know (yet) what He is doing? In what ways are you being tested?

Have you ever gotten “help” during a tough time from someone who acted like "Job's friends"? How did that make you feel about yourself, your situation, or your beliefs? On the flip side, any stories about friends who really helped you see the bigger picture?

Don’t write your (final) story while still in the middle of it. Job’s downfall was that he thought he knew the whole story about what God was doing. If Job had concluded his story halfway through, he might have "died in the why." It took 42 chapters before Job "saw" it from God’s point of view [Job 42:2-5]. Finally, Job said, "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you." Job came to know something greater than the answer to his questions. Job saw that God was with him in crisis.

Many times, being “blessed is walking through that season [like Job] knowing God is holding your hand”. - Jentezen Franklin

We often cry, “Why, God, why?!” Even if we got the answer, do you think that would satisfy? Why or why not?

In the middle of a storm, our vision tends to be cloudy at best. Reflecting back, how much did your initial perception of the trial's purpose differ from God's revealed purpose months or years later?

Can you see now why it’s premature to conclude your story or even try to lead others through the same trial before your story (and God’s work) is complete?

Forgiveness moves you into purpose. Purpose has generational impacts. After Job acknowledges the sovereignty and wisdom of God and prays for his friends, the book concludes with Job having his health, family, and wealth restored. Job’s fortunes are doubled, and he receives even more blessings than before. He has more children and lives a long, prosperous life, witnessing several generations. This serves as a testament to God’s mercy, grace, and redemptive nature. God is good. His grace is sufficient for us during all trials and His power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9).

The power of forgiveness and restoration. When Job prayed for his friends, he chose to release his anger, bitterness, and resentment; choosing to bless and forgive. Job’s material possessions and his relationship with God were restored (a foreshadowing of Matthew 6:12 and 5:44). When we forgive others, we move into the purpose of the pain we went through. We see rightly and are set free; having the ability to help set others free as well.

A trial well-navigated has generational impacts. Job lived 140 years after his persecution; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. (Job 42:16) Job’s legacy, through the story of his trial and personal lessons learned in his trial like faith, trust and humility equipped future generations with the tools to fight the good fight of faith.

Do you have an example of watching someone successfully (biblically) go through a trial that increased your faith and trust in the Lord’s presence during storms? What about observing the opposite?

When someone else is going through the same type of trial you went through, how quick are you to run toward that person versus turning a blind eye? What keeps you from running toward them?

Paul's Suffering

In this passage, Apostle Paul recounts his experiences, not to seek accolades for himself but to strengthen the Corinthians (2 Cor. 12:19), for the sake of the gospel (1 Cor. 9:23), and for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31).

2 Corinthians 11:23b-27 NIV I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.

God has not promised that life will be free from trials and tribulations, and Paul endured much persecution throughout his ministry.

What are your thoughts on the various trials Paul describes in the passage above? Which of these trials can you most relate to, if any, and why?

Paul lists numerous hardships that he endured for the sake of his mission. What might this tell us about his commitment to spread the Gospel?

2 Timothy 3:12 teaches that anyone pursuing a godly life in Christ Jesus will face persecution, reminding us that experiencing hardships doesn't necessarily mean we're on the wrong path. Moreover, scriptures like Deuteronomy 31:8 assure us of God's comforting presence during trials, providing the grace we need to persevere.

In times of fear and discouragement, how can we practically hold onto the promise that God is with us?

Reflecting on Paul's sufferings can help us see our own challenges through a faith-based lens, inspiring us to keep going and lean on God's promises for strength and comfort, just as Paul did while spreading the Gospel.

Sufferings of Jesus

Let's look at one more passage, the example Christ set for us as He chose to suffer. Peter says, 'that we should follow in His steps.' (1 Pet 2:21)

1 Peter 2:22-25 NKJV

“He committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth” who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Wouldn’t you agree, for the most part, we are living in a spoiled culture, in the land of opportunity, pleasure, and plenty? Trusting God has not been tested so much in our land as many other lands.

We don’t like to be uncomfortable, and as Pastor mentioned, our hardships don’t really measure up to what many others who are persecuted for Christ endure.

But Christ, knew the end result of His suffering for our sakes. We were worth it in His eyes. The trials and suffering, many face don’t even compare or come close to what He went through for us.

So then, can we purpose in our hearts to turn over our bodies to be a living sacrifice, whether it is a health, financial, or relationship issue?

Can we trust Him enough to draw closer to Him in those times and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to us like only He can? And in so doing, can we put on our eternity glasses to be the example to others, and bring them to heaven with us, by sharing His love, and how to become an overcomer, even in the midst of our adversities?

What suffering specifically can you turn over to God today?

Conclusion

On this Christian journey, we are promised tribulation (John 16:33), persecution (2 Timothy 3:12), various trials (James 1:2-3), hardships (Acts 14:22). We are told that we should not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon us to test us. (1 Peter 4:12). Why then, would we ask “why?”

We can “die in the why” and lay on the battlefield wounded waiting for something that may never come or we can engage. When we’re off that battlefield; healed and back home with battle-tested experience and God-given wisdom, we can use what we’ve learned to help others navigate their battle. God is a God of multiplication. He could do it Himself, but He often chooses us to be His hands and feet. Will we accept the call to duty? Will we say, “Send me”?

The enemy would love for us not to share our wounds with each other out of shame, guilt, or condemnation but that is just the battle tactic of one who only comes to steal, kill and destroy and who lives in darkness. Let the wounds glow! Light up the dark!

Be ready to quickly tell someone what God’s done for you.

Be a willing vessel. A vessel for God’s answer, God’s deliverance, God’s healing, God’s battle plan.

Be a living epistle. Share your testimony; someone is waiting to hear and learn what God has helped you through and imparted to you.

Be willing to be spent. God will allow you to go through a tough season, but you will grow in your knowledge of Him and what you go through will then be used to heal others.

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