What I’ll be presenting to you is not theoretical, it is my personal experience. I prefer to hear one who has “been there, done that” to one who hasn’t suffered. Share some of story? NOTE: I’ve written this primarily for my kids… Amy, Trey, & Britton.
The Gospel is the cross. To know how much God loves you, look at the cross.
The most important thing about us is what we believe about God. Our culture thinks God is OUR servant… for OUR benefit… OUR health & wealth… OUR comfort & ease. Just one problem, those aren’t Biblical. In fact, that concept contradicts Scripture.
If we are to have a Biblical theology of suffering, we must understand God Biblically. The only way to understand suffering rightly is to understand God properly (Biblically). There is a God who is, & a god many want Him to be… & the two aren’t the same. There is never a crown without first a cross!
In this message we’ll examine what God says about Himself. Then we’ll build a theology for suffering that results in joy & peace because GOD Himself will be our joy & peace.
What I say will require you to think & meditate deeply. Gold & diamonds don’t lay around on the ground… you have to dig for them. The same is true for Biblical joy.
I take the Bible as it is… God’s Word. Understand life in terms of Scripture, NOT Scripture in terms of life. Understand life from God’s view, not God from what happens to us.
Three questions, Who is the most important person in the universe? (God) Next, What can God do? (Anything) Why? Because He’s God. Settle those truths now. Turn to Is 46:9… (Explain texts, ESV)
Is 46:9 Remember the former things of old; for I am God, & there is no other; I am God, & there is none like Me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning & from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, & I will accomplish all My purpose…’ 11 I have spoken, & I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, & I will do it. (Reflect at length) Now turn to Is 48:9…
For MY NAME’S SAKE I defer My anger, for the sake of MY praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off. 10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. 11 For My own sake, for My own sake, I do it, for how should My name be profaned? My glory I will NOT give to another. (These two passages drive my theology of God in suffering!)
In these passages, God defines Himself. We’re not the center of the universe, God is. His glory is supreme! Our life is to glorify God! Especially in hardship. (Message is over… rest is application…)
When we embrace these Isaiah passages, we start processing life events Biblically. As GOD is first in our heart, we’ll be able to have JOY in hardship. Turn to James 1:2…
Count it all JOY, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect & complete, lacking in nothing.
Intellectually we agree with James, but in a trial it’s hard… unless you have reasons to “count it all joy.” The joy isn’t because of the trial… but WHAT God accomplishes thru trials. I have a list of sixteen reasons to “count it all joy” when we suffer.
Reason #1: God’s Glory (Is 48:9-11, 46:9-10; 2 Cor 4:15; 1 Pet 4:16; Jn 21:19),
Reason #2: It Is God’s Will (Phil 1:29),
Reason #3: Humility is accomplished (2 Cor 12:7),
Reason #4: Learn To Rest Completely On GOD’S Power (2 Cor 12:7-10),
Reason #5: Reveals Need For Sanctification (2 Cor 12:7-10),
Reason #6: God’s Way Of Sanctification (Job 1-2),
Reason #7: Conformed To Christ’s Image (Ro 8:29),
Reason #8: Draws us to GOD (Ps 119:67, 71). This WILL be the C’ian’s response,
Reason #9: Jesus Is Manifested In Us (2 Cor 4:7-12),
Reason #10: Spiritual Maturity (James 1:2-4),
Reason #11: Share in Christ’s Glory (1 Peter 4:12-14),
Reason #12: Displays God’s grace and comfort (2 Cor 1:3-4),
Reason #13: To Comfort Others By Pointing Them To GOD (2 Cor 1:3-4),
Reason #14: Emboldens C’ians For Faithfulness to GOD (Phil 1:12-14),
Reason #15: Increases Rewards (2 Cor 4:16-18),
Reason #16: Perfects GOD’S power in us (2 Cor 12:9).
When we know & embrace WHAT God is doing thru suffering, THEN we’ll have a heavenly perspective on what we’re going thru! THEN we’ll be able to rejoice in WHAT God is doing in our life. THEN we’ll u’stand why Paul wrote Ro 8:18…
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Godly suffering is rewarded & evangelistic! 1 Pet 3:14-16
If you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;16 yet do it w/ gentleness & respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
Thru Jesus’ suffering we’re saved! God chooses for us to suffer to bring others to salvation. Is a soul being saved from eternal damnation worth “slight, momentary” (2 Cor 4:17) suffering by one who is already saved?? Remember… life isn’t about us but GOD’S glory & salvation of the lost!
When unbelievers see Christians suffer in an ungodly way, a false picture is painted of Christ & no worth is seen to hope in Him! Suffering to glorify God is a platform of believability for the Christian faith. Again, life is about glorifying GOD, NOT our temporal ease or blessings.
Jesus suffered evil for God’s glory. During the last week of Christ’s life, he knew what was before Him. In John 12:27-28 it is written Jesus said…
Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour?’ But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify YOUR name. Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”
Jesus’ life glorified God. Even though He’d suffer like no one before or after would, His desire was God’s glory. The Father’s reply was He had glorified it & would do it again… & again… & again… into & for all eternity. Now to explain the title: God’s Providence in Joyful Suffering. Acts 4:26…
The kings of the earth set themselves, & the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord & against his Anointed’… 27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod & Pontius Pilate, along w/ the Gentiles & the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand & your plan had predestined to take place.
Don’t let the “P” word (Predestination) scare you. All it means in this passage is God does not leave salvation to chance. He willed it because thru Jesus’ death (Evil) & resurrection GOD was glorified! Each person acted with moral freedom under God’s Divine providence. God was in complete control AND every person was responsible for their actions… AT THE SAME TIME!
Since Adam, God moved all events to the crucifixion & resurrection because through them God would be glorified. Thru Jesus’ death & resurrection every knee would bow & every tongue confess He is Lord. God did NOT leave that to chance according to Is 48:9-11 & 46:9-10.
Now add to that The Father’s statement, “And I will glorify it again.” The “again” part is every believer (You!) since Christ’s resurrection. Because the servant is not greater than their master, God glorifies Himself through us & our hardships as we suffer in the manner He provides by living IN & THROUGH us.
With GOD’S glory as our foundation… next we will delve further into Scripture to u’stand God & suffering from a Biblical perspective. My goal is to increase your view of God & His purpose to glorify Himself thru you. Drive deep into your soul that God purposes your ultimate good thru suffering. I ask you to trust that God is God… knows what He’s doing… & it is good!
(Song) “I Asked The Lord That I Might Grow” (John Newton)
Ron's Sunday Sermon 