Several years ago I heard a recording of John Ortberg who delivered a message titled… It All Goes Back In The Box. He was invited by a church in San Francisco to speak to gathering of business men. The message so impacted me that I called the church that sponsored the event and asked for permission to give copies to my friends (It was on a cassett at the time!). As it was over a decade ago now, I don’t remember the church or the person I talked to at the church, but they gave me permission to give the recording to whoever I wanted to. Here is the message and I hope you are blessed…
“Death & Taxes” are not the only two things that are for certain for Christians. There’s a third & it is found in Ro 8:29, “For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…” Focus on: TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON. This message is about our sanctification… holiness… Christ likeness, and the way GOD accomplishes it.
This is a God intense verse. GTF (God the Father) is mentioned three times by the word “He.” It is all about God… like everything else! So let’s settle something: God can do whatever He desires because He is God. Paul knows people don’t like this idea because he wrote in Ro 9 the following…
Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, & I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 18 He has mercy on whomever He wills, & He hardens whomever He wills. 19 For who can resist His will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honored use & another for dishonorable use?
Since Adam, man has resented God’s sovereignty… His GODHOOD. We demand our rights, but with God we have no “rights.”1 Cor 6:19, “You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price.” Thus Ro 6:22, “You’ve been set free from sin & have become slaves of God…”
SINCE Christians have been bought by the blood of Jesus… & thus “free from sin” & “slaves” of God… it follows that God (THE Potter) can do whatever He desires with those who are His & NO ONE can question Him.
Before we rebel, remember He did it with His own Son! Of all people, Jesus submitted to God’s will to His own destruction. Remember the Garden prayer, “Let this cup pass from me. Never the less, not My will be done but Yours!” (Mt 26:39). Then we find in Jn 12:27-28
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.”
God’s will IS to glorify His name! Those He uses & rewards are those who seek HIS glory and not their own, no matter the call or cost! God is THE master, we are His slaves. And that is good.
God is the PERFECT Slave Master. Those who are His (Christians) only & always receive from the Ultimate Master what is for their BEST & GOOD. Because God (Our master) is love, He only & always does perfectly what is best, good, AND loving for His own (Christians).
With that being the case, why would anyone ever have a problem with God’s sovereign control over every believer & everything that happens to them? Why would they ever resent One reigning over them who only & always does good?Ro 8:31…
If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us ALL things?
God wills only good for His own (Ro 8:28). He is the ultimate good. Therefore He does not leave the Christian’s conformity to Christ to chance (Which is THE ultimate good), He makes it happen. There is no chance of our sanctification not happening because God predestines it. Ro 8:29…
Those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…
Get that! Read it again!God does NOT leave His children’s sanctification to chance. He wills it. He MAKES it happen. There is absolutely NO possibility of a genuine Christian NOT becoming more like Christ. NONE! I can’t overemphasize this truth from God. He WILL (!!) cause and make every Christian into the image of His Son Jesus! He WILL do whatever and everything it takes to accomplish it!! Because that is their ULTIMATE ETERNAL GOOD!
THE question to consider is HOW God makes SURE our sanctification. God will transform your perspective on life if you will understand & embrace it from what we find in Heb 12:4-6 and following. Let’s look at this passage for a moment…
In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, & chastises every son whom He receives.”
First, there is sin in our life that grips us… that we can’t escape on our own! As with our salvation, GOD has to act to deliver us! Thus the concept of discipline (12:4-6).
Two kinds of discipline, formative & corrective. Formative prevents. Corrective corrects. God uses both, & they feel the same to us. God’s motivation for discipline is LOVE (12:6). Get that! Embrace it! It is because God LOVES that He disciplines!! If there is no discipline, then what is implied? (Pause)
Consider what God’s discipline reveals in Hebrews 12:7-11…
It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are… without discipline… then you are illegitimate children & not sons. 9 …Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits & live?
Formative & corrective discipline from God proves you’re saved! And because God is good, He makes sure (“Predestines” Ro 8:29) our good… which is HIM. Look at Heb 12:10-11…
For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Here we slow down. Why does God discipline? For our good! OUR GOOD! Now, look at 12:10. WHAT is our good? His holiness! Conformity to Christ! Our sanctification! Godliness! God disciplines all His children BECAUSE He loves them SO THAT the greatest blessing ever, happens! 2 Peter 1:4
He has granted to us His precious & very great promises, so that thru them you may become partakers of the divine nature… (Wrap your arms around that!)
What are God’s promises? “Discipline us for our good,” “All things to work together for our good,” & we’re “Predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son,”&“The peaceful fruit of righteousness.” (Just for a beginning)
LISTEN! As a Christian, God is sovereignly determined to bless you. He will bless you as HE knows best (As God). The result is always the ultimate good… Himself… the divine nature IN you!
The “Divine nature” is described as “Jesus’ peace” (Jn 14:27). “Christ’s joy” (Jn 17:13). Contentment (Phil 4:11; 1 Tim 6:6). No fear (1 Jn 4:18). Holiness… righteousness… godliness… Christ likeness. Patience. Kindness. Not arrogant or rude, not irritable or resentful or demanding, not keeping a record of wrongs.[i] Turning the other cheek. Forgiving others as you’ve been forgiven.
How many of us did I just describe? NONE! ALL of us have massive room for improvement. But none of us either can… or will… become those things ON OUR OWN. THUS…
None of us have struggled against sin to the point of shedding your blood (Heb 12:4). THAT is why God lovingly disciplines us. To destroy the idols in our life that hinder our ultimate good (Godliness, Conformity to Christ). But because we love our idols, we don’t want to let them go. So God rips them from our heart in such a way that we abhor them & the destruction they would have brought into our lives. DISCIPLINE…
Consider this thought. The pain in your life (Whatever it is) is GOD working for you to share more each day in “His divine nature.” He doesn’t leave it to chance because He loves you so much. His loving discipline is so you will “share in His holiness.” And that is ALWAYS good.
When you embrace that, THEN you will “Count it all JOY when you encounter various trials” because you know God is working for your good… to rid you of idols… to conform you to His Son’s image… so that you are blessed in this life AND the one to come!
If you’re saved, God IS at work in your life. EVERY event is God calling you to His side… & there is NO PLAN B. As in Ro 8:29, Christians are “Predestined to be conformed to the image of (God’s) Son!”
Many Christians misunderstand difficult times in life. What they think is bad is, in God’s eyes, good & necessary. They think of pain as destructive rather than constructive. I know. I just described myself.
Why is it whenever there is pain, hardship, or difficulty we attribute it to Satan? Who says He is always the one causing the pain? And who says pain is always punishment for sin? Isn’t it possbile that maybe GOD is at work and has a purpose? Are we that inept with the Scripture in this area? Heb 12:5-6…
Do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, & chastises every son whom He receives.
The words discipline, reproved, & chastises are not “feel good” adjectives. They bring pictures of “time out,” spankings, & pain. We associate them with a person’s anger directed toward us for failures or mistakes… mainly from our parents who disciplined us in what we perceived as anger twoard us.
Aside: Parents, NEVER discipline your children in anger. If you do, they will transfer that toward God when He disciplines them. Explain your discipline as motivated by love (They won’t understand), for their good. Paul addresses this in Eph 6:4…
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline & instruction of the Lord. {Now back to the topic at hand}
“Do not regard lightly.” The Christian should first consider the pain in life as coming from our all wise & loving Father. The One who wills only & always our good. While human parents will their children’s good as best they can, GOD… in His absolute power… effects it without fail.
It is incumbent upon us to be discerning in hardship & difficulty. We must first consider God is ultimately behind it working to make us more like Jesus in answer to our “Bless us Father” prayer. He sees & knows better than us things to be addressed (Our idols). Thus James 1:5…
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, & it will be given him.
Instead of demanding “WhyGOD?!” we must humbly ask “What?”What are You showing me? Whatdo I need to change? What do I need to repent of? What idol are You after? We ask those questions & address themto become more like ChristSO THAT God is glorified.
As we said previously, God does not leave Christian’s sanctification to chance… thus the meaning of Ro 8:29, “Those whom He foreknew He also predestinedto be conformed to the image of His Son.”Focus on: To be conformed to the image of His Son…
Heb 5:11-6:2 is about maturing in Christ. The reader is implored to leave the elementary things & move to more mature elements of the faith. Then Heb 6:3, “And this we will do if God permits.”IF GOD PERMITS! Our level of maturity is in God’s hands. God is the primary mover in life & we rely upon Him for us to work toward our own holiness (1 Cor 15:10).
Let’s see how God did this in Paul & by extension us. Paul was taught by Christ[i], spoke in tongues[ii], healed people[iii], raised people from the dead[iv], & visited heaven.[v] The danger was Paul could become prideful. Thus 2 Cor 12:7…
To keep me from being too elated by the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But He said… “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
Before we go further, if Paul needed God’s intervention…what about us? There is danger we could become “too elated” (Prideful) because we don’t know our character flaws. God uses pain to reveal them to us! Thorns!!
God’s answer to Paul was “My grace is sufficient for you.” Not “WAS.” Not “WILL BE.” But rather “IS SUFFICIENT.” What God is saying is that the thorn would result in “More of God” in His life.
Think. Sometimes pain (Discipline) is NOT due to sin, but to PREVENT IT! God preempts our ability to sin as it is written in Jude 1:24-25
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling& to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, thru Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, & authority, before all time & now & forever. Amen.
God kept Paul from stumbling into pride by sending a thorn…a messenger of Satan… into his life. The thorn was a constant painful irritant & distraction. Paul prayerfully asked God to remove it & God said NO because the presence of the thorn (Pain) was more important than ease or comfort.
It was the thorn (Messenger from Satan) that kept Paul from stumbling! If the thorn were not present, Paul would have stumbled… & many others would have also as a result.
According to Jude, the thorns that keep us from stumbling ALSO results in “Presenting (us) blameless in God’s presence with great joy!” Can we please get into our heart & mind that God’s goal, will, & purpose is our ultimate eternal good?! I need it. You need it. We all do!
Understanding these truths, our response is… JOYFUL WORSHIP! Read Jude again. We’re living this life just to live again… forever… eternally… with GREAT JOY… in God’s presence! 2 Cor 13:9-B…
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, & calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Cor 13:9B-10 is Paul expressing joyful worship because of what the thorn accomplished! This is only possible by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit worked in Paul a new counter-intuitive perspective. Each time he felt the thorn, he was infused with more of God… he became more Christ like… more holy… he prayed… he relied on God that much more.
Each time Paul was insulted… persecuted… was weak or experienced hardship, he boasted! He was GLAD! He became more content! All because it meant God was conforming him to the image of Christ.
Now let’s leave theology for a bit & think. What upsets you? What is causing you pain? What hardship do you have? Who is a thorn in your side? What situation is there you don’t like being in? Think about the things beyond your control that bother you. Got them in mind? Okay… now…
Consider God put/allowed those in your life because YOUneed to become more like Jesus. Those are present because YOU need to be more humble, gracious, merciful, loving, & forgiving. YOU need to rely more on God because you are a control freak who needs to rely on God by faith more.
Don’t worry about the other person… let God handle them. Don’t worry about what you should DO as much as the kind of person you need to BE. Get your mind off this world & think as God would have you… about heaven. Only THEN will you become of earthly good. Colossians 3:2…
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, & your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
The best thing many here can do in response is to go home… get alone with God… meditate & listen to HIM. Some of you need to get your mind off WHAT is happening to you & instead focus on THE KIND OF PERSON you need to be in Christ.
Heb 11 is known as the Hall of Faith. It is a Holy Spirit inspired list of those who are viewed by God as great in His eternal Kingdom. Every name is well known to those who have read their Old Testament.
In 11:4Able is mentioned as offering a sacrifice accepted by God. This may mean he placed his life & faith in God’s hands. Though his brother murdered him, he IS remembered for his faith.
In 11:5Enoch pleased God by faith & as a result God took him to heaven without dying. It’s written about him… “He walked with God…” (Gen 5:22-24).
Next is Noah in 11:7. By faith he built an ark without understanding what rain was… by which God destroyed the earth… & he was commended.
Then is Abraham in 11:8-10, 17-19. By faith he left his home & family going to a place he did not know. By faith Abe was set to sacrifice his son Isaac believing God could raise him from the dead even though to that point there had been no one resurrected from the dead.
The first woman mentioned is Sarah in 11:11-12. By faith, when she past child bearing years, a child was born to her. A male child which resulted in children as numerous as the sand by the sea.
In 11:13-16 the writer pauses to explain. 11:13…
These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them & greeted them from afar, & having acknowledged that they were strangers & exiles on the earth. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared for them a city.
If there’s ever been a passage to orient our heart properly it is this one. People of faith don’t live for this world or anything in it. Instead their energy, mind, & heart is on heaven… because that’s where God is. Streets & crowns of gold are meaningless. Their desire is The One who prepared & built it.
The way God’s people focus their mind on heaven is by how they live now. Their heart is set on honoring God… seeking justice… doing good… living a holy life… helping the poor, widows, and orphans. Having a heavenly mindset is being of tremendous earthly good. Let’s continue…
11:20 contains the blessing of Isaac on Jacob & Esau. In 11:21Jacob in turn blessed each of Joseph’s sons. In 11:22, though many years off, by faith Joseph foretold of the Exodus from Egypt.
11:23-31 recounts the faith of Moses’ mom in hiding him from the Egyptians to save his life.
Vss 25-27 describe Moses’ faith where he… “(Chose)… to be mistreatedwith the people of God rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.”
Don’t blow by that! Let it sink into your heart. He chose mistreatment?! Why?! Look at the text. 1) Pleasures of sin {The world} are fleeting. 2) Suffering for Christ is more valuable than all the gold, diamonds, & money on earth. 3) THE reward is God in heaven. Col 3:1…
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
It was by faith that the Red Sea was parted & Egyptians drowned (11:29). By faith Jericho’s walls fell down (11:30). By faith Rahab the prostitute was delivered (11:31).
Then in 11:32-36-A is a rapid fire list of others in the hall of faith. Gideon, Barak, Samson… David, Samuel, & the prophets. These “rode the wave” of God’s blessing & displays of His power.
Who thru faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection.
Many through the history of God’s people have been blessed to participate in & see God do great things. They were victorious… lived through a lion’s den… were tossed into fire & lived… & resurrected. They “Rode the wave” of God’s blessing…
But then comes 11:36–B. The writer describes another group. These were like Moses in 11:25, they CHOSE the path feared by those without faith. They could’ve been released… if they’d reject Christ. But they chose death “to rise again to a better life.” They lived not for this world,but the next!
These people of faith were/are mocked… whipped… chained… imprisoned… stoned… sawed in two… killed by the sword. They wore animal’s skin. Had NO earthly goods. They suffered & were mistreated by others. They were homeless, going from place to place… sleeping wherever they could in the wilderness. (Pause)
It is about THIS 2nd group… those who suffered… that the comment is made, “Of whom the world was not worthy.” Wow! What a honor to be described as such! While an unbelieving world sees them as failures… God views them as successful & honors them. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
11:39. “ALL these…” Those who rode the wave AND those who lived in caves are in God’s Hall of Faith!ALL those in this chapter pleased God because He doesn’t see as the world sees. “Man looks on the outward appearance, God looks on the heart” (1 Sam 16:7). And consequently, God chose to provide “something better for us” (11:40). They ALL pleased God because the ONLY way to please Him is by faith (11:6). So in this life we remember 1 Cor 4:5 where it is written…
Do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness & will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
Here’s what to keep in mind, an accurate evaluation of a person’s worth & faithfulness cannot be done in this life. There is too much we don’t know… we can’t know. It is only in heaven… standing before God when EVERYTHING is revealed & we see as God sees that right evaluation can be made.
When everything is revealed… we’ll know as God knows. Then the intentions of the heart of those who preach… teach… do missions… serve as deacons… make recommendations as committees… will be known. Until then… in heaven… we don’t know fully.
In heaven God will reveal the reasons & motivations of us all. Then… by God’s revelation… He will give HIS evaluation. HIS assessment of our lives. HIS opinion & appraisal of the good done for HIS glory. This is described in 1 Cor 3:11-15…
For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw… 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, & the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire (Smelling like smoke)…
The work done in this life will be tested by fire. Work done is exposed by the intentions & motivations of the heart (1 Cor 4:5). IF the motivation of the heart is right (God’s glory & the Gospel)… there is a reward. If not… rewards are lost, but the person IS saved!
Those who “ride the wave” & those who “live in caves” will be equally rewarded IF their motivation is God’s glory. God’s reward is NOT based on the way the world evaluates success. The person who leads 1 to Christ on earth & lives an austere life of hardship is just as loved, valued, & rewarded as the one who speaks to great crowds where thousands are saved with many material blessings… IF their motivation is God’s glory.
We just simply cannot evaluate anyone’s approval of God… much less our own… based on OUR view of things. As it is written in 1 Cor 13:12… “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part;then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”
All Christians then should consider the words of Paul from 1 Cor 15:10…
By the grace of God I am what I am, & His grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
Are you riding the wave? Praise God for it! Do you have wonderful gifts, talents, & abilities? Praise God for them… & work all the harder to improve them. But keep in mind that even your ability to work & improve comes from God! Give Him the glory!!
Are you in a cave today? Praise God for it! Be faithful! Honor Him! Do the best you can with what you have been given. Be like Paul in 1 Tim 6:8… “If we have food & clothing, with that we will be content.” God is good. He knows where you are. There is a reward being laid up for you in heaven!
Know this… God is sovereign & on His throne. His providence is good & loving toward you. Trust Him (Pr 3:5). He is working for His glory & your ultimate good (Ro 8:28). He is in the process of laying up a reward for you in heaven that is greater than you can imagine! I close with 2 Cor 4:17-18
For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints greet you. 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (ESV)
To listen to the audio of this message, click below…
This is the 42nd& last message from 2 Cor. Paul began & ends with comfort (1:2-3then13:11). Paul’s point is the CHURCH is to be a place of peace & comfort!
13:11. After all Paul has written to a troubled dysfunctional church… after threatening to implement church discipline… after imploring them to examine their conversion… he writes for them to “REJOICE!” That struck me as odd… at first…
With all the bickering, divisions, confusion, & difficulties… he writes for them to rejoice?! Why? Because rejoicing TOGETHER (“brothers” 13:11) was unifying. For a church that was divided over many things, it was imperative they come together in worship… rejoicing! Consider this illustration…
At football games there’re Democrats & Republicans… liberals & conservatives… rich & poor… black & white… old & young. Diverse group! But during the game they’re unified… on the same side… cheering together. Right? Why? They have their TEAM in common.
Christians, were on the same side! It made no sense for God’s people to fight, fuss, bicker, argue, & attack each other. When it happened, it was not of God… it was of Satan.[i] The Corinthians had a bond that transcended all! GOD is Father… Jesus is brother[ii]… & The Spirit is IN ALL. Christians can/should REJOICE!
“Aim for restoration” (ESV), “Perfection” (NIV). “Be made complete” (KJV & NASB).
{Commentator} The key… (is) not adding something that is lacking, but putting things in order… adjusting (what is) out of adjustment. It is used… of fishermen mending their nets (Mt 4:21). Paul exhorted the Corinthians to mend their ways, straighten themselves out, & restore harmony among themselves. Spiritual wholeness comes when the church… collectively & individually, is in… conformity to God’s Word.[iii]
Whether perfection, made complete, orrestoration is used in a translation, it is a return to the way things should be… & better! Better?Yeah! Think about Peter after Jesus was arrested, killed, & resurrected.
Peter failed by denying & cursing Jesus.[iv] Except for what Judas did… there was not a more grievous sin committed by one the twelve. And what did Jesus say to Peter after the resurrection?
“I had plans for you, but you blew it! So I’ll use someone else. You’re a great guy, but you’re NOT going to lead MY church now!” Right? No…
In Jn 21:15-17 Jesus asked Peter… “Do you love me?” Three times Peter said yes. Jesus told Peter: “Feed My lambs,” “Tend My sheep,” & “Feed My sheep.” When Peter realized Jesus chose HIM to lead the Church… an huge sense of comfort & affirmation must have flooded his soul!
Imagine failing like Peter & being trusted AGAIN! Jesus forgave & reconciled Peter! That must have brought great PEACE to Peter. The Corinthians had failed on many levels… but there was hope IF they would follow Christ. Hear the words of Jesus from Lk 6:27…
I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, & from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, & from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 Do unto others as you would have them do to you. {Ever meditated on the Golden Rule?!}
When one you love is hurting you put your arms around them (1:2-3) & comfort them. As a result there’s rejoicing (13:11-C). However… Jesus commands we help, strengthen, bless, & encourage who?? OUR ENEMIES! That’s what makes His followers different from others.
People will fail you & you’ll fail others. Christians forgive & comfort, becausethey’ve been forgiven & comforted by God (2 Cor 1:2-3)! Look at what Paul writes next…
“Agree with one another.” That takes work because agreeing isn’t always easy. But it is not an option for believers. What is to be agreed on? Consider the following…
God’s glory is #1. Agree? Jesus is salvation. Agree? We’re to build the Kingdom. Agree? We’re to share the Gospel. Agree? Others are more important than us. Agree? We’re to conform to Jesus. Agree? We’re to love others. Agree? We are to forgive as we’ve been forgiven. Agree?
And when we DON’T agree, we LOVE! Rupertus Meldenius:[v] “In essentials… unity, in non-essentials… liberty, in all things… charity(love).” Christian love is an act of the will. Christian love is treating a person as LOVE would have us treat them. Love is the greatest&2nd command from Jesus.[vi]
Then Paul writes “Live in peace” (13:11-D; Ro 12:18).[vii] Living in peace is a conscious choice we make as C’ians… as those who believe & obey God’s Word. Ephesians 4:1-3…
As a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility & gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of PEACE.
Because the Prince of Peace lives in Christians, they seek… live… & work forpeace. Jesus in Matt 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for THEY shall be called sons of God.”
Notice the connection (13:11-D)… “And the God of love & peace will be with you.” God is most active in our lives when we live in peace with one another. Is it any surprise then Satan uses whoever he can to disrupt the unity & peace in YOUR life? YOUR home? YOUR work? At HBC?!
Look at Eph 4:1-3 for maintaining peace. Humility (Thinking of yourself less). Gentleness is our conduct, attitude, & words. Patience with others as God works in them.
{John MacArthur Writes} Bearing with others IN LOVE is unqualified & unselfish love that gives whether it receives in return or not. It is unconquerable benevolence, invincible goodness. Love that goes out to enemies & prays for its persecutors[viii] (Mt 5:43-44).
We must ask ourselves if WE “bear with others in love?” Then decide from the heart to love, whether our love is returned to us or not.
Last in Eph 4:3 is “Eager to maintain the unity of the Spiritin the bond of PEACE.”This is our connection back to 2 Cor 13:11. Being “eager” is a heart motivation that can’t be faked. By examining our heart’s desire, we know whether or not we’re following Christ…
If that IS our desire, we will conform to The Scripture. This Bible is God’s Word. Ephesians was a “Circular Letter” for ALL the churches to read… & apply. It is God’s will for all congregations… not just A church AT Ephesus 2,000 years ago. This is for us today…
Now… if we are people of The Word & committed to applying Scripture… Then what we have examined today must be meditated on & followed faithfully. Read 2 Cor 13:11 again…
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace;& the God of love & peace will be with you.
What happens when we’re faithful & obedient to 2 Cor 13:11? The God of love & peace is with us! What we aim for, we get. When it is restoration, comfort, & peace… God blesses with those.
When God’s people keep His word, there is joy & peace (13:12). They’re glad to see each other & greet each other warmly. The whole church… everyone… loves one another (13:13).
Where are we compared to 2 Cor 13:12-13 this morning? How do Paul’s words apply to us individually? Is God saying something to us (Let Him worry about others)?
[vii] Ro 1:7, 2:10, 8:6, 14:17, 14:19; 1 Cor 14:33; Gal 5:22; Eph 2:14-15; Col 3:15; 1 Thess 5:13; 2 Thess 3:16; 2 Tim 2:22; And in almost every letter salutation Paul wrote.
[viii] John MacArthur New Testament Commentary on Ephesians 4:2.
“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such & such a town & spend a year there & trade & make a profit” 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time & then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live & do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.”
To listen to the audio of this message, click below…
The old saying… “God willing and the Creeks don’t rise“ refers to the Creek Indian nation and war. It has nothing to do with a literal creek flooding it’s banks…
Why THIS message TODAY? 1) It is pledge Sunday. 2) Was going to deliver it NEXT Sunday to begin a new series on 1st Sunday of the month. 3) “G.W.” is always on my mind. And 4) I want us to have a BIBLICAL view of life & all that happens IN life! God Willing, we’ll finish 2 Cor next Sunday.
Pack of matches. After each statement, light one & quickly blow it out (“M”).
In a few days we’ll eat a Thanksgiving meal (M). Then celebrate Christmas with family (M). Watch bowl games (M). In fact, there’s a lot we’ll be doing the next several weeks (M)… Or will we?
Life is fragile & uncertain (Rest of matchbook). By answering the phone or a knock on the door, life can take a 90 or 180 degree turn, OR stop. We don’t know what the future holds. So let’s examine James 4:13-16…
“You who SAY.” A rebuke,but why important? It acknowledges God. Our words & heart go together (Mt 12:34-37). It affirms absolute reliance on God. If we believe it, we should say it!
“Today or tomorrow we WILL…” Not against making plans… but planning as if God doesn’t exist. We know “Without faith it is impossible to please God,” but what about the rest of Heb 11:6?
Whoever would draw near to God must believe He exists& rewards those who seek Him.
In Is 14:13-14 are the “Five I Wills” of Satan. For us to say “IWILL” & not take God into account is to act as Satan did. It was for prideful arrogance that God cast Satan out of heaven.
Everything Christians do is about obedience to… glorifying… & pleasing GOD. Whether cleaning house… math… dating… work… vacation… or sleeping; we make it our aim to please Him (2 Cor 5:9). So our attitude toward God in our thoughts & wordsIS important!
“What is your life?” The reason I lit matches & blew them out was a visual reminder that our life is a mist… a vapor… smoke that is here & gone. Then we stand before God. This is serious because life is short… & eternity is long! If we live to 100… in terms of eternity it’s nothing! Because of that…
“You ought to say, IF THE LORD wills…” Put life in context of God. “If theLORD wills…” means everything & everyone is subject to Him. Ps 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s & the fullness thereof, the world & those who dwell therein…” Let me encourage you theologically.
God is in 100%, absolute, complete, & total control of everything. Is 46:9-10…
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…
This is comforting because it exalts God! It puts all in perspective from God’s point of view, not ours. It’s comforting God is sovereign over everything & everyone… without exception! Why? Think about the alternatives…
Alternative 1: God & Satan are equal. NO! Alternative 2: Satan is in control. NO! Alternative 3: Others are in control. NO! Alternative 4: I’m in control. NO!! Alternative 5: No one is in control! NO!!!!
GOD is perfect… loving… merciful… good… compassionate… full of grace & forgiveness. I KNOW everything HE does IS perfect… good… & for Christian’s benefit. Listen…
Ps 11:1 In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to your mountain…”
Ro 8:31 If God is for us, who can be against us?
Ps 56:4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?
Ps 118:6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Phil 1:21 To live is Christ… to die IS GAIN!
Pr 3:5 Trust IN THE LORD with all your heart & do NOT lean on your own understanding.
Here’s how those play into life with Is 46 & Ja 4. Trust God without exception. Whatever He sends or allows into life IS ultimately good! Therefore everything is a reason to rejoice & praise Him. Just because we don’t see how something can be good doesn’t mean it isn’t good (We’re not God!).
Either Phil 4:4is true or it isn’t… “Rejoice in the Lord always.”Ja 1:2-3is true or it isn’t… “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet various trials, 3 knowing the testing of your faith produces maturity.”
Ps 84:11is true or it isn’t… “For the Lord God is a sun & shield; the Lord bestows favor & honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”
God knows what is best for you! If you get what you want, you may not want what you get! So TRUST HIM that He knows BETTER THAN YOU what needs to happen to you in your life!! If it is good, you get it… if it isn’t, YOU WON’T. TRUST GOD!
Ps 24:1,What can God do with what is His? Whatever He wants. Why? He’s God! Ro 9:19…
For who can resist His will? 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honored use & another for dishonorable use? (See Mt 20:15)
“We will live.” James writes LIFE is God’s to do with as He pleases! If God wills us to make it home… we will. If it isn’t His will… we won’t. If we wake up tomorrow, God kept our heart beating & lungs breathing. If Hedoesn’t do those things… we die. “If THELORD wills, we will live…”
“As it is… you boast in… in your arrogance.” James doesn’t pull any punches does he? Many don’t like James’ talk, but we need it. To ignore God in life is arrogant. For anyone to say what they WILL or WILL NOT do is arrogantly conceited & egotistical. Do you remember Lk 12:16-20?
The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 & he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘ I will do this: I will tear down my barns & build larger ones, & there I will store all my grain & my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, & the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’
Nebuchadnezzar learned about arrogance when God made him crazy for 7 years (Dan 4:28-33). Herod was eaten of worms & died because of his arrogance (Ac 12:21-23). Why would God do such? Because of Is 48:11… “My glory I will NOT share with another.” So we too should be reverent before God.
Not to believe, say, & affirm that God rules over life & all in our life is ARROGANT.
But doesn’t it seem harsh that because a person speaks lightly or thinks something to themselves for God to take such drastic action? Not if you consider God’s perspective in the last sentence as written in James 4:16… “All such boasting is EVIL…”
Boasting is evil. In God’s sight ALL sin is an offense to His holiness. So serious that just ONE evil thought is enough to send a person to hell. WHAT? Mt 5:22… “I say to you… everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment…” Just being angry with someone incurs God’s judgment!
Regarding our commitment to next year’s budget, let’s remember we are doing so… GOD WILLING. IF God’s wills, we will give X amount. If God’s wills, we will be able to give. IF GOD WILLS… we will continue living… for HIS glory.
It is good to be reminded of the seriousness of life AND are relationship to God. It is good to meditate upon such things so that we receive each moment as a gift from God. It is good to have James’ perspective so that we keep an eye toward eternity.
To conclude… I suggest we contemplate the holiness & greatness of God. Be reverent in our speech & actions… knowing we ALL are suspended over eternity by nothing more than a spider’s thread in God’s hands who at any moment can let go.
As we live each day… let’s give proper credit to God by HOW we live AND what we say…
Christians, Ps 90:12… “Teach us to number our days” so that we glorify God.”
Others… believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!
[i] The phrase, “God willing and the creeks don’t rise” has nothing to do with a literal creek flooding its banks. It refers to the Creek Indian Nation and war.
To listen to the audio of this message, click below…
Paul is concluding his letter of comfort & edification. But he knew without one thing… his letters were meaningless! If the Corinthians weren’t saved, it was all for naught! 1 Cor 2:14…
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, & he is not able to (“Cannot” NIV) understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
Paul worried for the Corinthians because their conduct contradicted a saved life. He knew the lost CANNOT believe God… obey God… or follow God. He saw it in them which played out this way…
God says, “Turn the other cheek[i],” they slapped back. God says “Forgive as I’ve forgiven you[ii],” they held grudges. God says “I desire mercy not sacrifice[iii],” they condemned. God says, “Love your enemies[iv],” they would not. Thus his concern that they may NOT be genuinely saved!
Paul modeled grace & called for SELF examination. His concern for their soul was because their conduct contradicted the Gospel.[v] So he implored them to examine & test themselves (2 Cor 13:5-B).
What is THE test? Christ in them (2 Cor 13:5-C). Paul didn’t say… “Did you pray a prayer… get baptized… walk an aisle… teach the Bible… do miracles… speak in tongues… preach?” He didn’t point to those things because none of them save anyone.
How do WE know if Christ is IN US? (Point of text) It is a revealed mystery (Colossians 1:27).
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this MYSTERY, which is CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory.
“Christ In YOU” is an inside out transformation. (Ac 26:20) “(I) declared… they should
repent & turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.”It is a work GOD does by His will that is not left to chance (Ro 8:29). Our thoughts, words, AND deeds… will become more & more like Jesus. 2 Pet 1:3-8…
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life & godliness, thru the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory & excellence, 4 by which He has granted to us His precious & very great promises, so that thru them you may become partakers of the divine nature… 5 For this reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, & virtue with knowledge, 6 & knowledge with self-control, & self-control with steadfastness, & steadfastness with godliness, 7 & godliness with brotherly affection, & brotherly affection with love. 8 For IF these qualities ARE yours & are INCREASING they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Being a “partaker of the Divine nature” (1:4) means thinking, talking, & acting like Christ. A Christian WILL conduct themselves in a God honoring way. Not only that… (1:8) when a person is saved, they will continually INCREASE in godliness & holiness! The redeemed will live a redeemed life.
“Make every effort” (1:5). The Christian will WANT to be more like Jesus & will work toward that. Those in whom The Spirit dwells LONG to rid themselves of sin. The Christian desires holiness above all things. Being Christ-like is the goal of their life! This is part of “passing the test.”
Watch how “Testing ourselves” & “Making every effort” go together. Testing ourselves & making every effort come together by prayerful… reflective… honest… and ruthless self-examination. It is done on a regular basis to BECOME more like Jesus. Example… Turn to Eph 4:29…
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let ALL bitterness & wrath & anger & clamor & slander be put away from you, along with ALL malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
When this passage is read, we either declare or inquire. Those who declare are like the Rich Young Ruler[vi] & say… “I have kept all these! These verses do describe me. NEXT?”
Inquirers pray, “Search me, O God, & know my heart! Try me & know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, & lead me in the way everlasting!” (Ps 139:23-24)
The inquirer knows “the heart is deceitfully wicked & no man can know it” (Jer 17:9). He doesn’t trust himself to honest evaluation… so he flees to God & asks for help. He asks God…
“Do MY words tear down or build up? Are others encouraged by MY words? Is The Spirit grieved by what I say? Am Ibitter? Wrathful? Angry? Argumentative? Slanderous? Am I kind? Tenderhearted? God, do I forgive others as YOU forgave ME? Help me Lord… SHOW ME!”
Just praying this once doesn’t mean God will answer quickly. God rarely answers us quickly to test our desire to keep seeking Him (Widow & evil judge of Lk 18). I know one who asked God for 18 months to reveal a matter of the heart before he heard from God. Would WE be as faithful in seeking God?
Another passage we test ourselves with under God’s leadership is Gal 5:22-24…
The fruit of the Spirit IS love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions & desires.
Ask God if WE are loving… joyful… at peace… patient… kind… good… faithful… gentle… & self controlled. If He calls for repentance, we continue to the next verse, Gal 5:24. We crucify the flesh… fighting temptations to what is found in Gal 5:19-21…
Sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, & things like these.
Being tempted is not the same as participating in sin! The Spirit will assist the believer to abhor… battle… & gain victory over sin. The Christian WILL recognize temptations & fight against them. If not, there IS reason for a person to question their walk if not their conversion.
Q: How serious are WE about knowing if WE walk with God? Are we willing to be like Jacob in Gen 32 & “wrestle” with God until He answers? Will we be like Paul in Phil 2& count everything as dung to be more like Jesus? This is serious spiritual battle. It is work that leads to peace & assurance!
Let’s pull this section together. Assurance of salvation is not church membership, having prayed a prayer, or gotten wet in a baptistry. Assurance of salvation is Christ IN us as evidenced by becoming more like Christ week by week… month by month… year by year… decade by decade. When there is continued growth toward holiness, THE test is being passed!
(13:9-B) The evidence of passing the test to Paul is… RESTORATION.
The Corinthian church was divided over who followed who… who was most gifted… who was most important… who was to lead… lack of church discipline… suing each other… & a host of things. Their attitudes toward each other & Paul were evidence of a serious problem.
Paul knew IF they had been saved, love would eliminate their problems. As Jesus said, “As I have loved you, so you are to love one another.”[vii] And, “By THIS all men will KNOW you ARE my disciples IF you have LOVE for one another.”[viii]
HBC… you know where we are today. Paul’s words for the Corinthians are as important for ALL of us to apply as 2,000 years ago. My prayer is that we take 2 Corinthians 13:5-10… go home… then through prayer, reflection, & meditation God shows us we pass HIS test… to HIS GLORY!
There will be some (I can’t know who you are) that will not pass THE test. If that is the case, cry out to God through Jesus! Confess your rebellion & sin against Him. “Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ & you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
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 GodBiblically. 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 SAKEI defer My anger, for the sake of MY praiseI 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 JOYin 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 #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 purposeI 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)
As I wrote these messages, three events presented themselves. The senseless murder of 26 people in CT. A 17 yr old died unexpectedly of a heart attack.[i] And a pastor was asked to resign after members spread half truths & embellished events that cast him in a bad light & misled God’s people.
We all suffer because we live in a world broken by sin. We understand suffering in the context of our own experience. What you will hear is my walk. These are things God has given in the tests of my life.
I’ve been a pastor 23 years[ii] & writing this for my children & their spouses to Glorify God in hardships that will come their way… eventually… & most likely several times.
Few suffer & glorify God. I’ve observed Christians leave the faith, wallow unduly in pity, & lose their joy. IF what is written in Scripture is true (And it is), our suffering should be diametric to the world. We should rejoice! But rejoicing doesn’t JUST HAPPEN because you’re a C’ian.
First we saw how important our view of God is to handle suffering in a Biblical manner. Now I will take you thru Scripture that has sustained me in the difficult times of my life.
What we believe about God & His WORD is important! I believe it because it is true. It isn’t true because I believe it. My goal is for you to “Rejoice IN THE LORDalways” (Phil 4:4) Now Scripture…
Because “Your steadfast love is better than life” (Ps 63:3) is true, therefore…
Ps 139:16, “In your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.” SO… “Count it all joy…when you encounter various trials” (Ja 1:2) NowRo 8:28, “God causesALL THINGS to work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose…” (Scripture interpreting Scripture). Remember these things about God…
Gen 18:14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? (The answer is NO!)
Jer 32:17 Ah, Lord God! It is you who has made the heavens & the earth by your great power & by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.
Jer 32:27 Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?
Mt 19:26 With God all things are possible.
Lk 1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God.
Eph 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceeding & abundantly above all that we ask or imagine, according to the power at work w/in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. {As a result, I embrace the following}
(2 Cor 4:16-18) “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is beingrenewed day by day. For this slight (Death) momentary (A lifetime) afflictionis preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” Meditate on this deeply.
(Ro 8:15-17) “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, & if children, then heirs—heirs of God& fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” Drive this deep into your spirit and be encouraged.
(Ps 31:6B-8) “I trust in the Lord.I will rejoice & be glad in Your steadfast love, because You have seen my affliction; You have known the distress of my soul, & You havenot delivered me into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a broad place…” Meditate and believe God (Not “IN God”)
(2 Cor 12:7-10) “To keep me from being too elated (Pride) by the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, & calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong…” Put that in YOUR life context.
(2 Cor 1:3-5) “Blessed be the God & Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies & God of all comfort, 4 who comforts usin ALL our affliction,so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselvesare comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so thru Christ we share abundantlyin comfort too…” Sunday requires Friday (crucify, rise)
(Ro 5:2-5) “We rejoicein hope of the glory of God. 3 More than that, we rejoicein our sufferings,knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 & endurance produces character, & character produces hope, 5 & hope does not put us to shame, because God’s lovehas been poured into our hearts thru the Holy Spirit who has been given to us…” This is what God does in us thru suffering!
(Job 23:10) “He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold…” Press this truth deep into your heart. Assurance!
“Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word” (Ps 119:67) & “It is goodfor me that I was afflicted,that I might learn Your statutes (Ps 119:71) Suffering keeps us close & relying on God.
(Mt 5:11-12) “Blessed are youwhen others revile you & persecute you & utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice & be glad,for your reward is great in heaven…” What is the result?? JOY!
(1 Cor 10:13) “No (test) has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, & He will not letyou be (tested) beyond your ability, but with the (test) He willalso provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it…” Believe God rather than our emotions when suffering…
(1 Pet 5:10) “After you have suffered a little while (Lifetime?), the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, willHimself restore, confirm, strengthen, & establish you…” Years vs eternity!
(1 Pet 5:6-8) “Humble yourselves… under the mighty hand of God so that in due time He may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” Suffering will end…
(Ro 8:18) “The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us…” This life is like a bad dream we one day will forget because God’s will manifest glory in heaven.
(Phil 1:29) “It has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also sufferfor His sake…” Both salvation & suffering are gifts. Both make us more like Jesus!
(Eph 3:13) “I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory…” We don’t lose heart by remembering the 16 reason to “count it all joy WHEN… trials.”
(Job 13:15) “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him…” God is worthy of praise, regardless…
(Pr 3:5-6) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, & do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, & He will make straight your paths…” If God explained, it wouldn’t be by faith (Heb 11:6)
(Hab 3:17-19) “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail & the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold & there be no herd in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord;I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 19 God, the Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like the deer’s; He makes me tread on my high places.” Rejoicing & joy are IN GOD, not circumstances…
I conclude with seven truths about God with personal applications. It’s a message series I’ve written that come from: 1) Scripture, 2) Experience, 3) Observation. There are two titles. “Seven Things To Nail Down Before All Hades Breaks Loose” & “Hooks On Which I Hang My Hat.” These are things I believe at the end of the day… no matter what… that I will not abandon (With applications).
God is love: Nothing bad ever has, or ever will, happen to me. Evil, yes. Bad, no. Ro 8:28; 2 Cor 1:3-6; 12:9
God is good: It is impossible for me or others to mess up my life past God using for His glory. Ps 73:1
God is in control: God only allows into my life what is ultimately good for me. Ro 8:28; Dan 4:35; Is 46:9-10
God is just: Satan can only do what God allows. Ezra 9:15; Job 1-2
All God’s ways are perfect: I rejoice in every circumstance by keeping a heaven theology. Genesis 18:25; Col 3:1-4
God is trustworthy: I have great hope & peace, relying on God alone. Psalm 62:8 & Isaiah 42:3
God does not change: My salvation & faith in God cannot be lost. Malachi 3:6; James 1:17; Lk 22:32
I know I’ve given you a lot to process. The way to do this is to read the Scripture over & over… SLOWLY. Thru prayer ask God to make His Word part of your mental & spiritual DNA. Listen to the presentations several times. Then take to heart the suggestions I will give you in the last session.
≈ Comments Off on Joyful Supremacy 3: God’s Pawn (Satan)
The first two messages built on the foundation of Christ regarding suffering. In the last two messages (God Willing) I will give you helps to use in suffering. I don’t want to waste your time, so I will get straight to the point & ask you to meditate upon these things deeply later.
We live in a broken world. One that is not hard to understand IF/WHEN we think as God would have us. We must grasp the spiritual dimension of this world, accurately. By that I mean the Christian’s adversary (Satan)… without seeing Him behind every bush (Explain). Eph 6:11-12…
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh & blood, but against the rulers… authorities… & the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Satan is real & opposes God. His goal is to steal, kill, & destroy… YOU. To glorify God in suffering, you must properly understand the spiritual dynamic of suffering. This is a nuanced element so listen closely & meditate long upon what you’ll hear. Consider: Satan can only do what accomplishes the OPPOSITE of what he intends (REPEAT {Keller/Piper}).
Satan is God’s Pawn (Title). God’s goals are: 1) His glory. 2) Your ultimate good: Conformity to Christ & lay up treasures in heaven. Because of Is 48:9-11 & 46:9-11, God WILL accomplish ALL His good pleasure which includes your sanctification. Now we add Ro 8:29…
For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…
All of Satan’s arduous attempts to harm can ONLY accomplish God’s ultimate will… our sanctification!How do we know? Because of the “16 reasons” and because of Ro 8:29 we cling to Ro 8:28! “God causes ALL THINGS to work together for the GOOD of those who love Him… who are called according to His purpose.” Let me give you another verse, one you know. 1 Cor 10:13…
No temptation (test) has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, & Hewill not let you be tempted (tested) beyond your ability, but with the temptation (test) HE will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (10:14 is about IDOLATRY!)
Who’s faithfulness is at work? God’s! What does HE do?1)Controls the test. 2) Provides “escape” to endure {That’s an interesting phrase}. THEREFORE…
God controls every test. God decides who, what, when, where, & how long everything happens. To believe anything less is to impugn God’s omnipotence, holiness, goodness, & Scripture.
Consider Job 1-2 (Read it later). Satan goes before God with the angels. And God brings up Job to Satan… “Have you considered my servant Job?” Satan, “Sure! You’ve kept me from touching him. Let me have him & he will curse you.” God, “Okay… but you can’t touch HIM.” (1 Cor 10:13).
Satan kills all his children, takes all his wealth, & leaves him a godless wife… but Job worships, “God gives & God takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). Job glorifying God was NOT Satan’s goal. (Aside: It’s not his goal for you either!)
Scene 2. Satan asks to touch His body, THEN he’d curse God. God allows it, but does not allow Satan to kill him. Again… God is in control & Satan is on a leash. Satan is God’s pawn.1 Cor 10:13
Even though Job was afflicted, he didn’t curse God. “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him…” (Job 13:15). In the end, God doubled possessions AND family…
Satan wanted to prove people love God for His stuff. He was proved wrong & Job has been a source of strength for millions who suffer ever since. But some do fail… Like a lady I know named “Becky” (Not real name)
I said in a message on tithing, “Test God. Tithe & He promises to bless you” (Mal 3:10). Several months later “Becky’s” 19 year old son died unexpectedly. She came to me after worship one day & said, “You said tithe & God would bless. Well, I did & look what it got me!” She was a Mt 13:20-21 person…
As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word & immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet… has no root…, but endures for a while, & when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the Word,immediately he falls away.(Pr 24:10, “Faint…faith is small”)
Now for Peter. In Lk 22:28-30 Jesus tells the Apostles they will rule with Him in heaven judging Israel. Imagine that as a promise! Then Jesus says in Lk 22:31-33…
Satan demanded to have you (Plural), that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you (Singular) that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.
Like Job, Satan “demanded” (Requested) to test (Attack) the Apostles in regards to their FAITH. Satan desires to sift every Christian. It is allowed, but controlled because Jesus prays! This is an important truth to cling to. Jesus IS praying for you! Consider Jn 17:13…
I am coming to you, & these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me thru their word… (“Who will believe” are you & me… ALL Christians!)
Ro 8:34 Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for US.
Right now… & in your trial… Jesus Himself (At The Father’s right hand) is praying for you! He never ceases to pray for you. His prayers are constant, ongoing, & won’t end till you’re in heaven.
Not only does Jesus pray for you, The Spirit does too! Ro 8:26…
The Spirit helps us in our weakness. (He) intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saintsaccording to the will of God.
God does not sit back idly watching from above. No! He is working actively… from heaven… IN YOU. He promised “never to leave or forsake you” (Heb 13:5). He will NOT leave you… but will strengthen you!
Now… what does “According to the will of God” mean? Note Jesus prayed for Peter’s FAITH not to fail. POINT! God is more concerned with our faith, holiness, & sanctification than ease, comfort, & temporal pleasure. He is working to make the first commandment supreme in your life… to have no other God’s before Him. God is destroying our idols to exalt Himself in us. THE ULTIMATE GOOD!
And this is where & how Satan is God’s lackey in our sanctification (Piper). You see, we are also talking about eternal security (Once Saved Always Saved). I don’t care what Satan attempts or does… regardless of how hard or sever it may be. “Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world” (1 Jn 4:4).
Go back over the 16 reasons to count suffering as joy. Meditate on them. And you will know with absolute certainty that GOD is on your side… praying for you… working for His glory… & your ultimate good! THEN you will be better able to rejoice at what God is doing in the test.
Satan will attack you. It might be more than you think you can handle, so orient your heart from the Scripture. You have the mind of Christ (Bible), so “Let the Word dwell in you richly!” (Col 3:16).
Let me close with a passage of encouragement from John 10:27-30…
My sheep hear My voice, & I know them, & they follow Me. 28 I give them eternal life, & they will never perish, & no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, & no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I & the Father are one.
Ron's Sunday Sermon 