Sunday, February 14, 2010

I’ve Got Some Good News and Some Bad News

Part 2

 

Introduction

 

We continue our study on the biblical view of suffering after focusing on

 

A. Some Cultural Myths Regarding Suffering

B. Truth God Has Revealed Regarding Suffering 

 

Myth

Truth

Christians should not suffer in this life.

Phil. 1.29, 1 Pet. 2.20-21

If we are living in His will, we should experience few hardships

Acts 14.22, 1 Thess. 3.3

Suffering means something is wrong

2 Tim. 3.12

Suffering has no positive results.

Rom. 8.28-29

Suffering means we can have no joy.

See "D."

Spiritual people don't hurt emotionally when they suffer.

Mark 14.33-34, 2 Cor. 2.4

 

God's love means that He will protect us from terrible trials entering our lives.

Rom. 8.32

When we suffer, God is punishing us out of anger.

Heb.12.7-11

 

Jesus had quite a lot to say about suffering and we do well to understand it.  Christians, far from being promised to be exempt from suffering, are in fact promised that "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12 NIV)

 

Note some specifics concerning . . .

 

C. Jesus' Teaching About Suffering

 

Here are some examples of Jesus' teaching that are in opposition to what we have come to believe as Christians in our culture.

 

1. Jesus places those who suffer for His sake at the hands of the world in a state of blessing.

 

Matthew 5:3-11 (NIV)  "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 

 

2. Jesus counsels that we should be more afraid of His judgment than man's.  Man can only cause your physical death.  God can destroy body and soul.

 

Matthew 10:28 (NIV)  Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

 

3. Jesus says that following Him takes priority over saving one's own life if doing so hurts the cause of Christ.

 

Matthew 16:24-25 (NIV) Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 

 

4. Jesus promises to multiply by a hundred times whatever is lost for His sake and to give eternal life.

 

Mark 10:29-30 (NIV) "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. 

 

5. Jesus indicates following Him will cause families to divide because of Him.

 

Luke 12:49-53 (NIV) "I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!  But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!  Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.  From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three.  They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother–in–law against daughter–in–law and daughter–in–law against mother–in–law."

 

6. Jesus predicted that His followers would be brought before Jewish and Gentile courts and prisons with some being put to death.  "By standing firm," Jesus said, "you will gain life."

 

Luke 21:12-19 (NIV)  "But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.  This will result in your being witnesses to them.  But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.  For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.  You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death.  All men will hate you because of me.  But not a hair of your head will perish.  By standing firm you will gain life.

 

7. Jesus teaches that losing one's life for Christ's sake is only the planting of a seed unto eternal life.  It is an honorable way to follow Christ to where He is.

 

John 12:24-26 (NIV) I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.  The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

 

D. Joy in Suffering

 

Cultural myth number five says that we can have no joy when we're suffering. This is an issue which God's word speaks about often. Here are some examples.

 

1. Rejoice in suffering.  You're in good and honorable company.

 

Matthew 5:11-12 (NIV)  "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. {12} Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

2. Joy is possible in even the most severe trial.

 

2 Corinthians 8:2 (NIV) Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 

 

3. Joy from the gospel outweighs the effects of severe suffering.

 

1 Thessalonians 1:6 (NIV) You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 

 

4. Joy comes from realizing the beneficial outcomes of the trials of life.

 

James 1:2-4 (NIV) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

 

Summary

 

We all go through times of questioning why God lets "bad things happen to good people."  He has not kept the fact that suffering and even violence will be a part of the Christian's ministry on behalf of Christ.

 

Keep in mind that suffering serves at least these two purposes:

 

1. It proves the justice and righteousness of God in judging evil humanity. 

2. It prepares Christians to be able to minister to non-Christians who are suffering and introducing them to a loving, compassionate, and saving Christ.

 

Here's the question.  Are you willing to suffer for Christ's sake.  If not, you may not be Christ's.
 


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