Embracing Suffering: A Pathway to Glory

Devotional

Day 1: Suffering as a Tool for Spiritual Growth

Suffering is an essential part of the Christian journey, encompassing all challenges we face as we walk towards our inheritance in Christ. It is used by God to strengthen our faith and by the devil to threaten it. The trials we encounter, whether minor or significant, serve a dual purpose. They are opportunities for the devil to shake our faith, but more importantly, they are used by God to fortify it. Embracing suffering as a pathway to glory is a testament to our faith in God's providence. By understanding that suffering is not just a random occurrence but a part of God's plan, we can find peace and purpose in our trials. [01:36]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is 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."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you view this situation as an opportunity for spiritual growth and a deeper reliance on God?

Day 2: Endurance Through Tribulations

Tribulations produce endurance, which fortifies our faith. Every hardship is an opportunity to rely more deeply on God, demonstrating trust in His power to raise the dead. As we face various trials, we are reminded of the importance of perseverance. Romans 5:3 tells us that tribulations lead to endurance, which in turn strengthens our faith. This process is not easy, but it is necessary for our spiritual development. By enduring hardships, we learn to trust God more fully, knowing that He is capable of bringing life out of death, just as He did with Jesus. [04:34]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: Identify a past trial that strengthened your faith. How can you apply the lessons learned from that experience to your current situation?

Day 3: The Holy Spirit's Assurance

The Holy Spirit testifies to our spirit that we are children of God, encouraging us to cry out to our Father in times of hardship. This response affirms our identity in Christ. When we face difficulties, the Holy Spirit is there to remind us of our true identity as God's children. This assurance gives us the confidence to approach God with our struggles, knowing that He cares for us deeply. The Spirit's presence in our lives is a constant reminder that we are not alone, and that our hardships are not in vain. [05:36]

Galatians 4:6-7 (ESV): "And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."

Reflection: In what ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to affirm your identity in Christ during times of difficulty?

Day 4: Focusing on Eternal Inheritance

John Newton's story illustrates the importance of focusing on our eternal inheritance rather than the temporary trials we face. Our hope in Christ gives meaning to our suffering. The story of the man whose carriage breaks down on the way to his inheritance serves as a powerful reminder to keep our eyes on the eternal glory that awaits us. While our earthly trials may seem overwhelming, they are temporary in light of the eternal inheritance we have in Christ. This perspective helps us endure suffering with hope and purpose. [07:02]

Colossians 3:2-4 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from temporary struggles to the eternal inheritance promised to you in Christ?

Day 5: Hope Amidst Profound Loss

Even in profound loss, such as the death of a child, we are called to hold onto the hope of our inheritance, knowing that our tears are not in vain. Our faith assures us of the glory that awaits. In the face of deep sorrow, it can be challenging to maintain hope. However, our faith in Christ provides the assurance that our suffering is not meaningless. The promise of eternal glory gives us the strength to endure even the most painful losses, knowing that God is with us and that our tears will one day be wiped away. [08:52]

Revelation 21:4 (ESV): "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

Reflection: Consider a loss you have experienced. How can the promise of eternal glory and God's presence bring you comfort and hope today?

Sermon Summary

In our journey of faith, we often grapple with the purpose of suffering and pain in our lives. Reflecting on Romans 8:12-17, we are reminded that suffering is an integral part of our Christian walk. It is not merely the result of external persecution but encompasses every challenge and hardship we face on the path to our inheritance in Christ. These trials, whether they are minor inconveniences or profound losses, serve a dual purpose: they are used by the devil to threaten our faith and by God to strengthen it. Embracing suffering as a pathway to glory is a testament to our faith in God's providence.

God has designed our journey to glory to be one of perseverance through tribulations. As Romans 5:3 suggests, tribulations produce endurance, which in turn fortifies our faith. Every hardship, from the smallest annoyance to the most significant loss, is an opportunity to rely more deeply on God. This reliance is not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of trust in the God who raises the dead, as Paul experienced in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9. Our faith is the only way to heaven, and tribulations serve to refine and strengthen it.

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in this process, testifying to our spirit that we are children of God. When we face hardships, the Spirit encourages us to cry out to our Father, affirming our identity in Christ. This response is a sign of the Spirit's work within us, contrasting with a heart that turns away from God in anger or despair.

John Newton's story of a man whose carriage breaks down on the way to his inheritance serves as a poignant illustration. While the broken carriage represents the trials we face, the man's focus on his inheritance reminds us of the eternal glory that awaits us. Even in the face of profound loss, such as the death of a child, we are called to hold onto the hope of our inheritance, knowing that our tears are not in vain.

Key Takeaways

1. Suffering is an essential part of the Christian journey, encompassing all challenges we face as we walk towards our inheritance in Christ. It is used by God to strengthen our faith and by the devil to threaten it. [01:36]
2. Tribulations produce endurance, which fortifies our faith. Every hardship is an opportunity to rely more deeply on God, demonstrating trust in His power to raise the dead. [04:34]
3. The Holy Spirit testifies to our spirit that we are children of God, encouraging us to cry out to our Father in times of hardship. This response affirms our identity in Christ. [05:36]
4. John Newton's story illustrates the importance of focusing on our eternal inheritance rather than the temporary trials we face. Our hope in Christ gives meaning to our suffering. [07:02]
5. Even in profound loss, such as the death of a child, we are called to hold onto the hope of our inheritance, knowing that our tears are not in vain. Our faith assures us of the glory that awaits. [08:52]
** [08:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to Suffering
[00:49] - No Pain, No Gain
[01:36] - Suffering as a Pathway to Glory
[02:43] - Why God Ordains Suffering
[03:15] - Tribulations and Perseverance
[04:00] - Hardships and Faith
[04:53] - Trusting God in Trials
[05:23] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[05:58] - John Newton's Story
[07:02] - Focusing on Our Inheritance
[08:06] - Profound Loss and Hope
[09:11] - Prayer for the Spirit's Witness
[09:40] - Closing Remarks
[10:29] - Upcoming Questions on Calvinism

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 8:12-17
- Romans 5:3
- 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

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Observation Questions:

According to Romans 8:12-17, what role does suffering play in the life of a believer? How is it connected to our inheritance in Christ? [00:49]
In the sermon, Pastor John mentions that every hardship, from minor annoyances to significant losses, is an opportunity to rely more deeply on God. How does this perspective align with Romans 5:3? [03:15]
How does the Holy Spirit testify to our spirit that we are children of God, especially during times of hardship, as mentioned in the sermon? [05:23]
What is the significance of John Newton's story about the broken carriage in understanding our focus on eternal inheritance? [05:58]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of suffering as a pathway to glory challenge or affirm your understanding of the Christian journey? [01:36]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that tribulations serve to strengthen our faith? How does this relate to the idea of endurance mentioned in Romans 5:3? [03:15]
How does the Holy Spirit's role in affirming our identity in Christ during hardships influence a believer's response to suffering? [05:36]
Reflect on the story of John Newton's broken carriage. How does this illustration help believers maintain hope in the face of profound loss? [07:02]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a recent hardship you faced. How did you respond, and in what ways could you have relied more deeply on God during that time? [04:00]
Consider a current challenge in your life. How can you view this situation as an opportunity to strengthen your faith and trust in God's providence? [02:43]
How can you cultivate a habit of crying out to God as your Father during times of difficulty, as encouraged by the Holy Spirit? [05:36]
Think about a time when you focused more on the "broken carriage" rather than the "inheritance" that awaits. How can you shift your focus to the eternal glory promised in Christ? [07:02]
In moments of profound loss, such as the death of a loved one, how can you hold onto the hope of your inheritance in Christ? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of this hope? [08:52]
Identify a minor inconvenience you experienced this week. How did you handle it, and what does your response reveal about your faith in God's providence? [02:10]
How can you support others in your community who are experiencing suffering, helping them to see their trials as a pathway to glory? [01:36]

Sermon Clips

No pain no gain no cross no crown no suffering no inheritance that's the way god has set it up in other words when it says in 8 romans 8 23 we're groaning i would say all the groaning experienced on the path of obedience is what the suffering refers to in romans 8 17. [00:00:49]

Every pain in your life every frustration in your life every conflict in your life every difficulty in your life that you experience walking on the path towards the inheritance is suffering with and for jesus because it is being used by the devil to threaten your faith and use by god to strengthen your faith. [00:01:26]

Why would god ordain that the pathway to the inheritance be suffering and only suffering i mean there is no other path of suffering free access doesn't mean everything on the path is suffering you know that we're sitting here in a very nice place and i'm feeling really good right now i have no stomachache no headache no backache. [00:02:37]

Here's a clue from romans 5 3 not only this but we also exalt or rejoice in our tribulations knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance or another word endurance endurance of what faith how does that work every hardship from the tiniest dubbed toe to the loss of a spouse the loss of a child from the smallest to the biggest. [00:03:18]

Every hardship in your life is the kicking out from under you of a prop that was supporting your happiness you can either curse god or fall on god and god is kicking them for you to fall on him because that's what makes you strong paul remember paul in 2nd corinthians chapter 1 verse 8. [00:03:58]

We were so unbearably crushed we felt that we had received the sentence of death that was to make us rely on god who raises the dead god brought paul to the brink of death for one reason there was only one person to trust now the god who raises the dead all of our hardships are designed to make us make our faith stronger. [00:04:27]

If the holy spirit is testifying that he's your father if he's not you get angry at god i don't want this anymore i'm out of here if this is the way the children get treated i'm out of here you don't have the holy spirit the holy spirit says father i need you this is hard this is really hard but you're my father. [00:05:14]

So if you respond to hardship with i need a father and jesus says my lord the holy spirit is bearing witness with your spirit that you are the child of god i'm going to close with a story from john newton i come back to it over and over to convict myself of my murmuring you know paul said in philippians 2. [00:05:49]

Suppose a man was going to new york to take possession of a large estate let's just say it's worth 5 million suppose a man was going to new york to take possession of a large estate and his carriage should break down a mile before he got to the city this is where we are in our walkway towards heaven. [00:06:35]

What a fool we should think him if we saw him wringing his hands and blubbering out all the remaining mild my carriage is broken my carriage is broken because he's on the way to an inheritance worth millions of dollars he can fix the cash here's my addition to the story sometimes your kid falls over the cliff. [00:07:02]

When the wheel comes off the carriage and you fall out of the carriage and so crush your knee you never walk normal again on the mile that's left in your life that happens so i don't want to make light here of broken carriages we all can laugh at a broken carriage not as easy to say i lost my kid when he was 5. [00:07:38]

But he can know for himself for this child for his wife he can know just a mile just a mile over the hill i get the child i kick the wife i get the health i get the world i get god i get a new body to enjoy it all and that's how his tears will not be the tears of those who have no hope. [00:08:33]

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Embracing Suffering: A Pathway to Glory

Devotional

Day 1: Suffering as a Tool for Spiritual Growth

Day 2: Endurance Through Tribulations

Day 3: The Holy Spirit's Assurance

Day 4: Focusing on Eternal Inheritance

Day 5: Hope Amidst Profound Loss

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Embracing Suffering: A Pathway to Glory

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