Embracing Suffering: Finding Strength in Community and Faith
Summary
The sermon, titled "Stable Suffering," explores the concept of suffering as an inevitable part of life and encourages the congregation to consider what God wants from us amidst the suffering. The speaker uses the example of Paul in Philippians, who speaks about suffering and encourages joy and fearlessness in the face of trials. The speaker emphasizes that God is intentional and has been working everything together for the good of His people. The sermon references 1 Peter chapter 5, urging the elders to shepherd God's flock willingly and with humility, and the younger ones to submit to their elders. The congregation is reminded to cast their anxieties on God because He cares for them and to resist the devil, standing firm in faith.
The speaker discusses the changing nature of the benediction due to the suffering and challenges faced by the community. The congregation is encouraged to trust in God's plan, pray unceasingly, and find support in the community. The speaker acknowledges that there may be personal distractions and concerns that can interfere with understanding the message. However, the main point is to emphasize that Jesus is coming to put an end to all suffering, and this knowledge should not scare or make believers paranoid. The speaker shares their personal experience in pastoral ministry, where suffering has made them hyper-aware of their dependence on the Lord.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of not isolating oneself during times of suffering. They mention the impact of trauma on the body and the need to address it through therapy and support. The speaker encourages suffering with someone who cares, understands, and embraces the truth that suffering does not define a person. They reference the story of Job, who remained faithful to God despite his suffering, and eventually received a double portion of blessings. The speaker concludes by urging the audience to embrace suffering rather than isolating themselves.
The speaker addresses the issue of financial struggles within households and discusses the believer's response to suffering, suggesting that instead of trying to avoid it, they should embrace it and ask God to bring glory out of it. The speaker offers five steps for believers to navigate suffering, starting with the importance of praying unceasingly and acknowledging the believer's direct access to God at any time. They emphasize that prayer is a powerful tool to change one's situation, even if it doesn't always change the circumstances.
The speaker reflects on the theme of suffering and how it relates to the Christian faith. They emphasize that if one bases their perception of God's success on their current circumstances, they will always be discouraged because circumstances are bound to change. However, if one anchors their hope on what God says and how He has declared the story will end, they can have hope regardless of what is happening around them. The speaker emphasizes the importance of not going through life's challenges alone, but rather with the support of the right people. They highlight the need for community and groups, not just to become Bible scholars, but to do life together.
Key Takeaways:
- Suffering is an inevitable part of life, and instead of trying to rid ourselves of it, we should consider what God wants from us amidst the suffering. God is intentional and has been working everything together for the good of His people. ([49:32])
- The believer's response to suffering should be to embrace it and ask God to bring glory out of it. Prayer is a powerful tool to change one's situation, even if it doesn't always change the circumstances. ([59:13])
- It is important not to isolate oneself during times of suffering. Suffering with someone who cares, understands, and embraces the truth that suffering does not define a person can be a source of strength and healing. ([01:05:22])
- If one bases their perception of God's success on their current circumstances, they will always be discouraged because circumstances are bound to change. However, if one anchors their hope on what God says and how He has declared the story will end, they can have hope regardless of what is happening around them. ([48:58])
- The importance of community and groups is emphasized, not just to become Bible scholars, but to do life together. The support of the right people can help one navigate through life's challenges and suffering. ([49:32])
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Stable Suffering
#### Bible Reading
1 Peter 5:1-11 (NIV)
> To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions does Peter give to the elders in 1 Peter 5:1-4?
2. According to 1 Peter 5:6-7, what should believers do with their anxieties and why?
3. How does Peter describe the devil in 1 Peter 5:8, and what are believers instructed to do in response?
4. What promise does Peter give to those who suffer in 1 Peter 5:10?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Peter emphasize humility and submission among believers in 1 Peter 5:5-6? How does this relate to the theme of suffering? [40:57]
2. How can the analogy of the devil as a "roaring lion" in 1 Peter 5:8 help believers understand the nature of spiritual warfare? [41:31]
3. Reflect on the speaker's statement that "suffering produces endurance, and endurance character, and character hope" (Romans 5:3-4). How does this align with Peter's message in 1 Peter 5:10? [01:01:25]
4. The speaker mentioned that suffering should not be faced alone. How does 1 Peter 5:9 support this idea? [01:05:22]
#### Application Questions
1. The speaker emphasized the importance of praying unceasingly. How can you incorporate more consistent prayer into your daily routine, especially during times of suffering? [57:43]
2. Reflect on a recent period of suffering in your life. How did you respond to it? What might you do differently now, considering the sermon’s message about embracing suffering and seeking God's glory through it? [56:06]
3. The sermon highlighted the importance of community and not isolating oneself during suffering. Who in your life can you reach out to for support, and how can you be a source of support for others in your community? [01:05:22]
4. The speaker mentioned the need to keep moving forward despite suffering. What practical steps can you take to maintain momentum in your life, even when facing difficult circumstances? [01:06:40]
5. Trusting in God's sovereignty can be challenging. What specific promises from Scripture can you hold onto to remind yourself that God is working for your good, even in the midst of suffering? [01:09:57]
6. The speaker shared personal experiences of suffering and dependence on God. How has suffering in your life made you more aware of your need for God? How can you cultivate a deeper dependence on Him? [01:13:53]
7. The sermon mentioned the impact of trauma on the body and the importance of addressing it. Are there any steps you need to take to address past traumas, such as seeking therapy or talking to a trusted friend or mentor? [01:04:00]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the themes of suffering, community, and reliance on God as presented in the sermon "Stable Suffering." Use these questions to foster meaningful discussion and personal reflection.
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Suffering as God's Intention
God's intentionality in our lives includes the inevitable suffering we face. Instead of seeking to rid ourselves of it, we should consider what God wants from us amidst the suffering. He is working everything together for the good of His people. [49:32]
James 1:2-4 - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent trial you've faced. How can you see God's intentionality in it and what do you think He wants you to learn from it?
Day 2: Prayer as a Response to Suffering
In the face of suffering, we should embrace it and ask God to bring glory out of it. Prayer is a powerful tool to change our situation, even if it doesn't always change the circumstances. [59:13]
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 - "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
Reflection: What is a current situation you are struggling with? How can you use prayer to change your perspective on it and seek God's glory in it?
Day 3: The Power of Community in Suffering
During times of suffering, it is crucial not to isolate oneself. Suffering with someone who cares, understands, and embraces the truth that suffering does not define a person can be a source of strength and healing. [01:05:22]
Galatians 6:2 - "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: Who is someone you can reach out to today to share your burdens with? How can you also be a source of support for them?
Day 4: Anchoring Hope in God's Promises
If we base our perception of God's success on our current circumstances, we will always be discouraged because circumstances are bound to change. However, if we anchor our hope on what God says and how He has declared the story will end, we can have hope regardless of what is happening around us. [48:58]
Hebrews 6:19 - "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain."
Reflection: What is a promise from God that you can anchor your hope in today, regardless of your current circumstances?
Day 5: The Importance of Doing Life Together
The importance of community and groups is emphasized, not just to become Bible scholars, but to do life together. The support of the right people can help one navigate through life's challenges and suffering. [49:32]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 - "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up."
Reflection: How can you actively seek to do life together with your community this week? What is one step you can take today to foster deeper relationships within your community?
Quotes
"Our responsibility amidst the suffering of life we have to keep moving keep putting one step in front of the other you're depressed get up get a shower get dressed keep moving keep a schedule don't wallow don't sit in shame keep moving the spirit lives in you you've got community keep moving don't allow Calamity crisis to stop you keep going." #!!01:08:09!!#
"I think the posture of the believer is to find ways instead of dodging suffering that's a horrible way to live perhaps our responsibility is to embrace suffering asking God to get Glory out of it that's what makes us different from the rest of the world what makes us different from the rest of the world is not an end to our suffering but better ways to embrace it." #!!56:06!!#
"Prayer is your biggest opportunity to change your situation you want to know why because if God can't fix it it cannot be fixed Jesus shows us in the Garden of Gethsemane in Luke chapter 22 what it's like to pray amidst suffering you see Jesus did not in his flesh want to endure all of the pain all of the suffering that came with the cross so his words are father if you are willing take this cup from me yet not my will but yours be done the Bible says he prayed it again knowing he would get the same answer because prayer doesn't always change your circumstance it changes." #!!58:28!!#
"You cannot walk through this life alone, isolated, hiding from the truth. When you are suffering, suffer with someone who cares, suffer with someone who understands Christ, suffer with someone who understands that your suffering is not you." (#!!01:04:38!!#)
"I think the danger sometimes with suffering is spending all of our time all of our energy on trying to rid ourselves of the suffering instead of trying to figure out about exactly what God wants from us amidst the suffering." #!!44:55!!#
"In following Jesus we have this Balancing Act constantly of both pursuing Christ likeness and His glory in our suffering and also trying to figure out how to embrace and navigate suffering in this life because guess what we don't just accept suffering as it comes right but we also balance that out with fighting suffering so how do we live in the tension of both embracing the suffering in our lives and the tension of trying to rid the world of suffering for ourselves and other people because both are required of the believer because he tells us to do good he makes it his case that he's come to free the oppress however we constantly have this thing of suffer here's what I'd say I'd say in life in this life we must understand the purpose of pain for us when Roman five tries to outline suffering for us Roman five says that suffering produces something in The Believer so when we go through suffering or pain or Christ in our life how many of us the first thing is God take it away go ahead that that's my prayer what if the call of christlikeness is a call to say God teach me what you're doing through my suffering suffering will always be here" #!!53:55!!#
"If you hope or anchor your Hope on What God Says and how God has declared the story will end, you can have hope no matter what's happening around you." #!!47:38!!#
"Prayer doesn't always make the pain stop, it changes how you look at the pain...so pray unceasingly." (#!!59:58!!#)
"The biggest lessons I've learned have been in my suffering...the most times I'm willing to surrender to God's plan is when I've done all that I can and I feel like I can't do anything else." (#!!01:01:58!!#)
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