Embracing Suffering: God's Purpose in Our Trials

Devotional

Day 1: Perseverance as Spiritual Resistance

Suffering is often seen as an unwelcome intruder in our lives, yet it serves a profound purpose in our spiritual journey. Much like physical training requires resistance to build strength, spiritual growth necessitates perseverance through trials. James 1:3 reminds us that the testing of our faith produces perseverance, which is essential for maturity and character development. This perseverance is not about enduring for endurance's sake but about deepening our reliance on God and strengthening our faith. As we face life's challenges, we are invited to see them as opportunities to grow closer to God, trusting that He is using these moments to shape us into the people He desires us to be. [05:00]

James 1:3-4 (ESV): "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: What current challenge in your life can you view as an opportunity to develop perseverance? How can you invite God into this process today?

Day 2: Maturity Through Obedience

Suffering is not merely a test of endurance but a pathway to maturity and obedience. Even Christ, in His humanity, learned obedience through what He suffered, setting an example for us to follow. This process of growth through suffering refines us, making us more like Christ. It is through these trials that we learn to submit our will to God's, allowing His purposes to be fulfilled in our lives. As we embrace suffering as a tool for growth, we are reminded that it is not a sign of God's absence but a testament to His active work in our lives, shaping us into His likeness. [06:50]

Hebrews 5:8-9 (ESV): "Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him."

Reflection: In what ways can you see God using your current struggles to mature you spiritually? How can you actively participate in this process of growth and obedience?

Day 3: Assurance of Our Identity in Christ

Suffering serves as a confirmation of our identity as children of God. Just as a loving parent disciplines their child, God uses suffering to discipline and guide us, assuring us of our sonship. This discipline is not punitive but corrective, intended to deepen our relationship with Him and strengthen our trust in His guidance. As we endure trials, we are reminded of our status as His beloved children, called to rely on His wisdom and love. This assurance of sonship provides comfort and strength, knowing that we are never alone in our struggles but are held securely in His hands. [07:28]

Hebrews 12:6-7 (ESV): "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives. It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons."

Reflection: How does understanding your identity as a child of God change your perspective on the challenges you face? In what ways can you lean into this assurance today?

Day 4: Humility and Dependence on God

Suffering has a unique way of cultivating humility and dependence on God. It strips away our illusions of self-sufficiency and reminds us of our need for His grace. In moments of weakness, we are invited to surrender our pride and acknowledge our dependence on Him. This humility is not about self-deprecation but about recognizing our limitations and God's limitless power. As we navigate life's difficulties, we are called to remain grounded in His grace, allowing it to sustain and guide us. This posture of humility opens our hearts to receive His strength and wisdom, enabling us to grow in our faith. [10:12]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle with self-reliance? How can you practice humility and dependence on God in these areas today?

Day 5: Clarifying Our True Loves

Suffering has a way of revealing what we truly love and value. In the face of trials, our priorities are clarified, and we are confronted with the question of where our true devotion lies. This process of revelation helps us focus on what truly matters, aligning our hearts with God's purposes. As we navigate the challenges of life, we are invited to examine our loves and ensure that they reflect our commitment to God. This clarity not only strengthens our faith but also deepens our understanding of His heart, enabling us to live lives that honor Him. [16:26]

Matthew 6:21 (ESV): "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Reflection: What recent challenge has revealed your true priorities? How can you realign your loves to reflect a deeper commitment to God today?

Sermon Summary

In our journey through life, we often encounter suffering, a reality that challenges the triumphalist narrative prevalent in some circles of American Christianity. This narrative suggests that we can have it all now, banishing suffering and disappointment through sheer will or faith. However, this perspective is unbiblical and can lead to disillusionment or dishonesty when faced with life's inevitable hardships. To address suffering, we must avoid philosophical ramblings devoid of theological grounding, simplistic approaches that harm rather than heal, and remember the power of empathetic silence, as exemplified by Job's friends who sat with him in his grief.

The biblical perspective on suffering calls us to bow under God's sovereign purposes. Contrary to some contemporary theological arguments that suggest a dualistic battle between God and evil, we affirm that God is sovereign even in our suffering. This understanding provides us with several insights into how God uses suffering in our lives.

Firstly, suffering develops perseverance, as James 1:3 reminds us. Just as physical training requires resistance and perseverance, so does our spiritual growth. Secondly, suffering brings us to maturity, completing the work of perseverance in us. Even Christ learned obedience through suffering, highlighting its necessity for our growth. Thirdly, suffering assures us of our sonship, as discipline from God confirms our status as His children. Fourthly, it proves the genuine nature of our faith, especially when trials test our resolve and reliance on God. Lastly, suffering develops humility, preventing the pride that leads to downfall.

Suffering also keeps us on track, deepens our insight into God's heart, and enables us to help others in their trials. It reveals what we truly love, clarifying our priorities in the face of death and illness. Ultimately, suffering displays God's glory, as seen in the story of Joseph, where what was intended for evil, God used for good. In all these ways, suffering is not meaningless but a tool in God's hands to shape us, deepen our faith, and reveal His glory.

Key Takeaways

1. reliance. It reminds us of our dependence on God and keeps us grounded in His grace, which is essential for spiritual growth. [10:12]
5. Revealing True Love: Suffering reveals what we truly love, clarifying our priorities in the face of death and illness. It tests our devotion to God and helps us focus on what truly matters in life.

** [10:12]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:04] - The Unbiblical Nature of Triumphalism
[01:52] - Avoiding Pitfalls in Addressing Suffering
[02:41] - Bowing Under God's Sovereign Purposes
[03:49] - The Dualistic Battle Misconception
[04:46] - Biblical Certainty in Suffering
[05:00] - Developing Perseverance
[06:35] - Maturity Through Suffering
[07:28] - Assurance of Sonship
[07:58] - Proving Genuine Faith
[10:12] - Developing Humility
[11:43] - Staying on Track
[12:36] - Deepening Insight into God's Heart
[13:13] - Helping Others Through Trials
[16:26] - Revealing True Love
[17:18] - Displaying God's Glory

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

James 1:3 - "Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."
Hebrews 12:5-7 - "And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, 'My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.' Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?"
Genesis 50:20 - "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

Observation Questions:

According to James 1:3, what is the purpose of the testing of our faith? How does this relate to the concept of perseverance mentioned in the sermon? [05:00]
In Hebrews 12:5-7, how is God's discipline described, and what does it signify about our relationship with Him? [07:28]
How does the story of Joseph in Genesis 50:20 illustrate the idea that God can use suffering for good? [17:50]

Interpretation Questions:

How does the sermon challenge the triumphalist narrative prevalent in some circles of American Christianity? What are the potential dangers of this narrative? [01:04]
The sermon mentions that suffering can develop humility in us. Why is humility important in our spiritual growth, and how might suffering contribute to this development? [10:12]
How does the sermon suggest that suffering can deepen our insight into God's heart? What might this look like in practical terms? [12:36]

Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you faced a significant trial. How did it test your faith, and what did you learn about perseverance through that experience? [05:00]
In what ways have you experienced God's discipline in your life? How did it affect your understanding of your relationship with Him as His child? [07:28]
Consider a situation where you felt humbled by your circumstances. How did this experience shape your dependence on God, and how can you cultivate humility in your daily life? [10:12]
Think about a time when you were able to help someone else through their suffering. How did your own experiences of suffering equip you to offer support and empathy? [13:13]
Reflect on your current priorities. How might suffering reveal what you truly love, and how can you ensure that your love for God remains central in your life? [16:26]
How can you use your experiences of suffering to display God's glory, as seen in the story of Joseph? What steps can you take to share your testimony with others? [17:50]
Identify an area in your life where you might be resisting God's sovereign purposes. How can you practice bowing under His will and trusting His plan, even in the midst of suffering? [02:41]

Sermon Clips

The context in which we consider the matter of suffering is one in which we have been exposed over a significant period of time now in American Christianity primarily to a form of triumphalism which is just unbiblical. We are continually being reminded by people that we can have it all now, that if we are able to name it and claim it then we can banish all of the demons of darkness and suffering and disappointment and so on. [00:00:52]

If we're going to tackle the issue of suffering there are certain pitfalls that we need to avoid. One is to engage in philosophical ramblings that are devoid of any theological foundations whatsoever. We also need to avoid the pitfall of adopting a simplistic approach to the problem of pain which hurts rather than heals and also we need to ensure that we do not forget the eloquence of empathetic silence. [00:01:46]

The answer to it in a phrase lies in our preparedness to bow under God's sovereign purposes. To bow under God's sovereign purposes. At the moment in contemporary theological circles at the level of high academic rationale there is a whole resurgence that is about to come down into the body of Christ both in America and in Great Britain that is going to argue again feverishly against what I'm suggesting to you is the biblical response. [00:02:45]

What can we say with Biblical certainty concerning the purposes of God in the experience of suffering? How would God use suffering in the lives of his children? Number one, to develop perseverance. To develop perseverance, that's what James says in James 1:3, counted all joy when you face trials of various kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. [00:04:46]

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete. Remember when we studied in Hebrews we discovered that the sufferings of Christ were the ground in which his obedience became full grown. We staggered over that phrase that he learned obedience through suffering and we marveled at the whole notion. If suffering was the means whereby the sinless Christ became mature, so much more do we need it than in our sinfulness. [00:06:39]

God uses it to assure us of our sonship. To assure us of our sonship, Hebrews CH 12, Romans chapter 8. In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. We prove ourselves to be really his sons by the experiences of discipline which he brings into our lives. If you are not disciplined, he says in Romans in Hebrews 12, then you're illegitimate children and not true sons. [00:07:15]

God uses the experience to develop in us humility. To develop in us humility. You say well that seems to be quite an extent to go to, does it not? Does it matter that much? Yes, it does. Isn't it quite amazing that when Paul talks about his thorn in the flesh in 2 Corinthians 12 he puts it in these exact terms. Do you remember what he says? To prevent me from becoming conceited, the Lord gave me this. [00:10:00]

God will use it to keep us on track. To keep us on track. Isn't it dead easy to wonder when everything is going wrong? Have you noticed how your prayer life changes when you have a visit to the doctor? Have you noticed how the intensity of our desire to call out to God can be altered in an instant just by one little shadow across the horizon? [00:11:43]

God uses suffering to deepen our insight into the heart of God. To deepen our insight into the heart of God. Go home and read for your homework Hosea chapter 1, 2, and 3 and the experience of Hosea with his wife and all of the challenges that are involved in that and all that he went through and yet how God used all of that pain, all of that dreadfulness to develop in Hosea that which would never have been there otherwise. [00:12:36]

God uses suffering to reveal what we really love. To reveal what we really love. Death and illness clarify things in a way that nothing else does. There is no question of that. The onset of significant illness, the prospect of impending death or the experience of the death of a loved one suddenly or over a prolonged period of time reveals in the experience of the sufferer and in those who are the caregivers what we really love. [00:16:26]

God will use the experience of suffering in the lives of his children in order ultimately to display his glory. Isn't that the whole story of Joseph? Who would have thought that you could get yourself in such a mess over something as trivial as a coat? Who would have thought that such hatred, such animosity, such jealous putrifying rage could spill out from those things? [00:17:18]

I know who holds the future and he guides me with his hand. With God things just don't happen, everything by him is planned. So as I face tomorrow with his problems large and small, I will trust the God of miracles and give to him my all. [00:18:12]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?

Embracing Suffering: God's Purpose in Our Trials

Devotional

Day 1: Perseverance as Spiritual Resistance

Day 2: Maturity Through Obedience

Day 3: Assurance of Our Identity in Christ

Day 4: Humility and Dependence on God

Day 5: Clarifying Our True Loves

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Embracing Suffering: God's Purpose in Our Trials

Share