Embracing Suffering: The Path to Transformation
Summary
In today's sermon, I explored the profound truth that sometimes we must go through difficult times to reach a better place. This principle, which seems woven into the very fabric of creation, presents a conundrum when considering a loving God who desires the best for us. Yet, it is within this tension that we find the heart of the Gospel and the example of Jesus Christ.
Jesus, in the Gospel of John, speaks of his impending death with a metaphor of a grain of wheat that must fall and die to produce many seeds. This paradoxical truth—that a negative times a negative can result in a positive—is at the core of our faith. Jesus, fully human, expressed his desire to be saved from his hour of suffering, yet he ultimately surrendered to God's will, asking for God's name to be glorified.
This surrender to God's will is not passive; it involves actively engaging in the struggle, fighting the good fight with the talents and resources we have been given. It also means trusting in God's eternal perspective, which is higher than our own, and giving thanks in all circumstances. This is how we glorify God, even in the midst of our trials.
I shared a personal story from my life to illustrate this point. In 1996, I was fired from a job that was not the right fit for me. This negative experience, though painful, led me to a closer relationship with God and eventually to a vocation that was much better suited for me. It was in the midst of this trial that I learned to float on the river of my soul, trusting in God's providence and giving thanks despite the circumstances.
Now, let us consider the key takeaways from today's sermon:
- The journey through suffering to glory is a divine principle exemplified by Jesus. His willingness to embrace his 'hour' and his request for God's glorification in the midst of it teaches us about the transformative power of surrender. When we face our own 'hour,' we too can find solace in the truth that our souls are connected to God, and in that connection, we can find the strength to say, "Father, glorify your name." [32:38]
- The concept of glorifying God in difficult times can be understood through three actions: fighting the good fight, surrendering to God, and giving thanks. These actions are not sequential but can be done simultaneously. By employing our talents and resources, trusting in God's will, and maintaining a heart of gratitude, we honor God even in our struggles. [33:22]
- The metaphor of a grain of wheat dying to produce many seeds is a powerful illustration of how loss can lead to greater gain. This principle is not only a spiritual truth but also a natural law, reflecting the deep wisdom embedded in creation. As followers of Christ, we are called to embrace this pattern in our own lives, trusting that our sacrifices will bear fruit in God's kingdom. [22:29]
- Prayer is a vital practice that aligns our souls with God's presence. In moments of despair, as I experienced when I lost my job, prayer becomes the lifeline that connects us to the divine current of peace and purpose. It is in these moments of surrender that we often hear God's affirmation of our worth and calling. [38:02]
- The story of Jesus' response to the Greeks seeking him underscores the universal appeal of his message and the inclusivity of his mission. His declaration that he must be 'lifted up' to draw all people to himself reminds us that the Gospel transcends cultural and ethnic boundaries, inviting everyone into a transformative relationship with God. [23:18]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 12:20-33 (NRSV)
> "Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, 'Sir, we wish to see Jesus.' Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, 'The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—"Father, save me from this hour"? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.' Then a voice came from heaven, 'I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.' The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, 'An angel has spoken to him.' Jesus answered, 'This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.' He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die."
2. Isaiah 55:8-9 (NRSV)
> "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
#### Observation Questions
1. What metaphor does Jesus use in John 12:24 to describe his impending death and its purpose?
2. How does Jesus express his human emotions about his upcoming suffering in John 12:27?
3. What are the three actions mentioned in the sermon that help us glorify God during difficult times? ([33:22])
4. According to Isaiah 55:8-9, how does God's perspective differ from ours?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the metaphor of the grain of wheat falling and dying teach us about the nature of sacrifice and growth in our spiritual lives?
2. How can Jesus' prayer in John 12:27-28 serve as a model for our own prayers during times of struggle? ([32:38])
3. In what ways can the principle of "a negative times a negative equals a positive" be seen in our personal experiences of hardship and growth? ([27:21])
4. How does understanding God's higher perspective, as mentioned in Isaiah 55:8-9, help us trust Him more during difficult times?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult situation. How did you see God working through that experience to bring about a positive outcome? ([38:41])
2. Jesus speaks about losing one's life to gain eternal life. What are some areas in your life where you might need to "let go" to experience spiritual growth?
3. The sermon mentioned three actions to glorify God: fighting the good fight, surrendering to God, and giving thanks. Which of these actions do you find most challenging, and why? ([33:22])
4. How can you cultivate a habit of prayer that helps you connect to the "tributaries of your soul" and find peace in God's presence? ([31:49])
5. Think about a current struggle you are facing. How can you apply the principle of giving thanks in all circumstances to this situation? ([34:42])
6. Jesus' message is inclusive and universal. How can you share the hope of the Gospel with someone from a different cultural or ethnic background this week? ([23:18])
7. Identify one specific talent or resource you have. How can you use it to fight the good fight in a current challenge you are facing? ([33:22])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Suffering as a Path to Glory
In life's journey, the road to a greater purpose often leads through valleys of hardship. This divine principle, exemplified by Jesus, teaches that suffering can be transformative. Jesus willingly faced his 'hour' of suffering, understanding that it was necessary for the fulfillment of a greater plan. In the same way, individuals are called to embrace their own 'hours' of difficulty, knowing that these experiences can lead to personal growth and a deeper connection to God. By acknowledging that one's soul is intertwined with the divine, strength can be found to endure and to say, "Father, glorify your name." [32:38]
"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." - 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 ESV
Reflection: How can your current struggles be viewed as a refining process that prepares you for eternal glory?
Day 2: Glorifying God Through Action and Surrender
Glorifying God in the midst of trials involves a dynamic interplay of action and surrender. It is not a passive acceptance but an active engagement in life's battles using the talents and resources bestowed upon each person. Trusting in God's will and maintaining a heart of gratitude are ways to honor God, even when faced with adversity. This approach to life's challenges reflects a deep trust in God's eternal perspective and a commitment to living out one's faith authentically. [33:22]
"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Colossians 3:17 ESV
Reflection: What is one way you can actively fight the good fight in your current circumstances while also surrendering to God's will?
Day 3: Loss as a Precursor to Greater Gain
The metaphor of a grain of wheat dying to produce many seeds illustrates a profound spiritual and natural law: through loss, there can be significant gain. This principle is not only a cornerstone of faith but also a reflection of the wisdom embedded in creation. Believers are encouraged to embrace this pattern in their lives, trusting that their sacrifices and losses will ultimately contribute to a greater good and bear fruit within God's kingdom. [22:29]
"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." - John 12:24 ESV
Reflection: Can you identify a loss in your life that has the potential to bear fruit, and how might you nurture that potential?
Day 4: Prayer as the Lifeline to Divine Peace and Purpose
In moments of despair, prayer becomes the essential connection to the divine, offering peace and a sense of purpose. It is through prayer that individuals can align their souls with God's presence and find affirmation of their worth and calling. Especially in times of surrender, prayer acts as a lifeline, drawing one closer to the heart of God and revealing the path forward through the trials of life. [38:02]
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." - Colossians 4:2 ESV
Reflection: How can you incorporate prayer into your daily routine to stay connected to God's peace and purpose, especially during challenging times?
Day 5: The Inclusivity of Jesus' Mission
Jesus' response to the Greeks seeking him underscores the universal nature of his message and the inclusivity of his mission. His declaration of being 'lifted up' to draw all people to himself highlights the Gospel's transcendence over cultural and ethnic boundaries. This invitation to a transformative relationship with God is open to everyone, regardless of background, and calls for a recognition of the Gospel's power to unite and transform. [23:18]
"And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." - John 12:32 ESV
Reflection: How can you demonstrate the inclusive nature of Jesus' mission in your interactions with others, especially those different from you?
Quotes
"Sometimes you have to go through the bad thing to get to the better thing. Sometimes it is in the negative of falling, the negative of dying, that are multiplied together to reveal a new thing, a better thing. And all we can do in the face of those tight places, right when we find ourselves in them... that's when we fight the good fight, that's when we seek the river of our souls, that's when we worship God with grateful hearts." [39:58]
"Jesus's soul poured into God in exactly the same way ours does. We are tributaries that connect to the river that is God. And what we find when we sit with our feet dangling into the underground tributary of our soul is an immutable connection to God, a connection that gives us an unshakable confidence that God is with us and God will lead us to a better place." [30:28]
"God's on a different timetable. God sees from a different perspective. And Jesus knows how to connect to this perspective, this Divine Eternal perspective in an instant because of his lifelong habit of prayer. In an instant, he can arrive at the running waters of his soul, which enable him to say, 'It is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.'" [32:38]
"So the question may be, what does glorify mean? What do we do with that, right? Well, I'll tell you what I do when I think about glorifying God in the midst of a very tight place. I think about three things: I think about fighting the good fight, I think about surrendering to God, and I think about giving thanks to God. Those three things: fighting the good fight, surrendering to God, and giving thanks." [33:22]
"I remember going home... and I sat there in a home in Cleveland Heights in the dark by myself, and it felt like I was on that river and I just got flipped out of the canoe, tossed into the fast-moving water. And so, I did what you're supposed to do when you're tossed into the rapid current: roll over on my back, settle into the life preserver, turned my feet downriver, and I looked up at the sky and I talked to God." [38:02]
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