Embracing Suffering: The Seriousness of Sin and Redemption
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor reflecting on the transformation of a sinful human being who persecuted Christians, emphasizing the importance of not negatively influencing others and living a life that matters. The pastor encourages the congregation to have a radical posture towards sin, doing whatever it takes to avoid it and run from it. The pastor shares their personal journey of faith, admitting that during the low moments, they relied more on worldly things rather than on God. However, their perspective changed when they listened to a sermon about finding their identity in Christ. They realized that they are chosen by God and that He longs to have a relationship with them.
The pastor emphasizes the seriousness of sin and the need for a serious posture towards it. He compares sin to gangrene, stating that if it is not dealt with seriously, it will destroy us. The pastor highlights that sin is on a seek and destroy mission and that our response to sin should reflect its seriousness. He warns against trivializing sin and having a nonchalant attitude towards it, stating that this is basic Christianity. The pastor reminds the congregation of the price of sin, which was death, and the sacrifice Jesus made for our redemption.
The pastor then focuses on the theme of glory and suffering, drawing from Mark chapter nine, verses 42 through 50. The pastor highlights the seriousness of sin and emphasizes the need for a strong response to it. Jesus teaches the disciples about the upside-down nature of the kingdom, emphasizing that true glory lies not in achievements or meritorious acts, but in embracing suffering. The pastor concludes with Jesus giving a serious warning about the trajectory of one's life.
The pastor addresses the issue of spiritual complacency among Christians and emphasizes the need for active repentance. He acknowledges that sin is a serious matter and urges believers to respond accordingly by running away from sin and clinging to what is good. The pastor then introduces characteristics of repentance from Thomas Boston's book, "Repentance, Turning From Sin to God." The first characteristic mentioned is observation, where individuals are encouraged to ask the Holy Spirit to help them observe their own sin.
The sermon concludes with the pastor emphasizing the significance of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. He compares the concentrated light under the sun's rays that can start a fire to the concentrated sins that were focused on the cross. Jesus, being sinless, suffered the fiery wrath of God as all the heinous and hateful sins of humanity were poured onto him. The pastor highlights that Jesus redeemed and rescued us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, fulfilling the prophecy in the Old Testament.
Key Takeaways:
- Sin is a serious matter that requires a serious response. It is not something to be trivialized or taken lightly. It is on a seek and destroy mission and our response to it should reflect its seriousness. ([12:45])
- True glory lies not in achievements or meritorious acts, but in embracing suffering. Jesus teaches the disciples about the upside-down nature of the kingdom, emphasizing that true glory lies in embracing suffering. ([24:30])
- Repentance is a crucial part of the Christian journey. It involves observation, where individuals are encouraged to ask the Holy Spirit to help them observe their own sin, and feeling sorrow or remorse for one's sin. ([36:15])
- Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is significant. He suffered the fiery wrath of God as all the heinous and hateful sins of humanity were poured onto him, redeeming and rescuing us from the curse of the law. ([48:20])
- Our actions and behavior can significantly impact others' perception of the church and Jesus. We should live in a way that reflects Christ, knowing that there are people watching. ([58:10])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Mark 9:42 - "If anyone causes one of these little ones--those who believe in me--to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea."
2. Mark 9:43-48 - "If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where 'the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"
3. John 10:10 - "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
Observation Questions:
1. What are the consequences mentioned in Mark 9:42 for causing a believer to stumble?
2. In Mark 9:43-48, what drastic measures does Jesus suggest to avoid sin?
3. According to John 10:10, what is the contrast between the thief's intentions and Jesus' intentions?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Mark 9:42 reflect on the responsibility of believers towards each other's faith journey?
2. What does Jesus' advice in Mark 9:43-48 suggest about the seriousness of sin and the lengths one should go to avoid it?
3. How does John 10:10 illustrate the destructive nature of sin and the life-giving nature of Jesus' mission?
Application Questions:
1. Reflecting on Mark 9:42, can you identify a time when your actions or words may have caused another believer to stumble? What steps can you take to rectify this?
2. Considering the drastic measures Jesus suggests in Mark 9:43-48, what is one sin you struggle with and what practical steps can you take to avoid it in the coming week?
3. In light of John 10:10, how can you actively choose to live the abundant life Jesus offers, rather than falling prey to the thief's destructive intentions?
4. Can you think of a person in your life who may be negatively influenced by your actions? How can you demonstrate Christ's love to them this week?
5. Reflecting on the concept of repentance, what is one sin you need to repent of, and how will you seek the Holy Spirit's help in observing and turning away from this sin?
Devotional
Day 1: The Gravity of Sin
Sin is not a trivial matter to be taken lightly. It is a destructive force that seeks to ruin us, and our response to it should reflect its seriousness. We must not trivialize sin or adopt a nonchalant attitude towards it, for this is the essence of Christianity. [12:45]
Ezekiel 18:20 - "The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent sin you've committed. How did you respond to it? Did you trivialize it or did you take it seriously and seek repentance?
Day 2: Embracing Suffering for Glory
True glory is not found in worldly achievements or meritorious acts, but in embracing suffering. Jesus taught His disciples about the upside-down nature of the kingdom, emphasizing that true glory lies in embracing suffering. [24:30]
2 Corinthians 4:17 - "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."
Reflection: What is one area of suffering in your life right now? How can you embrace this suffering and see it as a path to true glory?
Day 3: The Necessity of Repentance
Repentance is a crucial part of the Christian journey. It involves observation, where individuals are encouraged to ask the Holy Spirit to help them observe their own sin, and feeling sorrow or remorse for one's sin. [36:15]
Psalm 51:17 - "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
Reflection: What is one sin you've been struggling with? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you observe this sin and feel true sorrow for it. What steps can you take towards repentance?
Day 4: The Significance of Jesus' Sacrifice
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is of utmost significance. He suffered the fiery wrath of God as all the heinous and hateful sins of humanity were poured onto Him, redeeming and rescuing us from the curse of the law. [48:20]
Galatians 3:13 - "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.'"
Reflection: Reflect on the significance of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. How does understanding this sacrifice impact your view of your own sin and need for repentance?
Day 5: Reflecting Christ in Our Actions
Our actions and behavior can significantly impact others' perception of the church and Jesus. We should live in a way that reflects Christ, knowing that there are people watching. [58:10]
Matthew 5:16 - "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Reflection: How do your actions reflect Christ? Is there an area in your life where you need to better reflect Christ to those around you?
Quotes
"Hey listen, don't influence others negatively. Understand that your life matters. And also you as well have a radical posture towards sin, that you should do whatever it takes to not sin. You should run from sin. Do whatever it takes. It's a big deal." [56:37]
"Throughout my life there have been some pretty great highs and some low lows. Through those lows I haven't always leaned on the Lord and often felt myself relying on worldly things rather than my Father in heaven." [25:32]
"Sin is serious and our response should be too. It matters how I live. It matters how I speak. It matters how I parent. It matters about my relationships." [41:25]
"Sin is on a seek and destroy mission. Sin is serious, and our response to sin should be as well. You gotta believe that there is something as sin, right?" [48:57]
"Some of you, some of us in the room, some of us online, you don't take sin seriously. You get right up on the precipice of the Grand Canyon, the precipice of the Horseshoe Canyon, and sin's gonna take you down. It's gonna destroy your life." [47:26]
"Our sins were focused on the cross, and he suffered the fiery wrath of God. On the cross, Jesus was robed, clothed, covered, and all that was and is heinous and hateful, and as the mass of corruption and sin poured onto him over and over again, wave after wave after wave of sin was poured over." [58:56]
"Do you observe sin in your life? Sorrow or remorse? Do you feel bad about your sin? You say, well, Nate, I don't think my sin bothers me as much as it should. What should I do? You should ask the Holy Spirit." #!!52:33!!#
"Repentance is a good gift that God has given to us. It means to change. It means to see whatever it is, pride, and jealousy, and lust, and resentment, and apathy, whatever it is, whatever sin or sins that you see and that you wanna have sorrow for, and you wanna confess, and you wanna, hey, I see it as wrong, and I wanna turn away from that. Who do we turn to? We turn to Christ." #!!55:23!!#
"The Father's got the gavel. He's looked at your life from beginning to end and has found to be lacking...And in walks Jesus, this defense attorney, as the Bible says, our advocate, who argues persuasively and impeccably and with perfection...I'm here to tell you, Father, I got him. He's covered by the blood." #!!01:08:27!!#
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