Embracing Trials and Blessings in Christian Ministry

Devotional

Day 1: Suffering as a Birthright in Christian Ministry

Suffering is not an anomaly in the Christian journey; it is a birthright that shapes and refines believers for eternal purposes. The life of Paul, as revealed in 2 Corinthians, exemplifies this truth. From the onset of his ministry, Paul was shown how much he must suffer for Christ's sake. This suffering is not a deviation from the path but an integral part of it, serving to discipline and mold believers into the likeness of Christ. As Mrs. Judson Elliot noted, life is not meant for ease but for discipline and eternal values. Embracing this perspective allows Christians to find purpose in their trials, understanding that they are part of God's sovereign plan for their growth and His glory. [02:13]

2 Corinthians 4:8-10 (ESV): "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies."

Reflection: In what ways can you embrace your current struggles as part of your spiritual growth, rather than viewing them as obstacles to your faith?

Day 2: Enduring Hardships as Spiritual Warfare

The New Testament presents suffering not as a matter for sympathy but as a reality of spiritual warfare. Christians are called to endure hardships as good soldiers, recognizing that suffering is a standard part of the faith journey. Paul's exhortation to Timothy to endure hardness as a soldier serves as a reminder that the Christian life is a continuous battle, with no furlough during war. This perspective encourages believers to view their trials as part of their destiny, embracing them with courage and resilience. [04:36]

2 Timothy 2:3-4 (ESV): "Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him."

Reflection: How can you shift your mindset to see your daily challenges as part of your spiritual battle, and what practical steps can you take to endure them with faith?

Day 3: Brokenness Leading to Fruitfulness

There is no fruitfulness in ministry without God breaking us. The writings of Amy Carmichael and the life of Paul illustrate that trials, though painful, are necessary for the fragrance of Christ to emanate from believers. Paul's contentment in infirmities and reproaches for Christ's sake exemplifies the joy that can be found in suffering when viewed through the lens of its eternal benefits. This brokenness is not for naught; it is the process through which God refines and uses His people for His purposes. [09:51]

John 12:24 (ESV): "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."

Reflection: What areas of your life do you feel God is breaking you, and how can you trust Him to bring fruitfulness from this process?

Day 4: Suffering for the Sake of Others

Our trials and sufferings are not only for our refinement but also for the sake of others. The afflictions we endure serve to comfort and edify the body of Christ, as seen in the writings of Paul and the life of Amy Carmichael. Her suffering led to works that blessed many, demonstrating that our perseverance through trials becomes a source of strength and encouragement for others. This perspective invites believers to view their hardships as opportunities to bless and uplift those around them. [14:57]

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Reflection: Who in your life can you support and encourage through your own experiences of suffering, and how can you reach out to them today?

Day 5: The Blessings of Ministry Relationships

The blessings of ministry are found in the relationships we form and the joy of witnessing transformed lives. These connections, forged in shared faith and service, enrich our lives and ministry, reminding us of the profound impact of our calling. The relationships we build with fellow believers are treasures beyond measure, offering support, encouragement, and joy as we journey together in faith. Embracing both the trials and blessings of ministry allows us to see the beauty of God's sovereign plan in our lives. [23:02]

Philippians 1:3-5 (ESV): "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now."

Reflection: Reflect on the relationships you have formed through your faith journey. How can you nurture and deepen these connections to further enrich your spiritual life and the lives of others?

Sermon Summary

In our journey through ministry, we encounter both trials and blessings, each serving a divine purpose. Reflecting on the teachings of 2 Corinthians, we see the transparency of Paul as he shares the realities of New Covenant ministry. Suffering is not merely an unfortunate byproduct of ministry; it is an integral part of our Christian walk. As Mrs. Judson Elliot noted, life is not meant for ease but for discipline and eternal values. The birthright of every Christian is suffering, a truth that God revealed to Paul from the beginning of his ministry.

The New Testament does not offer carnal comforts for our sufferings. Instead, it calls us to endure hardships as good soldiers, embracing the trials as part of our destiny. Paul’s exhortation to Timothy to endure hardness as a soldier reminds us that suffering is not optional but standard in the Christian life. Ecclesiastes 8:8, as translated by Rotherham, emphasizes that there is no furlough during war, highlighting the continuous nature of our spiritual battle.

Amy Carmichael’s writings further illuminate this truth, illustrating that there is no fruitfulness in ministry without God breaking us. Our trials, though painful, are necessary for the fragrance of Christ to emanate from us. Paul’s contentment in infirmities and reproaches for Christ’s sake exemplifies the joy that can be found in suffering when viewed through the lens of its eternal benefits.

Moreover, our trials are not solely for our refinement but for the sake of others. Amy Carmichael’s own suffering led to the creation of works that have blessed countless believers. Paul’s letters to the Corinthians and Philippians reveal that our afflictions serve to comfort and edify the body of Christ. Our perseverance through trials becomes a source of strength and encouragement for others.

The blessings of ministry are equally profound. The relationships we form with fellow believers and the joy of witnessing transformed lives are treasures beyond measure. These connections, forged in the crucible of shared faith and service, enrich our lives and ministry. As we reflect on these truths, let us embrace both the trials and blessings of ministry, knowing that they are woven together in God’s sovereign plan for our growth and His glory.

Key Takeaways

1. Suffering is an inherent part of the Christian ministry, not a deviation from it. It is through trials that we are disciplined and refined for eternal values, echoing the life of Paul, who was shown from the start how much he must suffer for Christ's sake. [02:13]
2. The New Testament perspective on suffering is not one of sympathy but of reality. We are called to endure hardships as good soldiers, recognizing that suffering is part of our spiritual warfare and not an optional aspect of our faith journey. [04:36]
3. There is no fruitfulness in ministry without God breaking us. Our trials, though painful, are necessary for the fragrance of Christ to emanate from us, as illustrated by Amy Carmichael's writings and Paul's contentment in his infirmities. [09:51]
4. Our trials and sufferings are not only for our refinement but also for the sake of others. They serve to comfort and edify the body of Christ, as seen in the writings of Paul and the life of Amy Carmichael, whose suffering led to works that blessed many. [14:57]
5. The blessings of ministry are found in the relationships we form and the joy of witnessing transformed lives. These connections, forged in shared faith and service, enrich our lives and ministry, reminding us of the profound impact of our calling. [23:02]
** [23:02]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to Trials and Blessings
[00:50] - The Theme of 2 Corinthians
[01:28] - The Value of Trials
[02:13] - Paul's Call to Suffer
[02:35] - New Testament Perspective on Suffering
[03:39] - The Book of Job and Suffering
[04:20] - Embracing Hardship
[05:40] - No Other Way in Ministry
[06:55] - The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
[08:13] - Amy Carmichael on Brokenness
[10:16] - Paul's Contentment in Trials
[12:29] - God's Sovereignty in Suffering
[13:30] - Suffering for the Sake of Others
[17:31] - The Blessings of Ministry Relationships
[22:24] - The Joy of Changed Lives

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
2 Timothy 2:3-4
Ecclesiastes 8:8

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Observation Questions:

How does Paul describe his attitude towards suffering in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, and what does he find contentment in? [10:16]
According to 2 Timothy 2:3-4, what imagery does Paul use to describe the Christian life, and what does this suggest about the nature of our spiritual journey? [06:20]
What does Ecclesiastes 8:8, as translated by Rotherham, say about the nature of spiritual warfare, and how does this relate to the concept of enduring hardships? [06:55]
In the sermon, how is Amy Carmichael's experience used to illustrate the purpose of suffering in ministry? [14:00]

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Interpretation Questions:

What does it mean for suffering to be a "birthright" of every Christian, as mentioned in the sermon, and how does this align with Paul's teachings in 2 Corinthians? [01:52]
How does the New Testament's perspective on suffering, as described in the sermon, challenge common attitudes towards hardship? [03:21]
In what ways does the imagery of a soldier in 2 Timothy 2:3-4 help us understand the expectations of a Christian's life and ministry? [06:20]
How does the sermon suggest that our trials and sufferings can benefit others, and what biblical examples support this idea? [14:57]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a recent trial you have faced. How can viewing it as part of your spiritual journey change your perspective on it? [04:36]
In what ways can you "man up" and endure hardships as a good soldier, as Paul advises Timothy? What practical steps can you take to strengthen your resilience? [05:00]
Consider a time when you felt broken or defeated. How can you find fruitfulness in that experience, similar to the examples of Amy Carmichael and Paul? [09:51]
How can you use your personal experiences of suffering to comfort and edify others in your community or church? [14:57]
Think about the relationships you have formed through your faith journey. How have these connections enriched your life, and how can you continue to nurture them? [23:02]
Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to find contentment in hardship. What steps can you take to embrace this challenge as part of your spiritual growth? [10:16]
How can you actively seek out and support others who are going through trials, using your own experiences as a source of encouragement and strength? [15:34]

Sermon Clips

Mrs. Judson Elliot wrote a little book I think it's called the value of trials and that in there she said life was not meant for pleasure only not for ease but for discipline not for temporal but for eternal values not for a satisfying life on earth but a godly life for heaven, therefore the birthright of every Christian is suffering. [00:01:28]

The New Testament gives no carnal human comforts about our sufferings it never the writers never in any way speak like oh I'm so sorry that you believers are going through this and one of the most remarkable things about the book of Job in light of this is if you had let one of your children go through what Jobe went through when the time was right wouldn't you try to comfort them and talk to them about the suffering and consoled them about it and explain it a little bit you would if you could in this amazing when God finally shows up to job God never brings up his suffering as a topic of discussion it never explains it that is amazing to me. [00:03:39]

I think it's a statement but I'll turn it into a question why do you think this is strange what you're going through you don't think this is strange as some strange things happening to you you're called to this suffering your path is not different than your Lords rejoice in your hardness as a good soldier in other words man up on through hard time and your hardness as a good soldier endure it fight the good fight of faith there's this call to us to be men about this and face it and realize this is what is our destiny in the ministry. [00:04:36]

Amy Carmichael said this this is good it's a long quote but she said the Bible is full of great words for God's warriors they sound like trumpets sometimes but there are other words that speak very quietly deep within us perhaps there are some who are sorely tempted because of the hardness of the work and trusted to them that maybe some of you right now that would say at hope for has not happened perhaps they feel they can't go on at such times we should hear the words our Lord Jesus Christ has spoken. [00:08:13]

There is no fruitfulness in the ministry without God breaking us there's pain sufferings trials hardships pressures it's sometimes we don't think we can take that the fragrance that comes out might be Christ and not us and then Amy Carmichael said as Dow was broken Lord for me let me be broken Lord for love of thee and Paul said an amazing thing in 2nd Corinthians 12 about his trials he said I'm contented with another translation says I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in need needs in persecution in distress is for Christ's sake. [00:09:51]

Our trials and suffering in the ministry is primarily for the sake of others think about this let me turn you don't need to turn to these I'll read them quick it's for the sake of others Amy Carmichael when she was younger I don't remember what age this was she was very active in India she was doing ministry evangelism rescuing girls from temple prostitution they had started their work donna ver and they had gone to look at a house i think to purchase it you were walking through it and there was boards that were weak and rotted out and she fell through the floor two against of the basement she messed up her back severely in her leg she was never the same again and from then on she was basically bedridden after a number of years and it was out of that suffering she began to write her books and so her suffering became for the future Church of Jesus Christ. [00:13:30]

Our suffering that we don't see it at the moment is for the future progress and the benefit of other Christians if we are to impact Paul said the same thing to Timothy in 2nd Timothy 2:10 he says therefore I endured all things or the sake of who the elect that they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory and see this is not an easy thing because here you are as a pastor and when you're suffering you can't just lay down. [00:17:31]

The greatest blessing for me over these 40 plus years have been the Christians that I've been privileged to minister to to know to love this is the great joy of the kingdom seeing change lives the joy of seeing someone's life changed through your care through your ministry a joy that can't be expressed really can never be conveyed to others and we don't even see the reward and it's good we don't the Lord protects us from seeing it because we're laying up an incorruptible crown and so the blessings to me are the Saints. [00:23:02]

Think about it if you were not a Christian today you are in the ministry think of what you would have missed out on and think of the Christians that you come to know and love since you've been a Christian and since you've been in the ministry that are so widespread the dear relationships that you treasure that you don't always stay in touch with them but you treasure those friendships you treasure those relations you cultivate them you appreciate them. [00:24:34]

God gives these precious dear relationships and we ought to treasure them rather we all enjoy one another well to encourage one another that's the great blessing in the ministry to me by far so I think that's all I've got to say we can just transition now if. [00:26:12]

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