Enduring Suffering with Hope: Christ's Return
Summary
Life in this world is marked by two unshakable realities: we will suffer, and Jesus will return. Throughout the Psalms, God is described as our refuge and fortress, yet our experiences often make us question whether we are truly safe with Him. Like getting into a car expecting a smooth ride, we may find ourselves jarred by betrayal, loss, or the relentless grind of daily life. The expectation of comfort is often shattered, leaving us to wonder about God’s goodness and safety. Yet, Scripture does not shy away from suffering; it acknowledges it as a universal part of the human experience, even for those who follow Jesus.
James, writing to early Christians facing persecution, poverty, and grief, urges patience and perseverance. He reminds us that suffering is not a sign of God’s absence or neglect, but a reality of life in a broken world. Our “stained uniforms” are evidence of simply existing in this world, not of personal failure. But James also points us to a second, greater reality: Jesus will return. The promise of Christ’s return is not just a distant hope, but a present anchor. Jesus is preparing a place for us, and one day, He will bring us home to a place of true safety and rest.
The tension between these two realities—the certainty of suffering and the certainty of Christ’s return—is the crucible where our faith is refined. It is here that we are called to fight for an eternal perspective, to fix our eyes not on the mist of this life, but on the glory that awaits. The examples of the prophets and Job show us that perseverance is possible, not because suffering is easy, but because God is compassionate and merciful. Even Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, faced suffering honestly and brought His pain to the Father, yet kept His eyes on the eternal purpose.
We are not left to endure alone. The Holy Spirit is given to us as our helper, to strengthen us, pray for us, and guide us through trials. Our hope is not in the absence of suffering, but in the presence and promise of Christ. One day, the old order will pass away, and every tear will be wiped from our eyes. Until then, we live in the tension, fighting for an eternal perspective, and echoing the cry: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Soon.”
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Key Takeaways
- Suffering Is Inevitable, But Not Meaningless
Life in a broken world guarantees suffering, regardless of our faith or efforts to avoid it. Accepting this reality is not resignation, but the first step toward spiritual maturity. When we stop resisting or denying our pain, we create space for God to meet us in it and begin the work of transformation. Our “stained uniforms” are not marks of failure, but reminders that we are all playing on the same field of brokenness. [31:38]
- The Power of an Eternal Perspective
Fixing our eyes on the promise of Christ’s return radically changes how we endure trials. The weight of suffering, though real and heavy, is temporary when compared to the glory of eternity. Fighting for an eternal perspective is an active, daily discipline—one that lifts us above the mist and vapor of this life and anchors us in hope. This perspective does not erase pain, but it gives us the strength to persevere with purpose. [49:33]
- Perseverance Is Formed in the Tension Between Realities
The space between suffering and Christ’s return is where our faith is tested and refined. It is here that we learn to stand firm, not by our own strength, but by continually returning to God, as Job did, even when answers are absent. The prophets and Job show us that perseverance is not about stoic endurance, but about honest engagement with God and relentless hope in His character. [53:39]
- Jesus Models Honest Suffering and Trust
In Gethsemane, Jesus did not minimize His anguish or hide it from His friends. He faced suffering head-on, brought His pain to the Father, and ultimately surrendered to God’s will. This is the pattern for us: to be honest about our struggles, to invite others in, and to keep our eyes fixed on the Father’s eternal purposes, even when the way is dark. [36:43]
- The Holy Spirit Empowers Our Perseverance
We are not called to endure suffering alone or in our own strength. The Holy Spirit is given to us as our helper, intercessor, and comforter, fighting with us and for us as we walk through trials. True perseverance and transformation into Christlikeness are only possible as we rely on the Spirit’s power, not our own resolve. [01:00:17]
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Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - God as Our Refuge in the Psalms
[04:30] - The Uber Driver Analogy: Is God Safe?
[08:45] - The Reality of Suffering in Life
[13:20] - James: Suffering and Perseverance
[18:55] - Stained Uniforms: The Evidence of Brokenness
[22:40] - Two Realities: Suffering and Christ’s Return
[27:15] - The Tension Between Earthly and Eternal
[31:38] - Accepting the Reality of Suffering
[36:43] - Jesus in Gethsemane: Honest Suffering
[41:00] - Fighting for an Eternal Perspective
[49:33] - The Mist of Life and the Glory of Eternity
[52:43] - The Prophets and Job: Examples of Perseverance
[56:01] - Perseverance Illustrated: The Marathon Story
[01:00:17] - The Holy Spirit: Our Helper in Trials
[01:03:19] - The Promise of Revelation: All Things Made New
[01:04:49] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
James 5:7-11 (ESV)
> Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
Matthew 26:36-39 (ESV)
> Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV)
> And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In James 5:7-11, what two realities does James highlight for believers, and how does he use the example of the farmer to illustrate his point? [36:43]
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the specific hardships the early Christians faced that James was writing to? [31:38]
3. In the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26), how does Jesus respond to his suffering, and what does he ask of his friends? [36:43]
4. What future hope is described in Revelation 21:3-4, and how does it contrast with our present experience? [01:03:19]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James connect patience and perseverance with the return of Jesus? How might this connection help believers endure suffering? [36:43]
2. The sermon describes our “stained uniforms” as evidence of living in a broken world, not personal failure. How does this perspective change the way someone might view their own suffering? [31:38]
3. Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane is both honest and surrendered. What does this teach about how to approach God in times of deep pain or confusion? [36:43]
4. The promise in Revelation 21:3-4 is described as an “anchor” for the present. How can focusing on this future reality shape a person’s daily life and response to trials? [01:03:19]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says, “When we stop resisting or denying our pain, we create space for God to meet us in it and begin the work of transformation.” Is there a specific area of pain or disappointment in your life that you tend to avoid or minimize? What would it look like to invite God into that space this week? [31:38]
2. James urges believers to “be patient and stand firm” because “the Lord’s coming is near.” What is one practical way you can remind yourself of Jesus’ return when you feel overwhelmed by life’s challenges? [36:43]
3. The sermon describes fighting for an eternal perspective as an “active, daily discipline.” What is one habit or practice you could start (or restart) to help lift your eyes above the “mist” of this life and focus on eternity? [49:33]
4. Jesus was honest about his anguish and invited his friends to support him in Gethsemane. Is there a struggle you need to share with someone else for prayer or encouragement? What holds you back from being honest about your suffering? [36:43]
5. The Holy Spirit is described as our helper, intercessor, and comforter in trials. When was the last time you specifically asked the Holy Spirit for help in a difficult situation? How might you rely more on the Spirit’s strength rather than your own this week? [01:00:17]
6. The sermon mentions that “our hope is not in the absence of suffering, but in the presence and promise of Christ.” How does this challenge or encourage your current expectations about what it means to follow Jesus? [01:01:12]
7. Revelation 21 promises a day when “every tear will be wiped from our eyes.” How does this promise affect the way you process grief, loss, or disappointment right now? Is there a specific area where you need to let this hope shape your response? [01:03:19]
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Devotional
Day 1: God is Our Refuge—But Life Isn’t Always Safe
The Psalms repeatedly describe God as our refuge, a place of safety and protection, yet our experiences often make us question whether we truly feel safe with Him. Life brings betrayals, losses, and daily frustrations that can leave us feeling exposed and vulnerable, even as we try to trust God with every part of our lives. The tension between the promise of God’s refuge and the reality of suffering can make us wonder if God is truly safe, especially when our expectations of comfort and security are unmet. In these moments, we are invited to wrestle honestly with our doubts and fears, bringing them to God rather than hiding or running from them, and to remember that His presence is our ultimate shelter, even when circumstances are stormy. [31:38]
Psalm 46:1-2, 7 (ESV)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea… The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Reflection: When have you felt most unsafe or exposed in your life, and how might you bring those honest fears to God today, asking Him to be your refuge even when you don’t feel it?
Day 2: Persevering Through Suffering—The Reality We All Face
James teaches that suffering is not an exception but a reality for every follower of Jesus; trials, losses, and disappointments are woven into the fabric of life in a broken world. Like a baseball uniform stained by the field, our lives bear the marks of the hardships we endure simply by living here. Accepting this reality is not about dwelling on our pain, but about refusing to let suffering catch us off guard or define our faith. When we acknowledge that suffering is part of our journey, we can begin to seek God’s presence in the midst of it, rather than being derailed by the false hope that life with Jesus will always be comfortable or easy. [36:43]
James 1:2-4 (ESV)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 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 is one hardship you are currently facing that you have tried to avoid or deny, and how might accepting its reality help you seek God’s presence in the midst of it?
Day 3: Jesus Will Return—Our Hope Beyond the Present
Amidst the certainty of suffering, James points us to the greater certainty that Jesus will return, bringing with Him the fulfillment of every promise and the restoration of all things. This hope is not wishful thinking but a reality that shapes how we endure trials, reminding us that our present pain is temporary and that our true home is being prepared for us even now. Fixing our eyes on Jesus’ return gives us the strength to persevere, knowing that the story does not end with our suffering but with the joy of being with Him forever. The promise of His coming is the anchor for our souls, calling us to live with an eternal perspective even as we walk through the challenges of today. [49:33]
John 14:1-3 (ESV)
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
Reflection: What would it look like for you to live today with the expectation that Jesus is preparing a place for you and will return—how might that change your perspective on your current struggles?
Day 4: Fighting for an Eternal Perspective in the Midst of Trials
The prophets and Job are held up as examples of perseverance, not because their suffering was easy, but because they kept their eyes fixed on God and fought for an eternal perspective even when life felt hopeless. Like runners who endure pain by focusing on the finish line, we are called to look beyond our immediate circumstances and remember the greater reality of God’s compassion and mercy. This fight for perspective is not passive; it requires intentionality to seek glimpses of eternity and to remind ourselves that our suffering, though real, is not the end of the story. In doing so, we learn to persevere and become more like Jesus, trusting that God is at work even in the hardest seasons. [53:39]
James 5:10-11 (ESV)
As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
Reflection: When you are overwhelmed by hardship, what is one practical way you can remind yourself of God’s compassion and the hope of eternity today?
Day 5: The Holy Spirit Empowers Our Perseverance Until All Things Are Made New
We are not left to endure suffering or fight for perspective on our own; Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit to comfort, guide, and strengthen us as we wait for His return. The Spirit intercedes for us when we are weak, helps us to stand firm, and reminds us that Jesus has already overcome the world. Our safe arrival is guaranteed not because life is free from danger, but because Jesus is faithful and in control, and one day He will wipe away every tear and make all things new. Until then, we are called to invite the Spirit into our struggles, to fix our eyes on the eternal reality, and to echo the cry, “Come, Lord Jesus.” [01:04:49]
Revelation 21:3-5 (ESV)
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to invite the Holy Spirit’s comfort and strength today, trusting that Jesus will one day make all things new?
Quotes
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