Faithful Endurance: Finding God in Suffering
Summary
In this sermon, I explored the concept of suffering and how it relates to our faith in God. I used the story of Joseph from the Bible as a prime example of enduring suffering while maintaining faith. Joseph's life took a turn he would have never written into his own story - he was thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and ended up in prison. Yet, throughout all these trials, Joseph never lost his faith in God. I emphasized that God reigns in every circumstance, whether good or bad, and that our theology must stand up under hard times. I also highlighted that suffering is a part of the Christian experience and that God is pleased when we endure hard circumstances well.
I further delved into the idea that if we do not have a huge view of God, huge faith in God, then we will crumble when we face the hard stuff. I pointed out that God is not the author of evil, but He allows things or even causes things to happen for a greater purpose. I concluded by encouraging the congregation not to let their hearts get hard, not to become angry at God, and not to let the hard stuff of life turn them into someone they're not.
Key Takeaways:
1. God reigns in every circumstance, whether good or bad. We must maintain our faith in Him even during hard times ([31:00]).
2. Suffering is a part of the Christian experience and God is pleased when we endure hard circumstances well ([35:33]).
3. God is not the author of evil, but He allows things or even causes things to happen for a greater purpose ([37:51]).
4. We should not let our hearts get hard, become angry at God, or let the hard stuff of life turn us into someone we're not ([16:48]).
5. Even in the midst of suffering, we can still be used by God for His glory ([20:07]).
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 40:14-15 [23:20]
2. Genesis 40:23 and 41:1 [25:36]
3. 1 Peter 2 [28:15]
Observation Questions:
1. In Genesis 40:14-15, what does Joseph ask of the cupbearer and why is this significant?
2. What does Genesis 40:23 and 41:1 reveal about the cupbearer's actions and the consequences for Joseph?
3. How does 1 Peter 2 relate to the concept of suffering and enduring hardship?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Joseph's request to the cupbearer reflect his faith in God's plan?
2. What does the cupbearer's forgetfulness and the additional two years Joseph spends in prison tell us about God's timing?
3. How does 1 Peter 2 challenge our understanding of suffering and its role in the Christian life?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a time when you felt forgotten or overlooked like Joseph? How did you respond and what did you learn from that experience?
2. How can you cultivate patience and trust in God's timing when you're in a season of waiting or suffering?
3. How can you demonstrate endurance and faithfulness in a difficult situation you're currently facing?
4. How can you encourage someone in your life who is currently experiencing suffering or hardship?
5. How can you apply the teachings of 1 Peter 2 in your daily life, especially in times of suffering or hardship?
Devotional
Day 1: God Reigns in Every Circumstance
God is in control of all things, whether they are going well or not. It's our natural tendency to blame God or turn our backs on Him when things aren't going the way we want them to. However, we must remember that God reigns in every circumstance, and He can use all the hard things for His glory ([15:10]).
Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent difficult situation. How can you see God's reign in that circumstance?
Day 2: Suffering is Part of the Christian Experience
Suffering is a part of the Christian experience. It's not something we would choose for ourselves, but it's something that God uses to shape us and make us more like Jesus ([28:15]).
1 Peter 4:12-13 - "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."
Reflection: How can you see your current or past sufferings as part of your Christian experience?
Day 3: God is Pleased When We Endure Hard Circumstances Well
God takes notice when we endure hard circumstances well. It pleases Him when we remain faithful and trust in Him, even when we're going through suffering ([23:20]).
1 Peter 2:20 - "But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you endured a hard circumstance well. How did it strengthen your faith?
Day 4: God is With Us in Our Suffering
Even in the midst of our suffering, God is with us. He doesn't abandon us in our pain, but walks with us through it, providing comfort and strength ([16:48]).
Psalm 34:18 - "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Reflection: How have you experienced God's presence in your suffering?
Day 5: God Uses Our Suffering for His Glory
God can use our suffering for His glory. Even when we're going through hard times, God can use those experiences to bring about good and glorify Himself ([20:07]).
Romans 8:18 - "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
Reflection: How can you see God using your past or present sufferings for His glory?
Quotes
1. "And then all of a sudden, a big rock gets dropped on your head, and you can get real serious with God real quick. And that's what the psalmist was saying, he's like, hey, man, before I was laid low or afflicted, I was just kind of kicking along doing my thing, man, I was kicking it. And then something happened, I went through some trauma and some pain and some suffering, I got laid low and oh, now I obey your word, you bet." - 31:00
2. "He wasn't bitter. He wasn't angry. He wasn't shaking his fist at God. He was being used by God, even there in the midst of pain and suffering in the prison. He goes up, he's like, guys, what's going on? And I love that. He wasn't angry and bitter." - 35:33
3. "If we do not have a huge view of God, huge faith in God, then we will crumble when we face the hard stuff. Our theology must stand up under hard times. We must believe and understand that God reigns in the good of those who love the Lord." - 23:20
4. "These verses are while Joseph is suffering. These verses are while Joseph's life was off script. These verses are happening during a period of time that Joseph would have never written into his own story. And yet the Bible clearly says that in the middle of all that pain and hurt and trauma, God was with Joseph." - 16:48
5. "Even through all the twists and turns and trauma and suffering and pain, God was in control the whole time. It says verse 18, they bruised his feet with shackles. His neck was put in irons till what he foretold came to pass till the world word of the Lord proved him true." - 20:07
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