Finding Grace and Hope in Suffering
Summary
In our exploration of select doxologies and benedictions from the Scriptures, we are reminded of the profound context in which these statements of praise and blessing are given. They are not isolated declarations but are deeply embedded within God-inspired settings that enhance their richness and meaning. For instance, Ephesians 3:20-21 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 provide assurances of God's power in prayer and His work in our pursuit of holiness, respectively. Similarly, 1 Peter 5:10-11 offers a benediction and doxology within the context of spiritual warfare, emphasizing that God is our divine ally in times of suffering.
Peter's message in 1 Peter is particularly poignant for Christians living in hostile environments. He acknowledges the reality of spiritual warfare, urging believers to stand firm against the adversary, the devil, who prowls like a roaring lion. The assurance is that when we stand for God, we are never alone. God, the "God of all grace," is with us, providing restoration, confirmation, strength, and establishment even amidst suffering.
This passage highlights three key assurances for believers. First, God loves us in our suffering, offering His grace not just for salvation but also for sustaining us through trials. Second, God places a limit on our suffering, assuring us that it is temporary and will ultimately lead to eternal glory in Christ. Lastly, God uses our suffering to teach and refine us, promising to restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us through His undelegated work.
In the face of suffering, we are called to remember that God is in control, and His grace is sufficient for every circumstance. Our response should be one of praise, acknowledging God's dominion and authority, even in the midst of trials. This understanding transforms our perspective, allowing us to see suffering as a temporary phase leading to eternal glory and deeper knowledge of God.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Grace in Suffering: God is identified as the "God of all grace," offering not just saving grace but also sustaining grace in our suffering. This grace is multifaceted, fitting every circumstance we face, and assures us that we are never alone in our trials. [05:14]
2. The Temporary Nature of Suffering: God places a limit on our suffering, reminding us that it is only for a little while. This perspective helps us endure, knowing that our present trials are working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. [13:21]
3. Learning Through Suffering: God uses suffering to teach and refine us, promising to restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. This process is part of His undelegated work, ensuring that our faith is strengthened and our character is developed. [21:21]
4. The Assurance of Eternal Glory: Our suffering is not the end; we are called to eternal glory in Christ. This assurance provides hope and perspective, reminding us that the same God who began our journey will bring it to completion. [18:57]
5. Responding with Praise: In the midst of suffering, we are called to praise God, acknowledging His dominion and authority. This response reflects our trust in His sovereignty and our recognition of His presence and power in our lives. [24:45]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:36] - Context of Doxologies and Benedictions
- [01:22] - Living as Christians in Hostile Environments
- [02:10] - The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
- [03:23] - Standing Firm in Faith
- [03:59] - Assurance of Divine Support
- [04:44] - God of All Grace
- [06:21] - Grace in Suffering
- [09:12] - Varied Grace for Every Circumstance
- [12:16] - Limit on Suffering
- [15:17] - Temporary Nature of Trials
- [18:29] - Assurance of Eternal Glory
- [20:42] - Learning from Suffering
- [23:31] - Hope in Christ
- [24:45] - Responding with Praise
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Peter 5:10-11
2. Ephesians 3:20-21
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
---
Observation Questions:
1. In 1 Peter 5:10-11, how is God described, and what does He promise to do for believers after they have suffered? [04:44]
2. According to the sermon, what is the context in which the doxology in Ephesians 3:20-21 is given, and how does it relate to prayer? [00:36]
3. What does 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 assure believers about God's work in their lives? [00:36]
4. How does the sermon describe the nature of spiritual warfare and the believer's response to it? [02:10]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for God to be the "God of all grace," and how does this attribute provide comfort during times of suffering? [05:14]
2. How does the assurance that suffering is temporary change a believer's perspective on trials? [13:21]
3. In what ways does God use suffering to refine and strengthen believers, according to the sermon? [21:21]
4. How does the promise of eternal glory in Christ provide hope and perspective for believers facing trials? [18:57]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent trial you have faced. How did you experience God's sustaining grace during that time? [06:21]
2. When you are in the midst of suffering, how can you remind yourself that it is only temporary and that God has placed a limit on it? [13:21]
3. Think of a time when you learned something valuable through a difficult experience. How did that experience help to restore, confirm, strengthen, or establish you? [21:21]
4. How can you actively praise God and acknowledge His dominion and authority, even when you are going through challenging times? [24:45]
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to trust in God's promise of eternal glory. How can this assurance change your approach to that situation? [18:57]
6. Consider someone in your life who is currently suffering. How can you be a source of encouragement and point them to the "God of all grace"? [05:51]
7. What practical steps can you take to stand firm in your faith when facing spiritual warfare, as described in the sermon? [03:23]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Grace in Every Trial
God's grace is not limited to salvation; it extends to every trial we face, offering us strength and support. In times of suffering, we are assured that God's grace is multifaceted, fitting every circumstance we encounter. This grace ensures that we are never alone, as God walks with us through our trials, providing the necessary strength to endure and grow. The assurance of His presence and grace transforms our perspective, allowing us to see suffering as an opportunity for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on Him. [05:14]
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)
Reflection: In what current trial can you actively seek and rely on God's sustaining grace today?
Day 2: Suffering is Temporary
Suffering, though challenging, is not eternal. God places a limit on our suffering, reminding us that it is only for a little while. This perspective helps us endure, knowing that our present trials are working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. By focusing on the temporary nature of our struggles, we can find hope and strength to persevere, trusting that God is using these experiences to prepare us for eternal glory in Christ. [13:21]
"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." (2 Corinthians 4:17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you remind yourself today that your current struggles are temporary and leading to something greater?
Day 3: Growth Through Suffering
God uses suffering to teach and refine us, promising to restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. This process is part of His undelegated work, ensuring that our faith is strengthened and our character is developed. Through trials, we learn to rely on God's strength and wisdom, growing in our understanding of His purposes and deepening our relationship with Him. Embracing this process allows us to see suffering as a tool for spiritual growth and transformation. [21:21]
"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one lesson God might be teaching you through your current challenges, and how can you embrace this learning process?
Day 4: Assurance of Eternal Glory
Our suffering is not the end; we are called to eternal glory in Christ. This assurance provides hope and perspective, reminding us that the same God who began our journey will bring it to completion. By focusing on the promise of eternal glory, we can endure present trials with hope and confidence, knowing that God is faithful to fulfill His promises and that our ultimate destination is with Him in glory. [18:57]
"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." (1 Peter 5:10, ESV)
Reflection: How does the promise of eternal glory influence your perspective on current hardships, and how can you keep this hope alive in your daily life?
Day 5: Praise in the Midst of Trials
In the midst of suffering, we are called to praise God, acknowledging His dominion and authority. This response reflects our trust in His sovereignty and our recognition of His presence and power in our lives. By choosing to praise God even in difficult times, we demonstrate our faith in His goodness and our belief that He is working all things for our good. This act of worship transforms our hearts and minds, allowing us to experience peace and joy despite our circumstances. [24:45]
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand." (Philippians 4:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally praise God today, even in the midst of your current challenges?
Quotes
In verse 8, Peter is clear that we as Christians have an enemy, a spiritual enemy. "Be sober-minded, be watchful," he says. "Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." It's been well said, "Christianity is a battleground, not a playground." [00:02:23]
This benediction and doxology is stated here in the context of these statements about the spiritual warfare believers face to say to you and me, friends, that when you stand for God He will make sure you are not standing alone. When you stand for the Lord, He will make sure that you are not standing alone. [00:03:53]
He first wants us to know in this passage that God loves you in your suffering. God loves you in the midst of your suffering. He says in verse 10, "After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." [00:04:28]
God is the God of all grace, and His grace is not just saving grace; it's suffering grace. Don't minimize the amazing nature of God's grace. Sometimes we misunderstand grace as if grace opens the door to the family of God, and then once we get in we've got to make sure we live right or we'll get kicked out. [00:07:51]
God puts a limit on the suffering and says, "I want you to know that I'm the God of all grace, and I'm in control. I care about you in the midst of this, and I want you to know that this suffering will only be for a little while." What you have here is an affirmation that believers will face suffering. [00:13:22]
Suffering for Christ, Paul says, is just as much a gift as saving faith is. But in the midst of that suffering, God gives us an assurance that it is only for a little while. That doesn't mean, friends, that your suffering will be brief. You may suffer the ordeal for the remainder of your experience on this earth. [00:14:54]
The suffering is not the end. The end is the eternal glory in Christ. Sometimes I'm watching the television show or watching a movie, and there's such suspense. Time is running out, the villain is still on the loose, the damsel is still in distress, the hero is still far away, and I'm getting tense and nervous. [00:18:50]
God loves you in the midst of your suffering, God puts a limit on your suffering, and God wants you to learn from your suffering. Gods want you to learn from your suffering. “After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace who called you to His eternal glory will”, watch this. [00:20:33]
Not—the assurance here is not that He's going to change the circumstances, fix all your problems, end all your sufferings. He may not do anything about what's happening to you, but know that in the midst of the suffering He's doing something in you. He will, and note this, "He will himself," here again we find the undelegated work of God. [00:20:56]
He will restore you and confirm you. He will strengthen you. He assured this of Paul as he suffered with his thorn in the flesh, so much so that in 2 Corinthians chapter 12 verse 10, where Paul begins the passage praying for the thorn in the flesh to be removed, he ends by saying that "I'd rather the infirmity because when I am weak, then I am" what? "Strong." [00:22:56]
The God who loves us in the midst of suffering and limits our suffering and causes us to learn more about Christ in our suffering deserves dominion forever and ever. "Dominion" is manifested power. It is God's presence and dominance and authority. He is worthy of our praise even when suffering comes. Amen. [00:24:38]
He is the God of all grace. And while the enemy would have the believer to think that you're going through what you are going through because God does not care for you, here Peter says, "Let me tell you, even though you are going through, you are the beneficiary of a God who is the God of all grace." [00:12:11]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Feb 15, 2023. Do you have any questions about it?