Finding Hope in Jesus Amidst Suffering
Summary
In the sermon, I was reminded of the importance of focusing on Jesus, especially during times of suffering. The speaker emphasized that suffering is a shared human experience, and it can often feel crippling and overwhelming. However, in these moments, it is crucial to shift our focus onto Jesus, who is greater than our present circumstances. The speaker also pointed out that Jesus promised his disciples that they would experience troubles, but he also assured them that he has overcome the world. This gives us hope and peace in the midst of our sufferings.
The sermon also highlighted the importance of having a bigger view of Jesus. The speaker noted that as evangelical Christians, we often domesticate and neuter Jesus, making him seem small, weak, and irrelevant. However, the Book of Revelation presents Jesus in his grandeur, might, and glory, which is much bigger than our present sufferings. This perspective helps us to endure and find hope in our troubles.
Key takeaways:
- Suffering is a shared human experience, and it can often feel overwhelming. However, focusing on Jesus can provide hope and peace in the midst of our troubles (#!!02:39!!#).
- Jesus promised his disciples that they would experience troubles, but he also assured them that he has overcome the world. This gives us hope in our sufferings (#!!03:23!!#).
- As evangelical Christians, we often domesticate and neuter Jesus, making him seem small, weak, and irrelevant. However, the Book of Revelation presents Jesus in his grandeur, might, and glory, which is much bigger than our present sufferings (#!!04:09!!#).
- The speaker emphasized the importance of having a bigger view of Jesus, especially during times of suffering. This perspective helps us to endure and find hope in our troubles (#!!31:50!!#).
- The Book of Revelation is given to Christians in the midst of their suffering to help them see Jesus in his grandeur, might, and glory (#!!12:06!!#).
Study Guide
Main Points from the Sermon:
1. Jesus is the one who encourages us in the midst of our troubles. He is the one who walked with us, ate with us, and is greater than all the sufferings of the world. His vision is broader, further, higher, and deeper than our sufferings. [35:51]
2. Jesus is the one who John wants to encourage the churches to get their eyes on. He is the one who Daniel saw in his vision, a heavenly picture of reality for his encouragement and endurance. [14:59]
3. Jesus walks with us in our hardships and helps us to have a bigger view of Him. He helps us to see the reality of life from a heavenly perspective. [33:10]
4. Jesus is the one who is enthroned in fire and purity. He is the one who speaks and we fall down dead. He is the one who brings us out of suffering. [21:33]
5. Jesus is the one who brings the word of God, which sets people free, brings righteousness, justice, healing, and reconciliation. [23:45]
Bible Chapters for the Group to Read:
1. Daniel Chapter 7
2. Daniel Chapter 10
3. Revelation Chapter 1
4. Isaiah Chapter 49
Discussion Guide:
Observation Questions:
1. How does Jesus encourage us in the midst of our troubles according to the sermon?
2. What is the heavenly picture of reality that Daniel saw in his vision?
3. How does Jesus help us to see the reality of life from a heavenly perspective?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the vision of Jesus being enthroned in fire and purity relate to our understanding of His divinity?
2. How does Jesus' word bring righteousness, justice, healing, and reconciliation according to the sermon?
3. How does the imagery in Daniel and Revelation help us understand the nature and character of Jesus?
Application Questions:
1. How can we apply the understanding of Jesus walking with us in our hardships in our daily lives?
2. How can we use the understanding of Jesus being enthroned in fire and purity to strengthen our faith in times of trials?
3. How can we apply the understanding of Jesus bringing the word of God that sets people free, brings righteousness, justice, healing, and reconciliation in our interactions with others?
Devotional
Day 1: The Shared Experience of Suffering
Suffering is a universal human experience that can often feel isolating and overwhelming. In the midst of deep sorrows, our world can collapse in on us, making it difficult to see beyond the present moment. However, Jesus promises us peace and encourages us to look to Him, for He has overcome the world and all its sufferings. [01:57]
Bible passage: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you were in the midst of suffering. How did focusing on Jesus help you through that time?
Day 2: The Grandeur of Jesus
In our attempts to personalize Jesus, we often diminish His grandeur, might, and glory. The Book of Revelation is given to Christians in the midst of their suffering to help us see Jesus as bigger than our present sufferings and to give us hope. [04:09]
Bible passage: Revelation 1:17-18 - "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, 'Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.'"
Reflection: How can you cultivate a grander view of Jesus in your daily life?
Day 3: Being a Brother or Sister in Tribulation
We are called to come alongside those who are suffering, just as John did for the churches in Revelation. We are to help them see Jesus as bigger than their present sufferings and to help them see life from a heavenly perspective. [33:10]
Bible passage: Galatians 6:2 - "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: Who do you know that is currently going through a difficult time? How can you come alongside them and help them see Jesus in their situation?
Day 4: Proclaiming Christ's Victory
When we gather around the communion table, we remember what Christ has done in victory and proclaim that victory to the world and to ourselves. We do this until He comes again to establish His eternal Kingdom. [34:30]
Bible passage: 1 Corinthians 11:26 - "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
Reflection: How can you more actively proclaim Christ's victory in your daily life?
Day 5: Seeing Jesus as Greater than All Sufferings
John presents a picture of Jesus that is greater than all the sufferings of the world. This vision of Jesus is meant to encourage us and help us endure through our own sufferings. [14:59]
Bible passage: Hebrews 12:2 - "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: How can you keep your eyes on Jesus, especially during times of suffering?
Quotes
1. "We thank you for your word that is the instrument to uncover these truths and father I pray that as we gather around the communion table you would nourish your church, the church that you see and know and are with. I pray that you would encourage us in the midst of our troubles as we remember the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ." - 35:39
2. "Who is this Jesus that John wants to encourage the churches to get their eyes on? Because Jesus for John is the one that he ate with, fished with, walked with and here's a picture of Jesus that's greater than all of the sufferings of the world." - 14:59
3. "Fear not, I am the first and the last and the living one. I died and behold I Am Alive forevermore and I have the keys of death and Hades. He's defeated death. If you go back in Revelation chapter 1 verse 5 says to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, his work on the cross freed us." - 24:21
4. "In the midst of deep suffering, does it not feel like you are locked in a cell? Does it not feel like you're just locked up like how do I get myself out of this? I can't break free. Just as I got the keys. What I have done is I died, I am alive and all those who want free from their cells even of death, I got the keys." - 25:15
5. "What we need in the midst of suffering is to be able to get our eyes on something, on someone that is greater than the present circumstances to help us see broader and further than our suffering allows us. Jesus promised his disciples that we would experience these sorts of troubles. It's not unusual that these things happen to us." - 02:39
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