Finding Purpose in Suffering: Glorifying God Through Trials
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into John 9:1-7, a passage that reveals profound truths about Jesus and our relationship with Him. We began by addressing the common misconception that suffering is always a direct result of personal sin. Jesus clarifies that the man born blind was not suffering due to his or his parents' sins but so that the works of God might be displayed in him. This teaches us that suffering can be an opportunity for God's glory to be revealed.
We explored the idea that our world is fallen and broken, and that suffering is a part of this fallen state. However, Jesus came to restore our understanding and to re-center our lives around Him. We often fall into the trap of making ourselves the center of our universe, leading to various theological errors and a distorted view of God. Instead, we are called to make Jesus the center, recognizing His sovereignty and His role as the potter who shapes us for His purposes.
We also discussed the importance of seeing Jesus as both the potter and the sovereign Lord. As the potter, He has the right to shape us as He sees fit, for special or common purposes. As the sovereign Lord, He holds all things together and has supreme authority over all creation. This understanding helps us to trust in His plan and to live lives that glorify Him.
Finally, we touched on the significance of light and darkness, emphasizing that suffering and sin are results of being distant from God, the source of all light. Jesus, the light of the world, came to bring us back into close proximity with God, offering us spiritual sight and life.
### Key Takeaways
1. Suffering as an Opportunity for God's Glory: Jesus teaches that not all suffering is a result of personal sin. Sometimes, it is an opportunity for God's works to be displayed. This perspective shifts our focus from questioning "Why me?" to asking "How can God be glorified through this?" [46:49]
2. The Fallen Nature of the World: We live in a fallen, broken world where suffering is inevitable. Our brokenness manifests in various ways, but it is crucial to understand that this is a result of the fall and not necessarily individual sin. This understanding helps us to navigate our suffering with a sense of purpose and hope. [52:03]
3. Jesus as the Center of Our Lives: Making Jesus the center of our lives is essential to avoid theological errors and a self-centered worldview. When we place ourselves at the center, we miss out on the true purpose of our existence, which is to glorify God. [58:18]
4. God as the Potter and Sovereign Lord: Recognizing Jesus as the potter who shapes us and as the sovereign Lord who holds all things together helps us to trust in His plan. He has the right to shape us for His purposes, and understanding this brings peace and alignment with His will. [01:01:06]
5. The Light of the World: Jesus is the light that dispels the darkness of sin and suffering. Our proximity to Him determines the level of light in our lives. By drawing closer to Jesus, we experience His light, which brings life, purpose, and spiritual sight. [01:09:17]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[40:31] - Connection and Prayer Requests
[41:31] - Offering and Children's Dismissal
[42:10] - Upcoming Events and Announcements
[45:10] - Prayer and Introduction to John 9
[46:03] - Reading John 9:1-7
[46:49] - Understanding Suffering and Sin
[49:34] - Context and Explanation of Verses
[52:03] - The Fallen Nature of the World
[58:18] - Jesus as the Center of Our Lives
[01:01:06] - Jesus as the Potter and Sovereign Lord
[01:09:17] - The Light of the World
[01:13:23] - Glorifying God in Our Lives
[01:14:41] - Communion Instructions
[01:22:54] - Communion
[01:24:21] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- John 9:1-7
- Romans 9:16-21
- Colossians 1:15-20
#### Observation Questions
1. In John 9:1-7, what question do the disciples ask Jesus about the man born blind, and how does Jesus respond?
2. According to Romans 9:16-21, what analogy does Paul use to describe God's sovereignty, and what does it imply about our relationship with God?
3. In Colossians 1:15-20, what attributes and roles are ascribed to Jesus, and how do they emphasize His supremacy?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Jesus' response to the disciples' question in John 9:3 challenge the common belief that suffering is always a result of personal sin?
2. What does the analogy of the potter and the clay in Romans 9:20-21 teach us about God's authority and our purpose?
3. How does recognizing Jesus as the "light of the world" in John 9:5 help us understand the relationship between spiritual sight and proximity to God?
4. In what ways does Colossians 1:15-20 expand our understanding of Jesus' role in creation and His ongoing work in the world?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced suffering. How can you shift your perspective from asking "Why me?" to "How can God be glorified through this?"
2. In what areas of your life do you tend to place yourself at the center instead of Jesus? What practical steps can you take to re-center your life around Him?
3. How can you trust God's plan for your life, especially when you don't understand why certain things are happening? Share a specific situation where you need to trust Him more.
4. Think about a recent decision or action. How did it reflect (or not reflect) the understanding that Jesus is the potter and you are the clay?
5. How can you draw closer to Jesus, the light of the world, in your daily life? Identify one specific habit or practice you can adopt to increase your spiritual sight.
6. In what ways can you demonstrate the attributes of Jesus described in Colossians 1:15-20 in your interactions with others this week?
7. How can you help others see Jesus as the center of their lives? Share a specific way you can encourage someone in your community or small group to focus on Jesus.
Devotional
Day 1: Suffering as an Opportunity for God's Glory
Description: Suffering is often misunderstood as a direct consequence of personal sin. However, Jesus teaches us in John 9:1-7 that not all suffering is due to sin. The man born blind was not suffering because of his or his parents' sins, but so that the works of God might be displayed in him. This perspective shifts our focus from questioning "Why me?" to asking "How can God be glorified through this?" It encourages us to see our trials as opportunities for God's glory to be revealed in our lives. By embracing this mindset, we can find purpose and hope even in the midst of our suffering. [46:49]
John 9:1-3 (ESV): "As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' Jesus answered, 'It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.'"
Reflection: Think of a recent challenge or suffering you have faced. How can you shift your perspective to see it as an opportunity for God's glory to be displayed?
Day 2: The Fallen Nature of the World
Description: We live in a fallen, broken world where suffering is inevitable. This brokenness is a result of the fall and not necessarily individual sin. Understanding this helps us navigate our suffering with a sense of purpose and hope. It reminds us that our struggles are part of the larger narrative of a world in need of redemption. By recognizing the fallen nature of the world, we can better understand our place in it and our need for Jesus' redemptive work. [52:03]
Romans 8:20-21 (ESV): "For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt the weight of the world's brokenness. How does understanding the fallen nature of the world help you find hope and purpose in your suffering?
Day 3: Jesus as the Center of Our Lives
Description: Making Jesus the center of our lives is essential to avoid theological errors and a self-centered worldview. When we place ourselves at the center, we miss out on the true purpose of our existence, which is to glorify God. By re-centering our lives around Jesus, we align ourselves with His purposes and experience the fullness of life He offers. This shift in focus helps us to live in a way that honors God and reflects His love to the world. [58:18]
Colossians 1:17-18 (ESV): "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent."
Reflection: In what areas of your life have you placed yourself at the center? How can you intentionally re-center your life around Jesus today?
Day 4: God as the Potter and Sovereign Lord
Description: Recognizing Jesus as the potter who shapes us and as the sovereign Lord who holds all things together helps us to trust in His plan. He has the right to shape us for His purposes, whether for special or common use. Understanding this brings peace and alignment with His will. It reminds us that we are not in control, but we can trust the One who is. This trust allows us to surrender our lives to His shaping and molding, knowing that He has a perfect plan for us. [01:01:06]
Isaiah 64:8 (ESV): "But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find it difficult to trust God's plan? How can you surrender this area to Him and trust in His sovereign will?
Day 5: The Light of the World
Description: Jesus is the light that dispels the darkness of sin and suffering. Our proximity to Him determines the level of light in our lives. By drawing closer to Jesus, we experience His light, which brings life, purpose, and spiritual sight. This light guides us through the darkness and helps us to see the world through His eyes. It transforms our lives and enables us to reflect His light to others, bringing hope and healing to a broken world. [01:09:17]
John 8:12 (ESV): "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"
Reflection: How can you draw closer to Jesus today to experience more of His light in your life? What practical steps can you take to reflect His light to those around you?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Give with a cheerful heart and know that it goes into sowing into God's kingdom and it helps his work go forth. So I want to challenge you for that." [41:31] (9 seconds)
2. "Remember that you're going there also as an ambassador. So as you're there and you're meeting some of these families, you can share. You can share a little bit about Faith Church." [43:22] (7 seconds)
3. "Jesus came to restore our understanding that he is intended to be the center of our universe. Jesus is intended to be the center of our universe, but at the fall, when we fell away from God, when we were clouded by sin and suffering, we no longer made God the center of our life, but what did we do? We began to put ourselves in the center." [58:18] (26 seconds)
4. "We were put here for one purpose, to glorify God forever. Amen. Let's remember that. Let's remember to glorify God forever." [01:13:23] (7 seconds)
5. "When we confess our faults, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. What a beautiful thing that us who come so unworthy every day, every Sunday, every communion, we come unworthy yet by simply just confessing our faults, he is faithful and just. He forgives us and he makes us right so that when we partake in this meal, we are doing it in a worthy way." [01:16:24] (24 seconds)
### Quotes for Members
1. "I just want you to know that what I'm about to share with you is probably one of the most important lessons that you can learn in the Christian faith. The aspects of who Christ is. This is so key into understanding the nature of Jesus that I think if we miss it, we can really miss out on a lot of things that God has called us. And we can actually fall into some things that may not be. Maybe wrong thinking." [46:49] (27 seconds)
2. "When we're learning the ways of God as we're growing up, sometimes we get in this 2D mindset with the gospel. But in reality, if we look at it, the right way, if our lens is the way that it's supposed to be, then what happens is everything comes to life. It comes in to 3D." [48:43] (18 seconds)
3. "We need to see Jesus as the potter. If you go to Romans chapter nine, verses 16 through 21, it says this, it does not therefore depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy. For scripture says to Pharaoh, I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." [01:01:06] (24 seconds)
4. "We need to see Jesus as sovereign. And that's really what we're getting down to. We're really getting down to the sovereignty of God and how he has absolute rule and that he can do things at his own good pleasure based on what his desires are, based on what his intentions are, based on what his will is, based on what his great master plan is." [01:04:00] (20 seconds)
5. "When God created the world, he understood that the chance of fallibility existed. And when fallibility came about, Jesus looked at this as opportunities to show his attributes. You see, when God created, I truly believe this, when God created everything, he created everything in a way that he could express his nature." [54:06] (21 seconds)
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