Proclaiming the Gospel: Embracing Suffering for God's Glory

Devotional

Day 1: Proclaim the Gospel Boldly

Our belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just a personal conviction but a truth that compels us to speak out. The resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith, and it demands to be shared with confidence. This is not about forcing our beliefs on others but about offering the truth that has the power to set people free. When we truly grasp the significance of the resurrection, privatized faith becomes inconceivable. We are called to proclaim the gospel with boldness, knowing that it is the truth that liberates. [12:46]

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the truth of the resurrection today, and how can you share it with them in a way that is both bold and loving?

Day 2: Embrace Suffering as Part of God's Plan

Suffering is an inevitable part of proclaiming the gospel, especially in difficult and dangerous places. However, this suffering is not in vain; it is part of God's design to spread the gospel and fulfill His purposes. The apostle Paul reminds us that our present sufferings are light and momentary compared to the eternal glory that awaits us. This perspective helps us to see our trials as purposeful, preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. Embracing suffering for the gospel is not about seeking pain but accepting it as part of God's plan. [24:02]

"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are experiencing suffering for your faith, and how can you see it as part of God's greater plan for spreading the gospel?

Day 3: Live for God's Glory

Our ultimate aim in missions is not just the salvation of souls but the glory of God. We are driven by the desire to see God worshiped and glorified among all peoples. This is what fuels our passion for missions. The call to missions is not driven by guilt or obligation but by the glory of God and the joy of seeing more people come to know Him. As we extend God's grace to more people, we exalt His glory among all peoples. This dual aim is the essence of Christian missions. [36:19]

"Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods." (1 Chronicles 16:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally live today in a way that exalts God's glory among those around you?

Day 4: Trust in God's Unstoppable Purpose

Despite the challenges and sufferings we face, God's purpose is unstoppable. He is working all things together for our good and His glory. Our present sufferings are preparing us for an eternal weight of glory. This assurance allows us to trust in God's plan, even when it involves stepping into difficult and dangerous places. It is in these very places that the gospel shines the brightest, and God's purposes are fulfilled. Our hope is incomparable, and our suffering is purposeful. [52:18]

"The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!" (Psalm 33:11-12, ESV)

Reflection: What is one challenge you are currently facing, and how can you trust in God's unstoppable purpose through it?

Day 5: Joyfully Embrace Earthly Suffering

As we envision eternal glory with God, we are called to joyfully embrace the earthly suffering that comes from God. This suffering is purposeful and is part of God's plan to spread the gospel and bring glory to His name. It is not a call to seek suffering but to accept it as part of God's design. Our hope in eternal glory allows us to endure earthly trials with joy, knowing that they are preparing us for something far greater. [44:30]

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: How can you find joy in the midst of your current trials, knowing that they are producing steadfastness and preparing you for eternal glory?

Sermon Summary

In 2 Corinthians 4:13-18, we find a profound call to action for believers, urging us to live with a deep-seated conviction in the gospel and to proclaim it with unwavering confidence, even in the face of adversity. The passage reminds us that our faith is not meant to be private; it is a faith that compels us to speak and share the good news of Jesus Christ, regardless of the cost. This is not just a call to evangelize but a call to embrace the suffering that often accompanies the proclamation of the gospel.

The apostle Paul, in his letter, emphasizes that our present sufferings are light and momentary compared to the eternal glory that awaits us. This perspective shifts our focus from the temporary afflictions we face to the eternal reward that God has promised. It is a reminder that our lives are not our own; they are to be spent for the sake of the gospel and the glory of God.

Paul's words challenge us to live with a dual aim: to extend God's grace to more people and to exalt God's glory among all peoples. This is the essence of Christian missions. It is not driven by guilt or obligation but by the glory of God and the joy of seeing more people come to know Him.

The call to missions is not without risk. It involves stepping into difficult and dangerous places, knowing that persecution often follows proclamation. Yet, it is in these very places that the gospel shines the brightest, and God's purposes are fulfilled.

As we envision the eternal glory with God, we are encouraged to joyfully embrace the earthly suffering that comes from God. This is not a call to seek suffering but to accept it as part of God's plan for spreading the gospel. Our hope is incomparable, and our suffering is purposeful, preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.

Key Takeaways

1. Proclaiming the Gospel with Confidence: Our belief in the resurrection of Jesus compels us to speak about it. Privatized faith is inconceivable when we truly grasp the significance of the resurrection. We are called to proclaim the gospel with confidence, knowing that it is the truth that sets people free. [12:46]
2. Embracing Suffering for the Gospel: Suffering is an inevitable part of proclaiming the gospel, especially in difficult and dangerous places. However, this suffering is not in vain; it is part of God's design to spread the gospel and fulfill His purposes. [24:02]
3. Living for God's Glory: Our ultimate aim in missions is not just the salvation of souls but the glory of God. We are driven by the desire to see God worshiped and glorified among all peoples. This is what fuels our passion for missions. [36:19]
4. The Unstoppable Purpose of God: Despite the challenges and sufferings we face, God's purpose is unstoppable. He is working all things together for our good and His glory. Our present sufferings are preparing us for an eternal weight of glory. [52:18]
5. Joyfully Embracing Earthly Suffering: As we envision eternal glory with God, we are called to joyfully embrace the earthly suffering that comes from God. This suffering is purposeful and is part of God's plan to spread the gospel and bring glory to His name. [44:30]
** [44:30]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:17] - Opening and Gratitude
[00:51] - The Unreached Peoples
[01:49] - Renewed Day by Day
[02:38] - Prayer for Impact
[04:14] - CT Studd's Legacy
[07:07] - Gospel Urgency
[09:30] - Three Exhortations
[10:20] - Proclaiming with Confidence
[13:30] - The Challenge of Privatized Faith
[18:37] - The Call to Speak
[22:33] - Persecution Follows Proclamation
[27:11] - Extending Grace, Exalting Glory
[34:49] - Stories of Transformation
[43:58] - Embracing Suffering
[52:18] - God's Unstoppable Purpose
[55:22] - Hope Beyond Comparison

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 2 Corinthians 4:13-18

Observation Questions:

What does Paul mean when he says, "We also believe, and so we also speak" in 2 Corinthians 4:13? How does this relate to the idea of proclaiming the gospel with confidence? [12:46]
How does Paul describe the relationship between present sufferings and eternal glory in 2 Corinthians 4:17? What does he mean by "light momentary affliction"? [55:22]
According to the sermon, what is the dual aim of Christian missions as described by Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:15? [27:57]
How does the sermon illustrate the concept of "persecution follows proclamation" using examples from modern-day contexts? [24:02]

Interpretation Questions:

In what ways does the belief in the resurrection of Jesus compel believers to speak about their faith, according to the sermon? How does this challenge the idea of privatized faith? [13:30]
How does the sermon explain the purpose of suffering in the life of a believer, particularly in the context of spreading the gospel? [24:02]
What does it mean to live for God's glory, and how does this perspective influence the way believers approach missions and evangelism? [36:19]
How does the sermon describe the unstoppable nature of God's purpose, even in the face of suffering and persecution? [52:18]

Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you felt hesitant to share your faith. What was holding you back, and how can the message of 2 Corinthians 4:13-18 encourage you to speak with more confidence? [12:46]
The sermon discusses embracing suffering for the sake of the gospel. How can you prepare yourself mentally and spiritually to face potential challenges when sharing your faith? [24:02]
Consider the dual aim of missions: extending God's grace and exalting His glory. How can you incorporate this perspective into your daily life and interactions with others? [27:57]
Identify a specific area in your life where you can shift your focus from temporary afflictions to the eternal glory that awaits. How can this change in perspective impact your daily decisions and actions? [55:22]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of proclaiming the gospel in difficult and dangerous places. Is there a particular group or community you feel called to reach out to, despite potential risks? How can you take a step towards this calling? [21:11]
How can you cultivate a deeper conviction in the gospel that compels you to speak about it more openly and confidently? What practical steps can you take to strengthen your faith and understanding of the resurrection? [13:30]
Reflect on the idea that God's purpose is unstoppable. How can this assurance give you courage and hope in your personal life and in your efforts to share the gospel with others? [52:18]

Sermon Clips

Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written I believed and so I spoke we also believe and so we also speak knowing that he who raised the lord jesus will raise us also with jesus and bring us with you into his presence for it is all for your sake so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving to the glory of god. [00:01:09]

Paul describes the affliction and the suffering which accompanied gospel ministry and then in verse 13 so picking up right where he left off paul reaches back into the psalms to describe his motivation for persevering in gospel missions psalm 116 a song of deliverance written by a psalmist who had been saved from what looked like certain death and the psalmist wrote i believed even when i spoke i am greatly afflicted so the psalmist in psalm chapter 116 verse 10 draws a clear correlation between believing and speaking he believes and so he speaks and suffering affliction cannot stop him from speaking what he believes according to the psalmist suffering cannot silence the spirit of faith. [00:11:16]

According to paul when you believe in the resurrection of jesus you proclaim the resurrection of jesus according to paul there's no such thing as a privatized faith in a resurrected christ those who believe the gospel of jesus proclaim the gospel of jesus no matter what it costs them i believe there is a needed word here for us today privatized christianity is a profound curse across our culture and our churches multitudes of professing christians say believe or or maybe just live like they believe jesus has saved me jesus's teachings work for me and my family but who am i to tell my neighbor or my co-worker what he or she should believe. [00:13:09]

If jesus did rise from the dead then it is the height of arrogance to sit quietly by while 597 million hindus muslims buddhists and sikhs in northern india go to hell and it's the epitome of hate to not sacrifice our lives to spread this good news among every person we know and among every people group on the planet when you believe this gospel you speak this gospel when you believe the resurrection of christ you proclaim the resurrection of christ privatized faith and a resurrected king is practically inconceivable we believe and so we speak. [00:18:08]

As we live to extend god's grace among more people let's long to exalt god's glory among all peoples as we live to extend god's grace among more people let's long to exalt god's glory among all peoples oh don't you love the two-fold goal the dual aim that paul has in ministry here verse 15 single-handedly sums up the purpose of christian missions he starts and he says for it is all for your sake all of it a preaching paul says my suffering persecution affliction proclamation it's all for your sake so that more and more and more of you might experience the grace of god. [00:27:30]

The proper end of missions is the glory of god more specifically thanksgiving gratitude to the glory of god the end of mission see it is more and more and more people who are happy in god this is the cry of the psalmist let the nations be glad and sing for joy that all the peoples praise you o god let all the peoples praise you this is the cry of the angel from heaven i bring you good news of great joy for all the people it's the cry of the apostle paul himself when he said in romans 15 my ambition is to preach the gospel where christ has not been named. [00:36:30]

As we continually envision eternal glory with god let's joyfully embrace earthly suffering from god as we continually envision eternal glory with god let's joyfully embrace earthly suffering from god so it all makes sense what paul says at the end of this chapter as long as we believe this gospel in our lives as long as we proclaim this gospel in this world our outer self will be wasting away we will experience affliction and we must not be surprised by that who among us really thinks that making disciples of all nations is an easy task. [00:44:30]

Suffering may be inevitable paul says but god's purpose is unstoppable god's purpose in our lives is unstoppable all of these sufferings paul says all of our sufferings falsehoods are intended by my god for my good what does he say in romans 8 our present suffering's not worth comparing with future glory will be revealed in us god is working all things together all things for the good of those who love him have been called according to his purpose so he says in romans 5 i rejoice in my suffering because i know that suffering produces perseverance perseverance character character hope and hope does not disappoint us because god's poured out his love into our hearts by the holy spirit whom he's given us. [00:52:18]

This is the unavoidable takeaway from the new testament the more passionate we are about spreading the gospel to every people group in the lord in the world the more we will suffer not because we're seeking suffering but because we're speaking christ and suffering for the gospel accompanies the spread of the gospel and all of this is from god it's not by accident this is according to his design i think about one of those couples that i mentioned to you earlier that we recently sent out from our church. [00:48:18]

I believe god's word is true and his word says that his gospel will spread through persecution hardship and suffering and i am good with that our room of elders sat silent nobody spoke for a period of time not a dry eye in the room during that moment and then a few weeks ago as this husband was sharing with our church he said at one point i know that some of you think we are being reckless and he was sitting there with his precious wife his two young kids preparing to go into the heart of this unreached muslim people group and he looked at our church and he said i am convinced that we are in far greater danger of being safe than we are of being reckless in the church today. [00:49:33]

Satan's strategies to stop the church will ultimately serve to spread the church and straighten satan's strategies to inflict earthly pain in your life will ultimately serve to increase eternal glory with your god light momentary affliction preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison this is where paul ends the passage our suffering is inevitable our god's purpose is unstoppable and ultimately our hope is incomparable compared to coming glory paul says present suffering is light and momentary which doesn't mean easy and painless particularly not at the time but in light of all time but in light of all time our present pain in suffering does not compare with our future weight of glory. [00:55:22]

As we believe this gospel with deep-seated conviction in our lives let's proclaim this gospel with death-defying confidence in the world as we live to extend god's grace among more and more and more people let's long to exalt god's glory among all peoples and as we continually vision eternal glory with god let's joyfully embrace earthly suffering from god knowing in the words of the apostle paul if god is for us who can be against us he who did not spare his own son but gave him up for us all will he not also along with him graciously give us all things who will bring any charge against those whom god has chosen it's god who justifies who is he that condemns christ jesus who died more than that who is raised to life is at the right hand of god at this moment interceding for us. [00:57:22]

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Proclaiming the Gospel: Embracing Suffering for God's Glory

Devotional

Day 1: Proclaim the Gospel Boldly

Day 2: Embrace Suffering as Part of God's Plan

Day 3: Live for God's Glory

Day 4: Trust in God's Unstoppable Purpose

Day 5: Joyfully Embrace Earthly Suffering

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Proclaiming the Gospel: Embracing Suffering for God's Glory

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