Purpose: To see suffering from God's viewpoint.
Aim: I want the listener to apply God's solution to suffering.
INTRODUCTION: Many times, when people are suffering they will say "I know that God has promised to never give you more than you can handle, but this time I think He may have given me more than I can handle." There are two problems with that kind of thinking. First, they are referring to 1 Corinthians 10:13 ...God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able.... (NAU) but that verse is talking about temptations, not suffering. Second, the focus during suffering should never be on what we are able to bear, but on the grace that God is offering.
We can joyfully endure suffering through God's grace, not through our ability to endure it.
So, how can God's grace help us during a trial? Proverbs 3:34 Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted. (NAU) Or as James put it in James 4:6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." (NAU)
Let's begin by looking at,
►Vs.6-8 I. Three Wrong Attitudes about Suffering
► Vs.6 A. I don't deserve to suffer "humble yourselves"
"The command humble yourselves (tapeinōthēte) could be translated 'allow yourselves to be humbled.'" [1]
Weakness which comes from suffering proves that we don't really have any strength of our own. If we are willing to see ourselves as weak and helpless apart from Christ, then we are in a place where He can do miracles. Luke 14:11 "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (NAU)
2 Corinthians 12:7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself! (NAU) If God used suffering to keep Paul humble then why should we be surprised when God uses suffering to humble us?
► Vs.7 B. I'm not sure God loves me "He cares for you"
Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. (NAU)
ANXIETY literally means "the state of being pulled apart." If we are not convinced that God loves us, then suffering will tear us apart. When questions about God's love for us come to mind, then we need to go back to Calvary and remind ourselves what Jesus did there for us.
"A preacher once said: 'Worry is sin because it denies the wisdom of God; it says that He doesn't know what He's doing. It denies the love of God; it says He does not care. And it denies the power of God; it says that He isn't able to deliver me from whatever is causing me to worry.'" [2]
► Vs.8 C. Little things don't matter "be on the alert"
"The devil has different poses. Sometimes he comes like a snake, seeking to lure people into moral corruption. Sometimes he disguises himself as an angel of light, attempting to deceive people in the spiritual realm. Here, as a roaring lion, he is bent on terrorizing God's people through persecution." [3]
We must be on the alert for anything that might distract us from trusting in Christ for everything. We are in grave danger when we think that we have everything under control. 1 Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. (NAU)
God wants us to admit that we need Him for every little thing in our lives. Proverbs 3:5--6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. (NAU)
►Vs.9-12 II. Learn to Access God's Grace while Suffering
The first step we need to take is to,
► Vs.9a A. Determine to defeat Satan "resist him"
James 4:7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (NAU) Put up a fight!
1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (NAU)
► Vs.9b B. Remember that others are suffering "same experiences of suffering"
One of Satan's lies is that our suffering is unique. Not only have many other believers suffered in much the same way as we do, many of them have suffered far more than we have. Hebrews 12:4 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; (NAU)
► Vs.10a C. Consider that suffering is temporary "suffered for a little while"
It is especially important during suffering that we see that God is "the God of all grace."
Peter had already shown them that suffering is temporary: 1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, (NAU)
2 Corinthians 4:16--18 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (NAU)
► Vs.10b D. Focus on your eternal reward "eternal glory in Christ"
We must learn to look beyond our suffering and to the joy that is before us.
Not only do we have the presence of Christ to look forward to, but somehow our suffering is enriching our future experience of glory. As I just quoted: 2 Corinthians 4:17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, (NAU)
► Vs.10c E. Spotlight your present growth
Notice that these are things that God is doing in your life ("will Himself") while you suffer.
We cannot work if God is not working in us.
Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. (NAU)
We tend to think that God's grace will eliminate suffering. The truth is that God's grace improves us through suffering. Hebrews 13:20--21 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, 21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (NAU)
► 1. God uses suffering to make us mature "perfect"
PERFECT literally means "to equip, to adjust, to fit together."
James 1:2--4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (NAU)
► 2. God uses suffering to make us stable "confirm"
CONFIRM means: "... to cause someone to become stronger in the sense of more firm and unchanging in attitude or belief--'to strengthen, to make more firm.'" [4]
Jesus used the same word when He was speaking to Peter in Luke 22:32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, STRENGTHEN your brothers." (NAU)
► 3. God uses suffering to make us strong "strengthen"
STRENGTHEN means "...to cause someone to be or to become more able or capable, with the implication of a contrast with weakness--'to make more able, to strengthen.'" [5]
Romans 5:3--5 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (NAU)
► 4. God uses suffering to make us secure "establish"
ESTABALISH means "...1 to lay the foundation, to found. 2 to make stable, establish" [6]
"The inevitable suffering of the Christian life always yields the same blessed result in the character of believers; it will refine the faith, adjust the character, establish, strengthen and settle the people of God." [7]
When we are firmly grounded in Christ then, ... we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; (Ephesians 4:14 NAU)
► Vs.11 F. Acknowledge God's lordship "To Him be dominion"
We must understand that God is great. Greater than any problem we might encounter. 1 Timothy 6:16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. (NAU)
Romans 11:36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (NAU)
► Vs.12 G. Never stop trusting God's grace "this is the true grace of God"
Hebrews 4:16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (NAU)
Romans 5:2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. (NAU)
"He began his Epistle with grace (1Pe 1:2), he finishes it with grace, he has besprinkled the middle with grace, that in every part he might teach that the Church is not saved but by grace." [8]
CONCLUSION: We should not fear or dread suffering. Suffering is actually a gift from God. Philippians 1:29 For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, (NAU)
The question I want to leave us with this morning is this: Do we love Jesus Christ enough to embrace suffering because it brings us closer to Christ and allows us to experience more of His grace?
"Look, as our greatest good comes through the sufferings of Christ, so God's greatest glory that He hath from His saints comes through their sufferings."
Thomas Brooks [9]
[1]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures, 1 Pe 5:6–7 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-).
[2]William MacDonald and Arthur Farstad, Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments, 1 Pe 5:7 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997).
[3]William MacDonald and Arthur Farstad, Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments, 1 Pe 5:8 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997).
[4]Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, vol. 1, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains, electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., 675 (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996).
[5]Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, vol. 1, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains, electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., 675 (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996).
[6]James Strong, The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible : Showing Every Word of the Text of the Common English Version of the Canonical Books, and Every Occurrence of Each Word in Regular Order., electronic ed. (Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship., 1996).
[7]Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, A. R. Fausset et al., A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments, 1 Pe 5:12 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).
[8]Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, A. R. Fausset et al., A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments, 1 Pe 5:12 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).
[9]I.D.E. Thomas, The Golden Treasury of Puritan Quotations, electronic ed., 288 (Simpsonville SC: Christian Classics Foundation, 1996).
