¡§Hope Comes Through Suffering¡¨
This morning we are going to talk about hope from the perspective of a man of God who experienced tremendous suffering.
The apostle Paul was the last apostle chosen during the time the first church was getting started. Like the other apostles, Paul was chosen by Jesus, yet in a different way. Jesus was resurrected from the dead at the time of Paul’s calling.
Paul was one of the only apostles who was a learned man. He had been a Pharisee and that requires much study. He is known throughout the bible as a church planter. His work spreads across the Greek areas into Asia. Paul was very successful in his work of advancing the kingdom of God.
His work was not always easy. His writings tell us of many a time when he was persecuted, beaten, went without food or clean water and no place to lie his head. He also spent time in prison, yet throughout his letters, he is noted as the joyous one! Paul had learned to make the most of his sufferings and never complained.
This morning we will see how suffering is the key to hope!
PRAY
READ ROM. 5:3-5
The apostle begins this chapter with a review of what was just said. The word "therefore¡K" should always cause you to look behind you to see what was just said. Never accept it by itself, but always review what was said before it.
Therefore (since I told you that) let’s move on and look back!
So Paul reminds us that our justification brings peace.
Because of that, we rejoice, knowing that God is glorified.
Look at V:3
"Not only so, but we rejoice in our sufferings."
What is Paul, a lunatic? Rejoice in sufferings??
When was the last time you saw someone celebrating the loss of a job or the breakup of a marriage?
But really! We’re talking about suffering!
I guess it goes well with the NO PAIN NO GAIN mindset!
We find three reasons why Paul was rejoicing as we look at this passage.
1. Suffering produces perseverance
There is no doubt that going through a long period of suffering is going to cause one of two outcomes. Perseverance or Anxiety!
Most of us would probably say that we don’t like pain. Whether it’s the Doctor, the flu or a back problem, we don’t deal very well with having to get through the days or weeks that these things bring.
ILLUS>>
Paul Duncan was an Accountant for a large manufacturing firm in Lansing Michigan. When it came to numbers he was the best! But when it came to pain he was a wimp. Paul hated pain of any type. A common cold would set him back for a week. He couldn’t work or do anything.
In 1997 he was diagnosed with Cancer and began a long journey of suffering. He battled through the suffering for over two years until it was in remission. In the end he was a changed man. He had overcome one of the greatest obstacles he had ever faced - pain!
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Sometimes we think we have reached our ability to handle pain or suffering, but God knows how much we can handle. He will not allow us to go beyond what we can bear.
That suffering that Paul dealt with was persevered. He did not give up and thus his character was molded and shaped to endure more.
The apostle Paul not only mentions the benefits of suffering, being like Christ, changing our character, but remember he said we REJOICE in suffering!
Why? Could you imagine yourself celebrating through your suffering? Me neither!
The apostle rejoiced because he knew the outcome of suffering which is hope!
Sometimes God uses these situations to make us more like him.
Normally you or I would probably feel a let down, as though God should have been there for us and not allowed our suffering!
But God allows it in order to shape our character!
"Noone enjoys perseverance, but in the end it leads to godliness!"
Let’s look at someone whom God allowed to be mistreated in order that He - God might be glorified and Satan ashamed.
TURN TO JOB
Imagine that you’re sitting in a hospital room, where the faint smell of antiseptic lingers and voices are whispering in the hall.
The medical prognosis of your friend is bleak! You’ve listened to your friends anger and despair, and a jumble of emotions. Now it’s your turn to reply.
Everyone in the room waits for your response.
What do you say to a suffering person?
The book of Job offers lots of ideas of what "not to say" but Job’s friends were not very good at comforting him in his time of despair.
These friends believed that a loving and fair God would not allow suffering unless their was sin involved.
Instead of encouraging Job they tried to get him to admit his guilt.
This book helps us to see that bad things happen to good people for a reason. Job had done nothing wrong that would cause him to be guilty of sin.
READ JOB 1:1-3
We can see from this intro to the book of Job, that he was a good and righteous man who loved God.
READ V:6-12
So God gives permission to Satan to attack Job’s belongings, his family and servants.
At that point the text talks of how it all happened.
READ V:20-22
What would your first response be if this were to happen to you?
Anger? Despair? Bitterness?
Job’s response is that of a Jew when hearing blasphemy!
He tears off his shirt and shaves his head. And then¡K.
He worships God!
"Naked I came from my mothers womb and naked I will depart."
"The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away,
the name of the Lord be praised."
Does that sound like a man who has just lost his children, his servants and his flocks?
So Job endured the first test of Satan and he did not denounce God in his trials.
The same thing happens again, but the second time God allows Satan to afflict Job with illness.
Job refused to believe that he had done something wrong.
Look at how his wife treated him in
READ V:9
She believed this suffering was because God was angry and she wanted Job to end his life.
His response is a testimony to his faith.
READ V:10
Shall we accept good from God¡K..and not trouble?
In the end, Job is reminded of God’s deity, his power, his love and his ability to make things new!
His suffering brought perseverance through the pain, which developed Job’s character even more and resulted in his hope!
How about you? Have you ever rejoiced in your suffering?
Back in Romans, Paul finishes his teaching on suffering.
READ ROM. 5:3-5
Why do we rejoice in our suffering?
„X Produces perseverance
„X Molds our Character
„X Renews our Hope
God is good, all the time!
His hope does not disappoint us, because we have his Holy Spirit, his LOVE in our hearts. He lives within us!
So what do you say to that friend that is in despair?
Suffering lead to hope! And if we hope in God, we will not be disappointed!
Let’s PRAY
Closing HYMN
