Duality - Week 3 - Joy & Suffering
Duality • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 6 viewsThe Christian life is uniquely positioned to walk in the tension of joy and suffering. God has given us a great gift through the practice of lament to voice our concerns to him and express our suffering in a way that ultimately leads us to deepening trust and joy and dependence on him.
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“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore,” – Psalm 16:11 (ESV).
Joy is an unshakable promise.
Joy is an unshakable promise.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world,” – John 16:33 (ESV).
Suffering is an unavoidable reality.
Suffering is an unavoidable reality.
Why do we suffer?
Why do we suffer?
“The reality is that the Bible doesn’t tell us everything we might wish to know about suffering, but it doesn’t set us adrift either. The Bible simply keeps God front and center. God knows about suffering. God cares about suffering. God is at work in the midst of suffering. God is at work against suffering. God reigns over suffering. God suffers. God will one day declare final victory over suffering,” – Brian Han Gregg.[1]
4 Reasons for Suffering
4 Reasons for Suffering
1. General brokenness in a fallen world
1. General brokenness in a fallen world
2. Specific sins done by others
2. Specific sins done by others
3. Specific sins we have done
3. Specific sins we have done
4. Trials and testing
4. Trials and testing
How do we respond to suffering?
How do we respond to suffering?
“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, les I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, ‘I have prevailed over him,’ lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me,” – Psalm 13 (ESV).
“Lament turns toward God when sorrow tempts you to run from him,” – Pastor Mark Vroegop .[2]
4 Elements of Lament
4 Elements of Lament
1. Turn to God.
1. Turn to God.
2. Bring your complaint.
2. Bring your complaint.
3. Ask boldly for help.
3. Ask boldly for help.
4. Choose to trust.
4. Choose to trust.
How do we choose trust?
How do we choose trust?
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away,” - Revelation 21:4 (ESV).
The Result of Lament
The Result of Lament
Our suffering is not wasted.
Our suffering is not wasted.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing,” – James 1:2-4 (ESV).
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today,” – Genesis 50:20 (ESV).
Our joy is secure in the Lord.
Our joy is secure in the Lord.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope,” – Romans 15:13 (ESV).
Christians are uniquely capable of walking through suffering with joy because we trust in the God who suffered and overcame.
Christians are uniquely capable of walking through suffering with joy because we trust in the God who suffered and overcame.
[1] Brian Han Gregg, What Does the Bible Say About Suffering? (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2016), 17-18.
[2]Mark Vroegop, “Dare to Hope in God: How to Lament,” DesiringGod.org, April 6, 2019.