October Mock sermon (military)

Hook: Where do we get our strength when suffering comes?

Story: We see Daniel’s strength in Daniel 3.

God gives strength to all who suffer

Suffering can come in many forms. One form would be that you might not have enough money to pay your bills because of things like food, insurance, or even your electric bill has gone up. Another form would be that one got in a car accident and you need help with taking care of your children. Another way suffering can come is when you go to the doctor and you find out you are cancer and you ask “why me?” There are many other forms or ways that suffering comes, but when it comes, there is one who can get you through it.

Let us look at 2 Timothy 2:1-7

2 Timothy 2:1–7 ESV

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

How do we get strength?

Through grace (in Christ Jesus). (vs1.)

We see that in 2 Timothy 1:15-18, Paul is letting Timothy know that Onesiphorus is one who “refreshed me” and “not ashamed of my chains.” Onesiphorus understood that suffering brings about grace, one who believed that Jesus was with Paul when he endured pain. Thus, Paul is encouraging Timothy in verse 1, “you then,” has to say that he and Onesiphorus seek Jesus because he gives grace to them just like that to Paul.

Give an example of one who endured suffering. Dietrich Bonhoeffer and how he profess Christ against Hitler and suffered for it.

Through Others

We see that Paul says, “share in suffering” like others

Seeing how you suffer like others do

Paul gives three examples of those who suffer.

the soldier - has to the please the chain-of-command

the athlete - has to please the rules

the farmer - has to please his effort, his hardwork

We are suffer in one or any of these forms. In what way do you suffer?

Encouraging others

Paul acknowledges those who suffer, but says that we should “share in suffering.” How do we do that?

by strengthening each other (vs. 1)

by being faithful, understanding there is a reason for the suffering you are encountering or one is going through (vs. 2)

by doing good. (vs. 3)