The Glory of God in Suffering
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22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.
24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—
28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.
Humbly Before God
Are you being wrongfully judged?
Do you feel that you have to defend yourself before some attackers? (social media)
Is there an urge inside of you to fight back?
There are times we just have to be silent amidst attacks.
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
It is futile or useless to explain yourself to those who hate you.
But to those who are honestly being misled, you can state your case..
Theme of 2 Corinthians - defense of his apostleship, in Chapter 11 he talked about everything he had to endure for the Gospel.
His defense almost sounded like boasting.
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.
Paul cannot stay silent over the attacks against him:
He has to defend his apostolic authority.
2. He knew that so much is at stake.
Explain each:
Apostolic authority:
The souls of men.. but put simply Paul considers them his children.. he has begotten them through the Gospel. There is a paternal care.. reminder to parents.
Then Paul lists all that he had to go through as an apostle:
First set are related to persecution:
24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;
explain..
Next he talks about physical dangers:
26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
Next he talks about his physical needs and lack of provision:
27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—
Next he talks about his deep burden in his heart for the welfare of the churches:
28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.
How do you like this for your resume?
The standard of success in God’s Kingdom is different from that of the world.
Talk about the metrics of success of churches: number of baptisms, the number of attendees, official members.
Paul could have talked about accomplishments. He had plenty.. salvations, demons cast out, healings and praying for healing of the sick.. he could be recording all this and use these for his defense.
Not that we celebrate persecutions, or tribulation, suffering but the transformation that has taken place in our lives that we see suffering as an occasion for the glory of God.
To Paul, suffering was a badge of honor.
Suffering for the Name of Christ is a badge of honor.
30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.
This is not an irrational stance nor is it a call for us to seek suffering at all times.
The truths that sustained Paul:
The love of God propels us to endure through suffering.
The coming glory of God outweighs all the suffering.
The abounding grace of God that gives power to overcome suffering.
I am just going to talk about the first one today…
First, the
The love of God propels us to endure through suffering.
When you hear God loves you, it is not just for platitude, or to make you feel good.. (pastor with what I am going through right now, love is not enough)
It is the reality of where God took that love, the great lengths he went to express that love, God put Himself on the hook of our suffering.
why did Paul have to be thrown in prison, why did he have to be beaten, why did he have to be stoned, to be in danger of being killed..
IT IS FOR PREACHING THE GOSPEL. - It is well worth it.
I will do it in spite of all these things because the message of the love of God through Christ is well worth it.
Suffering itself is a testament to the enormous love of God when Jesus hung dying on the cross and completed the work for my salvation.
We identify with Jesus when we suffer for Him.
(talk about the suffering of Jesus)
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
Suffering for Christ is an affirmation that God is on our side.
The late pastor and theologian Tim Keller said this:
"Suffering is unbearable if you aren’t certain that God is for you and with you. The way you know that God is for you is through the cross of Jesus Christ." (Tim Keller)
I came here to feel good and I hear about suffering.. well the message gets better (next week)
God does not leave us alone in suffering, but he gives us the greatest encouragement — that we will be with Him soon..
Next week we will continue to 2 Corinthians 12.
Give a background..
If you suffer right now or just going through some testing, I want to leave these verses to you:
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
Suffering for Christ gives glory to God.
Let the love of God sustain you through any circumstance and propel you to share of that love.
The suffering church - Video of Padina.
Pray for the suffering church.