The Profitablitiy of Suffering

Believers must expect suffering

It a part of the Christian life. There is no other way to look at it.

From the beatuded

From the Sermon on the mount to the writing of Paul it is clear that we are to expect suffering and trials.

Illustration of expectations - Top Thrill Dragster - you are warned for two hours while waiting in line and via multiple signs what to expect. You even see the ride itself. could you imagine someone after all that saying I can believe that ride was a drop of 100 ft and was too scary.

Some people get bitter and negative over trial even thought they were warned.

Ecclesiastes 7:14 KJV 1900

In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

The following questions are designed to help us “consider” in the day of adversity:

(1) How am I responding to it?

(2) How should I respond to it?

(3) Am I learning from it?

(4) Does my response demonstrate faith, love for God and for others, Christ-like character, values, commitment, priorities, etc.?

(5) How can God use it in my life?

There is always a cost to taking up your cross. Perhaps it is a strained relationship with a family member due to your faith, or perhaps it is the hard decision of going against the rest of the crowd at school or work or with your friends.

Jesus Christ foretold it

Matthew 10:22 KJV 1900

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

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The experience of the OT shows it

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The experience of the NT shows it

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Suffering for Jesus Christ is commendable

Matthew 5:10–12 KJV 1900

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

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ways Suffering is profitable

Ways Suffering is Profitable

1. It affirms believers’ adoption

Hebrews 12:7 KJV 1900

If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

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It proves you are in the family.

Illustration - traveling at the airport. I must have a picture license and boarding pass to match. W/O i can not get on the plane!

2. It is the price of godliness

Psalm 119:67 KJV 1900

Before I was afflicted I went astray: But now have I kept thy word.

Psalm 119:67 KJV 1900

Before I was afflicted I went astray: But now have I kept thy word.

Hebrews 12:11 KJV 1900

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Psalm 119:71 KJV 1900

It is good for me that I have been afflicted; That I might learn thy statutes.

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Afflictions bring us back and helps us learn His way

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3. It develops trust

2 Corinthians 1:9 KJV 1900

But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

Suffering forces us to trust in God and let go of our own abilities and ambition.

Trust Illustration - when stare at the ceiling tiles in the hospital; when you have cries of the loss of a love one there is nothing left; when a child or spouse has hurt you to the point you just want to give up.

When you have nothing left you are forced to trust Christ

4. It develops character

Romans 5:3–4 KJV 1900

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

Character and trust are made during the fiery trials. The times of not compromising when persecuted; the time of opening you bible each morning even though God has been silent.

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5. It deepens fellowship

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 KJV 1900

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

1 Corinthians 12:26 KJV 1900

And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

2 cor 1.

Romans 12:15 KJV 1900

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

We rally know each other when we have either helped someone going through a trial or gone through one together.

It deepens our fellowship with God and others.

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6. It draws believers to the Lord

Philippians 4:9 KJV 1900

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

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Philippians 4:9 KJV 1900

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

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Although it may seem contrary to us, trials and suffering are often what God uses to make us grow more like Christ. That is the beauty of the gospel--it is often contrary to the world’s way of thinking, and yet so much richer and deeper.

2 Corinthians 4:16–5:4 KJV 1900

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 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. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

The simple truth is that there is not much use in a fruit tree that doesn’t grow fruit, just like there isn’t much use in a Christian that isn’t living out Christ’s teachings. God made us, the Church, to be people of growth and action. It is his desire that we constantly seek to mature in our faith.”

Although it may seem contrary to us, trials and suffering are often what God uses to make us grow more like Christ. That is the beauty of the gospel--it is often contrary to the world’s way of thinking, and yet so much richer and deeper

James 1:2–4 KJV 1900

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

What Am I asking you to know?

Are looking for the benefits of Suffering?

can you name