The Christians Hope in Suffering

Introduction

All of us have walked through some level of suffering, be it a physical ailment such as broken bones, sickness, or cancer, something mental such as stress/anxiety, or depression, emotional such as grief of a lost loved one, pain from a sharp toungue, or even spiritual as we struggle with sin and temptation, or maybe even suffer for our faith itself. Regardless it is clear that though we may not want it to be suffering is a universal aspect of life, everyone suffers. Indeed Christ says in:

John 16:33 ESV

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.”

Jesus acknowledged the universal nature of suffering that all have tribulations or troubles we all suffer in some way or another yet he says to the believer to take heart I have overcome the world. It is this idea that I want to spend time on; how is it the believer can take heart why should we find joy and peace even in the darkest moments of our life. I recently lost a dear pastor friend and mentor Max Edmundson. And at the funeral I witnessed the strangest thing, not for the first time mind you but strange none the less, during the visitation and the funeral their was of course tears and grieving but there was also laughter and cutting up, rettellings of different funny moments in his life pranks he had pulled, discussions of his well known whistling of his favorite hymns, smiles seemed everywhere. Even his wife of over 60 years though grieving as she missed him smiled as she listened to person after person share how Max in service to Christ had touched their lives. The non-believer’s funeral is not so, though they may try to remember the good times there is a weeping and wailing as the pain and loss of their loved one overwhelms them for they will not be seen again. They lack the believers joy and peace. How can the beliver find such peace even in death. I want you to turn with me at 1 Peter 1:3-12 as we look at 4 reasons we can “take heart” and experience joy and peace inspite of trials and suffering.

1 Peter 1:3–12 ESV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

Notice that Peter acknowledges the painfulness of suffering, you have been grieved by trials, tested by fire. These statements are ones of intense pain and anguish and I do not want you to walk away today thinking i am making light of your struggles for I am not but rather i want us to gain perspective of the greatness of Gods mercy and love for us even in the midst of our trials.

The Gift of Salvation

1 Peter 1:3–5 ESV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Our salvation gives great hope - our sins are paid for

Though even the world come at me God loves me and died for me so I could have a relationship with him and live with him forever in heaven

God promises us he will never leave or forsake us over and over again in scripture from duet to Hebrews

The idea that God so loves me that he would die for my sins is amazing beyond what words can express, and yet he loves me such that he not only died for me but wants to live with me every moment of my life even into eternity, and if that were not enough I want you to notice that God guards our salvation.

We cannot lose our salvation because God holds us in his hands not us holding onto his hand. - children hold our hands to cross street.

troubles without and within God holds our hand he guards our salvation

This life is a moment but I have eternity with God

The Great Inheritance

1 Peter 1:4 ESV

to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

Adopted as sons

Romans 8:14–18 ESV

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

no moths rust or thieves

Matthew 6:20 ESV

but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

no sorrow no pain no death

Revelation 21:4 ESV

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.”

I shall know God as he knows me and speak to him face to face

1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

The Proof of our faith

1 Peter 1:6–7 ESV

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

testing speaks to the quality

trials separate the true Christians from those playing church stories abound of those who went to church religiously participated in activities missions etc. but then tragedy struck and they realized they really had not put their faith in God, and were in need of true salvation. Others become bitter and turn away from God. Then there are the true believers who face tragedy and cry out to God and though they may stumble along the way he is there to hold them up and help them to continue on their way.

Their faith will Grow as they experience the truth of God’s loving intervention in the midst of trials.

In whom is your trust yourself or God

God uses trials to mold us into the image of Jesus Christ

God is shaping us into tools to be useful to his service

Each person/tool is uniquely designed for the task God has prepared for it - dont use a post hole digger in the ozarks you need a pick/prybar

When all else fails we look up to God for help - stubborn