The Joy of Suffering Message 9

Upon this Rock

The first days of the church

Message 9

The Joy of Suffering

Acts 5:41-42

Me:

What’s your take on suffering?

a. I was asked this question this week

i. I made a feeble at an answer

ii. But then I couldn’t stop thinking about it

We:

Three kinds of suffering

The hardship of life

1 Peter 4:12 NLT

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.

ii. Do you have your list?

iii. I have mine.

Being a disciple

1 Peter 4:14 NLT

14 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.

ii. We live by God’s standard

iii. The “world” hates that. It always has and always will

iv. We as humans want to be masters of our universe.

v. You cannot serve two masters

The consequences of sin

1 Peter 4:15 NLT

15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs.

ii. Murder, thieves, troublemakers

iii. But a busybody anybody know one?

God:

Three examples

Job

Job 1:1 NLT

1 There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.

ii. Job loses everything except his wife

Job 2:9 NLT

9 His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”

Job 2:10 NLT

10 But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.

Job 2:13 NLT

13 Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.

David

2 Samuel 12:7 NLT

7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! The Lord, the God of Israel, says: I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul.

2 Samuel 12:12 NLT

12 You did it secretly, but I will make this happen to you openly in the sight of all Israel.”

2 Samuel 12:13 NLT

13 Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin.

The apostles

Acts 5:41 NLT

41 The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.

Acts 5:42 NLT

42 And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.”

iii. The kind of suffering that grows a church

iv. The kind of suffering that causes heaven to rejoice

Action Steps:

5 things to consider

Trust God

i. Sometimes God allows suffering to come into believers’ lives to strengthen their faith.

ii. Rejoice because of what God will do in your life and what He promises for your future.

iii. Cast your cares on Christ because His faithfulness never changes (Ps. 46; 2 Cor. 12:7–10; Heb. 13:8).

iv. Allow God to help you endure (Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:7–10; 2 Tim. 2:12; 1 Peter 4:12–13).

Seek His Lessons

i. What do you think God is teaching you in this situation?

ii. What would you like to learn?

iii. How would you like to come out of it at the other end?

Seek His Actions

i. What could God possibly be doing in your situation?

ii. Where do you see His hand at work?

Take Small Steps Forward

i. What small step can you take today to move through the pain?

ii. What do you need to do to function effectively at home, at work, and other places?

iii. What small step can you take today to begin the process of rebuilding your life?

Get Support

i. Join a small group.

ii. Start a small group

iii. Work through Celebrate Recovery

Just Imagine:

Can there be joy in suffering?

a. Here’s a strange verse

1 Peter 4:13 NLT

13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

ii. We have the privilege of sharing in the suffering of Christ

iii. Through that suffering our Lord is glorified

Yes, there can be joy

i. Some days the burdens may seem so heavy and the weariness so profound that you may wonder if God has forsaken you.

ii. Do not despair

He has a clear purpose for your suffering

iv. So that you will know the Savior better and reflect His character.

v. God is forming His very likeness in you.

vi. God is very much aware of your trouble.

vii. He is there to walk with you through you valley

Psalm 23:4 NLT

4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

Even when it’s your fault.

God restored Job ten-fold

David was a man after God’s own heart

We are able to worship today because of the suffering by the apostles.

Matthew 11:28 NLT

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Just imagine finding that rest.