What if Jesus was serious about suffering ?

Intro- story about people not taking people serious

Christmas 1776

The famous Battle of Trenton during the American War of Independence was one of the most remembered battles in United States history. Although George Washington was victorious, it was actually due to a little bit of luck. A spy had supposedly handed Johann Rall, a General of the Hessian regiments, a note that consisted of information regarding the American army’s whereabouts. Rall put it in his pocket and ignored it, possibly giving the Americans a victory.

When we don’t take Jesus serious we will find ourselves in places and predicaments we cannot be mad at God for.

We some times are mad or disappointed with Jesus for things He was super honest with us about.

my boys love to make promises on my behalf, for themselves, and then they are disappointed when I don’t keep the made up promise.

Promise number 1 you will suffer...

We often skip over the hard parts of a promise to get to the good parts.

John

The New International Version (Chapter 16)

In this world you will have trouble.

“No matter what precautions we take, no matter how well we have put together a good life, no matter how hard we have worked to be healthy, wealthy, comfortable with friends and family, and successful with our career — something will inevitably ruin it.”

-Timothy Keller

Luke

The New International Version (Chapter 21)

16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.

We tend to want to skip the trials and just get to the triumph

Matthew

The New International Version (Chapter 16)

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

We want the miracle without the circumstances that a miracle requires. We want to be found without ever having been lost. We want the resurrection without the death but thats not how it works. Don’t just skip past the pain.

Promise number 2 you will not suffer alone or in vain.

Hebrews we have a high priest who understands our suffering

You need not cry very loud; he is nearer to us than we think.

- Brother Lawrence

Isaiah 53 describes the future messiah as a man of sorrows

Matthew

The New International Version (Chapter 5)

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven,

Romans

The New International Version (Chapter 8)

17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

1 Peter

The New International Version (Chapter 4)

12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice in as much as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

Romans

The New International Version (Chapter 5)

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

“Suffering can refine us rather than destroy us because God himself walks with us in the fire.”

-Timothy Keller

The truth that many people never understand, until it is too late, is that the more you try to avoid suffering the more you suffer because smaller and more insignificant things begin to torture you in proportion to your fear of being hurt.

- Thomas Merton

2 Corinthians

The New International Version (Chapter 12)

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Promise number 3 your suffering will not last forever

James

The New International Version (Chapter 1)

12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Revelation

The New International Version (Chapter 21)

Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ u or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”

Luke

The New International Version (Chapter 21)

16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.

The New International Version (Chapter 16)

16 Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”17 At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21

John

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 16

33 I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

1 peter

The New International Version (Chapter 5)

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

We will all suffer in life but we can all be saved if we will embrace Jesus and take Him seriously.