Under New Management Message 3

Under New Management

Message 3

The Weight of Suffering

Romans 8:18

Me:

People are in pain.

a. Almost everyday someone will share a burden

i. Last week I shared how I like to be positive and upbeat

ii. Someone even commented that I’m always upbeat

iii. Well not always

b. Two schools of thought on pastors with problems

i. One, never share your problems – Have the appearance of having everything together

1. For years I lived this way – What if I seem weak

ii. Two, be transparent – Be who you really are “warts and all”.

1. In the last few years, I have changed

2. I have anxiety about it

c. Yes I get the blues

i. Yes I have anxiety about things

ii. Yes your pastors suffers like you do.

We:

A world of pain

a. Physical health

i. This list will be no surprise to most of us.

ii. Heart disease, Cancer, Covid, Accidents, Stroke, Lung disease, Alzheimer, Diabetes, Flu, Kidney disease.

iii. Nobody and mean nobody is happy when they get this news.

b. Mental Health

i. This used to be taboo

ii. Depression, Anxiety, ADHD or OCD, Insomnia, Addiction, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, PSTD, Eating Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder.

iii. People in their 20’s are a much higher risk.

c. We can other things

i. Grief, loneliness, etc

d. How do we even get out of bed in the morning?

i. Now we can find a purpose. Some meaning of life

ii. This eases the pain

iii. But it always looms over us.

e. I have a secret ingredient

i. It’s often overlooked

God:

Suffering and Glory

a. The Apostle Paul makes a comparison

i. Romans 8:18 (CSB)

Romans 8:18 CSB

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.

ii. Our present suffering

iii. Compared to our future glory

b. The scales of justice

Image

ii. Our future glory far outweighs presents troubles

c. One step further

i. Jesus Christ is the supreme and perfect example of suffering for righteousness’ sake.

1. His suffering saved our eternal soul

1 Peter 2:24 NLT

24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.

ii. Just as suffering was essential to Christ’s obedience to His Father, so it is essential to our obedience to Christ.

1 Peter 2:21 NIV

21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

2. Our suffering makes us Christlike

3. And that suffering brings future glory

iii. Yes the world is cruel

1. It is never fair

2. I know some of you don’t want to get of bed in the morning

3. But rest in this

You:

We Groan Now but Rejoice Later

a. Suffering vs Glory

i. As followers of Christ, our suffering comes from men, whereas our glory comes from God.

ii. Our suffering is earthly, whereas our glory is heavenly.

iii. Our suffering is short, whereas our glory is forever.

iv. Our suffering is trivial, whereas our glory is limitless.

v. Our suffering is in our mortal and corrupted bodies, whereas our glory will be in our perfected and imperishable bodies.

b. Paul prayed for his throne in the flesh

i. God said my grace is sufficient

ii. “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Just imagine:

What is heaven like?

a. We are not told much

i. But it’s our hope

b. Do you know the hymn?

i. “My hope is built on nothing less”

ii. On Christ the solid rock I stand

iii. All other ground is sinking sand

iv. All other ground is sinking sand