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River Church Sermons


Aug 4, 2019

The Bottom Line, Part 8

Suffering

By Louie Marsh, 8-4-2019

 

5 graphics about persecution, last one on Govt. restrictions on religion.

 

  1. I) Suffering Is…

 

  • A Part of FOLLOWING JESUS

 

20  For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21  For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:20-21 (ESV)

 

2) It Can Be GOOD For My Faith!

 

6  In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7  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. 1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV)

 

  1. II) The Four Sources of Suffering

 

1) The WORLD.

 

18  “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19  If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20  Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. John 15:18-20 (ESV)

 

2) The DEVIL.

 

8  Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)

 

3) My OLD NATURE.

 

5  For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. Romans 7:5 (ESV)

 

4) The LORD.

 

5  And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6  For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7  It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? Hebrews 12:5-7 (ESV)

 

  • Only As A LAST RESORT.

 

8  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 9  Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. Psalm 32:8-9 (ESV)

 

III) Why God Allowed My Pain

         

1) He’s Given Me A CHOICE.

 

15  And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15 (ESV)

 

          2) To Get My ATTENTION.

 

30  Blows that wound cleanse away evil; strokes make clean the innermost parts. Proverbs 20:30 (ESV)

 

9  As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. 2 Corinthians 7:9 (ESV)

 

          3) To Teach Me To TRUST HIM.

 

8  For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9  Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (ESV)

 

          4) To Give Me a MINISTRY

 

20  As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Genesis 50:20 (ESV)

 

4  who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:4 (ESV)

 

The Bottom Line

 

Suffering is a part of LIFE, God will use it for GOOD and wants us to help others with the LESSONS He teaches us!