Suffering Is Essential to the Christian Life (LH)
Sermon Notes
Key Passage: Romans 8:18-25
Hebrews 5:8
1 Peter 2:23
I. The Good News: In Jesus Our New Identity Never Changes
a. Let's look at what we are not when we are suffering.
b. If we are led by His Spirit
c. The Spirit of Adoption
1. This Spirit of adoption is in direct contradiction to our previous spirit of slavery.
Religion says, "I have messed up; don't tell my dad."
The gospel says, "I messed up; let me talk to Dad."
2. This attitude is linked inseparably to the business of killing sin.
d. And if children, then heirs with Christ
1. What we are not joint heirs of
"He does all things well."
2. We will learn more next week about our inheritance.
II. Our Identities Are Made Sure in the Fires of Affliction
How do we suffer with him?
a. In obedience
1. When in weakness of flesh and pain, He still chose obedience.
2. In trials He remained steadfast.
b. In Christ's witness of Himself, He suffered, and so shall we.
1. He did not return reviling for reviling.
2. In the same way we must suffer as witnesses of Christ.
III. Suffering Is Essential to God's Plan for Christians
a. We may view suffering as punishment
1. It can absolutely at times be a result of punishment.
2. Most times, suffering is not a punishment.
b. We can view suffering as an irregularity of God's will
1. We feel if we are suffering it is a lack of faith, and if we just prayed harder the disease would go away, or the affliction would leave, and joy would come.
2. The attitude toward suffering we need: James 1:2
"Our little time of suffering is not worthy of our first night's welcome home to heaven." — Samuel Rutherford
Hebrews 5:8
1 Peter 2:23
I. The Good News: In Jesus Our New Identity Never Changes
a. Let's look at what we are not when we are suffering.
b. If we are led by His Spirit
c. The Spirit of Adoption
1. This Spirit of adoption is in direct contradiction to our previous spirit of slavery.
Religion says, "I have messed up; don't tell my dad."
The gospel says, "I messed up; let me talk to Dad."
2. This attitude is linked inseparably to the business of killing sin.
d. And if children, then heirs with Christ
1. What we are not joint heirs of
"He does all things well."
2. We will learn more next week about our inheritance.
II. Our Identities Are Made Sure in the Fires of Affliction
How do we suffer with him?
a. In obedience
1. When in weakness of flesh and pain, He still chose obedience.
2. In trials He remained steadfast.
b. In Christ's witness of Himself, He suffered, and so shall we.
1. He did not return reviling for reviling.
2. In the same way we must suffer as witnesses of Christ.
III. Suffering Is Essential to God's Plan for Christians
a. We may view suffering as punishment
1. It can absolutely at times be a result of punishment.
2. Most times, suffering is not a punishment.
b. We can view suffering as an irregularity of God's will
1. We feel if we are suffering it is a lack of faith, and if we just prayed harder the disease would go away, or the affliction would leave, and joy would come.
2. The attitude toward suffering we need: James 1:2
"Our little time of suffering is not worthy of our first night's welcome home to heaven." — Samuel Rutherford
Resources
Weekly Reading
Monday: Leviticus 22:26-33, Leviticus 23, Galatians 2
Tuesday: Galatians 3
Wednesday: Galatians 4
Thursday: Galatians 5-6
Friday: Deuteronomy 14:22-29, Deuteronomy 15-16, Ephesians 1
Saturday: Psalm 107-108
Sunday: Jeremiah 38-48
Tuesday: Galatians 3
Wednesday: Galatians 4
Thursday: Galatians 5-6
Friday: Deuteronomy 14:22-29, Deuteronomy 15-16, Ephesians 1
Saturday: Psalm 107-108
Sunday: Jeremiah 38-48
Discussion Questions
3DQ - 3 discipleship questions to ask each other: What is God saying to you? What are you going to do about it? How can I help?
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