UNDERSTANDING AND OVERCOMING SUFFERING

1. THE ORIGIN OF SUFFERING

The biggest question is , We are living in a God Zone Yet still much suffering why?

1. The origin of suffering.

In the beginning – no suffering a) Gen 2: 8 – 18 God provided everything – and it

was all good.

2. Sin brought suffering

a) Gen 3: 10-13 Fear – strife – Disunity
b) Gen 3: 16 Pain - Childbirth
c) Gen 3:17-19 Weariness – hardship
d) Gen 3 : 19 Death

3. Is there relief from Suffering?

The world’s solutions – Natural thinking
a) For physical suffering:-
b) For mental suffering or emotional
c) For spiritual suffering.

The God’ solutions

a) for physical, mental , emotional suffering
b) for Spiritual suffering

Is there an end to suffering YES Isaiah 25:8, 9 Rev 21:1-5

Conclusion:-
a) In the beginning no suffering
b) Sin brought suffering
c) All Christians will suffer
d) God can heal today
e) There will be an end to suffering.

2. SUFFERING FOR THE SAKE OF THE SAINTS.

1. TO RECEIVE COMFORT- AND GIVE COMFORT 2 cor. 1:3-7

a. v3 God of all comfort – to know him-must be awful for those who
do not and suffer hard things.
b.v4 Who comforts us -66 verses in bible
-Holy spirit is the comforter
c.v4 That we can comfort others –we can do this to greatest effect
if we have been through similar things e.g loss of a child
d. 1. Thes. 3:6,7 Paul comforted by those he previously comforted.

2. AS AN EXAMPLE 1.Thes .1:6-8

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A. V7 TO BE AN EXAMPLE TESTED AND PROVEN TO OTHER SAINTS
Why? For others to follow-break strength knowing others have gone through
Same things before us.
B. v8 Your faith has gone out-(steadfastness)
C. 1Thes.2.1,2 Paul example-bold to speak the gospel in much affliction.
D. 1Thes. 2:14 Imitator of the churches in Judea
E. Col.1:23,24 Paul rejoiced in suffering-so he could be a better example.
F. Eph.3:1 God has revealed this great mystery v6 Paul expounded it
V8-12 Paul’s great commission-to preach to the gentiles
-vision-he saw what God had done in the death of Jesus.
V13 Do not faint in my tribulation-or lose heart, which is for your glory.

3. ENCOURAGES THE SAINTS T-

A. Trust God more phil.1:12-14
B. And be bolder
C. Gives confidence-(if He can-so can i)
D. It’s a model to follow

4. AS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW TO BEHAVE WHILST SUFFERING 1Pet.2:21

-23
A. v22 Jesus- who committed no sin.
B. v23 When reviled did not revile.
When suffered did not threaten
C. Ps.63 David behaved and handled affliction well.

3. SUFFERING FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS SAKE – PHYSICAL SUFFERING

A. AFFLICTION (Tribulation).
1. Thlipsis – Pressure, burdening the spirit

Heb 10: 32-34 – personal attack and seizure of property, beating, harassment
2 Cor 7:5 No rest
2 Cor 4:8 Not crushed
1 Thess 1:6 Thessalonian church ( Tribulation with Joy)
Matt 24: 9-10 End time church hated by all

2. Kakouched - Tormented (Mental)

Heb 11: 35-38 - Maltreated

3. Kakopatheo – Hardships – 2 Tim 2:9

Imprisonment – 2 Tim 2: 3

B. PERPLEXED – A pored

2 Cor 4: 8 no resources, in doubt, at a loss, yet not in despear = Total loss

C. PERSECUTED – Dioko

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 Acts 8: 1-3 9, 12 Driven away, pursued.
2 Tim 3: 12 – All the godly will be persecuted
2 Cor 4: 9 - But not forsaken (by God)
2 Tim 2:12

Conclusion:- Though we pass through all this we will overcome 2 Tim 2: 1-7,

4. SUFFERING FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS SAKE -

D. CAST (STRUCK) DOWN - Katabauo

2 Corinth 4: 9 – but not destroyed (By the devil). Not killed Temporarily or eternally

E. BURDENED - Bareo (KJV) Pressed weighed down.

2 Corinth 1: 8-10 Emotionally

HOW TO ENDURE ALL THIS SUFFERING

2 COR 12: 9-10 God’s grace strengthens

2 Tim 2: 1-7 Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus
John 1:14 Jesus – full of Grace
John 1: 16 of his fullness we have all received grace upon grace

WHO DOES GOD GIVE GRACE TO?

1. 1 Pet 5: 5 To the humble
2. Dedication: 2 Tim 2: 2-3 Those who suffer hardship (Like a soldier in active
service) to please Jesus, no griping, complaining etc.
3. Discipline: 2 Tim 2:5 Those who are disciplined like the athlete, follow strict
rules of training and competition. No short cuts to make life easier.
4. Diligence: 2 Tim 2: 6 Those who are hardworking (Gospel work), first to sow
then to reap

5. PURPOSE OF SUFFERING – FOR THE SAKE OF THE LOST

1 Peter 2: 21-24 Christ suffered for us ( the lost).
- To save us
- To show example of suffering for lost
- V22 not because of sin against lost
- V23 without revenge
- V23 entrusting self to God

Reasons for suffering for the lost:-

1. Acts 7: 54 – 60 Demonstrates God’s love for them, Mt 10: 22, 24, 25 hate us
love them 1 Pet 2: 12
2. Acts 5: 27 – 29 Demonstrates what it means to fear God Mt 10: 25
3. Acts 5: 40 – 41 Demonstrates which believer is worthy of God Mt 10:38, 2
1Thess 1:5
4. 2 Tim 1:8 Makes our preaching of the Gospel powerful ( Full of Grace)
5. 2 Tim 2: 8 – 10 Makes the Gospel personal and precious to us – greater
incentive to share with them
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6. SUFFERING FOR THE SAKE OF THE SAINTS.
1. TO RECEIVE COMFORT- AND GIVE COMFORT 2 cor. 1:3-7
a. v3 God of all comfort – to know him-must be awful for those who
do not and suffer hard things.
b. v4 Who comforts us - 66 verses in bible
-Holy spirit is the comforter
c. v4 That we can comfort others –we can do this to greatest effect
if we have been through similar things
d. 1. Thes. 3:6,7 Paul comforted by those he previously comforted.

2. AS AN EXAMPLE 1.Thes .1: 6-8

A. V7 TO BE AN EXAMPLE TESTED AND PROVEN TO OTHER SAINTS
Why? For others to follow-Great strength knowing others have gone
through Same things before us.
B. v8 Your faith has gone out-(steadfastness)
C. 1.Thes.2.1,2 Paul example-bold to speak the gospel in much affliction.
D. 1.Thes. 2:14 Imitator of the churches in Judea
E. Col.1:23,24 Paul rejoiced in suffering-so he could be a better example.
F. Eph.3:1 God has revealed this great mystery v6 Paul expounded it
V8-12 Paul’s great commission-to preach to the gentiles
-Vision-he saw what God had done in the death of Jesus.
V13 Do not faint in my tribulation-or lose heart, which is for your glory.

3. ENCOURAGES THE SAINTS TO-

A. Trust God more Phil.1:12-14
B. And be bolder.
C. Gives confidence-(If He can-so can i)
D. It’s a model to follow
4. AS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW TO BEHAVE WHILST SUFFERING 1Pet.2:21-23

A. v22 Jesus-who committed no sin

B. v23 When reviled did not revile
When suffered did not threaten
C. Ps.63 David behaved and handled affliction well.

7.PURPOSE OF SUFFERING-FOR YOUR OWN SAKE

INTRODUCTION: Suffering a very positive thing.

2 Tim. 3:12 All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
A. FIND FAVOUR(GRACE)WITH GOD
1. What is grace? It is Gods strength
It is unmerited favour.
2. Who does God give grace to? The humble 1 pet. 5:5 God resists the proud,
but gives grace to the humble.
3. Suffering produces Humility.
4. Grace 2 cor.12:7-10 Paul’s thorn v.9 Paul accepted God’s grace (strength), that
the power of Christ might rest on him

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 1pet. 4:14 when reproached –spirit of Glory and of God-rests upon you .
1pet.2:19,20 commendable for conscience sake to suffer.

B. OVERCOME SIN 1 pet 4:1 He who has suffered has ceased from sin.
Suffering put to death the flesh.
a. Bring great liberation
b. A holy boldness (phil. 1:14)
c. A great confidence
d. Removes fear of man

C. LEARN OBEDIENNCE
1. Heb.11:25 Moses chose to suffer
2. Heb.11:25 Jesus learned obedience by what he suffered
How to learn a. Practice until it becomes a habit
b. To trust God
c. To love God -1John 5:3 for this is the love of God that we
keep His commandments-john 14:15 if you love me keep my commandments.
-obedience shown by love
-obedience is better than sacrifice
D. DEVELOP CHRIST’S CHARACTER
JAMES 1:2-4 trials through faith-produces patience
ROM..5:3-5 tribulation produces perseverance-character-Hope -As example-
Apostles-James 5:10
ROM 8:17 Joint heirs with Christ if we suffer for Him.

E. HAVE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

1Pet 1:6-9(read)
Hebrews 11:33-38 chose suffering to obtain a better resurrection whom the world
is not worthy.
2Thes.1:4,5 Great testimony to other churches- patience and faith in persecution.

8. WRONG RESPONSES TO SUFFERING – FEEING ASHAMED

1 Pet 4: 16 Ashamed of self. Why?
2 Tim 1: 8 Ashamed of Jesus ( 11 apostles also……..) v 13, 14
Ashamed of Paul ( see 2 Tim 1 : 15 – 18, 4: 16)

Overcoming shame
2 Tim 1:12 Paul looked to future reward for self 2 Cor 4 : 17, 18
Illustration: Undesirable Jobs
Rom 1:16, 2 Tim 2:10 Paul knew the true value of Gospel for others
2 Tim 2:1-7 Be strong in God’s grace
Devoted
Disciplined
Diligent

2 Tim 4: 16-18 Trust in God’s deliverance

Gifts – We don’t understand each other’s gifts……..

9. WRONG RESPONSE TO SUFFERING 11

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 A) 2 Tim 1:7 Fear is in the spirit
Fear is seated in the mind, emotions through the 5 senses
Examples of those that feared man

How to overcome fear of man

A. Keep trusting God (Fear God).
1. 1 Pet 4:19 So we have to entrust our souls to our faithful creator….
2. 2 Cor 1:9 He takes way all natural supports………….
3. Trust his protection Isa 8:14 Sanctuary
Trust his deliverance 2 Tim 4: 16-18
Trust his preserving power 2 Tim 1:12
Trust his Grace 2 Tim 2:1

B. What we should not fear (Why don’t fear)

Mt 10: 24- 40 Don’t fear man, fear God)
27, 27 God will reveal all
28 Can’t kill soul
29, 31 More value than sparrows
32, 33 God wants to honor you
34, 39 Lose your life – you’ll fill it Mk 10: 29,30,31
40 Don’t take it personal.
RIGHT RESPONSE- PATIENCE

Text James 5:7-11

Patience is evidence of trust in God.
Patience is produced by Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22) through trials.
Characteristics of Patience

A. James 5:7 Waits

1. Trusts God to move at His will, time & way.
2. Jude 21 Trusts Christ to save (wait anxiously for Christ to come; not suffering
to go) James 5:8 he is coming very soon. At hand

B. James 5:9 Doesn’t complain

1. Trusts God’s fairness
2. righteous judge hears everything “at the door “

C. James 5:10,11 Endures because of:

Grace 2 Cor 12:9

Enlightenment Heb 10:32 (Moses Heb 11:24-27 looked for reward saw
Christ……)

1. 2Cor 4:17 Suffering is temporary

1Peter 5: 10 Grace “shortens” time
2. 2Cor 4:17 Suffering is light by comparison to “weight of glory”
3. Rom 8:35-39 Suffering is powerless to separate us from love of Christ.
Actually suffering draws us closer to God!!

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10. RIGHT RESPONSES TO SUFFERING

A. REJOICE:
Acts 5: 41 - Worthy to suffer ( 2 Tim 3: 12)
Jas 1: 2 - All joy (NIV - Pure joy )
- No sorrow in trials because of future gain.
1 Pet 4: 13 Because of the greatest joy when you see Jesus.

B. BOAST: ( Take pride in)

Rom 5 : 2 - Boast in the future hope of being glorified.
Rom 5 : 3 - Therefore boast in present tribulations…..

C. PRAY
Jas 5 : 13 - Pray
1 Thess 5 : 16- 18 - Pray always
- Pray with thanksgiving ( see also Phil 4: 4-6)
Jas 1 : 5 - Pray for wisdom
Rom 15: 30 – 31 - Pray for deliverance
Col 4: 3 - Pray for opportunity to witness
Eph 6: 19 - Pray for utterance and boldness