https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhpfi31gZjE
http://www.bryanthewitt.com/
6 nIn this you greatly rejoice, though now ofor a little while, if need be, pyou have been 3grieved by various trials, 7 that qthe genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though rit is tested by fire, smay be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ 1 Peter 1:6-7
B. WE SEE THIS OCCURING QUITE FREQUENTLY...
1. In times of natural disaster
2. When someone loses a house to fire, tornado, etc.
3. In times of terminal illness
C. THIS MAY BE ONE REASON WHY EARLY CHRISTIANS REJOICED IN THEIR
TRIALS...
1. They understood that tribulations could develop character
2. As Paul wrote in Ro 5:3-4
III. SUFFERING GIVES AN OCCASION TO SILENCE THE ENEMIES OF GOD
A. REMEMBER THE STORY OF JOB?
1. Satan wanted to prove God wrong about Job, that he served God
only because God had blessed him
2. But Job's patience under suffering silenced Satan!
B. LIKEWISE, GOD DESIRES THAT WE SILENCE "FOOLISH MEN" - 1Pe 2:15
1. Who ridicule the teachings of Christ as foolishness
2. Who say we are Christians only for what good we can get out of
it
C. BY PATIENTLY ENDURING, OR DOING GOOD IN TIMES OF SUFFERING...
1. The value of being Christians really shines through
2. In the faith we have that sustains us in suffering, and in the
love we show towards those who suffer
IV. SUFFERING MAKES US APPRECIATIVE
A. WE ALL RECEIVE SO MANY GOOD THINGS IN THIS LIFE...
1. It is easy for us to become prone to take them for granted
2. Instead of receiving them with gratitude toward God
B. SUFFERING CAN HELP US APPRECIATE MORE FULLY...
1. Good health
2. Good friends, and a loving family
3. A good example of how suffering can make one appreciative is the
apostle Paul when he was in prison - cf. Php 1:3-8
V. SUFFERING MAKES US MORE DEPENDENT UPON GOD
A. TOO OFTEN, WE THINK OURSELVES SELF-SUFFICIENT...
1. "But when a dozen of the most skilled men in their profession
tell you they have done all they can and it is completely out
of their hands..."
2. "...you suddenly realize how much you depend on God."
B. AT NO OTHER TIME...
1. Is one more likely to realize that we depend upon God for our
very breath!
2. As Paul proclaimed: "in Him we live and move and have our
being" - Ac 17:28
VI. SUFFERING HELPS PURIFY US
A. CONSIDER THE IMPORT OF TWO PASSAGES...
1. 1Pe 1:6-7 - Suffering can be like fire purifying gold
2. Jm 1:2-5 - Maturity can be developed through trials
B. TO ILLUSTRATE HOW, CONSIDER THE MAN WHOSE WIFE WAS INJURED...
1. "Many times I searched my own life during these past six weeks
in order to confess my every failure and shortcoming to God..."
2. "I surely did not want my own sins to stand in the way of God
hearing my prayers for Jane..."
3. "It was absolutely necessary to be truthful with God and myself,
and I am a better man today than before."
VII. SUFFERING MAKES US SYMPATHETIC
A. PAUL WROTE OF THIS VALUE OF AFFLICTION...
1. To the church at Corinth, in his second epistle - 2Co 1:3-4
2. It helps us to be better able to comfort others in their
affliction
B. WE MAY THINK WE CAN SYMPATHIZE WITH SOMEONE...
1. But until we have been there personally, there is no true
understanding of their hurt
2. Experiencing suffering...
a. Makes us more likely to "weep with those who weep" - Ro
12:15
b. Better enables us to serve others
VIII. SUFFERING TEACHES US HOW TO PRAY
A. WE ALL MAY BE A PRAYING PEOPLE...
1. We pray at the right times
2. We pray for the right things
B. BUT IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING WE LEARN HOW TO PRAY...
1. "Earnestly"
2. "Perseveringly"
3. "With groanings which cannot be uttered" (Ro 8:26)
C. AS OUR FRIEND SAID:
1. "I have been a praying man since I became a Christian. But
never like this."
2. "I have learned more about prayer in the past six weeks than
in the previous twenty years. My prayers will be different
for the rest of my life."
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