We are in a sermon series at church called Spirit Filled Jesus. If you are in need of a church to call home seriously consider Rivers Crossing Community Church in Mason, OH. If you aren't local you can watch it live streamed every Sunday on Facebook. Just search for Rivers Crossing.
Today's subtopic was "Suffering" and it was too good of a message not to share my notes.
Some people don't step into faith because they cannot reconcile how bad things happen to good people. However, the WORSE thing (crucifixion) happened to the BEST person (Jesus) and he was victorious. If Jesus can beat death you can beat anything with the power of the Holy Spirit in you.
If you find yourself in a continuous cycle of suffering spiritually it is because Satan has a foothold in your life, but through the Holy Spirit we can suffer well. (Luke 4:39-42)
Don't be surprised when suffering comes. There is often this misconception that once you become a Christian everything will be sunshine and roses and unicorns and that's simply not correct. So often the pathway to the extraordinary is filled with pain.
1 Peter 4:12-14 - "Beloved, don't be surprised at the fiery trail when it comes up on you to test you... but rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed... you are blessed because the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
Let's unpack that - 1. Beloved - did you catch that? We are God's BELOVED. He LOVES you - YOU! The one with the baggage, the hurts, the hang ups, the bad habits, the shame; he love you. 2. We are called to rejoice. Why would I rejoice in the midst of suffering, Erin? That makes no sense. Why? Because God's glory will be revealed through your situation and your suffering and because whatever trial you are facing, whatever emotion is eating your soul, Jesus felt it when he walked this earth just like you and me - feeling betrayed? Persecuted? Abandoned? Cast out? Angry? Desolate? Despaired? Jesus has been there. He knows what you're going through. Rejoice in the fact that you are not alone. 3. the Spirit of God rests upon you. You don't have to face life alone. You can face it with the spirit and when you face life with the spirit you can't lose. (You may not be crowned victorious in your timing, but in God's timing all will be made right under His good and perfect will - rest in that!)
Ways Jesus Suffered:
1. Spiritual Suffering: Satan's Attacks
Satan will attack you just like he attacked Jesus in the wilderness (Luke 4), so don't be surprised when the attack comes; instead, be ready. To think you won't experience demonic attack just because you know Jesus is ignorant.
2. Mental Suffering: Stress
Jesus has been through everything we could possibly go through and he came out on the other side - so will we. Hebrews 5:7 - "While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayer and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears" - Do you pray like that? Do you plead with God? Do you cry out loudly with your full being? Don't ever feel ashamed to fall to your knees and cry out in anguish. Jesus did it; you can too.
3. Emotional Suffering: Anguish
Luke 22:42 - Father, if you are willing, take this cup of suffering away from me.
Even Jesus asked God if there was any other way to save the world without dying. Ultimately he knew the answer but he still cried out in anguish. Cry out to God. He hears you.
4. Financial Stress: Poverty
Have you ever thought about the fact that Jesus didn't have a home? He was homeless. He didn't have a lot of money. He lived off the land and food that was given to him and sought shelter from friends and family. Jesus understands what it is like to be in want.
5. Relational Suffering: Abandonment & Betrayal
Remember Judas? He was chosen to be one of the 12 disciples. You would think he would remain loyal to Jesus. The Bible says that Satan filled him and turned his heart. He sold Jesus out for a few bucks. Jesus gets betrayal. Judas' betrayal led Jesus to the cross. You remember Peter? He said he would never deny Jesus and sure enough, cock-a-doodle-do and Peter is singing songs of "I don't know that man" just as Jesus said he would.
6. Public Suffering: Slandering
Jesus was falsely accused, never given a fair trail, beaten and scoffed at as he hung on a cross. His name was drug through the mud and he was mocked while he hung there dying.
7. Physical Suffering: Beatings
The brutality of the crucifixion cannot be understood by our human minds. No one should ever be beaten, assaulted, raped, but it happens. If it has happened to you, know that Jesus took the ultimate beating for us all. He understands physical pain.
8. Personal Suffering: Shame
Being crucified was the most shameful way you could die in Bible times. Jesus experienced the ultimate shame. John 14:25-26 says "The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." Did you know the Holy Spirit is a Helper? He wants to help remind you who you are - your shame does not define you.
The Spirit of God wants to be with you through your sufferings so you can come out of it. The Spirit of God will walk with you and rest on you in your suffering, but sometimes he doesn't take it away.
There are certain things you can only learn through suffering. If you are in a season of suffering cling to God. Don't turn your back on Him. He hasn't turned his back on you.
Thanks, Pastor Paul, for a great sermon. I'm sure one day I will find myself in a season of suffering and these words will comfort me. I hope they bring comfort to someone in a season of suffering now.
Today's subtopic was "Suffering" and it was too good of a message not to share my notes.
Some people don't step into faith because they cannot reconcile how bad things happen to good people. However, the WORSE thing (crucifixion) happened to the BEST person (Jesus) and he was victorious. If Jesus can beat death you can beat anything with the power of the Holy Spirit in you.
If you find yourself in a continuous cycle of suffering spiritually it is because Satan has a foothold in your life, but through the Holy Spirit we can suffer well. (Luke 4:39-42)
Don't be surprised when suffering comes. There is often this misconception that once you become a Christian everything will be sunshine and roses and unicorns and that's simply not correct. So often the pathway to the extraordinary is filled with pain.
1 Peter 4:12-14 - "Beloved, don't be surprised at the fiery trail when it comes up on you to test you... but rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed... you are blessed because the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
Let's unpack that - 1. Beloved - did you catch that? We are God's BELOVED. He LOVES you - YOU! The one with the baggage, the hurts, the hang ups, the bad habits, the shame; he love you. 2. We are called to rejoice. Why would I rejoice in the midst of suffering, Erin? That makes no sense. Why? Because God's glory will be revealed through your situation and your suffering and because whatever trial you are facing, whatever emotion is eating your soul, Jesus felt it when he walked this earth just like you and me - feeling betrayed? Persecuted? Abandoned? Cast out? Angry? Desolate? Despaired? Jesus has been there. He knows what you're going through. Rejoice in the fact that you are not alone. 3. the Spirit of God rests upon you. You don't have to face life alone. You can face it with the spirit and when you face life with the spirit you can't lose. (You may not be crowned victorious in your timing, but in God's timing all will be made right under His good and perfect will - rest in that!)
Ways Jesus Suffered:
1. Spiritual Suffering: Satan's Attacks
Satan will attack you just like he attacked Jesus in the wilderness (Luke 4), so don't be surprised when the attack comes; instead, be ready. To think you won't experience demonic attack just because you know Jesus is ignorant.
2. Mental Suffering: Stress
Jesus has been through everything we could possibly go through and he came out on the other side - so will we. Hebrews 5:7 - "While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayer and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears" - Do you pray like that? Do you plead with God? Do you cry out loudly with your full being? Don't ever feel ashamed to fall to your knees and cry out in anguish. Jesus did it; you can too.
3. Emotional Suffering: Anguish
Luke 22:42 - Father, if you are willing, take this cup of suffering away from me.
Even Jesus asked God if there was any other way to save the world without dying. Ultimately he knew the answer but he still cried out in anguish. Cry out to God. He hears you.
4. Financial Stress: Poverty
Have you ever thought about the fact that Jesus didn't have a home? He was homeless. He didn't have a lot of money. He lived off the land and food that was given to him and sought shelter from friends and family. Jesus understands what it is like to be in want.
5. Relational Suffering: Abandonment & Betrayal
Remember Judas? He was chosen to be one of the 12 disciples. You would think he would remain loyal to Jesus. The Bible says that Satan filled him and turned his heart. He sold Jesus out for a few bucks. Jesus gets betrayal. Judas' betrayal led Jesus to the cross. You remember Peter? He said he would never deny Jesus and sure enough, cock-a-doodle-do and Peter is singing songs of "I don't know that man" just as Jesus said he would.
6. Public Suffering: Slandering
Jesus was falsely accused, never given a fair trail, beaten and scoffed at as he hung on a cross. His name was drug through the mud and he was mocked while he hung there dying.
7. Physical Suffering: Beatings
The brutality of the crucifixion cannot be understood by our human minds. No one should ever be beaten, assaulted, raped, but it happens. If it has happened to you, know that Jesus took the ultimate beating for us all. He understands physical pain.
8. Personal Suffering: Shame
Being crucified was the most shameful way you could die in Bible times. Jesus experienced the ultimate shame. John 14:25-26 says "The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." Did you know the Holy Spirit is a Helper? He wants to help remind you who you are - your shame does not define you.
The Spirit of God wants to be with you through your sufferings so you can come out of it. The Spirit of God will walk with you and rest on you in your suffering, but sometimes he doesn't take it away.
There are certain things you can only learn through suffering. If you are in a season of suffering cling to God. Don't turn your back on Him. He hasn't turned his back on you.
Thanks, Pastor Paul, for a great sermon. I'm sure one day I will find myself in a season of suffering and these words will comfort me. I hope they bring comfort to someone in a season of suffering now.
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