[Acts 9:15-16]
But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name."
{Rev. Dan Whang}
So we've been going through Acts to try and get a picture of a church on mission. I have some notes from my sixth trip to Guatemala. I'd like to share some of my thoughts. This message is about suffering and going through difficulties for Christ.
I felt a burden to push the team this year. To push myself and to push the team. This year, even though we were only there 12 days, we had the best of times and the worse of times. I felt the Lord was really using us. A lot of us had gone to their physical and mental limits. One moment, we were ok and the next, so tired and spent. The idea is that serving God comes with difficulty. A life marked by mission is a life marked by suffering for the sake of Christ.
If you've been keeping up with recent news. A IAM team was murdered in Afganistan. Ten people were killed because the Taliban suspected them of spying for the US and of trying to proselytize to Muslims. When we look at our missions trip, do we think about possibly dying? Do we ask them to buy life insurance and set their life in order before going?
In the passage, God tells Ananias to go to Saul. Ananias is afraid. But God reassures Ananias and sends him again. God tells that Saul will suffer much for the sake of Christ. If you read further, you will find much suffering. Consider what that means for us. If God is going to use us, it will cost us. We will suffer.
Here's a summary of my thoughts...
1) When it comes to suffering, your biggest enemy will always be your own flesh and sin nature.
As a saved christian,we have dual natures. One side that wants nothing to do with God. But when we were saved, God reformatted us. That part of us wants to serve God and do anything for Him. But that old sinful nature does not go away. It still tries to discourage us and keep us from serving God. It tells us how pointless it is. It will be a battle in us between these two natures. Even Jesus struggled with it in the garden of Gethsemane.
There is a way out of this. When this truly sinks in, "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it."
2) God will never stop refining you through suffering to make you better.
God's heart for us to become so much more than we are now. In ministry and personally. God does take us as we are. But He is not satisfied to leave us there. He wants more for us. This isn't unusual. Whether it is a coach of a sport, your career... there is a desire for progress. To grow and become better. God wants the same for us. He wants us to become better at ministry.
My dad has been a pastor for 22 years. Some elders who were supporters of him went behind his back and tried to get him ousted. This has been going on for 3 years. Now my dad is out west with a different church. He doesn't say this much, but he said the experience has made him better. Even when my dad is 60-some years old, God is still not done with him. God is still refining him. He has become more humble as a result of this.
"For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed" - Hebrews 12:10-13
I want to encourage you in ministry and service. To press on through difficulties. Relational difficulties. God is working through it.
3) The invitation to suffer for the sake of Christ is an invitation to a deep relationship with Him.
"For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured." - Hebrews 13:11-13
This is a picture of sacrificial animals. The sins of the people were put onto these animals. Then they were led outside, away from the people. When Jesus took on our sin, he became our scapegoat. When He went to Calvary outside of Jerusalem, he suffered and agonized. The writer wants us to go outside with Christ to be close to Him. To go through the suffering and anguish with Jesus, so we will experience this closeness with Him.
"that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead." - Philippians 3:10-11
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." - Romans 8:18
{Member Judy Hong}
Sharing about the Uganda missions trip.
All I wanted to do this summer was... nothing. I had a rough school year, so I wanted to just relax. Susan asked me, if I wanted to go. I didn't even think; I told her no. But she told me to prayerfully consider it. I'm not much of a public speaker. I'm just a second year teacher. But as I prayed, God reassured me. I was just being lazy because I didn't want to do all the preparations for the trip. These were all poor excuses. God has given me all sorts of gifts and resources, but often I make all sorts of excuses. The same applies to you. Just be available and watch God work.
Showing posts with label saul. Show all posts
Showing posts with label saul. Show all posts
Jul 25, 2010
God's Sovereign Use of Hardship for Mission
[Acts 8:1-8 (ESV)]
And Saul approved of his execution.
And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.
{Rev. Dwight Yoo}
Perspective Check
So, we've been talking about mission for awhile. But you're thinking... life has been hard. It's been difficult. So, because of these things, we put missions on hold. until things get better. until our lives are in order.
But the gospel doesn't tell us to take hardship lightly. God wants us to be honest to Him about our sufferings. In the psalms, David comes to God honestly about his suffering. In the gospel, we are told of a God who came through hardship personally. God is not some being far away, but rather one who has intimately experienced the human experience, including suffering.
On the other side, the gospel also gives us power during the times of hardship & suffering. Outreach, relationships, and ministry does not need to be put on hold during difficulty. While there are times for us to mourn and rest, in wisdom, putting these callings "on hold" should not be our default action. In the scriptures, we find that sufferings are used for the advancement of the kingdom. Paul's ministry was not a cakewalk. It was tough, but much fruit came of that suffering through ministry.
"Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good." - 1 Peter 4:19 (ESV)
So how does this work?
For context of our passage.
"Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep." - Acts 7:54-60 (ESV)
The church loses one of it's leaders. The persecution of the church was escalating. People were suffering. But what happens... the people of the church are scattered and where they go, they preach the gospel.
Scattering
The "scattering" here is not a haphazard scattering. But rather scattering like a farmer scattering seeds. In other words, purposeful planting. Notice, that not everyone was scattered. The apostles stayed behind in Judea. Up until this point, the apostles were doing all the ministry. Suddenly, in light of all this persecution, the everyday christian goes preaching and into ministering to people. Phillip goes to Samaria. He preaches the gospel and does work in the name of Christ. (Word & Deed)
Consider how WE would have done it.
Certainly, we would not have chosen suffering. We would make a banner. We would send people out. Letting people die? Killing one of the church leaders? God is throwing a curve ball here. This is not what we think it is. God uses suffering to mobilize the church.
The main story line of the Gospel is God ins His Sovereignty using hardship to bring about good... not through ease, comfort, and strength... but hardship.
The christian path is one of hardship. It is not the easy road. Consider the apostles. Consider Paul. Consider Jesus.
Consider the case of China.
When the communists came to power, they kicked out all the foreign missionaries in 1949. The missionaries were heartbroken. They believed it was the end of the road for the church. But now there are 30-40 more Christians than in 1949. What happened? The Chinese pastors and lay people stepped up. The foreign missionaries went to various unreached Asian nations. The kingdom advanced.
Consider where Renewal came from.
We were originally part of Emmanuel. A suburbanite church. We went to church and we went home to the suburbs. No one wanted to live in the city. We saw it as a dangerous place. Then one of the deacons was murdered. A carjacking by local kids. There were people in the church who wanted to leave. It's dangerous in the city. But others said, God is doing something. Now the church has turned outwards toward the city. Now, the west philly campus' purpose and vision is to reach the city.
Application - How God can use your suffering to accomplish His mission...
1. As you come alongside fellow suffers...
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 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 Cor 1:3-4
When we have suffered, we can comfort others in their suffering. We have been there.
2. As the world watches the way you suffer...
C.S. Lewis was once asked the question that eventually appears on every believer’s radar screen, "Why do the righteous suffer?" His reply was, "Why not? They’re the only ones who can take it."
Believers can go through suffering and still rejoice. People who have faith in Christ are not crushed during tough times. Because we know of Jesus who went through suffering, yet it ended in glory and kingdom advancement.
Consider the family of Ed Thomas...
And Saul approved of his execution.
And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.
{Rev. Dwight Yoo}
Perspective Check
So, we've been talking about mission for awhile. But you're thinking... life has been hard. It's been difficult. So, because of these things, we put missions on hold. until things get better. until our lives are in order.
But the gospel doesn't tell us to take hardship lightly. God wants us to be honest to Him about our sufferings. In the psalms, David comes to God honestly about his suffering. In the gospel, we are told of a God who came through hardship personally. God is not some being far away, but rather one who has intimately experienced the human experience, including suffering.
On the other side, the gospel also gives us power during the times of hardship & suffering. Outreach, relationships, and ministry does not need to be put on hold during difficulty. While there are times for us to mourn and rest, in wisdom, putting these callings "on hold" should not be our default action. In the scriptures, we find that sufferings are used for the advancement of the kingdom. Paul's ministry was not a cakewalk. It was tough, but much fruit came of that suffering through ministry.
"Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good." - 1 Peter 4:19 (ESV)
So how does this work?
For context of our passage.
"Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep." - Acts 7:54-60 (ESV)
The church loses one of it's leaders. The persecution of the church was escalating. People were suffering. But what happens... the people of the church are scattered and where they go, they preach the gospel.
Scattering
The "scattering" here is not a haphazard scattering. But rather scattering like a farmer scattering seeds. In other words, purposeful planting. Notice, that not everyone was scattered. The apostles stayed behind in Judea. Up until this point, the apostles were doing all the ministry. Suddenly, in light of all this persecution, the everyday christian goes preaching and into ministering to people. Phillip goes to Samaria. He preaches the gospel and does work in the name of Christ. (Word & Deed)
Consider how WE would have done it.
Certainly, we would not have chosen suffering. We would make a banner. We would send people out. Letting people die? Killing one of the church leaders? God is throwing a curve ball here. This is not what we think it is. God uses suffering to mobilize the church.
The main story line of the Gospel is God ins His Sovereignty using hardship to bring about good... not through ease, comfort, and strength... but hardship.
The christian path is one of hardship. It is not the easy road. Consider the apostles. Consider Paul. Consider Jesus.
Consider the case of China.
When the communists came to power, they kicked out all the foreign missionaries in 1949. The missionaries were heartbroken. They believed it was the end of the road for the church. But now there are 30-40 more Christians than in 1949. What happened? The Chinese pastors and lay people stepped up. The foreign missionaries went to various unreached Asian nations. The kingdom advanced.
Consider where Renewal came from.
We were originally part of Emmanuel. A suburbanite church. We went to church and we went home to the suburbs. No one wanted to live in the city. We saw it as a dangerous place. Then one of the deacons was murdered. A carjacking by local kids. There were people in the church who wanted to leave. It's dangerous in the city. But others said, God is doing something. Now the church has turned outwards toward the city. Now, the west philly campus' purpose and vision is to reach the city.
Application - How God can use your suffering to accomplish His mission...
1. As you come alongside fellow suffers...
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 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 Cor 1:3-4
When we have suffered, we can comfort others in their suffering. We have been there.
2. As the world watches the way you suffer...
C.S. Lewis was once asked the question that eventually appears on every believer’s radar screen, "Why do the righteous suffer?" His reply was, "Why not? They’re the only ones who can take it."
Believers can go through suffering and still rejoice. People who have faith in Christ are not crushed during tough times. Because we know of Jesus who went through suffering, yet it ended in glory and kingdom advancement.
Consider the family of Ed Thomas...
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