Why Suffer
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
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Introduction
Introduction
Illustration
Illustration
What if there were a major hurricane coming straight towards Beaumont, and the city said, “You don’t need to evacuate because we have this hurricane under control.”
I don’t know about you, but I would evacuate.
When something is under your control, that means that it does what you want. A hurricane is not something that we can control. It does what it wants.
Review
Review
We’ve already talked about how the audience of Hebrews was suffering.
Because of this suffering, the author reminds his audience that Jesus is the King seated at the right hand of God, and he is the ultimate fulfillment of Old Testament scripture.
So… They need to listen carefully.
Intro
Intro
Hebrews 2:5-8.
5 For he has not subjected to angels the world to come that we are talking about. 6 But someone somewhere has testified:
What is man that you remember him,
or the son of man that you care for him?
7 You made him lower than the angels
for a short time;
you crowned him with glory and honor
8 and subjected everything under his feet.
For in subjecting everything to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. As it is, we do not yet see everything subjected to him.
Here, we are told that everything was put in subjection under the feet of Jesus.
If you are a suffering Christian, what question would you have after reading this? “If all things are subject to Jesus, then why am I suffering?”
This is likely the question that many of these Christians would have had, so the author of Hebrews sets out to answer this question. So in this lesson, we are going to study Hebrews 2:5-18 and we are going to answer one question: If Christ in in control, then why do I suffer?
Because there is a world to come
Because there is a world to come
The World to Come
The World to Come
5 For he has not subjected to angels the world to come that we are talking about. 6 But someone somewhere has testified:
What is man that you remember him,
or the son of man that you care for him?
7 You made him lower than the angels
for a short time;
you crowned him with glory and honor
8 and subjected everything under his feet.
For in subjecting everything to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. As it is, we do not yet see everything subjected to him.
First, the preacher tells us that there is a world to come (v. 5).
Then, the preacher tells us that God had put everything in subjection to him and left nothing out of his control (v. 8).
But then we are told that, at present (ESV), we do not yet see everything subjected to him. The implication is that we will see everything subject to him in the world to come.
Already, Not Yet
Already, Not Yet
This is already, but not yet.
In one sense, everything is already in subjection to Christ, but in another sense, everything is not yet subjected to him.
The idea behind subjection is submission. It’s the same Greek word. When Ephesians tells us that a wife is to submit to her husband, it’s the same word here in Hebrews.
Are you always submitting to Christ? Is the world submitting to Christ?
So in one sense, we can say that everything is subject to Christ, but in another sense, we can say that everything is not yet subject to him.
Why is this? It’s because there is a world to come. When that world comes, everything will be fully subject to Christ. This is something that we must understand because it’s used of so many concepts in scripture.
REST
REST
In some sense, we already have rest.
Joshua led the people to the land rest.
God gave the Israelites days, weeks, and years of rest.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
3 For we who have believed enter the rest, in keeping with what he has said,
So I swore in my anger,
“They will not enter my rest,”
even though his works have been finished since the foundation of the world.
In another sense, we are waiting to enter rest
Hebrews 4:11
11 Let us, then, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience.
we are striving to enter rest. We will have true rest in the world to come.
CITY
CITY
In some sense, we are already in that city
18 For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm, 19 to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of words. Those who heard it begged that not another word be spoken to them, 20 for they could not bear what was commanded: If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned. 21 The appearance was so terrifying that Moses said, I am trembling with fear. 22 Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels, a festive gathering, 23 to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written in heaven, to a Judge, who is God of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel.
In another sense, we seek the city
12 Therefore, Jesus also suffered outside the gate, so that he might sanctify the people by his own blood. 13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing his disgrace. 14 For we do not have an enduring city here; instead, we seek the one to come.
We are waiting for this city in the world to come.
KINGDOM
KINGDOM
We are told in scripture that we are already in and a part of God’s kingdom.
We are told elsewhere that we will inherit the kingdom.
2 Timothy 4:18
18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
God will rescue me and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom.
2 Peter 1:1-11
1 Simeon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ:
To those who have received a faith equal to ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
3 His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 By these he has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, 6 knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, 7 godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 The person who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins. 10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble. 11 For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.
We will be provided an entrance to the kingdom.
The kingdom will fully arrive in the world that is to come.
Application
Application
It’s important that we understand this, so that we don’t fall into the same trap as these early Christians.
Sometimes we can find ourselves asking the same questions as the audience of Hebrews.
We must remember that we are waiting for the world to come… A better world.
So, when we wonder why there is suffering, we need to remember that there is a world to come.
Because Jesus Himself Suffered
Because Jesus Himself Suffered
Hebrews 2:9-18
Hebrews 2:9-18
Hebrews 2:9-18.
9 But we do see Jesus—made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace he might taste death for everyone—crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death.
10 For in bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God—for whom and through whom all things exist—should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12 saying:
I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters;
I will sing hymns to you in the congregation.
13 Again, I will trust in him. And again, Here I am with the children God gave me.
14 Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil—15 and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. 16 For it is clear that he does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham’s offspring. 17 Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.
There are a number of things to notice in these verses.
Jesus himself suffered death on the cross.
Jesus himself suffered death on the cross.
“If God is in control, then why do people suffer?”
Was God in control when Jesus died on the cross? In one sense, he absolutely was, but Jesus still suffered.
Was Jesus in control when he died on the cross?
Matthew 26:53.
53 Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and he will provide me here and now with more than twelve legions of angels?
Jesus was in control the entire time, but he still went through suffering.
Because of his suffering, he was crowned with glory and honor.
Because of his suffering, he was crowned with glory and honor.
(Hebrews 2:9)
9 But we do see Jesus—made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace he might taste death for everyone—crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death.
Jesus was crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death. Think about the man who’s on death’s row. When he’s put to death, is he crowned with glory and honor? Jesus was.
Hebrews 2:10.
10 For in bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God—for whom and through whom all things exist—should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Jesus had to go through suffering in order to defeat death.
Jesus had to go through suffering in order to defeat death.
Hebrews 2:14-15.
14 Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil—15 and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death.
Application
Application
If Jesus suffered, then we will suffer.
Jesus is the truly human one.
Jesus is the truly human one.
In this context, the author of Hebrews quotes from Psalm 8. Psalm 8:4-9.
4 what is a human being that you remember him,
a son of man that you look after him?
5 You made him little less than God
and crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:
7 all the sheep and oxen,
as well as the animals in the wild,
8 the birds of the sky,
and the fish of the sea
that pass through the currents of the seas.
9 Lord, our Lord,
how magnificent is your name throughout the earth!
In the context of psalm 8, who is the psalmist talking about? He’s talking about all of mankind, but the author of Hebrews applies this to Jesus.
This teaches us that Jesus is the truly human one. He is the one who truly fulfills God’s image for humanity.
If he suffered, then we will as well.
It’s not just that if he suffered, then we will… We must suffer.
It’s not just that if he suffered, then we will… We must suffer.
Suffering is how we are crowned with glory and honor, and suffering is how we defeat death.
Think about the audience of Revelation. “To him who overcomes.”
Think about what Jesus says about those who save and lose their lives. Matthew 16:24-25.
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will find it.
Why are things this way? It’s because we live in a broken world.
Why is there suffering when Jesus is in control? It’s because we live in a broken world where Jesus himself suffered.
Because We Have Lessons That We Must Learn
Because We Have Lessons That We Must Learn
OT Quotations
OT Quotations
I want to go back and take a look at these Old Testament quotations.
Psalm 8
Psalm 8
Psalm 8:1-6.
1 Lord, our Lord,
how magnificent is your name throughout the earth!
You have covered the heavens with your majesty.
2 From the mouths of infants and nursing babies,
you have established a stronghold
on account of your adversaries
in order to silence the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I observe your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you set in place,
4 what is a human being that you remember him,
a son of man that you look after him?
5 You made him little less than God
and crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:
The psalmist begins by praising God for creating a fortress out of the mouth of crying babies.
If God creates a fortress out of the mouths of babies, then who is the one with the strength and power? Is it the babies, or is it God? It’s God.
The babies can’t fix their own problems, much less create a stronghold. God is the one who holds all of the power.
I think this is what suffering teaches us. It teaches us that we can’t fix our own problems, and that we must rely on God.
That’s what’s going on in the context surrounding psalm 8.
Psalm 22
Psalm 22
In Psalm 22, David begins by saying, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me.” While this psalm originally referred to David and his enemies, it also refers to Jesus and his experience on the cross.
Psalm 22:19-22.
19 But you, Lord, don’t be far away.
My strength, come quickly to help me.
20 Rescue my life from the sword,
my only life from the power of these dogs.
21 Save me from the lion’s mouth,
from the horns of wild oxen.
You answered me!
22 I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters;
I will praise you in the assembly.
Why the change in tone in verse 21? It’s because he trusts in God so much that he already considers it done.
Because he trusts in God, he praises God in front of his brothers.
Isaiah 8
Isaiah 8
In Isaiah 8, Israel is facing many threats. They are threatened by war with both Aram and Assyria.
Isaiah 8:11-18.
11 For this is what the Lord said to me with great power, to keep me from going the way of this people:
12 Do not call everything a conspiracy
that these people say is a conspiracy.
Do not fear what they fear;
do not be terrified.
13 You are to regard only the Lord of Armies as holy.
Only he should be feared;
only he should be held in awe.
14 He will be a sanctuary;
but for the two houses of Israel,
he will be a stone to stumble over
and a rock to trip over,
and a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
15 Many will stumble over these;
they will fall and be broken;
they will be snared and captured.
16 Bind up the testimony.
Seal up the instruction among my disciples.
17 I will wait for the Lord,
who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob.
I will wait for him.
18 Here I am with the children the Lord has given me to be signs and wonders in Israel from the Lord of Armies who dwells on Mount Zion.
The question is: is Israel going to fear God and trust in him, or are they going to fear the nations and seek help from them?
In verses 17-18, Isaiah tells the Israelites he and his children are going to trust in God no matter what.
Isaiah’s suffering the same threat of destruction that the rest of the Israelites are suffering… But his suffering led him to rely on God.
Application
Application
So, what’s the lesson for us?
One of the reasons why we suffer is to show us that we aren’t in control. If we were truly in control, we wouldn’t have any problems.
Suffering teaches us that we must lean on, and trust, the one with true strength. We must lean on our God, and if we do that, then we are truly a part of God’s family.
Conclusion
Conclusion
We live in a broken world where good, godly people suffer. If Christ is seated at the right hand of the father, then why do people suffer?
We are waiting for the world to come.
Jesus himself suffered, so we must suffer
Suffering teaches to trust and rely on God.
Are you trusted in your God?