Sermon Tone Analysis

Thessalonians Series #6

*Suffering*

*2 Thessalonians 1*

 

*READ 2 Thessalonians 1*

 

*Pressed Out*

Pressed out of *measure* and pressed to all *length*,

Pressed so *intensely* it seems *beyond* *strength*;

Pressed in the *body* and pressed in the *soul*,

Pressed in the *mind* till the dark *surges* roll;

Pressure by *foes*, and pressure by *friends*,

Pressure on *pressure*, till *life* nearly *ends*,

Pressed into *loving* the *staff* and the *rod*;

Pressed into *knowing* no *helper* but *God*;

Pressed into *liberty* where *nothing* clings,

Pressed into *faith* for *impossible* things;

Pressed into *living* a *life* in the *Lord*,

Pressed into *living* a *Christ*-life *outpoured*!

-Walter B. Knight

 

*Gives* *grace* & *peace*

Because we are *going* to *need* it because *suffering* goes with the *territory* of the growing Christian

 

*1.

Maturity and faithfulness doesn't exclude us from Suffering *

 

  A.

*Faithfulness prepares you for suffering *

v 4

    1.

*when* we are *faithful* to *love* God through *obedience* it *prepares* us or *moves* us toward suffering

    2.

*Agatha* *Christie* said "/if you love, you will suffer, and if you do not love, you do not know the meaning of a Christian life."/

    3.

*C.H. Spurgeon* - /there are no crownwearers in Heaven that were not crossbearers here below"/

 

 

~* *Remember* *1st* that *Suffering* is an *intrusion* into this world as a *result* of the presence of *sin* in the world

> *Without* original *sin* entering our nature, through Adam and Eve, there would be *no* *suffering* because God's *creation* was *good* and man was very good.

But *suffering* *entered* the world as a *result* of sin

> *At* the *Restoration* of all things, *Rev 21:4* says /"every tear will be wiped away, no more death, mourning, because the old order will pass away."

/

*Death* will *Die*, *Suffering* will *Cease*

*Isaiah 65:17* says that we *won't* even *remember* the *old* things or will they come to mind

According to *1 Cor.

15:26* says that *Suffering* and *Death* will be the *final* enemy to be *defeated* by Christ

> It has *intruded* our world and *attacks* us like an *invading* army, and *will* be *defeated*, but *what* happens in the *meantime*?

B.

*Persecutions And Hardships  should be expected v4*

    1.

*Faith* is *flourishing* and *love* is *growing* and yet they are *still* *suffering*

    2.

*Persecutions* *come* *because* we *stand* for Christ

      a.

you can be *sure* that if you *stand* up for Christ *persecution* will come *eventually*.

b.

*someone* will *not* be *happy*

      c.

*someone* will be *uncomfortable*

      d.

*persecution* will come

 

    3.

*Hardships* are often just *part* of *life*

      a.

just *because* you are *mature* and faithful *doesn't* mean that *hardships* *don't* come

      b.

*God* *causes* the *sun* and the *rain* to shine and fall on *both* the *evil* and the *good*

 

    3.

*Both* persecutions and hardships are an *opportunity* for God to *glorify* *himself* through you

      a. it is an *opportunity* for *Christ* to be *lifted* up - *what* *happens* when he is lifted up?

      b.

*John 12:32* "/I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men to myself."/

c.

*James 4:10* "/humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up"/

 

    4.

*Suffering* and *glory* are *inseparable* in the spiritual realm

      a.

*Romans 8:17-18* /"now if we are children, the we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us"/

      b.

*2 Cor.

4:15-18* /"that the grace reaching more and more might overflow to glory 16 there fore we do not lose heart … 17 for our light and momentary troubles are achieving an eternal glory that outweighs … 18 fix your eyes not on see but unseen … eternal/"

      c.

*2 Peter 4:13-14* /"rejoice that you participate in suffering that you may be overjoyed when glory is revealed if you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of Glory and of God rests on you."/

*/Wesley's Expectation Of Persecution/*

/John *Wesley* was *riding* along a *road* one day when it *dawned* on him that *three* whole *days* had passed in which he had suffered *no* *persecution*.

Not a *brick* or an *egg* had been *thrown* at him for three days.

/

/Alarmed, he *stopped* his horse, and exclaimed, "*Can* it be that I have *sinned*, and am *backslidden*?"/

/Slipping from his horse, Wesley went *down* on his *knees* and began *interceding* with God to *show* him where, if any, there had been a *fault*.

/

/A *rough* fellow, on the other side of the *hedge*, *hearing* the prayer, looked across and recognized the preacher.

"I'll *fix* that *Methodist* preacher," he said, picking up a *brick* and tossing it over at him.

It *missed* its mark, and fell harmlessly beside John.

Whereupon *Wesley* leaped to his feet *joyfully* exclaiming, "*Thank* God, it's all right.

I *still* *have* His *presence*."/

*2.

Suffering Makes you worthy of the Call*

* *

  A.

*Suffering is The Refiner's fire*

     1.

*Worthy* to *bare* the same *stripes* that Christ bore

    2.

*Suffering* makes you "*worthy* for the *Kingdom*"

      a.

*worthy* = *FIT*

      b.

*doesn't* mean - *merit* or earning, but *rather* in *shape* or fit for the Kingdom

      c.

*suffering* *knocks* off those *extra* "spiritual *pounds*" so you are in shape or *fit* for the Kingdom

      d.

*God* is *putting* you *through* your *paces*

    3.

*Ps 66:10*/ "You, O God, tested us, you refined us like silver.

You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs.

You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance."/

4.

*many* a "*wanna* be" athlete has *complained* of the *exercise*, *drills*, and *suffering* that comes with training.

But the *true* athlete *welcomes* the *difficulty*, the *struggle*, and *strife* because they *produce* the ability to be a *Victor*, a Conqueror

 

  B.

*Suffering is a Gift from God*

    1.

*Philippians 1:29* /"it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him"/

    2.

*Thank* *him* for the *privilege* of being counted worthy to share in Christ's suffering