1 00:00:00,320 --> 00:00:02,399 Our scripture reading please remain standing for our 2 00:00:02,399 --> 00:00:05,540 scripture reading which is Romans not chapter 6. 3 00:00:05,759 --> 00:00:06,639 Sorry. It's chapter 4 00:00:07,519 --> 00:00:09,139 we are in chapter 8, 5 00:00:09,599 --> 00:00:10,900 and we are doing verses 6 00:00:11,759 --> 00:00:14,179 16 to 18. Romans chapter 8 7 00:00:14,855 --> 00:00:17,175 verses 16 to 18. I'm actually going to 8 00:00:17,175 --> 00:00:17,675 be 9 00:00:18,214 --> 00:00:18,714 focusing 10 00:00:19,335 --> 00:00:22,234 the sermon on the second part of verse 11 00:00:22,375 --> 00:00:22,875 17 12 00:00:23,255 --> 00:00:25,414 and, of course, verse 18 as well speaks 13 00:00:25,414 --> 00:00:27,894 to that, but I'm reading from verse 16 14 00:00:27,894 --> 00:00:29,515 to have the full context 15 00:00:30,489 --> 00:00:32,969 of this section. So please listen now to 16 00:00:32,969 --> 00:00:35,289 the reading of God's word beginning in Romans 17 00:00:35,289 --> 00:00:36,429 chapter 8 verse 16. 18 00:00:38,090 --> 00:00:40,909 The spirit himself bears witness with our spirit 19 00:00:41,210 --> 00:00:42,829 that we are children of God. 20 00:00:43,215 --> 00:00:46,274 And if children then heirs heirs of God 21 00:00:46,494 --> 00:00:48,274 and fellow heirs with Christ, 22 00:00:48,894 --> 00:00:51,375 provided we suffer with him in order that 23 00:00:51,375 --> 00:00:53,795 we may also be glorified with him. 24 00:00:54,414 --> 00:00:56,814 For I consider that the sufferings of this 25 00:00:56,814 --> 00:00:57,714 present time 26 00:00:58,119 --> 00:00:59,659 are not worth comparing 27 00:01:00,280 --> 00:01:01,179 with the glory 28 00:01:01,559 --> 00:01:04,119 that is to be revealed to us. This 29 00:01:04,119 --> 00:01:05,420 is the word of the lord. 30 00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:08,219 Thanks be to god. Please be seated. 31 00:01:22,275 --> 00:01:23,894 In John chapter 9, 32 00:01:25,810 --> 00:01:28,769 the disciples asked Jesus concerning a man that 33 00:01:28,769 --> 00:01:29,829 was born blind. 34 00:01:30,609 --> 00:01:32,450 They asked him if the man was born 35 00:01:32,450 --> 00:01:34,150 blind because of his own sin 36 00:01:34,770 --> 00:01:36,609 or if he was born blind because of 37 00:01:36,609 --> 00:01:38,150 the sin of his parents. 38 00:01:39,265 --> 00:01:42,064 Jesus answers that it was neither because of 39 00:01:42,064 --> 00:01:43,365 the man's own sin 40 00:01:43,745 --> 00:01:46,084 nor because of the sin of his parents 41 00:01:46,305 --> 00:01:47,765 that he was born blind. 42 00:01:48,064 --> 00:01:50,084 Rather, Jesus says that the reason 43 00:01:50,784 --> 00:01:52,325 what the man was born blind 44 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:54,420 was so that the works of God 45 00:01:54,799 --> 00:01:56,659 might be displayed in him. 46 00:01:57,519 --> 00:01:59,200 Of course, the works of God are indeed 47 00:01:59,200 --> 00:02:01,359 displayed in that man since Jesus goes on 48 00:02:01,359 --> 00:02:02,099 to miraculously 49 00:02:02,560 --> 00:02:03,939 restore his sight. 50 00:02:04,479 --> 00:02:06,979 And yet the question the disciples asked Jesus 51 00:02:07,635 --> 00:02:09,655 is one of is one that many Christians 52 00:02:09,794 --> 00:02:11,495 continue to ask themselves 53 00:02:11,794 --> 00:02:13,414 whenever they experience suffering. 54 00:02:14,275 --> 00:02:16,675 Perhaps it's a question that you are asking 55 00:02:16,675 --> 00:02:17,735 yourself today. 56 00:02:18,194 --> 00:02:19,254 The question is, 57 00:02:19,715 --> 00:02:21,014 am I being punished 58 00:02:21,555 --> 00:02:22,615 for my sin? 59 00:02:23,659 --> 00:02:26,080 Now our sins do in fact have consequences 60 00:02:26,219 --> 00:02:27,040 for our lives 61 00:02:27,740 --> 00:02:29,200 and for the lives of others. 62 00:02:29,659 --> 00:02:31,760 Consequences that often entail 63 00:02:32,060 --> 00:02:34,080 suffering and which can be painful 64 00:02:34,379 --> 00:02:36,319 and have devastating effects. 65 00:02:37,325 --> 00:02:39,264 But this does not mean that our suffering 66 00:02:39,885 --> 00:02:41,665 is a punishment from God. 67 00:02:42,685 --> 00:02:44,385 There's another reason for it. 68 00:02:45,004 --> 00:02:46,145 Or is there actually 69 00:02:46,764 --> 00:02:49,025 no reason behind it at all? 70 00:02:49,930 --> 00:02:52,250 No purpose for it. So that our suffering 71 00:02:52,250 --> 00:02:53,709 is meaningless and pointless 72 00:02:54,330 --> 00:02:55,150 as unavoidable 73 00:02:55,930 --> 00:02:57,310 as it is irredeemable. 74 00:02:58,729 --> 00:03:01,370 This morning's sermon will answer these questions as 75 00:03:01,370 --> 00:03:02,669 we consider what Romans 76 00:03:03,115 --> 00:03:05,294 8 verses 17 to 18 teaches 77 00:03:05,835 --> 00:03:07,615 about the suffering of Christians. 78 00:03:08,395 --> 00:03:10,074 In fact, the main point in this morning's 79 00:03:10,074 --> 00:03:11,055 sermon is this, 80 00:03:11,995 --> 00:03:13,215 suffering in Christ 81 00:03:13,995 --> 00:03:14,495 anticipates 82 00:03:15,449 --> 00:03:16,669 glory with Christ. 83 00:03:17,530 --> 00:03:18,830 Suffering in Christ 84 00:03:19,449 --> 00:03:19,949 anticipates 85 00:03:20,409 --> 00:03:22,889 glory with Christ. Or one might put it 86 00:03:22,889 --> 00:03:24,750 another way and say that the cross 87 00:03:25,129 --> 00:03:26,349 leads to the crown. 88 00:03:27,145 --> 00:03:28,764 The cross leads to the crown. 89 00:03:29,064 --> 00:03:31,305 And we will develop the sermons proposition under 90 00:03:31,305 --> 00:03:32,044 2 headings. 91 00:03:32,585 --> 00:03:35,384 The first one is why Christians experience the 92 00:03:35,384 --> 00:03:35,884 cross 93 00:03:36,504 --> 00:03:37,324 and the second 94 00:03:37,625 --> 00:03:39,965 why Christians expect the crown. 95 00:03:40,569 --> 00:03:42,010 And we're gonna spend almost all of our 96 00:03:42,010 --> 00:03:43,849 time in this sermon in this first one, 97 00:03:43,849 --> 00:03:46,409 why Christians experience the cross. I wanna talk 98 00:03:46,409 --> 00:03:46,909 about 99 00:03:47,290 --> 00:03:49,050 suffering in the life of a Christian and 100 00:03:49,050 --> 00:03:49,550 why 101 00:03:49,849 --> 00:03:52,330 we suffer as Christians. But we will talk 102 00:03:52,330 --> 00:03:54,090 about the glory and we'll talk more about 103 00:03:54,090 --> 00:03:56,865 the glory of that we have in Christ, 104 00:03:57,185 --> 00:03:57,925 next week, 105 00:03:58,385 --> 00:04:00,405 in the next section in Romans 8. 106 00:04:00,944 --> 00:04:02,865 Alright. So let's look at the first heading, 107 00:04:02,865 --> 00:04:05,824 why Christians experience the cross. In verses 16 108 00:04:05,824 --> 00:04:07,365 17, again, Paul writes, 109 00:04:08,625 --> 00:04:11,125 the spirit himself bears witness with our spirit 110 00:04:11,400 --> 00:04:13,639 that we are children of God. And if 111 00:04:13,639 --> 00:04:16,360 children, then heirs heirs of God and fellow 112 00:04:16,360 --> 00:04:19,019 heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him 113 00:04:19,079 --> 00:04:21,019 in order that we may also be glorified 114 00:04:21,160 --> 00:04:21,819 with him. 115 00:04:22,919 --> 00:04:25,259 Last week, we learned that the Holy Spirit 116 00:04:25,714 --> 00:04:27,175 who dwells within Christians 117 00:04:27,714 --> 00:04:29,415 gives us assurance of salvation 118 00:04:29,875 --> 00:04:32,675 by testifying to our spirits that we have 119 00:04:32,675 --> 00:04:34,915 been adopted, that we are now members of 120 00:04:34,915 --> 00:04:36,295 the household of God, 121 00:04:37,074 --> 00:04:39,095 and that we are now heirs with Christ 122 00:04:39,500 --> 00:04:41,920 of every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. 123 00:04:42,699 --> 00:04:45,600 We neither merited nor in any way deserved 124 00:04:45,900 --> 00:04:47,120 such a great blessing. 125 00:04:47,740 --> 00:04:49,120 And yet through the perfect 126 00:04:49,500 --> 00:04:51,900 atoning work of Christ, our sins have been 127 00:04:51,900 --> 00:04:52,400 forgiven. 128 00:04:53,574 --> 00:04:54,714 We have been saved 129 00:04:55,014 --> 00:04:56,634 by grace through faith, 130 00:04:57,014 --> 00:04:59,595 and we have been brought into God's family. 131 00:05:00,935 --> 00:05:02,615 But now in the second part of verse 132 00:05:02,615 --> 00:05:03,115 17, 133 00:05:03,495 --> 00:05:05,274 after writing of the extravagance 134 00:05:05,574 --> 00:05:07,355 of God's grace toward us, 135 00:05:07,740 --> 00:05:10,699 Paul jolts us back to the painful reality 136 00:05:10,699 --> 00:05:13,660 of this fallen world by introducing the topic 137 00:05:13,660 --> 00:05:16,240 of the Christian's present suffering 138 00:05:16,699 --> 00:05:19,680 and by linking it to the Christian's expectation 139 00:05:20,300 --> 00:05:21,519 of future glory. 140 00:05:22,444 --> 00:05:23,824 Paul writes that as Christians, 141 00:05:24,365 --> 00:05:26,464 we shall enjoy an unimaginably 142 00:05:27,564 --> 00:05:28,384 rich inheritance 143 00:05:29,004 --> 00:05:30,305 as God's heirs 144 00:05:30,925 --> 00:05:33,485 and that a day awaits us still when 145 00:05:33,485 --> 00:05:35,425 we shall bask in God's glory 146 00:05:35,805 --> 00:05:36,865 with this caveat 147 00:05:38,350 --> 00:05:40,449 that we first suffer with Christ 148 00:05:40,910 --> 00:05:42,529 in the here and now. 149 00:05:43,310 --> 00:05:44,990 Well, that does dampen the mood a little 150 00:05:44,990 --> 00:05:46,050 bit, doesn't it? 151 00:05:47,710 --> 00:05:49,650 The reason Paul hits the brakes 152 00:05:50,125 --> 00:05:52,125 and causes us to slow down and to 153 00:05:52,125 --> 00:05:52,625 consider 154 00:05:53,165 --> 00:05:54,384 the topic of suffering 155 00:05:54,925 --> 00:05:57,264 is that Paul is a good pastor. 156 00:05:58,204 --> 00:06:00,305 Paul knows that suffering is an integral 157 00:06:00,685 --> 00:06:03,345 and unavoidable part of the human experience. 158 00:06:04,519 --> 00:06:06,759 On this mother's day, the moms in this 159 00:06:06,759 --> 00:06:07,819 room can confirm 160 00:06:08,279 --> 00:06:10,699 that pain and suffering envelope 161 00:06:11,080 --> 00:06:12,540 the very moment of birth. 162 00:06:13,160 --> 00:06:14,680 And the first thing that we do when 163 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:15,500 we are born 164 00:06:15,959 --> 00:06:16,939 is to cry. 165 00:06:17,975 --> 00:06:19,995 The moment of death is likewise 166 00:06:20,295 --> 00:06:22,154 enveloped by pain and suffering 167 00:06:22,774 --> 00:06:25,435 and is followed by days months of mourning 168 00:06:25,895 --> 00:06:26,555 and weeping. 169 00:06:27,735 --> 00:06:29,895 And we don't only meet suffering at the 170 00:06:29,895 --> 00:06:31,560 bookends of life of life 171 00:06:32,040 --> 00:06:34,519 for it is a recurring character in the 172 00:06:34,519 --> 00:06:35,019 pages 173 00:06:35,399 --> 00:06:36,939 that tell the human story. 174 00:06:37,959 --> 00:06:40,300 So Paul writes now about suffering 175 00:06:40,839 --> 00:06:43,019 because suffering is part of life. 176 00:06:43,824 --> 00:06:45,524 Whether we talk about it or not, 177 00:06:46,064 --> 00:06:47,024 whether we understanding 178 00:06:47,665 --> 00:06:49,605 understand it or not, suffering 179 00:06:50,145 --> 00:06:50,884 is reality. 180 00:06:52,064 --> 00:06:53,605 So let's talk about suffering 181 00:06:53,985 --> 00:06:56,339 and see what we can understand about it. 182 00:06:57,459 --> 00:06:59,060 The first thing to note is that it 183 00:06:59,060 --> 00:06:59,720 is impossible 184 00:07:00,339 --> 00:07:01,079 to meaningfully 185 00:07:01,459 --> 00:07:02,600 explain suffering 186 00:07:03,139 --> 00:07:04,839 according to an atheistic worldview. 187 00:07:06,259 --> 00:07:07,639 There's irony here 188 00:07:07,939 --> 00:07:10,199 since many people attribute their atheism 189 00:07:10,740 --> 00:07:12,199 to the existence of suffering. 190 00:07:13,115 --> 00:07:15,295 They say, how can a good god 191 00:07:15,675 --> 00:07:17,295 allow suffering to exist? 192 00:07:18,475 --> 00:07:20,654 Yet atheism is not a viable 193 00:07:20,955 --> 00:07:21,455 alternative. 194 00:07:22,475 --> 00:07:24,175 You see, if god does not exist, 195 00:07:24,795 --> 00:07:26,574 then there is no ultimate purpose 196 00:07:27,300 --> 00:07:28,680 neither for our lives 197 00:07:29,620 --> 00:07:30,680 nor for humanity 198 00:07:31,459 --> 00:07:32,600 nor for the universe. 199 00:07:33,939 --> 00:07:35,079 Everything is the result 200 00:07:35,620 --> 00:07:36,759 of blind forces 201 00:07:37,220 --> 00:07:37,720 acting 202 00:07:38,100 --> 00:07:39,399 on random molecules 203 00:07:39,860 --> 00:07:40,839 without a purpose 204 00:07:41,379 --> 00:07:42,680 and toward no end. 205 00:07:43,745 --> 00:07:44,725 In such reality, 206 00:07:45,345 --> 00:07:47,824 life is like a soup that is prepared 207 00:07:47,824 --> 00:07:50,085 and stirred, but not by a cook, 208 00:07:50,705 --> 00:07:52,564 obeying a precise recipe 209 00:07:53,024 --> 00:07:54,485 that no chef concocted 210 00:07:55,024 --> 00:07:56,564 and destined to be consumed, 211 00:07:57,105 --> 00:07:58,165 but not enjoyed. 212 00:07:59,279 --> 00:08:01,939 When such a world serves a cold dish, 213 00:08:02,399 --> 00:08:04,099 there's no one to complain to 214 00:08:04,479 --> 00:08:06,339 nor is a complaint even warranted 215 00:08:06,800 --> 00:08:08,419 for no menu was ever presented, 216 00:08:09,279 --> 00:08:11,459 and no dinner party was ever planned, 217 00:08:12,004 --> 00:08:12,904 and no banquet 218 00:08:13,604 --> 00:08:14,745 was ever prepared. 219 00:08:16,084 --> 00:08:17,784 In the godless ecosystem 220 00:08:18,164 --> 00:08:19,224 of mere survival, 221 00:08:19,925 --> 00:08:20,584 the game 222 00:08:20,964 --> 00:08:23,845 is about avoiding famine not about enjoying a 223 00:08:23,845 --> 00:08:24,345 feast. 224 00:08:24,980 --> 00:08:27,639 And in that planet of pointless possibilities, 225 00:08:28,339 --> 00:08:30,519 a cold cup of soup will do. 226 00:08:31,699 --> 00:08:33,080 So in the face of suffering, 227 00:08:33,460 --> 00:08:36,120 an atheist might reasonably respond with indifference 228 00:08:37,294 --> 00:08:39,794 Whether through philosophical systems like stoicism 229 00:08:40,735 --> 00:08:43,394 or through religious systems like Zen Buddhism 230 00:08:44,095 --> 00:08:46,595 or through the numbing influence of alcohol, 231 00:08:47,375 --> 00:08:48,754 drugs, and entertainment, 232 00:08:49,889 --> 00:08:51,910 the godless solution to suffering 233 00:08:52,529 --> 00:08:53,029 involves 234 00:08:53,570 --> 00:08:55,029 either emotional detachment 235 00:08:55,889 --> 00:08:56,870 or more likely 236 00:08:57,570 --> 00:08:59,670 the relentless pursuit of euphoria, 237 00:09:00,529 --> 00:09:01,670 hoping to artificially 238 00:09:02,050 --> 00:09:02,950 drown down 239 00:09:03,330 --> 00:09:04,710 the sadness of reality 240 00:09:05,095 --> 00:09:05,914 in the fantasy 241 00:09:06,215 --> 00:09:07,115 of escapism 242 00:09:07,815 --> 00:09:09,434 or to overwhelm suffering 243 00:09:09,815 --> 00:09:13,115 by the brute force of a dopamine hit. 244 00:09:14,054 --> 00:09:15,274 Is this your response 245 00:09:15,735 --> 00:09:16,394 to suffering? 246 00:09:18,049 --> 00:09:18,870 Do you believe 247 00:09:19,250 --> 00:09:20,549 the answer to suffering 248 00:09:20,850 --> 00:09:22,389 is to abandon your faith 249 00:09:22,769 --> 00:09:24,710 and to become indifferent to suffering 250 00:09:25,090 --> 00:09:25,590 altogether? 251 00:09:27,090 --> 00:09:30,514 In River Out of Eden, evolutionary biologist and 252 00:09:30,514 --> 00:09:32,294 atheist, Richard Dawkins writes, 253 00:09:33,394 --> 00:09:36,754 the universe we observe has precisely the properties 254 00:09:36,754 --> 00:09:39,254 we should expect if there is, at bottom, 255 00:09:39,394 --> 00:09:40,134 no design, 256 00:09:40,754 --> 00:09:41,495 no purpose, 257 00:09:41,875 --> 00:09:43,414 no evil and no good, 258 00:09:43,879 --> 00:09:45,019 nothing but blind, 259 00:09:45,480 --> 00:09:45,980 pitiless 260 00:09:46,440 --> 00:09:46,940 indifference. 261 00:09:48,919 --> 00:09:49,659 And yet, 262 00:09:50,200 --> 00:09:51,179 truth be told, 263 00:09:51,639 --> 00:09:54,700 very few people regardless of worldview or creed 264 00:09:55,080 --> 00:09:55,820 are indifferent 265 00:09:56,279 --> 00:09:58,539 to either human suffering in general 266 00:09:59,054 --> 00:10:01,475 or to their own suffering in particular. 267 00:10:02,254 --> 00:10:03,794 In fact, far too often, 268 00:10:04,174 --> 00:10:07,375 the atheist general posture toward life, including that 269 00:10:07,375 --> 00:10:08,434 of Richard Dawkins, 270 00:10:08,815 --> 00:10:09,875 whom I just quoted, 271 00:10:10,414 --> 00:10:12,595 can be accurately described by the creed, 272 00:10:13,040 --> 00:10:14,500 I don't believe in God 273 00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:16,420 and I hate him. 274 00:10:17,840 --> 00:10:20,720 The so called new atheism movement that began 275 00:10:20,720 --> 00:10:23,360 2 decades ago and which found its main 276 00:10:23,360 --> 00:10:25,540 proponents in men like Richard Dawkins, 277 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:27,059 Christopher Hitchens, 278 00:10:27,664 --> 00:10:28,164 Sam 279 00:10:28,704 --> 00:10:29,924 Harris, and Daniel Dennett 280 00:10:30,384 --> 00:10:32,324 was not characterized by love, 281 00:10:32,784 --> 00:10:34,004 joy, and peace 282 00:10:34,625 --> 00:10:35,605 but by hate, 283 00:10:36,304 --> 00:10:36,804 anger, 284 00:10:37,184 --> 00:10:37,924 and belligerence. 285 00:10:39,424 --> 00:10:40,644 The reason for this 286 00:10:41,105 --> 00:10:42,485 is that life is hard 287 00:10:43,049 --> 00:10:44,830 and suffering cannot be ignored, 288 00:10:45,289 --> 00:10:48,090 and people are looking for answers and looking 289 00:10:48,090 --> 00:10:49,470 for someone to blame. 290 00:10:50,649 --> 00:10:52,490 This is why the most common response to 291 00:10:52,490 --> 00:10:54,269 suffering is not indifference, 292 00:10:54,649 --> 00:10:55,389 but incense. 293 00:10:56,575 --> 00:10:58,274 After the sadness and grief 294 00:10:58,575 --> 00:10:59,315 that accompany 295 00:10:59,695 --> 00:11:00,754 suffering subside, 296 00:11:01,615 --> 00:11:02,115 irritability 297 00:11:02,894 --> 00:11:03,634 and indignation 298 00:11:04,334 --> 00:11:07,634 typically set in whether one believes in god 299 00:11:07,934 --> 00:11:08,674 or not. 300 00:11:10,079 --> 00:11:12,500 Is this how you respond to suffering? 301 00:11:13,440 --> 00:11:14,659 Do you become indignant? 302 00:11:15,839 --> 00:11:17,779 Do you blame God for the misfortunes 303 00:11:18,879 --> 00:11:21,299 and the tragedies that may befall you? 304 00:11:22,654 --> 00:11:25,794 Again, atheism neither ameliorates the sting of suffering 305 00:11:26,174 --> 00:11:28,034 nor does it redeem its effects. 306 00:11:28,735 --> 00:11:30,674 Now if we are to find any consolation, 307 00:11:31,375 --> 00:11:33,855 we must not run away from scripture rather 308 00:11:33,855 --> 00:11:35,634 we are to run to scripture. 309 00:11:35,990 --> 00:11:38,329 For we see in verses 17 18 310 00:11:38,870 --> 00:11:41,029 that the bible does not avoid the topic 311 00:11:41,029 --> 00:11:41,769 of suffering. 312 00:11:42,949 --> 00:11:44,329 So according to the bible, 313 00:11:44,789 --> 00:11:46,569 why does suffering exist? 314 00:11:47,350 --> 00:11:48,649 And why must Christians 315 00:11:49,350 --> 00:11:50,490 carry a cross? 316 00:11:51,634 --> 00:11:53,315 The answer to the first question, why does 317 00:11:53,315 --> 00:11:55,735 suffering exist, consists in one word, 318 00:11:56,674 --> 00:11:57,174 sin. 319 00:11:58,995 --> 00:12:00,215 Unlike the unsatisfying 320 00:12:00,595 --> 00:12:03,475 answer or non answer of atheism, which says 321 00:12:03,475 --> 00:12:05,495 that suffering is the coincidental 322 00:12:05,955 --> 00:12:06,455 consequence 323 00:12:07,049 --> 00:12:08,429 of chemistry and chaos. 324 00:12:09,209 --> 00:12:12,169 The Bible explains suffering as the consequence of 325 00:12:12,169 --> 00:12:13,149 cosmic treason. 326 00:12:14,250 --> 00:12:16,730 In Genesis 3, we learned that suffering entered 327 00:12:16,730 --> 00:12:18,750 the world after Adam sinned 328 00:12:19,394 --> 00:12:21,095 because Adam broke the covenant 329 00:12:21,555 --> 00:12:23,955 that God had made with him. A covenant 330 00:12:23,955 --> 00:12:26,754 that promised eternal life to Adam and to 331 00:12:26,754 --> 00:12:28,855 his posterity if Adam obeyed, 332 00:12:29,795 --> 00:12:32,855 but death to Adam and to his posterity 333 00:12:33,154 --> 00:12:34,134 if Adam disobeyed. 334 00:12:36,230 --> 00:12:38,330 Because Adam broke the covenant 335 00:12:38,710 --> 00:12:40,009 that God made with him, 336 00:12:40,470 --> 00:12:42,330 suffering and death entered 337 00:12:42,950 --> 00:12:44,009 into the world. 338 00:12:46,549 --> 00:12:48,090 God pronounced a curse 339 00:12:48,470 --> 00:12:49,450 against Adam 340 00:12:49,754 --> 00:12:52,014 telling him that he would now only eat 341 00:12:52,394 --> 00:12:54,014 by the sweat of his brow 342 00:12:54,634 --> 00:12:56,634 and that the very ground which used to 343 00:12:56,634 --> 00:12:57,455 feed mankind 344 00:12:58,154 --> 00:13:00,975 would now swallow him up at death. 345 00:13:02,389 --> 00:13:04,170 He pronounced a curse against Eve 346 00:13:04,790 --> 00:13:06,790 telling her that she would suffer pain in 347 00:13:06,790 --> 00:13:07,290 childbirth 348 00:13:08,070 --> 00:13:10,149 and that her relationship to her husband would 349 00:13:10,149 --> 00:13:10,889 be strained. 350 00:13:12,230 --> 00:13:13,049 But significantly, 351 00:13:13,990 --> 00:13:16,410 God also pronounced a curse against the serpent 352 00:13:17,154 --> 00:13:19,095 condemning it to crawl on its belly, 353 00:13:19,715 --> 00:13:20,934 but also foreshadowing 354 00:13:21,634 --> 00:13:23,735 the ultimate demise of sin, 355 00:13:24,115 --> 00:13:27,235 of suffering, and of death, promising that one 356 00:13:27,235 --> 00:13:30,434 day the woman's offspring would crush the serpent's 357 00:13:30,434 --> 00:13:30,934 head. 358 00:13:32,320 --> 00:13:34,019 Therefore, suffering is not random. 359 00:13:35,200 --> 00:13:37,860 Its reason is cosmic treason. 360 00:13:39,279 --> 00:13:41,379 But God's word not only tells us 361 00:13:41,759 --> 00:13:44,100 that man's sin is the source of suffering, 362 00:13:44,714 --> 00:13:47,054 It also tells us the solution to suffering 363 00:13:47,914 --> 00:13:48,414 is 364 00:13:48,794 --> 00:13:50,334 the woman's offspring. 365 00:13:51,355 --> 00:13:53,514 So the burden of suffering may indeed be 366 00:13:53,514 --> 00:13:55,454 heavy and its yoke hard, 367 00:13:56,235 --> 00:13:58,714 but God's word of hope makes the yoke 368 00:13:58,714 --> 00:13:59,214 easy 369 00:13:59,730 --> 00:14:00,629 and the burden 370 00:14:01,009 --> 00:14:01,509 light. 371 00:14:01,889 --> 00:14:03,750 Suffering is not the last word. 372 00:14:04,370 --> 00:14:05,829 God's word is. 373 00:14:07,409 --> 00:14:09,329 The answer to the second question, why must 374 00:14:09,329 --> 00:14:10,789 Christians carry a cross, 375 00:14:11,169 --> 00:14:13,269 will help us understand the extraordinary 376 00:14:13,570 --> 00:14:15,454 hope that we have in Christ 377 00:14:15,754 --> 00:14:16,975 and God's commitment 378 00:14:17,674 --> 00:14:19,595 to complete the work that he has begun 379 00:14:19,595 --> 00:14:20,334 in us. 380 00:14:21,434 --> 00:14:24,875 Jesus virgin birth identifies him as the promised 381 00:14:24,875 --> 00:14:27,914 and long awaited offspring of woman who would 382 00:14:27,914 --> 00:14:28,575 one day 383 00:14:28,954 --> 00:14:29,934 conquer sin, 384 00:14:30,450 --> 00:14:31,350 conquer suffering, 385 00:14:31,730 --> 00:14:32,790 and conquer death. 386 00:14:33,730 --> 00:14:35,269 His death on Golgotha 387 00:14:36,129 --> 00:14:38,529 which means the place of the skull in 388 00:14:38,529 --> 00:14:39,029 Aramaic, 389 00:14:39,809 --> 00:14:42,629 far from being his defeat was the moment 390 00:14:42,850 --> 00:14:44,149 he drove the cross 391 00:14:44,610 --> 00:14:46,065 through the serpent skull. 392 00:14:47,345 --> 00:14:48,884 Jesus' victory was confirmed 393 00:14:49,504 --> 00:14:51,125 when he was raised from the dead, 394 00:14:51,585 --> 00:14:53,445 and our own victory was secured 395 00:14:53,904 --> 00:14:56,384 when Jesus ascended into heaven where he ever 396 00:14:56,384 --> 00:14:58,945 lives to intercede for us at the right 397 00:14:58,945 --> 00:15:00,004 hand of the father. 398 00:15:01,559 --> 00:15:03,660 Therefore, when Paul writes in verse 17 399 00:15:04,279 --> 00:15:06,620 that we are now heirs with Christ, 400 00:15:07,160 --> 00:15:08,460 provided we suffer 401 00:15:08,920 --> 00:15:11,320 with him in order that we may also 402 00:15:11,320 --> 00:15:12,779 be glorified with him, 403 00:15:13,414 --> 00:15:15,894 He does not mean by this that our 404 00:15:15,894 --> 00:15:16,394 blessedness 405 00:15:16,695 --> 00:15:18,794 depends on our own suffering. 406 00:15:19,815 --> 00:15:21,995 Christ has already suffered in our place. 407 00:15:23,014 --> 00:15:25,274 He has already been judged for our sins. 408 00:15:26,059 --> 00:15:27,919 He has already crushed the serpent. 409 00:15:28,779 --> 00:15:31,659 He has already defeated sin and suffering and 410 00:15:31,659 --> 00:15:32,159 death. 411 00:15:32,620 --> 00:15:34,860 He has already secured our victory. All that 412 00:15:34,860 --> 00:15:36,080 is done. It is finished. 413 00:15:37,179 --> 00:15:39,039 What Paul means in verse 17 414 00:15:39,794 --> 00:15:42,214 is that when we suffer as Christians, 415 00:15:42,995 --> 00:15:44,534 our own sense of security 416 00:15:45,154 --> 00:15:46,774 in Christ grows 417 00:15:47,475 --> 00:15:49,634 even as the spirit bears witness with our 418 00:15:49,634 --> 00:15:52,034 spirit that we are children of God, that 419 00:15:52,034 --> 00:15:53,495 we are his heirs. 420 00:15:54,970 --> 00:15:55,789 In other words, 421 00:15:56,570 --> 00:15:58,990 although everyone suffers because of sin, 422 00:15:59,450 --> 00:16:02,090 the suffering of Christians has a sanctifying effect 423 00:16:02,090 --> 00:16:02,750 on us. 424 00:16:03,210 --> 00:16:06,009 It is used by God to conform us 425 00:16:06,009 --> 00:16:07,784 more and more to the image of Christ. 426 00:16:09,225 --> 00:16:12,044 So how does suffering help us to grow 427 00:16:12,105 --> 00:16:13,084 in our faith? 428 00:16:14,024 --> 00:16:14,524 1st, 429 00:16:15,225 --> 00:16:17,304 suffering teaches us that this world is not 430 00:16:17,304 --> 00:16:17,964 our home. 431 00:16:19,065 --> 00:16:21,865 In John 15 verses 18 and 19 Jesus 432 00:16:21,865 --> 00:16:22,230 writes, 433 00:16:22,789 --> 00:16:24,089 I mean, Jesus says, 434 00:16:25,429 --> 00:16:26,970 if the world hates you, 435 00:16:27,589 --> 00:16:29,990 know that it has hated me before it 436 00:16:29,990 --> 00:16:30,809 hated you. 437 00:16:31,750 --> 00:16:33,289 If you were of the world, 438 00:16:33,750 --> 00:16:35,850 the world will love you as its own. 439 00:16:36,745 --> 00:16:39,004 But because you are not of the world, 440 00:16:39,464 --> 00:16:41,324 but I chose you out of the world, 441 00:16:42,024 --> 00:16:42,524 therefore, 442 00:16:42,904 --> 00:16:44,605 the world hates you. 443 00:16:45,865 --> 00:16:47,004 Earlier this week, 444 00:16:47,304 --> 00:16:49,245 I had dinner with a friend from Europe 445 00:16:49,539 --> 00:16:51,779 who told me that he was perplexed when 446 00:16:51,779 --> 00:16:54,200 Christians in this country talk about being persecuted 447 00:16:54,259 --> 00:16:55,080 for their faith. 448 00:16:55,700 --> 00:16:57,879 He said, when I grew up in Europe, 449 00:16:58,259 --> 00:16:59,720 I rarely met Christians 450 00:17:00,340 --> 00:17:01,940 and I never told people that I was 451 00:17:01,940 --> 00:17:02,519 a Christian. 452 00:17:03,335 --> 00:17:03,995 But here, 453 00:17:04,615 --> 00:17:05,914 there are Christians everywhere 454 00:17:06,775 --> 00:17:08,934 and there is no shame in identifying as 455 00:17:08,934 --> 00:17:09,595 a Christian. 456 00:17:10,375 --> 00:17:10,875 There's 457 00:17:11,255 --> 00:17:13,414 a great this is a great country for 458 00:17:13,414 --> 00:17:15,994 Christians, he said. So no Christian in America 459 00:17:16,295 --> 00:17:17,195 should be worried 460 00:17:17,579 --> 00:17:18,319 about persecution. 461 00:17:19,980 --> 00:17:20,960 Although I wholeheartedly 462 00:17:21,419 --> 00:17:23,819 agree that one of the great blessings of 463 00:17:23,819 --> 00:17:25,279 being a Christian in America 464 00:17:25,740 --> 00:17:28,140 is that we enjoy great liberty to worship 465 00:17:28,140 --> 00:17:30,000 God and to practice our faith, 466 00:17:30,744 --> 00:17:31,565 I do believe 467 00:17:32,105 --> 00:17:35,164 that there are dark clouds gathering over Christianity 468 00:17:35,944 --> 00:17:36,845 in our country. 469 00:17:38,265 --> 00:17:39,804 I won't get into my assessment 470 00:17:40,105 --> 00:17:42,664 now of the situation since it's beyond the 471 00:17:42,664 --> 00:17:44,204 scope of this particular sermon. 472 00:17:44,585 --> 00:17:45,085 However, 473 00:17:45,900 --> 00:17:48,240 even though there is there are clear signs 474 00:17:48,299 --> 00:17:50,220 of a storm on the horizon, not the 475 00:17:50,299 --> 00:17:51,840 just the one that we hear now, 476 00:17:52,380 --> 00:17:54,000 and perhaps even if your raindrops 477 00:17:54,299 --> 00:17:56,140 have already begun, maybe God is trying to 478 00:17:56,140 --> 00:17:56,960 tell us something, 479 00:17:57,900 --> 00:17:58,799 by and large 480 00:17:59,434 --> 00:18:00,575 it is still comfortable 481 00:18:01,115 --> 00:18:02,974 to be a Christian in America. 482 00:18:03,835 --> 00:18:06,075 This freedom is a great blessing, and we 483 00:18:06,075 --> 00:18:07,674 must steward it well as long as it 484 00:18:07,674 --> 00:18:08,174 lasts. 485 00:18:09,115 --> 00:18:09,615 But 486 00:18:10,075 --> 00:18:11,454 our freedom and comfort 487 00:18:12,119 --> 00:18:14,599 also presents a great challenge for us. It 488 00:18:14,599 --> 00:18:17,079 presents a great challenge to the growth of 489 00:18:17,079 --> 00:18:18,940 our faith in this country 490 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:21,880 because it is easy to identify as a 491 00:18:21,880 --> 00:18:22,380 Christian 492 00:18:23,240 --> 00:18:25,099 because it cost us very little. 493 00:18:26,184 --> 00:18:28,365 We believe we can curate 494 00:18:28,904 --> 00:18:30,045 our Christian experience. 495 00:18:32,345 --> 00:18:33,884 We take the aspects of Christianity 496 00:18:34,585 --> 00:18:35,484 that we like, 497 00:18:36,984 --> 00:18:39,805 meeting people with good family values, 498 00:18:40,779 --> 00:18:42,559 finding nice friends for our kids, 499 00:18:43,579 --> 00:18:46,539 listening to an inspiring sermon every once in 500 00:18:46,539 --> 00:18:47,200 a while, 501 00:18:47,980 --> 00:18:51,259 and perhaps even having an inside track to 502 00:18:51,259 --> 00:18:54,559 network with potential business partners or with 503 00:18:55,024 --> 00:18:56,244 potential clients. 504 00:18:56,784 --> 00:18:58,804 We take these parts because we like them, 505 00:18:59,585 --> 00:19:01,345 but we discard the parts that we don't 506 00:19:01,345 --> 00:19:02,325 particularly enjoy. 507 00:19:03,424 --> 00:19:04,724 Pursuing holy living, 508 00:19:05,664 --> 00:19:07,444 all this talk about sin and repentance, 509 00:19:08,544 --> 00:19:09,845 attending weekly worship, 510 00:19:10,869 --> 00:19:12,250 attending Sunday school, 511 00:19:13,029 --> 00:19:14,409 volunteering to serve, 512 00:19:15,589 --> 00:19:16,089 tithing, 513 00:19:17,349 --> 00:19:19,909 staying for fellowship, and so on. Plenty of 514 00:19:19,909 --> 00:19:22,490 things make it hard to be a Christian. 515 00:19:23,515 --> 00:19:25,535 We build our own Christian experience 516 00:19:26,555 --> 00:19:27,535 because we can. 517 00:19:28,394 --> 00:19:30,494 Because life in this country is so good 518 00:19:30,875 --> 00:19:33,275 that we really don't feel like we need 519 00:19:33,275 --> 00:19:34,015 the church. 520 00:19:35,289 --> 00:19:36,829 We don't need 521 00:19:37,450 --> 00:19:37,950 Christianity. 522 00:19:38,650 --> 00:19:40,029 It's just nice to have. 523 00:19:41,769 --> 00:19:43,630 Well, when suffering comes to us 524 00:19:44,170 --> 00:19:45,470 not because of our sinfulness 525 00:19:46,009 --> 00:19:47,710 or because of our foolish decisions 526 00:19:48,329 --> 00:19:49,625 or because of other people, 527 00:19:50,085 --> 00:19:51,705 and the fact that they're jerks sometimes, 528 00:19:52,644 --> 00:19:54,585 when we suffer because of our faith, 529 00:19:55,605 --> 00:19:58,984 the term of the self curated Christian experience 530 00:19:59,765 --> 00:20:00,585 goes away. 531 00:20:01,769 --> 00:20:03,549 If associating with Christ, 532 00:20:03,930 --> 00:20:05,070 if obeying him 533 00:20:05,450 --> 00:20:07,390 causes us to bear a cost, 534 00:20:07,850 --> 00:20:09,930 then we will have to reflect on God's 535 00:20:09,930 --> 00:20:10,430 love. 536 00:20:10,970 --> 00:20:12,109 We will have to consider 537 00:20:12,650 --> 00:20:14,269 Christ's sacrifice for us. 538 00:20:14,865 --> 00:20:16,625 We'll have to rely on the Holy Spirit 539 00:20:16,625 --> 00:20:18,785 to persuade us that the cost is worth 540 00:20:18,785 --> 00:20:19,285 it 541 00:20:19,744 --> 00:20:22,325 and to sustain us when things become 542 00:20:23,105 --> 00:20:23,605 difficult. 543 00:20:24,464 --> 00:20:25,204 In short, 544 00:20:26,065 --> 00:20:27,444 when we suffer as Christians 545 00:20:28,059 --> 00:20:30,619 we are disabused from the idea that our 546 00:20:30,619 --> 00:20:31,119 joy 547 00:20:31,420 --> 00:20:34,000 and happiness and peace are found 548 00:20:34,539 --> 00:20:36,160 in the premises and promises 549 00:20:36,940 --> 00:20:37,759 of our materialistic 550 00:20:38,059 --> 00:20:38,559 culture. 551 00:20:39,580 --> 00:20:40,320 And instead, 552 00:20:40,954 --> 00:20:44,095 we rightly discern that only in Christ 553 00:20:44,714 --> 00:20:46,494 can we find fullness of joy. 554 00:20:47,595 --> 00:20:48,494 In the beatitudes, 555 00:20:50,154 --> 00:20:52,414 in the beginning of Matthew 5, Jesus writes, 556 00:20:53,730 --> 00:20:56,309 blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' 557 00:20:56,529 --> 00:20:59,509 sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 558 00:21:00,210 --> 00:21:03,170 Blessed are you when others revile you and 559 00:21:03,170 --> 00:21:06,210 persecute you and utter all kinds of evil 560 00:21:06,210 --> 00:21:08,390 against you falsely on my account. 561 00:21:09,015 --> 00:21:11,815 Rejoice and be glad for your reward is 562 00:21:11,815 --> 00:21:14,615 great in heaven, for so they persecuted the 563 00:21:14,615 --> 00:21:15,115 prophets 564 00:21:15,494 --> 00:21:16,634 who were before you. 565 00:21:17,974 --> 00:21:19,434 It's easy for us to understand 566 00:21:20,214 --> 00:21:22,295 that we are greatly blessed when we are 567 00:21:22,295 --> 00:21:23,195 not being persecuted 568 00:21:23,880 --> 00:21:25,640 and when we are not suffering because of 569 00:21:25,640 --> 00:21:26,299 our faith. 570 00:21:27,320 --> 00:21:28,140 But Christian, 571 00:21:28,680 --> 00:21:29,660 you must know 572 00:21:30,599 --> 00:21:32,059 that when you are persecuted 573 00:21:32,440 --> 00:21:33,820 for righteousness sake, 574 00:21:34,279 --> 00:21:37,240 that when you are reviled and slandered on 575 00:21:37,240 --> 00:21:38,380 account of Christ, 576 00:21:39,015 --> 00:21:41,195 that too is a great blessing. 577 00:21:41,575 --> 00:21:43,815 And Jesus calls you to rejoice and be 578 00:21:43,815 --> 00:21:45,195 glad in that moment 579 00:21:46,134 --> 00:21:49,575 because it reminds you that your ultimate reward 580 00:21:49,575 --> 00:21:50,555 is not here, 581 00:21:51,174 --> 00:21:52,075 but in heaven. 582 00:21:53,660 --> 00:21:55,200 It is good to enjoy 583 00:21:56,059 --> 00:21:57,119 the correct perspective. 584 00:21:58,779 --> 00:22:01,900 Another way in which suffering sanctifies us is 585 00:22:01,900 --> 00:22:03,759 that it encourages us to pray. 586 00:22:04,700 --> 00:22:07,420 In 1st Thessalonians chapter 5 verses 16 to 587 00:22:07,420 --> 00:22:07,920 18, 588 00:22:08,404 --> 00:22:09,224 Paul writes, 589 00:22:09,764 --> 00:22:10,825 rejoice always, 590 00:22:11,845 --> 00:22:13,144 pray without ceasing, 591 00:22:14,325 --> 00:22:16,585 give thanks in all circumstances. 592 00:22:18,484 --> 00:22:20,005 But the truth is that when things are 593 00:22:20,005 --> 00:22:22,024 not when things are going great 594 00:22:22,680 --> 00:22:24,460 we are prone to forget to pray. 595 00:22:25,320 --> 00:22:27,960 We're more likely to live life almost as 596 00:22:27,960 --> 00:22:29,340 if we were self sufficient. 597 00:22:30,680 --> 00:22:32,119 But when there is a crisis in our 598 00:22:32,119 --> 00:22:32,619 life, 599 00:22:33,320 --> 00:22:35,019 whenever we encounter suffering 600 00:22:35,400 --> 00:22:37,500 especially when it is due to a circumstance 601 00:22:37,559 --> 00:22:38,299 that is 602 00:22:38,734 --> 00:22:39,234 entirely 603 00:22:39,615 --> 00:22:40,755 outside of our control, 604 00:22:41,535 --> 00:22:43,875 we will be much more ready to pray. 605 00:22:44,975 --> 00:22:46,115 And this is true 606 00:22:46,414 --> 00:22:48,414 whether the crisis is the result of a 607 00:22:48,414 --> 00:22:48,914 religious 608 00:22:49,375 --> 00:22:50,755 persecution against us 609 00:22:51,299 --> 00:22:53,380 or whether it's simply the consequence of living 610 00:22:53,380 --> 00:22:54,519 in a fallen world. 611 00:22:55,940 --> 00:22:58,679 During our last presbytery meeting on April 8th, 612 00:22:59,059 --> 00:23:00,039 we had hoped 613 00:23:00,419 --> 00:23:02,759 that the presbytery would vote to officially 614 00:23:03,220 --> 00:23:05,880 approve our church plant at that meeting. 615 00:23:06,855 --> 00:23:07,674 This was not 616 00:23:08,055 --> 00:23:11,095 the outcome that transpired when the presbytery for 617 00:23:11,095 --> 00:23:13,734 various reasons voted to postpone the vote until 618 00:23:13,734 --> 00:23:14,234 August. 619 00:23:15,095 --> 00:23:16,634 It wasn't what we hoped for, 620 00:23:17,015 --> 00:23:19,515 but one of the immediate benefits 621 00:23:20,230 --> 00:23:22,309 from that outcome was that it gave those 622 00:23:22,309 --> 00:23:24,389 of us who were there from our church 623 00:23:24,389 --> 00:23:24,889 plant, 624 00:23:25,349 --> 00:23:26,649 who were there at the meeting, 625 00:23:26,950 --> 00:23:28,490 the opportunity to gather 626 00:23:28,869 --> 00:23:29,769 and to pray 627 00:23:30,309 --> 00:23:31,529 and to thank God 628 00:23:31,909 --> 00:23:32,889 for his wisdom, 629 00:23:33,704 --> 00:23:35,005 for his sovereign will 630 00:23:35,464 --> 00:23:37,544 because he knows what is best for us 631 00:23:37,544 --> 00:23:39,625 and he knows what will bring him the 632 00:23:39,625 --> 00:23:40,365 most glory. 633 00:23:40,744 --> 00:23:42,664 We can trust him with that and we 634 00:23:42,664 --> 00:23:44,664 have to rejoice in that and we have 635 00:23:44,664 --> 00:23:46,265 to thank him. He knows better than we 636 00:23:46,265 --> 00:23:46,765 do. 637 00:23:47,149 --> 00:23:49,250 And so we had that wonderful opportunity. 638 00:23:49,630 --> 00:23:50,130 Adversity 639 00:23:50,750 --> 00:23:52,130 pushed us to pray together 640 00:23:52,990 --> 00:23:55,789 and it made the time that we had 641 00:23:55,789 --> 00:23:56,609 more sweet. 642 00:23:57,069 --> 00:23:59,389 It allowed us to feel God's presence with 643 00:23:59,389 --> 00:24:01,765 us and it gave us the opportunity to 644 00:24:01,765 --> 00:24:04,725 trust in his good and perfect will for 645 00:24:04,725 --> 00:24:06,744 this church. Praise the Lord. 646 00:24:08,565 --> 00:24:10,404 A third way in which suffering helps us 647 00:24:10,404 --> 00:24:12,164 to grow in our faith is that it 648 00:24:12,164 --> 00:24:14,085 reminds us of our sinfulness and gives us 649 00:24:14,085 --> 00:24:15,545 an opportunity to repent. 650 00:24:16,509 --> 00:24:18,509 I'm not saying that God is punishing us 651 00:24:18,509 --> 00:24:19,329 when we suffer. 652 00:24:20,029 --> 00:24:20,529 Again, 653 00:24:20,990 --> 00:24:23,390 suffering because of our sin does have painful 654 00:24:23,390 --> 00:24:23,890 consequences, 655 00:24:24,829 --> 00:24:27,630 but our suffering is not God's punishment for 656 00:24:27,630 --> 00:24:28,289 our sin 657 00:24:28,605 --> 00:24:30,605 and we know that to be true because 658 00:24:30,605 --> 00:24:33,424 Christ was already punished for our sin. 659 00:24:33,964 --> 00:24:35,585 He was punished in our place. 660 00:24:36,924 --> 00:24:39,585 But anytime we suffer, we are reminded 661 00:24:40,125 --> 00:24:41,884 that this is a world that is in 662 00:24:41,884 --> 00:24:43,345 rebellion against God. 663 00:24:44,309 --> 00:24:46,970 And this realization also gives us an opportunity 664 00:24:47,029 --> 00:24:47,769 to reflect 665 00:24:48,069 --> 00:24:49,210 on our own sinfulness 666 00:24:50,069 --> 00:24:52,649 and to repent of it and to ask 667 00:24:52,710 --> 00:24:53,769 God for forgiveness. 668 00:24:55,029 --> 00:24:56,569 Remember that only Jesus 669 00:24:56,950 --> 00:24:59,529 was entirely without sin when he suffered. 670 00:25:00,575 --> 00:25:02,914 And remember that it was your sin 671 00:25:03,695 --> 00:25:04,755 and my sin 672 00:25:05,295 --> 00:25:07,634 that led him to suffer on the cross. 673 00:25:08,734 --> 00:25:10,674 So whenever you suffer unjustly 674 00:25:11,615 --> 00:25:13,234 on account of Christ, 675 00:25:14,255 --> 00:25:14,755 rejoice 676 00:25:15,769 --> 00:25:17,769 because in that moment God has given you 677 00:25:17,769 --> 00:25:18,750 the great privilege 678 00:25:19,369 --> 00:25:20,750 of imitating Jesus. 679 00:25:22,490 --> 00:25:23,549 And take the opportunity 680 00:25:24,409 --> 00:25:25,309 when that happens 681 00:25:25,609 --> 00:25:27,230 to repent of your own sin 682 00:25:27,784 --> 00:25:29,884 which was imputed. It was credited 683 00:25:30,424 --> 00:25:33,244 to Jesus on Calvary. He took it on. 684 00:25:33,304 --> 00:25:34,284 He was punished 685 00:25:34,664 --> 00:25:36,345 for your sin and my and for my 686 00:25:36,345 --> 00:25:38,204 sin. He took our place. 687 00:25:39,304 --> 00:25:40,365 As you do this, 688 00:25:40,799 --> 00:25:43,120 God through the holy spirit will purify and 689 00:25:43,120 --> 00:25:44,019 refine you, 690 00:25:44,400 --> 00:25:46,640 causing you to grow in your hatred of 691 00:25:46,640 --> 00:25:47,140 sin, 692 00:25:47,840 --> 00:25:49,299 especially your own sin, 693 00:25:49,680 --> 00:25:52,259 and in your love for your savior. 694 00:25:53,714 --> 00:25:56,454 A 4th way in which suffering sanctifies you 695 00:25:56,595 --> 00:25:58,775 is that it gives you a stronger grip 696 00:25:58,994 --> 00:26:00,535 on your assurance of salvation. 697 00:26:02,355 --> 00:26:03,575 When former boxing 698 00:26:03,954 --> 00:26:06,214 heavyweight champion of the world, Mike Tyson, 699 00:26:06,755 --> 00:26:08,214 was asked if he was concerned 700 00:26:08,750 --> 00:26:11,230 about his upcoming fight with the great Evander 701 00:26:11,230 --> 00:26:11,730 Holyfield, 702 00:26:12,269 --> 00:26:13,890 Tyson famously responded, 703 00:26:14,670 --> 00:26:17,549 everyone has a plan until they get punched 704 00:26:17,549 --> 00:26:18,369 in the mouth. 705 00:26:20,904 --> 00:26:22,924 It's one thing to say one believes 706 00:26:23,384 --> 00:26:24,444 in God's sovereignty, 707 00:26:25,224 --> 00:26:26,285 in God's love, 708 00:26:27,065 --> 00:26:28,204 in Christ lordship, 709 00:26:28,744 --> 00:26:30,585 in the power of the Holy Spirit to 710 00:26:30,585 --> 00:26:33,724 transform hearts, but it's another thing altogether 711 00:26:34,679 --> 00:26:37,179 to confess Christ and curse Caesar 712 00:26:37,639 --> 00:26:39,240 when you're in the middle of the Roman 713 00:26:39,240 --> 00:26:39,740 Colosseum 714 00:26:40,440 --> 00:26:42,460 and you can hear the lions roaring. 715 00:26:44,440 --> 00:26:45,819 None of us want suffering. 716 00:26:47,464 --> 00:26:49,945 None of us are called to look for 717 00:26:49,945 --> 00:26:50,445 suffering. 718 00:26:51,625 --> 00:26:54,045 However, we are told to expect it 719 00:26:54,664 --> 00:26:56,825 and we are called to be faithful when 720 00:26:56,825 --> 00:26:58,525 the moment of trial comes. 721 00:27:00,029 --> 00:27:02,049 Suffering is a severe mercy in this. 722 00:27:02,750 --> 00:27:04,130 It gives us the opportunity 723 00:27:04,670 --> 00:27:06,769 to test our trust in God 724 00:27:07,870 --> 00:27:10,049 and to test our love for Christ 725 00:27:10,590 --> 00:27:12,990 and to test our reliance on the Holy 726 00:27:12,990 --> 00:27:13,490 Spirit. 727 00:27:14,285 --> 00:27:16,304 And if we endure that trial 728 00:27:17,244 --> 00:27:19,265 and we persevere in our faith, 729 00:27:19,724 --> 00:27:22,285 then our assurance of salvation will only get 730 00:27:22,285 --> 00:27:22,785 stronger. 731 00:27:24,365 --> 00:27:26,845 During the Last Supper that Jesus shared with 732 00:27:26,845 --> 00:27:27,585 his disciples, 733 00:27:28,279 --> 00:27:30,599 Jesus took a moment to privately speak to 734 00:27:30,599 --> 00:27:31,099 Judas 735 00:27:31,960 --> 00:27:32,700 and separately 736 00:27:33,079 --> 00:27:33,819 to Peter. 737 00:27:35,000 --> 00:27:36,539 To Judas, Jesus said, 738 00:27:37,000 --> 00:27:38,460 what you are going to do, 739 00:27:39,079 --> 00:27:39,819 do quickly. 740 00:27:41,204 --> 00:27:42,744 But to Peter Jesus said, 741 00:27:43,444 --> 00:27:44,424 Simon, Simon, 742 00:27:45,044 --> 00:27:45,544 behold, 743 00:27:46,644 --> 00:27:49,605 Satan demanded to have you that he might 744 00:27:49,605 --> 00:27:50,744 sift you like wheat. 745 00:27:51,605 --> 00:27:53,384 But I have prayed for you 746 00:27:53,845 --> 00:27:56,105 that your faith may not fail you. 747 00:27:57,480 --> 00:28:00,279 Perhaps the most significant reason why Peter who 748 00:28:00,279 --> 00:28:02,779 denied Jesus three times and even cursed him 749 00:28:03,160 --> 00:28:04,140 did not apostatize 750 00:28:05,240 --> 00:28:06,460 while Judas did 751 00:28:06,840 --> 00:28:09,259 is that Jesus prayed for Peter. 752 00:28:10,494 --> 00:28:11,315 Dear Christian, 753 00:28:11,934 --> 00:28:12,914 don't miss this. 754 00:28:13,775 --> 00:28:16,654 In that same room where Jesus celebrated the 755 00:28:16,654 --> 00:28:18,115 last supper with his disciples, 756 00:28:19,054 --> 00:28:20,194 he prayed for them, 757 00:28:20,894 --> 00:28:22,194 he prayed for Peter, 758 00:28:22,894 --> 00:28:24,355 but also and significantly 759 00:28:25,019 --> 00:28:26,000 he prayed for 760 00:28:27,019 --> 00:28:29,339 you. Look at what Jesus prays and for 761 00:28:29,339 --> 00:28:32,059 whom he prays during what's known as the 762 00:28:32,059 --> 00:28:33,359 high priestly prayer 763 00:28:33,740 --> 00:28:34,480 of Jesus 764 00:28:34,779 --> 00:28:35,839 in John 17. 765 00:28:36,619 --> 00:28:39,019 Beginning in verse 20, we read this is 766 00:28:39,019 --> 00:28:40,000 Jesus praying. 767 00:28:41,015 --> 00:28:43,095 I do not ask for these only. That 768 00:28:43,095 --> 00:28:44,695 is, I do not ask for the disciples 769 00:28:44,695 --> 00:28:45,195 only. 770 00:28:45,654 --> 00:28:47,975 But also for those who will believe in 771 00:28:47,975 --> 00:28:49,515 me through their word 772 00:28:50,775 --> 00:28:52,695 that they may all be 1 just as 773 00:28:52,695 --> 00:28:53,195 you, 774 00:28:53,894 --> 00:28:54,394 father, 775 00:28:54,775 --> 00:28:55,674 are in me 776 00:28:56,339 --> 00:28:57,559 and I in you 777 00:28:57,940 --> 00:28:59,960 that they also may be in us 778 00:29:00,660 --> 00:29:02,359 so that the world may believe 779 00:29:02,660 --> 00:29:03,960 that you have sent me. 780 00:29:04,500 --> 00:29:05,240 The glory 781 00:29:05,700 --> 00:29:07,079 that you have given me, 782 00:29:07,380 --> 00:29:08,839 I have given to them 783 00:29:09,695 --> 00:29:11,154 that they may be 1 784 00:29:11,775 --> 00:29:14,434 even as we are 1. 785 00:29:15,535 --> 00:29:17,535 He prays for those who will believe in 786 00:29:17,535 --> 00:29:20,035 him through the word of the disciples. Jesus 787 00:29:20,095 --> 00:29:23,055 is praying for each and every Christian in 788 00:29:23,055 --> 00:29:23,795 this room. 789 00:29:25,200 --> 00:29:26,880 And he says that he has given you 790 00:29:26,880 --> 00:29:27,539 the glory 791 00:29:28,079 --> 00:29:28,980 that the father 792 00:29:29,359 --> 00:29:30,179 gave him. 793 00:29:31,519 --> 00:29:33,220 This brings us to our second heading 794 00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:36,079 with which we will conclude the sermon why 795 00:29:36,079 --> 00:29:37,779 Christians can expect the crown. 796 00:29:38,494 --> 00:29:39,394 In verse 17, 797 00:29:40,335 --> 00:29:42,595 Paul wrote that Christians who suffer for Christ 798 00:29:42,975 --> 00:29:44,654 can be certain that they will also be 799 00:29:44,654 --> 00:29:45,875 glorified with him. 800 00:29:46,654 --> 00:29:49,134 Paul complements this concept in verse 18 where 801 00:29:49,134 --> 00:29:49,795 he writes, 802 00:29:50,429 --> 00:29:52,750 for I consider that the sufferings of this 803 00:29:52,750 --> 00:29:54,849 present time are not worth comparing 804 00:29:55,389 --> 00:29:57,789 with the glory that is to be revealed 805 00:29:57,789 --> 00:29:58,450 to us. 806 00:29:59,549 --> 00:30:01,789 We'll talk more about verse 18 and the 807 00:30:01,789 --> 00:30:04,269 verses that follow next week especially how they 808 00:30:04,269 --> 00:30:05,710 relate to the glory that is to be 809 00:30:05,710 --> 00:30:06,105 revealed. 810 00:30:06,585 --> 00:30:07,484 But right now 811 00:30:08,025 --> 00:30:10,204 I want to leave you with this thought. 812 00:30:11,065 --> 00:30:12,044 For the Christian, 813 00:30:12,825 --> 00:30:13,325 suffering 814 00:30:13,625 --> 00:30:14,924 in Christ anticipates 815 00:30:15,304 --> 00:30:16,525 glory with Christ. 816 00:30:17,464 --> 00:30:18,204 Be encouraged 817 00:30:18,820 --> 00:30:20,980 even when you suffer because the cross leaps 818 00:30:20,980 --> 00:30:21,720 to the crown. 819 00:30:22,660 --> 00:30:23,160 Inevitably, 820 00:30:24,180 --> 00:30:26,840 the word glory is not easily defined, 821 00:30:27,619 --> 00:30:29,400 but it has to do with the weight 822 00:30:30,340 --> 00:30:32,279 of something or of someone's 823 00:30:32,580 --> 00:30:33,080 worthiness 824 00:30:33,924 --> 00:30:34,505 or holiness 825 00:30:34,884 --> 00:30:35,785 or honor 826 00:30:36,164 --> 00:30:38,805 or with his his brilliance or radiance or 827 00:30:38,805 --> 00:30:39,305 splendor. 828 00:30:39,684 --> 00:30:40,744 All of these things 829 00:30:41,205 --> 00:30:43,305 are part of what the word glory 830 00:30:43,684 --> 00:30:44,184 means. 831 00:30:44,964 --> 00:30:47,125 And Paul writes that if you were to 832 00:30:47,125 --> 00:30:49,849 put the substance of your sufferings on a 833 00:30:49,849 --> 00:30:50,349 scale 834 00:30:51,929 --> 00:30:54,269 and put the substance of your future glory 835 00:30:55,049 --> 00:30:56,990 on the opposite part of the balance, 836 00:30:57,769 --> 00:30:59,950 you would realize that it is no contest. 837 00:31:01,125 --> 00:31:03,845 That the substance of suffering as significant as 838 00:31:03,845 --> 00:31:05,144 that suffering may be 839 00:31:06,005 --> 00:31:07,865 is not in the same league 840 00:31:08,644 --> 00:31:11,045 as the glory that is already yours in 841 00:31:11,045 --> 00:31:12,025 Jesus Christ. 842 00:31:13,205 --> 00:31:15,065 Paul puts it this way in 2nd Corinthians 843 00:31:15,125 --> 00:31:16,025 chapter 4 844 00:31:16,349 --> 00:31:17,809 verses 17 and 18. 845 00:31:18,509 --> 00:31:19,250 He writes, 846 00:31:20,750 --> 00:31:24,109 for this light momentary affliction is preparing for 847 00:31:24,109 --> 00:31:24,609 us 848 00:31:24,990 --> 00:31:28,369 an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison 849 00:31:29,474 --> 00:31:31,075 as we look not to the things that 850 00:31:31,075 --> 00:31:31,815 are seen, 851 00:31:32,194 --> 00:31:33,894 but to the things that are unseen. 852 00:31:34,515 --> 00:31:36,375 For the things that are seen are transient, 853 00:31:37,315 --> 00:31:38,775 but the things that are unseen 854 00:31:39,555 --> 00:31:40,214 are eternal. 855 00:31:41,490 --> 00:31:42,150 Dear Christian, 856 00:31:42,849 --> 00:31:45,490 your suffering is light, but your glory will 857 00:31:45,490 --> 00:31:46,150 be weighty. 858 00:31:47,250 --> 00:31:48,630 Your suffering is momentary, 859 00:31:49,650 --> 00:31:51,029 but your glory is eternal. 860 00:31:52,049 --> 00:31:54,869 Your suffering is earthly and will pass away, 861 00:31:55,625 --> 00:31:57,085 but your glory is heavenly 862 00:31:57,465 --> 00:31:58,605 and will last forever. 863 00:31:59,625 --> 00:32:01,305 And you can be sure of this because 864 00:32:01,305 --> 00:32:02,765 you are united to Christ 865 00:32:03,545 --> 00:32:05,465 who has endured the cross and has received 866 00:32:05,465 --> 00:32:06,205 the crown, 867 00:32:06,744 --> 00:32:08,105 and it is with him. As it is 868 00:32:08,105 --> 00:32:08,765 with him, 869 00:32:09,349 --> 00:32:11,990 it shall be with you. Your union with 870 00:32:11,990 --> 00:32:12,490 Christ 871 00:32:12,789 --> 00:32:14,570 through a spirit wrought faith 872 00:32:15,029 --> 00:32:16,090 guarantees it. 873 00:32:16,470 --> 00:32:17,609 You have been sealed 874 00:32:17,910 --> 00:32:19,130 by the holy spirit. 875 00:32:20,630 --> 00:32:21,690 I remember hearing 876 00:32:22,115 --> 00:32:23,575 the late RC Sproul 877 00:32:24,115 --> 00:32:26,595 who was one of the sharpest theologians and 878 00:32:26,595 --> 00:32:28,195 one of the most gifted teachers of our 879 00:32:28,195 --> 00:32:30,615 time. I remember hearing him tell a story 880 00:32:30,914 --> 00:32:32,595 about a trip that he made to Eastern 881 00:32:32,595 --> 00:32:33,575 Europe in 1990. 882 00:32:34,690 --> 00:32:36,210 He said that he had been invited to 883 00:32:36,210 --> 00:32:38,049 do a series of lectures in 3 countries 884 00:32:38,049 --> 00:32:38,789 in Czechoslovakia, 885 00:32:40,210 --> 00:32:42,549 in Hungary, and then finally in Romania. 886 00:32:43,009 --> 00:32:46,289 These three countries were Soviet satellite states at 887 00:32:46,289 --> 00:32:46,950 the time. 888 00:32:48,034 --> 00:32:50,855 As they were leaving Hungary and they were 889 00:32:50,914 --> 00:32:53,474 gonna go into Romania, they were warned that 890 00:32:53,474 --> 00:32:55,875 the border guards in Romania were quite hostile 891 00:32:55,875 --> 00:32:57,954 to Americans and so they should be prepared 892 00:32:57,954 --> 00:33:00,115 to be hassled and perhaps even arrested at 893 00:33:00,115 --> 00:33:00,694 the border. 894 00:33:01,589 --> 00:33:03,769 So they boarded the train with some trepidation 895 00:33:04,869 --> 00:33:05,849 and they reached, 896 00:33:06,390 --> 00:33:09,029 the border, with Romania. And at that moment, 897 00:33:09,029 --> 00:33:11,210 2 guards jumped onto the train. 898 00:33:11,670 --> 00:33:14,069 They couldn't speak English, but they pointed to 899 00:33:14,069 --> 00:33:15,690 the passports and to the luggage. 900 00:33:16,204 --> 00:33:18,525 As they scowl, they rudely gestured for the 901 00:33:18,525 --> 00:33:19,984 Americans to open their luggage. 902 00:33:21,244 --> 00:33:21,744 Suddenly, 903 00:33:22,444 --> 00:33:25,164 the their boss appeared, a burly officer who 904 00:33:25,164 --> 00:33:26,464 spoke some broken English. 905 00:33:27,805 --> 00:33:30,440 And he noticed that one of the women 906 00:33:30,500 --> 00:33:32,259 in the group had a paper bag and 907 00:33:32,259 --> 00:33:33,559 that there was something 908 00:33:34,019 --> 00:33:34,579 that was, 909 00:33:35,059 --> 00:33:37,880 peeking out of that bag as it were. 910 00:33:38,339 --> 00:33:40,440 He said, what's this in the bag? 911 00:33:41,220 --> 00:33:42,980 Then he opened the bag and pulled out 912 00:33:42,980 --> 00:33:43,640 a bible. 913 00:33:44,934 --> 00:33:46,695 RC Sproul says that in that moment, he 914 00:33:46,695 --> 00:33:47,515 thought, uh-oh. 915 00:33:48,134 --> 00:33:49,595 We might be in big trouble. 916 00:33:50,455 --> 00:33:53,035 The officer began leafing through the Bible quickly, 917 00:33:54,215 --> 00:33:56,315 going through various passages. 918 00:33:56,775 --> 00:33:57,755 Then he stopped, 919 00:33:58,529 --> 00:34:00,869 looked at r c and at his wife, 920 00:34:01,490 --> 00:34:03,509 both of whom were holding American passports, 921 00:34:03,809 --> 00:34:05,570 and he said to them, you are not 922 00:34:05,570 --> 00:34:06,070 American. 923 00:34:07,809 --> 00:34:09,110 They were confused, 924 00:34:09,969 --> 00:34:11,510 concerned, a bit frightened 925 00:34:11,890 --> 00:34:13,349 at what might happen next. 926 00:34:13,664 --> 00:34:15,285 But then the officer smiled 927 00:34:16,304 --> 00:34:17,765 and he said, I'm not Romanian. 928 00:34:18,785 --> 00:34:20,244 Then he pointed to the bible, 929 00:34:20,704 --> 00:34:22,304 gave it to RC and said, read what 930 00:34:22,304 --> 00:34:22,965 it says. 931 00:34:23,744 --> 00:34:25,844 And RC read the text which was Philippians 932 00:34:26,065 --> 00:34:28,679 chapter 3 verse 20 and it says our 933 00:34:28,679 --> 00:34:29,179 citizenship 934 00:34:29,719 --> 00:34:30,619 is in heaven. 935 00:34:31,719 --> 00:34:32,859 The guard was a Christian. 936 00:34:33,800 --> 00:34:36,039 He turned to his subordinates and said, leave 937 00:34:36,039 --> 00:34:38,539 these people alone. They're okay. They're Christians. 938 00:34:39,639 --> 00:34:41,099 RC gave a sigh of relief 939 00:34:41,480 --> 00:34:43,420 and thanked God for his mercy. 940 00:34:44,894 --> 00:34:47,635 Our suffering in this life is not random 941 00:34:47,695 --> 00:34:48,355 or pointless. 942 00:34:49,855 --> 00:34:51,934 Through it, God is preparing us for an 943 00:34:51,934 --> 00:34:54,195 eternal weight of glory for a crown 944 00:34:54,494 --> 00:34:54,994 forged 945 00:34:55,375 --> 00:34:57,155 by the loving work of our savior. 946 00:34:58,059 --> 00:35:00,380 The crown is radiant because it reflects the 947 00:35:00,380 --> 00:35:01,599 splendor of its maker. 948 00:35:02,299 --> 00:35:03,839 It's kept secure in heaven 949 00:35:04,139 --> 00:35:06,400 in the country that we belong to. 950 00:35:07,099 --> 00:35:08,079 But I say, 951 00:35:08,539 --> 00:35:11,019 we let his glory shine here in this 952 00:35:11,019 --> 00:35:11,519 country, 953 00:35:12,085 --> 00:35:12,905 even if imperfectly 954 00:35:13,765 --> 00:35:16,085 as we reflect the attributes of the master 955 00:35:16,085 --> 00:35:16,585 craftsman 956 00:35:17,525 --> 00:35:18,824 by building a community 957 00:35:19,364 --> 00:35:22,025 that radiates love, joy, and peace, 958 00:35:22,885 --> 00:35:24,824 and exudes patience, kindness, 959 00:35:25,445 --> 00:35:26,184 and goodness, 960 00:35:26,980 --> 00:35:28,199 and displays faithfulness, 961 00:35:28,739 --> 00:35:30,360 gentleness, and self control. 962 00:35:31,219 --> 00:35:33,400 The cross leads to the crown. 963 00:35:34,208 --> 00:35:36,128 So let us not tire in proclaiming the 964 00:35:36,128 --> 00:35:36,628 cross 965 00:35:37,248 --> 00:35:38,708 that the glory of the crown 966 00:35:39,088 --> 00:35:40,628 might shine more brightly. 967 00:35:41,009 --> 00:35:41,829 Let's pray.