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The Tension Bridge. Suffering is loaded with tension…. We all suffer…nobody likes it… We can veer off into ditches in how we think about suffering. Two Ditches. ASCETICISM. Suffering is good. Super-spirituality. Two Ditches. ASCETICISM. HEDONISM. Suffering is good. Absolute avoidance.
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Suffering is loaded with tension… • We all suffer…nobody likes it… • We can veer off into ditches in how we think about suffering
TwoDitches ASCETICISM Suffering is good Super-spirituality
TwoDitches ASCETICISM HEDONISM Suffering is good Absolute avoidance Super-spirituality Unspiritual
Suffering is loaded with tension… • We all suffer…nobody likes it… • We can veer off into ditches in how we think about suffering • Suffering is not inherently good (not made for it), yet it is a key means of growth in the Gospel & a key means through which the Gospel advances in our world
Is this Biblical? • Acts 5:41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. • Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. • Philippians 1:29-30 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
Is this Biblical? • 2 Timothy 1:8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. • 2 Timothy 3:12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted… • 1 Peter 2:20-21 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
Suffering is loaded with tension… WAR & PEACE
Key Paradigm PEACE! • Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” • Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. • Paul’s Letters Grace and peaceto you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. • Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. • Galatians 5:22-2322 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.
Key Paradigm PEACE! • Philippians 4:6-7 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. • John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Key Paradigm WARFARE! • John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” • Matthew 10:34 Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. • Luke 12:51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.
Key Paradigm WARFARE! • Ephesians 6:14-16 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. • Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satanunder your feet.
Key Paradigm WARFARE! • 2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this agehas blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. • 1 John 5:19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
Key Paradigm WARFARE! • 2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this agehas blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. • 1 John 5:19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We are an invasionary force sent to rescue captives from a defensive, defeated foe by calling people to receive peace with God through Christ…
Is this Biblical? 1 John 2:15-1715 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
Is this Biblical? Acts 26:15-1815 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Is this Biblical? • Matthew 16:18 the gates of Hades will not overcome it. • Revelation 11:15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” • Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
Key Resolutions • We will suffer as we invade the enemy’s kingdom…unless we try to go back and make peace with God’s enemy… • James 4:4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
Key Resolutions • We must enlist and arm ourselves to suffer in this war! • 2 Timothy 2:3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldierof Christ Jesus. • 1 Peter 4:1-2 1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselvesalso with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
