Rise Up Over Suffering

Suffering comes to all!

It comes in all different types and situations!

It particularly comes to the body if you are ill and as you age and body prepares to meet its Maker Sovereign God.

Trials, difficulties, depression, loneliness, rejection and so on.

How do we rise Up over suffering?

1. Understand the reality of suffering.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. - 1 Peter 4:12

In this sin filled world, trouble abounds. 

No one is exempt.

But have joy, Christ has overcome the world!

10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,

11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra-which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.

12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, - 2 Timothy 3:10-12

Suffering forces you to lean on God!

During storms you search for Him!

Know the peace of the Lord!

2. Notice the reasons for suffering.

You experience personal growth during your time of testing.

In darkness there is hope through Christ.

Your worship will be deeper.

Your prayer will be sweeter knowing that God holds you.

Run to God!

Don't let worship be a habit but let it be the sweetest, deepest praise of a God who is able!

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, - 1 Timothy 1:12

3. You experience the glory of God.

13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. - 1 Peter 4:13-14

13 and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the LORD), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the LORD, "For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever," the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, 

14 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God. - 2 Chronicles 5:13-14

The valley of suffering with God produces humility.

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 

2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. 

3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. 

4 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 

5 The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. 

6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. 

7 The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. 

8 The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.  - Psalms 121

and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. - Romans 8:17

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.

16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. - 1 Peter 4:15-16

Joy in suffering is because of God alone!

He is our Rock, our Deliverer, our help!

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,

7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. - 1 Peter 1:6-7

Thank you Pastor Kevin!