Text:         Romans 8:17-18, 1 Peter 4:13

By:           Adeoye, Emmanuel (Evang.)

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INTRODUCTION:

IN HUMAN thinking, Suffering and glory are opposite. Suffering is failure, glory is success. But in the Bible they are Inseparably linked. The Greek mind wants glory without suffering. The Bible says glory comes through suffering. This is the pattern: THE CROSS BEFORE THE CROWN.

DEFINITION: Suffering (pathema) means to experience, to feel, to endure pain, to be afflicted, not just pain, but pain with purpose. Romans 8:17 – “If so be that we suffer with him”.

Sympaschomen – suffer together with Christ. 1 Peter 2:21 – Christ also suffered for us. Suffering is NT is not random. It is participatory- we share in Christ’s suffering.

Glory (Doxa) Means Weight, Heaviness, Honor, Shinning, Splendor, The Manifested Presence Of God. Originally Means Heavy-something Of Weight And Value.

Romans 8:18 – “The Glory Which Shall Be Revealed In Us”.

2 Cor. 4:17 – “Eternal weight Of Glory”.

So Suffering Is Light And Momentary, Glory Is Heavy And Eternal.

This Is An Intentional Contrast – THE UNEXPECTED LINK.

4 BIBLICAL REVEALTIONS 

1. SUFFERING IS THE PATHWAY TO GLORY: (Luke 24:26). “Ought not Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into glory”

The word ought is (Edei) it was divinely necessary. it was not an accident. The way to glory is (dia) through suffering.

Jesus himself followed it: (Phil 2:8-9). If the head went through suffering to glory, the body must also. The word ought is (Edei) it was divinely necessary. it was not an accident. The way to glory is (dia) through suffering.

2. SUFFERING IS THE PREPARATION FOR GLORY: (2 Cor. 4:17)

“For our light affliction, which I but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”. 

Greek(katergazetai) Suffering is not wasting, it is working. it is a factory producing glory. Paul Calls Suffering (Elaphron) Which Means Light And Momentary. What Is Light Now Become Heavy Glory Later.

3. SUFFERING IS FELLOWSHIP THAT QUALIFIES FOR GLORY – Romans 8:17.

“If the children, then heirs, heirs of glory and joint with Christ, if so be that we suffer with him, that we may also glorified together”.

STRUCTURE: CHILDREN- Heirs-joint heirs

CONDITION: If we suffer with him

RESULT: Glorified together.

The Greek eiper- No Suffering With Him No Glory With Him. We want to be joint-heirs without being Joint-sufferers. GOD SAYS THEY ARE ONE PACKAGE.

4. SUFFERING IS THE EVIDENCE THAT GLORY IS COMING: 1 Peter 4:13, 1 Peter 1:6-7

“But rejoice inasmuch as ye are partaker of Christ suffering, that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy”

“The trial of you faith might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ”. 

Suffering is a receipt that glory is on the way. like labor before birth-John 16:21. THE PAIN PROVES THE CHILD IS COMING.

 WHY THE LINK IS UNEXPECTED TO THE WORLD

1. The world says: avoid suffering at all cost. Bible says: endure it for glory – 12:2.
2. The world says: glory is for the strong. The bible says glory is revealed in weakness – 2 Cor 12:9-10.
3. The world says: suffering means God has left you. The bible says suffering means God is refining you – JOB 23:10 1 PET. 1:7.

• Joseph-pit-palace – 39-41.
• Moses-desert 40years –Deliverer
• David-cave Of Adullam-throne
• Jesus-cross-crown- 2:9-10 – “Crowned With Glory And Honor— In Bringing Many Sons Unto Glory, To Make The Captain—Perfect Through Suffering.
• Church – Tribulation – kingdom – Acts 14:22 “we must through much tribulation enter the kingdom.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION FOR GREY CHURCH OF CHRIST- WARRI

• Don’t waste your suffering: ask what is God working in me.
• Suffering now is not comparison to glory:- Rom 8:18 – not worthy to be compared (Greek axios) not equal weight
• Your quagmire today is your qualification for glory tomorrow: if you endure with Christ.

Christians: stop preaching only glory without suffering, this is false gospel –  2 Timothy 3:12.

God Does Not Deliver Us FROM Suffering to Glory, He Delivers THROUGH Suffering To Glory.

The SUFFERING Is The DOOR, GLORY Is The House

If You Want To Share His Glory, You Must Share His Cup – Matt 20:22-23, Romans 8:18 – “We Must Keep Looking Beyond our Present (Pathema) To Coming Glory”. 

SUFFERING IS INEVITABLE

We are constantly reminded by our friends, family, and media of that suffering. Believers are not exempted; every follower of Christ will experience some kind of trial or suffering.

We’re guaranteed to suffer for two reasons. The first is because sin Infected everything in our world. When sin entered, nothing in the realm of creation escaped its destroying touch.

It ushered in general suffering, such as natural disasters and disease. The second reason is because suffering is a part of being a Christ follower.

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. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. (1 Pet. 4:12–13)

Christians need not wonder why we are suffering. Rather we rejoice that we are allowed to follow in Christ’s example of suffering. In his last hours on earth, Christ reiterated the certainty of suffering in “In the world you will have tribulation.” (John 16:33). This verse would be incredibly difficult to bear if that is all Scripture said about the subject. However in the very next breath, Christ gives the ultimate encouragement when he says, “But take heart, I have overcome the world.”

Christians need not wonder why we are suffering. Rather we rejoice that we are allowed to follow in Christ’s example of suffering. In his last hours on earth, Christ reiterated the certainty of suffering in a

“In the world you will have tribulation.” (John 16:33). This verse would be incredibly difficult to bear if that is all Scripture said about the subject. However in the very next breath, Christ gives the ultimate encouragement when he says, “But take heart, I have overcome the world.”

PURPOSE OF SUFFERING

For Christians enduring this fallen world: Suffering has two purposes: God’s glory and our good.

When we respond to suffering well, we practically demonstrate to the unbelieving world that Christ is more Glorious and Precious to us than any pain and difficulty we might endure.

We have the opportunity to show where and in whom we find our true treasure. By placing our ultimate hope in Christ rather than in the temporary things of this world, God receives the glory.

Suffering as a Christian serves several purposes for our ultimate good.

Suffering sanctifies and purifies us. When earthly pleasures, things, and people are stripped out of our lives, it reveals where we have mistakenly placed our hope. Suffering draws us closer to Christ, because we don’t have the worldly comforts to rely on. The Lord knows that we have no greater good than to gaze firmly upon him and not the things of the World.

1. THE CHRISTIAN SHOULD EXPECT SUFFERING (4:12-13)

“BELOVED, DO NOT BE SURPRISED AT THE FIERY TRIAL WHEN IT COMES UPON YOU……. AS THOUGH SOMETHING STRANGE WERE HAPPENING TO YOU.”

Persecution and suffering for Christ should not be viewed as an abnormal or strange experience. You could say that “IT GOES WITH THE TERRITORY.” BEING IN A “FOREIGN OR STRANGE LAND” leaves one vulnerable to the sufferings that are part of the “EXILE EXPERIENCE.”

Peter has already stated this is various ways, but now he emphasizes this reality. We know from church history that this has been a common experience for Christians down through the centuries.

2. THE CHRISTIAN’S FAITH IS PURIFIED THROUGH SUFFERING (4:12)

“………THE FIERY TRIAL WHEN IT COMES UPON YOU TO TEST YOU…..”

The Apostle clearly states that suffering is used to test believers, to purify believers, even to purge the church in the light of eternity. Peter writes of the living hope that we have in Christ.

Peter acknowledges the grief caused by trials, but he is quick to affirm that the genuine character of faith is tested through such trials. And ultimately this purified faith will bring “praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (4:7).

3. THE CHRISTIAN’S FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST IS DEEPENED THROUGH SUFFERING (4:13)

“BUT REJOICE IN SO FAR AS YOU SHARE CHRIST’S SUFFERINGS, THAT YOU MAY ALSO REJOICE AND BE GLAD WHEN HIS GLORY IS REVEALED.”

Christ is the unique Savior and Bearer of our Sins that involved suffering. But, as believers in Christ, we fellowship with Him in suffering and in the glory that is to come. Part of our relationship with Christ and our fellowship with Him is sharing in the sufferings of His redemptive plan.

Suffering is a necessary prelude to glory. Just as there is travail before birth, there is present suffering before future glory. Praise God that he is the God of all grace that knows all about our sufferings, and Christ Himself has experienced sufferings that paved the way for the glory that is to be revealed.

CONCLUSION

The Fiery testing trials of believers are a foretaste and in a sense a guarantee that a future judgment is on the way.

The Christian is blessed in suffering

The Believer need not be ashamed

The Believer should glorify God

HYMN 119 – FATHER ALONG

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