Fighting Through Suffering
About This Sermon
Jarrett Stephens teaches from 2 Corinthians 4 and Romans 8 on how Christians can fight through suffering. Suffering is universal and unavoidable in a fallen world, and the hardest question is often why. Jarrett points to two tracks Scripture gives us: suffering is for God's glory and for the refinement of our faith. God's glory is seen most in suffering, not after it ends, and suffering produces in believers what nothing else can.
Suffering brings three things: God's power when we are weak, purpose bigger than ourselves, and an eternal perspective. To fight through it, Jarrett says, don't trade what you know for what you don't know. Four certainties from Romans 8 anchor us: God is not condemning you, God is praying for you, God is working for your good, and nothing can separate you from His love.
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18; Romans 8:1; Romans 8:26-28; John 9:1-3; John 11:1-4; 1 Peter 4:12-14; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7
Practical Takeaways
A few ideas to carry with you, discuss with your group, or revisit during the week.
- Don't trade what you know for what you don't know.
- God's glory is manifested and seen most in suffering, not after it ends.
- Suffering purifies, strengthens, and fortifies our faith like nothing else.
- When we're weak, God's power is at work in us.
- God is not condemning you; there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.
Discussion Questions (4)
- What does John 9:3 teach us about why God sometimes allows suffering?
- What circumstance in your life is tempting you to fixate on what you don't know?
- How has God shown you His power or given you purpose in a past season of suffering?
- Which of the four certainties from Romans 8 do you most need to remember right now?
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