Discover Your Joy in Suffering - pt. 2 (We Need Hope)

DISCOVER YOUR JOY IN SUFFERING

KEY THOUGHT:
“Suffering is at the very heart of the Christian faith. It is not only the
way Christ became like and redeemed us, but it is one of the main ways we become like
him and experience his redemption.”  Tim Keller

KEY VERSE
1 Peter 4:19
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

ADDITIONAL PASSAGES

• Hebrews 12:7-11 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For
  what children are not disciplined by their father.  If you are not disciplined—and
  everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and
  daughters at all.Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we
  respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for
  our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at
  the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and
  peace for those who have been trained by it.
• Isaiah 64:6-7 - All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
  No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and have given us over to our sins. Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
• Romans 8:18 - I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the
  glory that will be revealed in us.

TWO RESPONSES TO SUFFERING
1. Don’t deny suffering.
2. Don’t waste suffering.


CEDAR HILLS COMMUNITY CHURCH
LOVE. BELONG. SERVE.
www.cedarhillscr.org