SLC IV–Servanthood and Suffering #dumcMy #fb

Rev. Dr. Tan Siang Yang 07/05/2011

In many American churches, Satisfaction and Self-esteem are emphasized. In what Rev. Dr. Tan referred to as ‘purer’ churches, Suffering and Sacrifices are found.
Pentecostal and charismatic churches major in healing and miracles. However, a theology of healing without grace and suffering is not balanced.

There are extreme imbalances we must avoid. On one end, following Jesus prevents suffering. One the other end, following Jesus will put us under constant suffering – the more suffering the better.

a. Suffering: Becoming more like Jesus

Nobody likes suffering and God knows that. We live in a fallen, sinful and broken world. For fallen, sinful and broken people like us, we suffer – only when necessary. If we suffer constantly, we probably brought some of them upon ourselves by our bad decisions.

Joy is the serious business of heaven. ~ C. S. Lewis

Randy Alcorn, author of the Treasure Principle wrote a book called Heaven. There are many mentions of heaven in the Bible but not everything. Randy is an avid scuba diver and he wondered there is scuba diving in heaven. He speculated there is and he doesn’t need any oxygen tank. He also speculated that there is still time and space in heaven (it’s just that it has no end) and we would see our friends. Are there pets in heaven? Randy guessed our favourite pets would be there.

Hell is the best that God can do for people who do not want him.

Suffering is temporary. The consummation of heaven is not here yet.

Joh 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.

Scott Pack who wrote the Road Less Traveled said life is difficult. Patients who insist life must be easy makes it even more difficult. Patients who recovered are normally those who accept that life is difficult.

b. God’s purposes in Our Suffering

Rom 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Notice the comprehensiveness of this verse … “in all things”. The purpose is for us to be conformed to the likeness of the Son. (v29)

Rev. Dr. Tan advised us not to misquote this verse.

Rom 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Rom 5:3-5  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  (4)  perseverance, character; and character, hope.  (5)  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

1Pe 5:7  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

All our suffering must go through the hands of God before they reach us.

Joni Eareckson Tada mentioned some results of suffering in her book When God Wept.

1. To refine / perfect and strengthen us
2. Make us more dependent on God
3. Teachers us humility
4. Teaches us that God is more concerned about character
5. Can sometimes be for discipline
6. Obedience can be learned through suffering

c. Suffering and Shattered Dreams

Larry Crabb wrote Shattered Dreams: Unexpected Pathway to Joy. He based his book on Ruth. He drew three points we can learn when things go wrong:

1. God wants to bless us
2. The deepest pleasure we can experience is an encounter with God
3. Our shattered dreams are never random or accidental. It’s always a piece in a bigger puzzle. Pain is a necessary part of a journey with Christ.

God is most gloried in me when I am most satisfied in Him. John Piper

d. The Dark Night of the Soul

1. The good news is that God will not remove pain but it will make it better.
2. When God seems most absent from us He is doing the most important and deepest thing in us. We like to be in the presence of God with music and jumping. But we need to walk by faith and not by sight. Do not go by feelings. (refer to the story of the Footprint.) Do not let the enemy deceive us that God has abandoned us.
3. Bad times provides an opportunity to know God more deeply that positive experiences and blessings can never bring.

Php 3:10  I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death

We tend to ignore the suffering part.

To do His supreme work of grace within you He will take from your heart everything you love most. Everything you trust in will go from you. Piles of ashes will lie where your most precious treasures used to be. ~A. W. Tozer

The Dark Night of the Soul is similar to the Shattered Dreams but not entirely the same. St. John of the Cross wrote about it.

e. Suffering and Brokenness

Psa 51:16-18  You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.  (17)  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.  (18)  In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem.

Brokenness is essential to us and precious to God. It can be voluntary and involuntary according to Alan Nelson.

Voluntary brokenness is when we choose to enter into brokenness. It is a spiritual discipline. A good synonym for brokenness is humbleness.

Involuntary brokenness is not by choice. We lose our jobs / some one dear to us. Waiting is very painful but it is the only want to develop trust and faith.