SUFFERING

ARE YOU SUFFERING?

Should we be suffering?

Those who suffered came to Jesus

“The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them.” Matthew 4:24

And a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak…” Matthew 9:20

“Wars, revolutions, floods, plagues, all those little things that bring people back to you.” Fiddler on the Roof

Apostle Paul suffered “But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from

many about this man (Paul), how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.’” Acts 9:13-16

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God…” 2 Timothy 1:8

The Church at Thessalonica suffered

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering.

All the Apostles suffered They laid hands on the apostles and put them in

a public jail. Acts 5:18 They took his (Rabbi Gamaliel’s) advice; and

after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His (Jesus’) name. Acts 5:40-41

Yeshua suffered “From that time Jesus began to show His

disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.” Matthew 16:21

And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer…” Luke 22:15

“And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” Luke 23:41

How did Yeshua suffer? “’Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from

Me, yet not My will, but Yours be done.’ Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. Luke 22:42-44

Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged Him. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and arrayed Him in a purple robe, and they began to come up to Him, and say, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!” (mockery) and to give Him blows in the face.” John 19:1-2

Scourged… A scourge (from Latin: excoriare, "to flay“

(the removal of skin from the body), and corium, "skin") is a whip or lash, especially a multi-thong type, used to inflict severe corporal punishment. Wikipedia

“’Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.” Luke 23:34

Yeshua Suffered Ultimate Suffering

…that we and others might be redeemed (justified) by His perfect sacrifice (blood).

Yeshuah said… “If the world hates you, you know that it

has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” John 15:18-20

We individually suffer over Persecution Death(s) Sickness(es) Physical aliment(s) Addiction(s) Divorce Infidelity Abuse (any form of it!) Alienation All are a by-product of

sin

Now we have a choice to make!

The Easy Way – “Flesh” reaction: anger, violence, revenge, rejection, hurt, bitterness…

The Hard Way - “Holy Spirit” response: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23; also see Matthew 5-7)

The easy way is always the

Is there a purpose to my suffering?

“As for me, (John the Baptist) I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

“Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness.” Malachi 3:1-3

Iron is made from iron ore

Steel is made from iron

Iron is melted again to a temperature of 2800 degrees Fahrenheit. More impurities are burned out, producing a much stronger building material - steel.

He is forging us into a “vessel” or “tool” in His hand by which

His work will be accomplished…

establishing His kingdom in the earth.

How does Jesus feel about my suffering?

“And it came to be that the beggar died, and was carried by the messengers to the bosom of Avraham. And the rich man also died and was buried. And while suffering tortures in She’ol, having lifted up his eyes, he saw Avraham far away and El’azar (Lazarus) in his bosom. And crying out he said, ‘Father Avraham, have compassion on me, and send El’azar to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering in this flame.’ But Avraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your life you received your good, and likewise El’azar the evil, but now he is comforted and you are suffering.’ ” Luke 16:22-25

How does Jesus feel about my suffering?

“But who of you, having a servant ploughing or shepherding, would say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down to eat?’ But would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare somewhat for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you shall eat and drink?’ Would he thank that servant because he did what he was commanded? I think not. So also you, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants, we have done what was our duty to do.’ ” Luke 17:7-10

How do I endure the pain? Keep your focus on Yeshua

Study the scriptures Sing praise/worship music Seek council of leadership Invest in the kingdom

Serve the bodyLove your brothers/sisters in Yeshua compassionatelyForgive everyone – everyday

“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” Matthew 6:14-15

Note: not contingent on an apology

The Serpent in the Wilderness

“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.” John 3:14-15

The Serpent in the Wilderness

“Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient because of the journey. The people spoke against God and Moses, ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food.’ The LORD sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. So the people came to Moses and said, ‘We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD and you; intercede with the LORD, that He may remove the serpents from us.’ And Moses interceded for the people. Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he will live.’” Numbers 21:4-8

Endure If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if

we reap material things from you? If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Messiah. 1 Corinthians 9:11-12

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Endure We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren,

as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire…” 2 Timothy 1:3-7

Endure Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead,

descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Messiah Yeshua and with it eternal glory. It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. 2 Timothy 2:8

Yeshua, our example

suffered horrifically that others might be redeemed

Yeshua, our example

We can, therefore, trust that our suffering will reap rewards for the Kingdom of God.

WHAT IS YESHUA DOING? “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the

works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” John 14:12-15

“These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:17-18

Our reward…For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Messiah also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. 1 Peter 2:20-25

Our reward…Blessed be the God and Father of our Adonia Yeshua ha Mashiach, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Messiah Yeshua from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Yeshua Messiah; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.1 Peter 1:3-9

Our reward…Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but just as it is written, “things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:6-9