May 19, 2024: Sunday School

Order of Service

• Prayer Requests
• Pastoral Prayer
• Sermon
• Closing Prayer

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Sermon Title: The Suffering Christian in a Fallen World

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

I. Review: The Nature and Distinctives of the Church

A. Christ is the head of the church; he establishes and calls it to himself B. The church exists as both visible and invisible

1. Invisible church: the whole of the redeemed elect across time and space
2. Visible church: all who presently profess faith in Christ and their children; a mixed community C. The church is distinguished from the world by its tools and calling
3. The church is armed with the Word — read, preached, administered in the sacraments
4. The state is given the sword — a distinct instrument under God D. Christians are called to submit to earthly authorities while maintaining Christian integrity
5. Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2 call believers to honor and submit to rulers
6. Matthew 22:21 — render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's

II. The Distinguishing Mark of the Church as a Suffering People

A. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 — God comforts us in all our affliction

1. The phrase "all our affliction" is a broad, general term for the whole of life in this world
2. We share abundantly in Christ's sufferings; through Christ we share abundantly in comfort B. 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 — treasure in jars of clay
3. Afflicted in every way but not crushed
4. Perplexed but not driven to despair
5. Persecuted but not forsaken
6. Struck down but not destroyed
7. Always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested C. 1 Peter 3:8-18 — suffering for righteousness' sake
8. Do not repay evil for evil; bless instead
9. Even if you suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed
10. Always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that is in you, with gentleness and respect
11. It is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil
12. Christ suffered once for sins — the righteous for the unrighteous — to bring us to God

III. The Nature of Christ's Suffering and Our Sharing in It

A. Christ's humiliation encompasses the whole of his earthly life, from the Incarnation forward

1. He suffered hunger, rejection by the religious leaders and the people, and ultimately death on the cross
2. His suffering culminates at the cross — the righteous dying for the unrighteous B. The New Testament presents two main categories of Christian suffering C. First category: Fallen creation suffering
3. The internal battle with sin, besetting temptations, doubt, despair, depression, and grief
4. Physical suffering — disease, bodily decay, and death
5. Suffering in a fallen world — natural disasters, destructive weather, the groaning of creation
6. Suffering under fallen rulers, unjust masters, and ungodly regimes
7. Christ himself knew fallen creation suffering, though without sin — he wept at the death of Lazarus, was tossed in storms, and died a terrible death D. Second category: Righteousness suffering
8. Suffering that comes simply from being faithful to God
9. Christ suffered chiefly for righteousness' sake — faithful to the Father over man-made authority (e.g., Sabbath controversies); ultimately killed for obedience to the Father
10. Acts 5:29 — Peter and the apostles: "We must obey God rather than men"
11. The church in Acts faced constant persecution for faithfulness to God as it spread
12. The Christian suffers for belonging to another kingdom — not of this world
13. Colossians 1:24 — Paul rejoices in sufferings, filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, the church (not suggesting anything lacking in Christ's atoning work, but that God ordains his people to suffer as part of sanctification)

IV. Application: Suffering as a Mark of the Christian Life

A. Suffering is not incidental — it is a defining mark of the Christian in this age B. Our righteousness suffering in the present context may have been relatively mild, but this may change C. Specific examples some believers already know: loss of friendships, lost opportunities for advancement, social costs of faithfulness D. Peter grounds our hope in Christ: he suffered in our place, set us an example, and guarantees that our suffering leads to good hope E. The goal is to be godly citizens and faithful pilgrims — not clinging tightly to the things of this world, but setting our treasure in heaven