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“Boast
In Our Sufferings”
a sermon by
Thomas L. Jenkins
Text: Romans 5:1-8
“And
not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that
suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and
character produces hope.”
Dear Sisters and Brothers, there are two very interesting thoughts I
want begin with. The first
one has to do with the fact that every Sunday I use lectionary passages
of scripture because millions of Christians all over the world are
hearing the same words. These
scripture readings are chosen every Sunday for many of the main
denominations all over the world. Presbyterians, Reformed denominations,
Lutherans, Methodists, Episcopalians, Roman Catholics, and even some
other kinds of churches, are all hearing the same written Words of God
today. Isn’t that
fascinating?
Today is Father’s Day, and this lectionary reading we are given
from Romans, which teaches some deep truths about suffering, was sent to
me through a text message by my daughter Heather, from Hawaii, when she
first learned that I had Lou Gehrig’s disease.
I always believe that a coincidence with a purpose is from God.
Today is a happy Father’s Day, and the lectionary reading today
was sent to me by daughter when she first learned of my suffering.
The second thought, which will direct most of this sermon, seems almost
like a contradiction, it is about boasting and suffering at the same
time. How can someone be
proud and even brag, when she or he, is painfully suffering?
One of the most interesting scripture verses, to me, about Jesus Christ,
is from Hebrews chapter 5, verse 8, “Although
he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.”
The “Gospel” is the good news from God to us.
It is the great news about what has already been accomplished for
us in Christ. When we turn
the TV on in the evening and watch the news, it is about what has
already happened or about what is now known.
The good news from God is about what has already happened for us
and what we may believe and know about our present and our future.
Last Sunday evening, on CBS’ 60
Minutes, I watched an interview with Joel Osteen.
And I am not being critical about him.
I like him. During
the interview he even cried when he was faced with all the troubles and
pain we go through. He
called himself a “cry baby.”
There is a popular aspect of Christian ministry, in this world, that
uses all preaching as fully optimistic.
Along with this, it uses scriptures to teach us how to faithfully
make Biblical changes in our perspectives, and then how to bring success
into our lives. Sure, this
is good.
However the full good news of God is not completely about health,
wealth, and prosperity. With
regard to who God truly is for us, and who we are as adopted children in
God’s eternal life, we receive wonderful blessings even during our
sufferings.
The Apostle Paul was persecuting Christians before he was converted into
a Christian. One time, as a
Jewish leader against Christianity, he stood in present authority as a
Christian was murdered by his followers.
When Paul was converted by Christ and called into ministry, he took five
missionary trips. He
started from Jerusalem, and went into the countries we presently know as
Turkey, Greece, Italy, and almost to France.
Paul started more than 15 churches, and wrote 16 letters within
our New Testament. He was
obviously one of the greatest Saints of God in the whole history of the
church.
During his ministry he suffered many things.
He was beaten up with whips.
He had a certain kind of physical disease, which God did not
heal, but told Paul his present grace would be sufficient.
And Paul finalized his life in Rome’s prison.
It was in this prison situation of his life that he wrote, “we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces
endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”
The health and wealth style of the gospel is a Christian kind of good
counseling. But that is not
all of what God’s Gospel is about.
Through the incarnation of the Son of God, Jesus Christ learned how to
experience and be who he has always been with God, by dealing with and
faithfully enduring human suffering.
Now, through the Holy Spirit, during our times of suffering.
endurance, character, and hope are gifts of grace to us.
I am sure you know that the Roman Catholic Church qualifies certain
servants who had outstanding and miraculous ministries as Saints. Mother Teresa is a Saint.
In France, a few centuries ago, there was a minister named Joseph
Huvelin. He suffered manyy
physical issues that could not even be diagnosed. He was severally
depressed. In his private journal he often wrote about his desire to
commit suicide. And even
when he was too down to leave his house, people would stand outside
waiting to go in and see him. What
is so astonishing is that so many people, when they were inside talking
with him, they were converted and brought to a very deep peace with God.
Joseph Huvelin is known as a Saint in the Roman Catholic Church.
Because we are at peace with God, we may handle our sufferings at a very
deep level. Through the
power of the Holy Spirit we will endure.
We will experience faith characteristic growth.
We will hope. We
will boast about God in our sufferings.
Let us pray…
Amen.
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