Title: Suffering and Glory
Contents
1 Peter 4:12-19
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There are many important figures when considering the 2,000 years of our Christian history. Among them, there is a person we cannot miss, and he is Constantine the Great. Constantine the Great was the emperor who officially recognized Christianity, which had been persecuted by the Romans, as the religion of Rome after becoming emperor of Rome. It is said that he had a dream in which Constantine had a dream the day before the war with Maxentius, the emperor at the time, in which he saw a cross, saw the letters XP, and heard a voice saying, “Tomorrow we will win the war.” Constantine immediately woke up and had the words XP engraved on the shields of the soldiers, and it is said that he won the war and became emperor. In 313, after Constantine became emperor of Rome, he issued the Edict of Milan, proclaiming Christianity as the state religion.
Conversely, when Emperor Domitian ruled Rome, he persecuted Christianity. The person who preached the gospel at that time was the Apostle John. Of course, John the Apostle disobeyed the emperor's will until the end and returned home to Patmos, but true believers were born in that era.
There has never been a more comfortable time to lead a life of faith than these days. However, in this case, if you make a mistake, you can turn into a fake faith that loses your true faith. We are going through Lent. I sincerely hope that it will be a Lenten worship service where you can realize the true faith again while remembering the sufferings of Jesus Christ.
First, you must be courageous when you are going through hardship.
Daniel 3 tells the story of Daniel's three friends who were punished for not bowing down to the golden image set up by King Nebuchadnezzar. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego we know well. And just before being thrown into the furnace, they say to the king: “Even if you throw us into the fiery furnace, God will deliver us. But even if God doesn't rescue us, we will never bow down.” God sent an angel and rescued them from the furnace.
Second, when you suffer, you must not indulge in self-pity.
When we suffer, the thought Satan gives us is, “Only you are suffering.” No one else has experienced such hardships, but I think I am the only one experiencing such hardships. That's how Satan tests our hearts. It leads to self-pity. “What have I done wrong that God is giving me this kind of suffering?” People who indulge in self-pity are generally selfish.
Elijah was also tested like this. “God, why is there no one who serves God, leaving me alone?” He complains to God, falling into self-pity. At this time, God says, "There are 7,000 more left besides you."
You guys, I'm not the only one who suffers like this. Everyone else is going through hardships or difficulties as well. And through the sufferings I go through, I experience the Lord's presence with me more and more clearly.
In this way, our suffering brings us good. The Spirit of God is with us when we suffer.
Third, when we suffer, we can fully experience God.
In Acts 7, Stephen speaks clearly to the Jews. The Jews then picked up stones and threw them at Stephen. In this situation, Stephen, the Spirit of God filled Stephen's head like fire and wind. Then, the heavens were opened, and he experienced the amazing work of seeing God and Jesus Christ at his right hand.
In this way, you can experience the work of the Holy Spirit when you are in difficulties and suffering. Rather than experiencing the Holy Spirit when you are healthy, you will work more fully when you are sick and weak.
Why is the Korean church sick today? It is because we turn away from the cross of suffering. When I am struggling, I can receive the Holy Spirit when I cling to God.
Gentlemen, when I am at peace, I cannot depend on God. If I have the strength and I have what I have, how can I depend on God? Japan is in a difficult situation right now, but it is said that it has stored 6 billion barrels of gasoline. However, it is said that they are shivering in the cold because there is not a drop of gasoline in the difficult field now. Even saying that you have a lot is saying that it is of no use when it is really difficult.
Fourth, we must surrender ourselves completely to God.
I must surrender myself completely to God. Of course, it is not easy to surrender yourself completely to God. But please think about it. Imagine if we had 100 million dollars and put it in the bank. If the bank wants to get 100 million back after one year, the bank pays interest for the first year. The world's banks also pay interest, but if I completely entrust myself to God, will God leave me alone? Please believe that God fills you with the power of heaven. When I completely entrust myself to God, I can receive power.
2011-04-21 14:43:37