Message Notes

MORNING WORSHIP 10 May 2020
Text: 2 Corinthians 1:1-5
Title: “The sufferings of Christ abound in us”

INTRODUCTION

1. Suffering in life

a) Part of life

b) Inescapable reality

2. Suffering for Christ Jesus

a) This is a reality that we must seriously factor in

b) It is a reality that few fully comprehend today

 3. Suffering understood spiritually

a) Experience of Suffering

i) Common

ii) To be understood

b) Explanation of Suffering

i) May be necessary

ii) Paves the way to wisdom

c) Exposition of the meaning of Suffering

i) To deepen faith

ii) To mature the believer

d) Explicit explanation necessary in the event of greater suffering

i) Some sufferings are harder than usual

ii) Some suffer more than others

e) Embedded in our hearts and minds

i) Great truths

ii) We are the stronger when we comprehend suffering clearly

SUFFERING FOR THE SAKE OF OUR FAITH IN CHRIST

1. Part of the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ

a) Associated with the 8th Beatitude (Matthew 5:10-12)

i) Persecuted for righteousness’ sake (Matthew 5:10)

ii) Reviled (Mathew 5:11)

iii) All kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake (Matthew 5:11)

iv) They persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:12)

b) Forewarned with reference to Ministry

i) Sent out as sheep among wolves (Matthew 10:16)

ii) Delivered (betrayed) for scourging (Matthew 10:17)

iii) Betrayal in the family (Matthew 10:21, 34-37)

iv) Hated by all for My name’s sake (Matthew 10:22a)

v) Challenged to endure to the end (Matthew 10:22b)

c) Powerful Challenges issued

i) Do not fear those who kill the body (Matthew 10:28)

ii) Confess faith in Jesus (Matthew 10:32)

iii) Do not deny Jesus (Matthew 10:33)

iv) Worthy faith is to take up the cross
and follow Jesus in full identification (Matthew 10:38)

2. Suffering in the Writings of the Apostle Paul

a) Granted on behalf of Christ

i) Not only to believe in Him

ii) But also to suffer for His sake (Philippians 1:29)

iii) To expect to suffer tribulation (1 Thessalonians 3:4)

b) Personal Suffering for the sake of ministry

i) Afflictions of Christ , for the sake of His body (Colossians 1:24)

ii) Stewardship from God which was given to me for you
to fulfil the word of God (Colossians 1:25)

iii) A great conflict I have for you (Colossians 2:1)

c) Short list of suffering endured by Paul (2 Corinthians 11:22-33)

i) Stripes above measure (2 Corinthians 11:23a)

ii) In prisons more frequently (2 Corinthians 11:23b)

iii) In (the face of) death often (2 Corinthians 11:23c)

iv) Five times forty stripes minus one (2 Corinthians 11:24)

v) Three times beaten with rods (2 Corinthians 11:25a)

vi) Once I was stoned (Lystra) (2 Corinthians 11:25b)

vii) Three times I was shipwrecked (2 Corinthians 11:25c)

viii) In journeys often (2 Corinthians 11:26)

ix) In peril (2 Corinthians 11:26)

x) In weariness and toil (2 Corinthians 11:27a)

xi) In sleeplessness often (2 Corinthians 11:27b)

xii) In hunger and thirst (2 Corinthians 11:27c)

xiii) In fastings often (2 Corinthians 11:27d)

xiii) In cold and nakedness (2 Corinthians 11:27e)

xiv) What comes upon me daily:
my deep concern for all the churches (2 Corinthians 11:28)

ABOUNDING CONSOLATION THROUGH CHRIST

1. Abounding grace

a) Where sin abounded (Romans 5:20a)

b) Grace abounded much more (Romans 5:20b)

c) Grace can and will reign (Romans 5:21)

i) Through righteousness

ii) To eternal life

iii) Through Jesus Christ our Lord

2. Abounding Tribulation

a) This could happen

b) But we can fortify ourselves ahead of time

c) We can find strength in the Lord

3. Abounding Comfort (Consolation)

a) Promise of the Lord

b) Through the Lord Jesus Christ

c) We will find that we can endure and more

HOW DID THE SUFFERINGS EXPERIENCED AFFECT PAUL?

1. His faith

a) Even more certain

b) Even deeper

c) Even stronger

2. His personal life

a) Never lost his joy (Philippians 1:3)

b) Never lost his love (Philippians 1:7-8)

c) Never lost his focus (Philippians 1:20-21)

FINDING FRESH INSPIRATION AS WE ENDURE AFFLICTION

1. Afflictions of ancient Israel recalled

a) Brought on by sins

b) Chastening of the LORD upon the nation

2. Amidst the Afflictions

7 I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD
And the praises of the LORD,
According to all that the LORD has bestowed on us,
And the great goodness toward the house of Israel,
Which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies,
According to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses.

8 For He said, “Surely they are My people,
Children who will not lie.”
So He became their Savior.

9 In all their affliction He was afflicted,
And the Angel of His Presence saved them;
In His love and in His pity He redeemed them;
And He bore them and carried them
All the days of old.  (Isaiah 63:7-9)

a) The right perspective maintained

i) The lovingkindness of the LORD

ii) The praises of God

iii) The great goodness toward the house of Israel

iv) He bestowed on them His mercies

b) The relationship of the LORD with Israel appreciated

i) They are My people

ii) They are children who will not lie (good children)

iii) God was their Saviour

c) The Real Comfort that can be drawn amidst Afflictions of Life

i) In all their affliction, He was afflicted

ii) The Angel of His Presence saved them

iii) In love and pity (compassion) He redeemed them

iv) He bore and carried them

POEM

IN ALL THEIR AFFLICTION HE WAS AFFLICTED

Sometimes when we suffer affliction, we lose our Focus;
Caught up with sorrow, we forget God’s lovingkindness.
We wonder if we can cope and we are near breaking point;
How we need to pray that our souls the Lord would anoint.

Afflictions may increase but His Comfort would abound;
Grace, peace, consolation, these our hearts would surround.
We need not fear Suffering for this is our Identification;
The Lord Jesus Himself would be our strong Consolation!

In all our Afflictions, the Lord Jesus also feels the same pain;
He is the Angel of God’s Presence, blessed is His Name!
In love and pity, He has come as our precious Redeemer;
Each and every child of His is regarded a special treasure.

He will bear us in His strong and powerful arms;
He will keep us safe from all that may alarm.
We need not fear affliction that may mount;
He has promised Comfort that would abound.

Charles Tan
Inspiration: 2 Corinthians 1:4-5; Isaiah 63:7-9