Apr. 13, 2025

Series: Transformed   4-13-25

HOW GOD USES SUFFERING

(Romans 5:2-4)

Jesus Final Week:

Mark 14:12-18 ¹² On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, ¹⁶ The disciples left, went into the city... So they prepared the Passover. ¹⁷ When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. ¹⁸ While they were reclining at the table eating…

• “Gethsemane” = A compound Aramaic word – “OIL & PRESS”

John 19:28–29 ²⁸ Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 

THE PASSOVER LAMB:

1. Find a _____________ Lamb.

2. Must be _____________.

3. Prepare it for _____________.

4. Slaughter it, Roast over Fire, _____________.

5. No Broken _____________.  

6. Apply the ____________ to the Doorpost of your House! 

• How was the Blood Applied to the Doorpost? (a _____________ branch)

John 19:30-31 ³⁰ When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” (“Tetelestai” meaning “Paid in Full”) ³¹ Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day (in one hour from then...) was to be a special Sabbath. (That’s when Passover meal was eaten!)

Matthew 12:40 ⁴⁰ For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 

1. Key Word = “_______________” 

Romans 5:2-4 ² …And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope.                          

Philippians 1:29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him

Two Privileges in the Christian life:

1.) ___________________

2.) ___________________

1 Peter 4:12–13 ¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal (painful trial you are suffering) that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice… as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, 

1 Peter 4:19 So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

ATTITUDES THAT COUNTERACT GOD’S PURPOSE:

1. _______________ (“God’s not fair!” – “I don’t deserve this!”)

2. _______________ (Murmuring, Grumbling) 

3. _______________ (Wasted lots of energy, but don’t make progress)

4. _______________ (F.alse  E.vidence  A.ppearing  R.eal)

5. _______________ (We want People to Feel Sorry for Us!)

6. _______________ (Resign to Suffer with NO JOY!)

Romans 5:3 …we also rejoice in our sufferings, 

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT “Rejoicing in Suffering”:

• _____________ IT. (No Plastic Smile, Denying Reality, Artificial Happiness)

• _____________ IT. (Masochisms: Hurt me, Beat me)

Romans 5:3-4 ³ …we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope.

THREE THINGS SUFFERING CAN PRODUCE:

1. ___________________________ (v. 3)

“Perseverance” = (Gk: “hupomonḗ”) “The ability to handle pressure” or “Stay under pressure”

James 1:2–4 ² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

“Consider it” (Gk: hēgéomai) ① to be in a supervisory capacity, lead, guide. 

                                                    ② to engage in an intellectual process, think, consider. 

2. _______________________ (v. 4) (Used only 7x N.T. – all by Paul)

             ① “Something tested and proven reliable.”  

             ② “Metal purified by heat” (Under heat impurities rise to the top - skim off)

Hebrews 2:10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God… should make the author of their salvation perfect (complete, lacking nothing) through suffering.

3. ______________ (v. 4) (Instead of Decreasing our Hope, trials increase it!)

• Not everyone who Goes through a Trial, ______________ through the Trial!

• God doesn’t give us character traits when we ask for them, He _______________ them into us!