Hope-Fully 4 - Hope and Suffering

2 Corinthians 4:7-18; 12:7-10

The Big Idea: Suffering is not God’s plan, but it is God’s servant in advancing His Glory.

1. The Certainty of Suffering
v16 “Therefore, we do not lose heart, though outwardly we are wasting away…”
2. The Power of Suffering
My sufferings are not only not a denial of Jesus, but they are a confirmation of Him.

SUFFERING HAS POWER IN TWO WAYS:
1. Relationally: “Death is at work in us but life is at work in you.”
2. Internally: Romans 5:3-5

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.” - C. S. Lewis, The Four Loves

There is absolutely no way that greatness can be released in your life apart from suffering and loss.

3. The Future of Suffering
2 Corinthians 4:14
2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Romans 8:18-27; 37-39
Let the glory of this WORD pulverize your discouragement.

Response:
● I will not just accept, avoid, or embrace suffering - rather, I will allow suffering to be my servant in the work of God in me and the world.
● I will place my life entirely in His hands, with ruthless trust in Jesus. (I will fix my eyes, not on what is seen but what is unseen!)
● I will seek to BLESS my Oikos, in their suffering.