Philip Anthony Mitchell - Meaning in Suffering (01/25/2026)
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Third Week: Finding Meaning in Suffering
If you’re a visitor with us, or if you’re watching or listening on podcast—this is the third week of a series called «Finding Meaning.» One of the most—probably life-changing—series we’ve done at this church.
The overwhelming amount of testimonies that we have received—stories of changed lives. People have been deeply impacted by the preaching of God’s Word in this series.
Marriages have been amended. People who have slowed down to start taking their moments more seriously.
In the series of received testimonies and text messages—the people who have found meaning in some of the most mundane moments: laying in bed with their husband or wife, playing with their children.
This week I heard of people who said that they just think about eternity more. Remember that their days are numbered. How this has caused people to look at their lives differently—change their perspective.
I believe this is probably one of the most important four teachings that I’ve ever delivered at this church. Because I think it has perpetual impact. We hold on to them to bring more purpose to each day and help us to put value in the things that we so easily step over.
Thank you so much, gentlemen.
A Difficult Subject: Suffering
I want to use this message this morning to talk to you about a very difficult subject matter. That I realized, coming in here this morning, that it was not gonna be easy for me to share this particular subject.
Yet I thought to myself, as I was preparing this series and fasting and seeking God, that I would be remiss—as a pastor and as a leader, as a shepherd—if I did not address this particular subject matter in this series.
The subject matter is going to touch or speak to every single one of us. And if it does not speak to you today where you are—if you just keep living—you will come back to this message.
This message is also difficult because, in our finite understanding, it is very hard for us to wrap our minds around this particular subject matter. For a lot of us, we just struggle to find context for this particular subject matter.
And the thing about it is that, you know, whether someone is socioeconomically strong—whether they’re wealthy, whether they’re middle class, whether they’re poor—whether they live in the United States or they are grinding in some bush in some land—whether they are famous or living in the obscurity of society—there is no human being that is immune from this subject matter.
Not even children are immune from this. Which makes it all the more difficult. Not even babies are immune from this subject matter.
This is the most difficult sermon for me to share with you in this series. My heart was extremely heavy coming into this room—just seeing so many people in my prayers and just knowing that today—even after this message—that some people would leave with unanswered questions.
Yet I can’t act like I can answer every question. But I do have faith in God’s Word. And I do have faith that maybe in the course of these moments that we have together, you may find meaning in this very difficult subject matter.
Even I too have wrestled with this subject matter.
Stories of Real Suffering
I heard of a man named Richard Wurmbrand. He was a Romanian citizen who became a believer—who was converted to Christianity. He started to share the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
At some point in time in the journey of sharing the gospel, he was called into the ministry—became a pastor—started preaching the gospel in a public setting like I am right now.
Ten years into his pastorate, he was arrested and he was brought to a prison. But not like a prison like you and I know—no, no, no—not like a prison that even I have known. I turned 18 in Rikers Island prison.
But a prison of torture. And when he arrived there—not only was he jailed for the faith—not only was he jailed for the preaching of the gospel—but he was inflicted with great torture.
Torture to the degree that an average human being would probably give up. And that torture went on for several months—and then that torture went on for a year—and that torture went on for two years—and then for three years, five years, and seven years, eight years, 10 years, 12 years.
And I’m wondering—by this time, man—what would have broken this person. 13 years—he would go on to spend 14 years in a Romanian prison. And tortured—brutally broken while he was in there—physically scarred, mentally abused, emotionally.
He spent 14 years of his life tortured in a Romanian prison—for the preaching of the gospel—for just believing in the faith—for doing something that I’m doing right now freely—that we take for granted in the United States of America.
I think about a man of God in this country named Levi Lusko—a pastor in Montana—who had all these beautiful children. And around the holiday time—headed into Christmas—his youngest daughter started having an asthma attack.
Like my son Josiah had a massive asthma attack last year and almost died of that asthma attack. We rushed him to the hospital and tried to move him to the ICU because they were fighting to stabilize his lungs—as my wife and I cried out for his little soul.
And Levi—his daughter had a massive asthma attack in the kitchen. And they did everything to try to stabilize her breathing—and running around trying to find her asthma medication.
And before they could get her medication—and with everything that they could do—while praying and holding on to his little daughter—she died on the kitchen counter in his hands.
Pastor of a church—faithful man of God—man who had given his whole life for the gospel—moved to a place nobody would want to live. Who wants to live in Montana and all that snow? Coming from California—serving Jesus faithfully—giving faithfully—sacrificing faithfully—preaching faithfully—fasting faithfully.
If anybody should not be touched by such things—certainly it shouldn’t be God’s man, right? And his baby—his little girl—of his five children—died in his hands on the kitchen counter.
Dies in his hands—and then he is holding her lifeless body on the kitchen counter—and scratching his head—and said, what is he supposed to do with that?
Global and Personal Suffering
I think about the persecuted church around the world—the church that we don’t know about because we live in the United States of America.
Christians—brothers and sisters of the faith—those who believe in Jesus—ones just like us—but persecuted beyond measure for their faith.
Standing in their homes and having people kick down their doors—and taking their wives out of there—what are you doing? A man kicks in your door—snatches your wife—rapes her in front of your face—decapitates the heads of your children—puts it on a pole—and hangs it in the street.
What do you do with that? What do you do?
What about pastors who are preaching the gospel on a Sunday morning—and being dragged out of their pulpits—and put in prison—and then the family can’t find them?
What do we do with brothers and sisters who are being put to death—even as I talk right now? That by the time this sermon is over—maybe some hundred and fifty thousand people will die. How many believers will lose their life?
And we take no stock of this because we’re so enwrapped in this bubble of American Christianity—that we don’t even realize that by the time this sermon is over—do you know how many of our brothers and sisters around the world will die because of persecution?
What about the stuff in this room—like miscarriages—when you’ve believed for a baby? What about the sicknesses in this room that we have prayed for—and they’re still there?
What about when your child is born damaged—and you’re crying over the crib in the hospital? What do we do when your body is racked with pain—and it doesn’t leave?
What do you do with the divorce that rocks your soul? Or the person that persecuted you? What about betrayal? What about loss?
What do you do in a difficult marriage? What do you do with the death of a loved one that you believed for?
What do you do when you’re a pastor—and you’re just a couple months out from starting your church called Victory—and your father—his body is being eaten up with cancer—two doors down from you—and you’re over there caring for him—you’re changing his diapers—you’re believing God for him—you’re shedding tears every night?
How do you see one thing die two doors down while you’re trying to birth something at the same time? What do you do with that?
And what do you do with the fact that you’ve done all you know how to do—and He still dies? What do you do with that?
Like—what part of our theology are we supposed to put that in? Where do we put that in? Do we put that in the «God is blessing» drawer? What—where do we file away all of the pain and the hardship and the issues and the problems and the sorrows and the difficulties?
The real stories of suffering that is happening in this room—in our homes—around the world. Where are we supposed to file all of that in our theological framework?
What do we do with the real stories of suffering?
What do you do when your child is sick and God won’t move? What do you do when you’re crying over something at night—and if you’ll be honest—you’re angry at God because He won’t move?
What do you do when you sowed on the seed to the television preacher who told you—if you sowed a thousand dollars—God will miraculously move on your behalf—and it’s been five years later—and He still has not moved?
Like—but what do you—what do you do with that?
Because what do you do with all of the brokenness—hardship—pain—devastation—loss—and suffering—that is happening right now in this room?
Right now—as I’m speaking—this room is saturated with suffering. What—what—what do we do with all of that?
Look—just bless the Lord and like—what—what—what do we do when the heart is sick? What do we do with depression? What do we do with chronic illness?
What do we do with the marriage that is wearing us down? Like—what do—what do we do with all of that suffering? What are we supposed to do?
Wrestling with Why
And if we’re honest—and if I’m honest—you know what? We have wrestled with why. We’ve wrestled with—when, God? When will You lift this? Why, God, have You allowed this to happen to me?
What did I do wrong to deserve what’s happening to me right now? God—I thought You were good, right? I thought You were loving. I thought You were great. I thought You were mighty. I thought You were able.
Don’t we sing that song? Like—I thought You were able. Then where are You right now, God? Why won’t You move on my behalf?
Then the preacher promised me that You would do everything I asked You to do, right? So why aren’t You moving right now on my behalf, God?
Have some of us been angry with the Lord because He has not moved on our behalf?
Like—so what do we do with all of that, right?
What are the arguments made against God as a result of our suffering?
I respect the views of other people. So what does the atheist say about the suffering and the so-called existence of God?
A very well-known atheist by the name of Richard Dawkins—he writes this: «The total amount of suffering per year in the natural world is beyond all decent contemplation.»
That is—in my mind—I cannot fathom the amount of suffering I see in the world. It’s what he wrote.
«During the minute that it takes for me to compose this sentence, thousands of animals are being eaten alive. Many others are running for their lives, whimpering with fear. Others are slowly being devoured from within by rasping parasites. And thousands of all kinds are dying of starvation, thirst, and disease.
It must be so. If there ever is a time of plenty, this very fact will automatically lead to an increase in the population—until the natural state of starvation and misery is restored.»
This atheist goes on to write: «In a universe of electrons and selfish genes, blind physical forces and genetic replication—some people are going to get hurt. Other people are going to get lucky. And you won’t find any rhyme or reason in it.»
That is—you can’t make sense of all of the suffering in the world. This is what this atheist is saying. No one can make sense of all of the suffering in the world. No one, he says.
«No justice. The universe that we observe has precisely the properties which we should expect if there is—at bottom—no design, no purpose, no evil, no good. Nothing but pitiless indifference,» writes Richard Dawkins.
Another atheist writes this—is God willing to prevent evil but not able? Then He is not omnipotent. Is He able but not willing? Then He is malevolent. Is He both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is He neither able nor willing? Then why call Him God?
David Hume—another atheist—a philosopher wrote this: If God is all-powerful and all-good, He would have created—not hell—He would have created a universe in the same way He created heaven—with free will for all—watch—look what this atheist writes—with no suffering.
This is powerful. This atheist saying—if God existed—He would have created for us an environment with no suffering.
This is so powerful. Without the Holy Spirit—I’m gonna come back to this—an atheist said: if God was all-powerful, He would have created an environment with no suffering.
And God was all-powerful—He would have created an environment with no suffering.
This is going to click for some people in a couple minutes. If God was all-powerful—the atheist writes—He would have created an environment with no suffering.
If He was so wise—if He was so great—why didn’t He create an environment without suffering? If He was so good—if He was so mighty—if He was so powerful—then why did the God of the Christians create an environment with suffering?
No evil—but evil and suffering exist here. Therefore God does not exist—or He is not all-powerful—or He is not benevolent—writes Paul Davies.
So this atheist says—if God was all of that—He would have created an environment where there’s no suffering and no evil.
False Preaching and Its Impact
And I think about modern preaching—and I wept so bitterly in my office this week just studying. Man—I wept myself in my soul and put my face to the wall and wagged in tears when I thought about modern Christianity, right?
Because they don’t help the arguments of these atheists, right? They teach people that if you come to Jesus—you have a perfect trip with no pain and no suffering.
If you put your faith in Christ—He promises you a life of blessing with no pain and no suffering.
Come to Him for the house. Come to Him for the car. Come to Him for the job. Come to Him for the marriage. Come to Him for the blessing. Come to Him for the blank.
If you come to the Lord—He promises you a life of blessing—a life of ease—a life of happiness—a life of no problems—or a perfect flight with no turbulence.
And people buy into that at the conferences. They read that garbage on blogs. They buy up all that garbage in books.
And then they get disappointed because they’ve bought into a Jesus that does not exist—not the Jesus of the Bible—not the Jesus of Scriptures.
And then when we buy into all of that—whether the argument of the atheists—and I respect their arguments—or the false preaching of Christianity—it leaves the heart sick and wanting, right?
It leaves the heart grieved. It causes people to believe that God is not loving—God does not exist—that He is not all-powerful—that He denies them.
It breeds in us a deep sense of entitlement—that because I’m saved—I have a right to what I want from God. I have a right to not have a problem. I have a right to not have an issue. I have a right to not deal with suffering. I have a right to not deal with pain.
Watch—my wife and I should not be enduring this. Who says we shouldn’t be going through this right now? Who says we shouldn’t have to be inflicted with this right now?
Who says—because you could be doing well financially—you could be on a mountaintop—and then life will rock you—and we think that God is mean because—how could He allow something like this to happen to me?
How could He allow my heart to deal with such? How can He allow me to preach and deal with insecurities at the same time? How can He allow me to lead a ministry and deal with depression at the end of every year?
How could You allow me to lead a church called Victory—that You’re blessing in all these ways—and at the end of every year I’m battling with depression and battles in my mind? How can God allow that to happen to me?
How could You allow the enemy to attack me like that? Why—how—when, God? Am I the only one that has questioned like that? No.
How could You allow that suffering, God? How could You allow this man I’m married to start doing all these things to me? How could You allow that divorce? How could You allow this person to walk away?
How could You allow my mother to abandon me? How could You allow my father to abandon me? How could You allow my parents to leave me—and I never met them?
How could You allow me to be raised in this kind of home? How could You allow that person to touch me when I was this age? How did You allow them to walk into the room when they weren’t supposed to?
Right—God—how do You allow me to carry these scars and this baggage? Like—why were You—where were You?
How are we supposed to deal with all of that suffering?
It was our perspective about God—and then this kind of false preaching—and even the arguments of the atheist—it leaves no theology for suffering at all. No framework for suffering. No truth about suffering. It leaves us nothing to say about suffering at all.
The Reality of Suffering
I was reading the Huffington Post a couple days ago—and came across an editorial of a non-Christian who was trying to make sense of suffering in his mind.
Talking about different religions of the faith—and then he was talking about science—and he was talking about biology—and how biology and scientists said—well, no—we have suffering and evil because people’s minds are crazy—and that’s why we have suffering.
And even as he thought about the craziness of human beings—he came to this conclusion in his post. He said—because he agreed with science to a certain degree—but watch what he said.
He said: while science can explain the cold-hearted mechanics of the human condition—a non-Christian writes this—it leaves us wanting something more meaning.
The non-Christian writes—like—while scientists can explain suffering their way—it still leaves me scratching my head. Watch—how do we make sense of all of this?
Like—how am I supposed to find—this non-Christian said—meaning in all of this suffering and devastation around the world, right?
Because here is the reality, my brothers and sisters—okay—this is difficult for me to say—but let’s just put the elephant on the table. Let’s push all my chips to the black table.
Suffering exists. Evil exists. It is inevitable that human beings will suffer.
We live in a fallen, broken world full of sin that causes suffering. We live in a world of free will where the choices of other people cause suffering.
We live in a world of limited knowledge where we don’t understand all the reasons why there is suffering.
Yet the truth of the matter is—whether we’re angry at God or whether we don’t understand—suffering is here. Suffering exists, okay?
And suffering is not going to be eradicated until Jesus returns.
For some of us—the truth is—and I know this is difficult for me to say—for some of us in this lifetime we will deal with incidents of suffering—moments in our lifetime where things could be going well—and all of a sudden we are rocked by suffering.
For some of us we will deal with long seasons of suffering—months, years, decades. Some of us—so there are some people—no matter how much we pray—some human beings—even Christians—are going to deal with a lifetime of suffering.
And there are some people—they will die—believers will die suffering—without God delivering them from their circumstances.
I’m not gonna pretend to understand all of that. If I try to stand up here as a pastor and say I understand all the reasons there is suffering—I would lie to you.
I’m a ghetto theologian. I study the Scriptures very hard. I pray hard. I believe God hard. I hold fast to this Word.
But if I start panicking and tell you I understand all the reasons why there is suffering—I couldn’t answer—I would be lying.
If I could explain all the reasons why some of you are dealing with some of the stuff you’re dealing with—I would be lying.
If I had a theological answer for why God hasn’t moved on your behalf—for every single person in this room—those of you watching me right now—if you’re listening—those of you who are tuning in—if I had an answer for everything that you’ve been through.
I know that some of you are mad at God. I know some of you are scratching your head—yes—you’re trying to wrestle between the existence of God and what you have been through—and you can’t reconcile the existence of a God that we say is loving and what you are going through.
And I know—because of that—you’re afraid to buy into Christianity. I know that because of that you’re afraid to put your trust in Jesus.
I know that because of that you’re an outlier. I know that because of that you’re sitting on the fence wondering—you know—is this God real that these believers say?
I see them singing and I see them praising—I see them falling out—but I can’t get my mind around the fact of this God that y’all love—but I lost my mother who I was asking Him to save—or I never met my father—or this thing.
I understand that—and I can’t answer all of those questions. I will be pretending to do that.
But what I can do is—I can take the Scriptures that I believe in—and do my absolute best to give us some type of theology about suffering.
Because if I can’t understand why it’s going on—there must be a theology of suffering—watch—that is stronger than your emotions.
And there must be a theology of suffering that is stronger than your experience.
If there is no theology stronger than your experience—and there is no theology for suffering stronger than your emotions—then the Word of God fails us—and we can’t trust the Lord in the pages of His Word.
There must be a theology in the pages of His Word that gives me strength above what I’m going through—even if it does not change in the moment.
There must be—listen to me—and I said this to someone else not that long ago—we must have a theology of suffering that is greater than my emotions.
Because my emotions will cause me to walk away from the Lord. My emotions will cause me to abandon the faith. My emotions will cause me to blaspheme the Lord.
My emotions will sink me into a depression—because the genie that I bought into from the conference I went to—that God has not answered my prayer according to the quote-unquote famous preacher—or the ones who make a huge financial empire selling people the false lies that if they sow—if they give—if they serve—if they believe—they will have a perfect life.
And they built a financial empire on that lie. They buy mansions and cars and fly jets on that lie.
They tell you everything will be well. No—they preach to you a genie that does not exist. And they smile and they sell you a lie—and they build a fortune off of that lie.
But you can’t take that garbage outside the United States of America. And a gospel that can’t be preached over our shores—there’s no gospel at all.
I don’t care how nice the suit—how big the robe—how much money. A gospel that cannot be preached off these shores—there’s no gospel at all.
If the gospel is chained to wealth—it is a false gospel. A prosperity garbage.
If the gospel is chained to circumstances—it is a false gospel.
And if the gospel is chained to comfort only—it is a false gospel.
If the gospel you bought into tells you you’ll never have a problem—you bought into a false gospel. You bought into a sermon—but not the Scriptures.
Peter’s Encouragement Amid Persecution
An eyewitness of the life of Christ—his name was Peter. He was one of the twelve apostles who Jesus chose.
After the death and burial and supernatural resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ—Peter becomes the pastor of the first church—carries on the ministry of Jesus—preaching the gospel in the first-century world under the Roman Empire.
If you read your history books—you don’t have to read the Bible—if you read your history books—history will tell you of a man named Nero who was an emperor of Rome.
And Nero was an evil man who hated believers—and thought to himself—he will fasten all of the issues of Rome to the Christians.
And he launched a fierce persecution on believers—the likes of which the world has never seen.
Nero was the type of man—he would take believers—because you think you’re suffering, right? —he would take Christians—women—impale them on stakes through the anus out through the mouth.
He would pour tar on them and spread them across his garden—and light them on fire so he could have lights at night in his garden.
He would walk through his garden and watch human beings burning and moaning at the same time—and used that for his electricity.
He would take Christian children and feed them to animals—and watch parents watch their sons and daughters eaten alive by animals.
He would stab out the eyes of believers and make them suffer. He would kill women in front of men—and then put their lights out—the last thing they saw was their wife being raped.
Like—he persecuted Christians the likes of which the world has never seen.
They lived in a type of society that you and I haven’t even felt yet. I pray that America gets a dose of some of that.
You want to see a woke church? Persecution will wake a church. Yeah—the pastor—how could you be praying that?
Because I’m praying for revival. And sometimes when we need revival—it’s not good services—we need a good dose of our flesh being touched. Yeah.
They lived in a type of persecution you would never know of—unless you’ve lived long enough—or unless—well, let me not say that—we end up in the last seven years of the Great Tribulation—which you don’t want to be there.
And during that time—right—Peter—he’s watching brothers and sisters in the Christian church—they’re being scattered all across Jerusalem—they’re being scattered all across different cities.
People are running for their lives. Families are in disarray. Society is in a different way. People are being snatched out of their homes. I mean—it is an awful situation.
And Peter looks out—and all of this is going on—and he thought to himself—that I have to encourage these people. I gotta tell them something to encourage their hearts.
Because he’s watching people’s hearts fail for fear. They’re scared—they’re running—they’re being brutally persecuted.
And he thinks to himself—man—I have to say something to encourage these people. Man—I got to preach some sermon. I got to send them some email. I got to make some post. I got to get them something to read—that it would lift their hearts.
What do you think he would write? «The Lord is gonna bless you.» «Oh—don’t worry—help is coming.» «Hold on.»
He didn’t write that.
He took a pen and parchment—and he’s looking over—watch—people dying—and he sits down to write 1 Peter.
And in chapter 4 he writes these words. He says:
«Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.»
No hope—not blessings—not «the Lord is going to come through right now.»
They just killed my wife in Nero’s garden—and your encouragement to me is—arm myself with the same attitude as Christ?
Arm myself unto what? To protect myself—protect what? My mind—and to protect my heart.
So you want me to protect my mind and my heart with the attitude of Christ? So Christ’s attitude will be my comfort—and Christ’s attitude will be my strength.
So whatever His attitude is—that’s supposed to be the guard for my mind.
So right now—as you’re sitting in this chair—with your heaviness—you hurt—your brokenness—your sorrow—your pain—your comfort is: arm yourself with the same attitude of Christ.
But what was His attitude? «Blessed are you when men persecute you and revile you and say all manner of evil against you for My name’s sake. Rejoice—too great is your reward in heaven.»
«The world hated Me—therefore they will hate you too.»
«If the prophets before Me were persecuted—they will persecute you too.»
«If anyone will be My disciple—he must deny himself.» Deny myself—that brings suffering.
«If anyone would be My disciple—he must take up his cross.» His cross—if I’m gonna follow You, Jesus—I gotta carry a cross—an instrument of death.
You mean suffering in my Christianity is what You want me to carry for being a disciple? Is that what You want me to carry?
«And just a little while you will see Me no more—because the Son of Man will be put to death—and they will spit on Him and scourge Him.»
Is that the man who said that? Well—see—the man that says, «In this life you will have trouble.»
Was this the same man that looked the person writing this in his eyes and said to him, «Peter—you’re gonna be a great pastor, man. You’re gonna ball out. You’re gonna preach a sermon—thousands are gonna be saved. You’re gonna be the first pastor.»
«You love Me? You love Me? You love Me, Peter? Do this—do this—do this.»
And the same man looked Peter in the eyes and said, «Hey—but you know something? After you preach all them great messages—when you are old—they will come and get you—and you stretch out your hands—and they will carry you to a place you do not want to go.»
Telling him that—Peter—you know how you’re gonna die. You’re not gonna preach and have a great long life in ministry—and they’re not gonna put you on Wikipedia—and your children are not gonna be happy—because your wife and children are gonna know you as the man that was crucified.
Peter died by crucifixion in the 1st century AD.
«Arm yourself with that attitude in my suffering.»
And he goes on to say: «As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires—but rather for the will of God.»
«For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.»
So—if I become a believer—You want me to turn away from my sin? Is it not going to bring more suffering?
If I can’t ball out the way I used to ball out—is He not going to bring more suffering?
If I can’t follow the passions of my flesh—isn’t that gonna bring more?
If You give me a burden for sex—do You want me to hold that down? Doesn’t that produce more suffering?
This is Your comfort for me?
«They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation—and they heap abuse upon you.»
«But they will have to give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.»
Man—God—I’m following You—and now the people that used to love me—they don’t love me no more—because I don’t do all the things I used to do with them.
And watch—now I’m lonely—because my friends think I’m a super Christian—and they persecute me because of my posts on Facebook—because of the way I tweet now—and because of my Instagram.
People who used to love me persecute me. God—how could You allow this to happen to me? I thought they were my friends. Isn’t that not more suffering, Lord?
Now I’m lonely. I feel like I’m the only one out here grinding—and the people that I used to run with—they don’t even want to be around me.
«But for this very reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead—so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body—but live according to God in regard to the spirit.»
Then he says these powerful words—this is why I talked about eternity last week—"The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.»
«Above all, love each other deeply—because love covers over a multitude of sins.»
Why? Because suffering comes through relationships too. So he says—love one another—how deeply? Forgive quickly. Give grace swiftly.
«Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.»
«Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.»
You want me to serve in the middle of my suffering? No—Lord—I’m going through too much right now in this season of my life to help the church.
But it says—each one should use whatever gift he has received to—watch—serve others.
Didn’t we talk about that last week? A life of pouring out—your life will take on more purpose when you envision it as a ministry unto others.
That if you see your whole life as a work of service unto others—each day takes on more purpose.
But what about when I’m hurting? He still says—give—watch—because you could be going through hurt—and as you serve—Lord Jesus—He takes your mind off of your problems—as you’re ministering to the problem of someone else.
So he says—even while you’re hurting—don’t stop serving. Serve Me even while you’re broken.
Preach, Philip—even while you’re hurting. Don’t give up, Philip—even when they persecute you. Keep reaching—serving—even while you’re hurting.
Use the gifts you’ve been given to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
He’s telling this to people whose wives are being killed.
I’m trying to—listen to what he says.
«If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.»
That’s why I’m not gonna preach cotton candy—whether they like me or not.
«If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides—so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.»
And he says in verse 12: «Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you—as though something strange were happening to you.»
Why are you surprised?
You know what—we’re surprised because we buy into false gospels.
When I get rocked and I get mad at God—it’s because I’ve bought into a theology—and I’ve bought into sermons—but I have not bought into the Scriptures.
Because if you read the New Testament—you cannot read the New Testament and not bump into—in every single letter in the New Testament—teachings about suffering.
What Bible are we reading? Or—watch—this—here’s a better question: who are you listening to, right?
You want to run around to everybody’s church—and every wind of doctrine—and everything that blows into your town—you want to go to their conferences.
Who are you listening to? They’ll fill you up for a moment—and have you good in that hour—but when Tuesday comes and your baby’s sick—that doctrine falls to the floor.
But you won’t listen to men like me—why? Because you don’t want to hear the truth. The truth hurts—but the truth will keep you strong.
Why are you surprised at the trial you’re going through right now—with the stuff that you’re dealing—as though something strange was happening to you?
«Rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ—so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.»
«If you are insulted because of the name of Christ—you are blessed—for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.»
«If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer"—that is—you’re gonna suffer—don’t suffer for doing something that is stupid.
Suffer for righteousness. Since you’re gonna suffer anyway—don’t suffer for foolishness. Suffer for righteousness.
Since you’re gonna suffer anyway—don’t suffer for stupidity. Suffer for righteousness.
If you want to suffer—suffer for what is right. Suffer for taking a stand. Suffer for having morals. Suffer for having balls—man—yeah—I said balls.
If you’re going to suffer—suffer for standing. If we’re gonna suffer anyway—don’t suffer for being an idiot. Suffer for being godly.
I’m gonna go through hell—I’m gonna go through hell for righteousness' sake.
Am I talking to anybody in this room? I thought I was talking to you.
Come at me right now—if you gonna suffer—suffer for something like this.
Has anybody ever suffered for righteousness? Then praise Him right now.
We suffer for nothing. What in the hell is the devil gonna do with a person like you?
Oh—he can’t shut you up—because I praise God even in my suffering. Because that’s my job.
I’m done though—they walk away from me. I’m done—no—they persecute me. No—but y’all get injured? No—you’re not gonna shut me up.
Because I’m suffering—so I’m gonna find a way—watch—to rejoice.
I like these words: anyhow. Anyhow—I’m overjoyed anyhow. I’m gonna praise Him anyhow. I’m gonna worship Him anyhow.
That happened to my child—I’m gonna praise Him anyhow. He doesn’t heal me—I’ve got belongs to my Lord.
Because I’m suffering—I’m gonna praise Him anyhow.
He says—rejoice if you suffer for righteousness' sake.
This is a new type of comfort—and a new type of praise.
Rejoice if you suffer for righteousness' sake.
However—if you suffer as a Christian—verse 16—I gotta hurry up—do not be ashamed—but praise God that you bear that name.
That my suffering is a tattoo of the name of Jesus.
«For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household—and if it begins with us—what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?»
«And if it is hard for the righteous to be saved—what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?»
«So then—those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator…»
And he will say to them in chapter 5, verse 10: «And the God of all grace—who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus—after you have suffered a little while…»
Because this is—that’s why eternity gotta be playing in the background of your mind. Help us, Lord.
If you don’t understand eternity—you will die in your sufferings.
But when I understand eternity is forever—and honestly right now is temporary—He says: after you suffered a little while—this time is called a little while.
These days are called a little while. These decades are called a little while.
Anything that is temporary is tolerable.
You go ahead and name your suffering—anything that is temporary is tolerable.
This is gospel preaching. This is what you call truth that sustains and builds.
This time that we have is called what? A little while.
If you don’t understand eternity—you won’t understand a little while.
That’s why I had to talk to you last week about eternity—so that this makes more sense when I think about suffering.
Let me finish the verse—and now I saw some of your faces when I was preparing this sermon. I saw people in this church when I was preparing the sermon—I saw your faces.
I thought about some of the people in this room and what you’re going through. My brothers and my sisters—this is a little while.
«And the God of all grace—who called you to His eternal glory—after you have suffered a little while—will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm…»
Will give you some more Bible. Can I give you some more Word?
Paul’s Example and Granted Suffering
I think about the life of Paul. I think about Paul—because the atheist says God doesn’t exist because of suffering.
I think about a man called the greatest evangelist the world has ever known. A man who formerly persecuted Christians—highly educated—wealthy.
Because of him we have 75% of the New Testament of the Bible. Because of him we understand mysteries about God that were hidden for thousands of years.
Because of his writings—we understand things about God that human beings did not know.
Well—I think about a man like that. He was traveling to an ancient city called Damascus—to go kill more Christians.
And he had an encounter with Jesus on that road. The light of God’s glory shined around—and he fell down to the floor. The Lord spoke to him.
Paul was saved in that moment. He was struck with blindness—carried into a city—and did not eat for three days. He was fasting.
Then God speaks to a man named Ananias in a dream. It says—there was a man named Paul—Saul of Tarsus—go to him—pray for him—he is your new brother.
And then Ananias responds with these words in Acts chapter 9, verse 16: «But the Lord said to Ananias, 'Go! This man is My chosen instrument to proclaim My name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.
I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.'»
Yeah—your life is gonna be great—but mingled with your greatness—you will suffer for My name’s sake.
I will tattoo you with My name in the form of suffering.
Like—man—Melissa has a great ministry—she’s tattooed with suffering. Man—Pastor Philip is an okay preacher—tattooed with suffering.
Man—I’m believing God for a great ministry—believe Him—it’s gonna be tattooed with suffering.
And you think you went through something? You know Paul went through.
He told it to the people in 2 Corinthians chapter 11.
«Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about.
Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I.
Are they servants of Christ? I am out of my mind to talk like this. I am more.
I have worked much harder—been in prison more frequently—been flogged more severely—and been exposed to death again and again.
Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.
Three times I was beaten with rods—once I was pelted with stones—three times I was shipwrecked—I spent a night and a day in the open sea.
I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers—in danger from bandits—in danger from my fellow Jews—in danger from Gentiles—in danger in the city—in danger in the country—in danger at sea—and in danger from false believers.
I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep. I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food. I have been cold and naked.
Besides everything else—I face daily the pressure…»
You’re going through all of that—and all of that—you’re thinking about the people you’re still preaching to?
It has to fill up—you went through all that hell in 2017—and you got up every Sunday because you cared about the people.
Your son had an asthma attack the day after you preached a sermon in week one—and you spent a week in the hospital fighting for his life—and had to get up the next week and preach with no notes—because you cared about the people you had to preach to.
Oh—your father died on a Saturday—you should go and mourn and suffer—but you had to get up and preach the next morning on a Sunday—because you didn’t have communicators yet.
All said this in Philippians 1:29: «For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him—but also to suffer for Him.»
Look at that verse—you see there’s a key word in there—but if you read this fast you’ll miss it.
The key word in here is—watch—granted. And there’s another word in there that we like to run from—it’s called suffer.
It says—that your suffering—if you’re suffering for righteousness—this is powerful—almost done—was—watch—granted to you.
What has been granted—me given as a grace or gift? God gave my suffering? It was granted to me?
Do you mean what I went through that year was—what? It was given.
Well—then how do we—what do we do with suffering? Because it’s not going anywhere.
So since I love you—I read through—I mean I’ve ran through the whole New Testament this week—I did—and I cried as I prayed for you.
And I want you to write down these four things—we’ll take a picture of them—because you will need them for the rest of your life.
As I went through the New Testament—and I really did this—I tried to figure out—well—if suffering is not going away—then what are we supposed to do with it?
Because you’re gonna deal with it. And you can have a good season—and then suffering is coming. You’re not gonna escape it.
So—I know there’s a laundry list of stuff people can say—I’m not gonna give you a laundry list—but I do want to be a good pastor and tell you that there are four things that I’ve found in the New Testament—as I look at all of these different verses—that I think help us to categorize suffering.
How does God use it? Since it is granted—how does God use suffering?
I narrowed it down to these four things.
Number one: works through suffering to foster repentance.
That some of you will testify—the only reason you’re saved today is because hell hit your life. And when hell hit your life—you had no other place to turn to but the Lord.
It was suffering that brought you to Jesus. For me—suffering brought me to Jesus. Suffering so bad it led me to attempt suicide.
Some of you—you hate suffering so bad—but if it wasn’t for suffering on the earth—you wouldn’t even be saved. Because when times are good—we don’t think about the Lord.
«Oh—God don’t exist because of suffering.» No—suffering exists because of sin and people’s choices and a fallen world.
But God is so wise—although He will not eradicate it till Jesus comes—He is so sovereign—He is so loving—and He is so powerful—He will take the things that men despise and use it for your good.
So God uses suffering for repentance.
Number two: God works through suffering to force sanctification.
You know what sanctification is? It is the process by which a human being is made godly.
You’re not going to be made godly when everything is going well.
You know why? Because when things go well—you don’t want to pray. When things are going well—you don’t want to come to church.
You get the new bonus—you’re gone.
But let me ask you a question—when you think about how your character was shaped and formed—what did more to shape your character—ease or pain?
Yes—you know what has done more to shape my character? Suffering.
You know what has done more to teach me to be a man of character—of integrity? Suffering.
You know what taught me to be holy? Going against God’s Word and paying the price for my sin taught me to be holy.
David said—it was good for me to be afflicted—that I would learn Your statutes.
Suffering has a way of teaching us to cling to the Word of God.
Suffering produces spiritual maturation. Suffering teaches us to be more godly. Suffering builds faith. It shapes character.
You are more godly today than you were when God found you—because of what you have gone through—not because of the blessings He’s given you.
God has done more to shape my character in pain than the things that He has given me.
Number three: God works through suffering to point humanity towards eternity.
Just like that non-Christian wrote in the Huffington Post—man—why didn’t God create an environment where there was no suffering and no evil?
Well—he wouldn’t have the answer to that if he never read the Scriptures. And he wouldn’t have the answer to that—watch—if he did not believe in eternity.
If you don’t believe in heaven—you would not believe that God created a space that is much better than this temporary one we live in right now.
The hope of Jesus is not stuff. The hope of Jesus is eternity.
And look—some of you—let me just say this before I close—some of you notice to be true—have you ever been around a person who was either elderly—terminally sick—or their body was wracked with pain—and they were nearing death?
And what kind of stuff have you heard come out their mouth? «I just want to go home.»
Well—if everything goes well—they want to talk like that? Well—what is making them want to go home?
Pain and suffering of this life is causing the heart to—watch—yearn for that better space—utopia.
Your heart is trying to create—you’ll never find it here. God did that on purpose—so your heart would long for eternity.
Number four: God works through suffering to display His glory.
His glory is the means through which the greatness of God is made visible through the life of human beings. It is power made public.
That’s like when Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane—right before He faced extreme suffering—He said, «Father—if there is any way this cup could pass from Me—let it be so.»
That is—He didn’t want to endure what He had to endure. But He said, «Nevertheless—not My will—but Your will be done.»
In that moment—God receives glory.
Think about this for a second—my brothers—it blew my mind—we love blessings, right?
Think about this—we love God—give me—we love how…
And how is God’s name—in the unbelieving world—gonna see the glory of Jesus through your blessings?
Watch—because if they only see us loving Him for what He provides—how would He get glory for that?
You know what brings God glory? When people see hell in your life—but you still cling to the Savior.
And then they’re wondering in their mind—how is it this person is still clinging to Jesus while they’re going through all of that?
That’s what brings Him glory.
Because if it’s our stuff—then they would think you love Him for what He provides—but not love Him for the promise He gave you of eternity.
We always beg Jesus for stuff—and thinking we get more stuff—people will see His glory.
No—people see more of His glory when we go through hell—and we’re still standing.
When we go through hell—and we’re still praising.
And why? Because if you look at someone who is suffering—and they’re still loving Jesus—praising Jesus—serving Jesus—giving—you see more of God’s power and glory in a human being suffering than you do when they have everything that is comfortable.
It’s natural to despise suffering—but maybe the prayer should always be, «Lord—deliver me from this.»
But «God—reveal Yourself to me in this. Show me what You’re doing to me in this.»
Maybe sometimes the prayer is not «God—take me out"—but «God—give me the ability to go through.»
Maybe the prayer sometimes is not «God—remove it"—but «God—give me strength to endure.»
I prayed that between tears—and maybe the cry of the Christian church is not «God—bless us all the time.»
Maybe the cry should be—when we look around all this—maybe the cry should be, «Come quickly, Lord Jesus.»
Maybe—maybe the prayer should be—when I pray for the white woman on the side of the road who had lost her three children in a fire—that gave her money—and I drove away weeping because I could not do more for her.
But I think about the pain that she’s enduring—and she was a believer.
Maybe—maybe when we think about her pain—and that other people are going through—maybe the cry for us is not «God—keep blessing us.»
Maybe the cry is, «Jesus—Lord—come quickly. Lord Jesus—come. Lord Jesus—bring an end to this life of suffering. We want You. We want eternity. We want glory.»
There’s pain that is causing us to long for that better life.
It was so great when I drove away from Amanda—because I couldn’t do more to help her.
I pray for a day when everybody in our church will be giving. I want to build a center called the Amanda House.
It was a woman I met last week on the side of the road begging. Her aunt lost all three of her sons in a fire—lost her house—and she was so ashamed to be out there begging.
When the light turned green in front of me—I leaned out the car and I prayed for her—because I couldn’t leave her there.
And in that moment I said, «What is your name?» She said, «Amanda. Please pray for me, my friend.»
I drove away and I wept all night into the morning. I told myself—a day is coming, God—I pray You would bless people in our church to give—that You would send somebody to help us.
I want to build a facility to help people like her. We want to use resources to make a difference while we’re here—ease the suffering while we’re here.
But ultimately—we won’t be able to eradicate everything. You know why? Because the misery of this life is to cause our hearts to yearn for Him even more.
When I look around at the devastation of human existence—and you think about what you’ve been through—man—the heart just longs: come quickly.
This is what gives meaning to suffering.
Find meaning in suffering—that seeing God working through it in those four ways.
I’m going to remember that God is working through suffering in those four ways.
We can find meaning in the things that we’re going through right now.
While you’re in pain right now—while you’re in tears right now—while you’re hurting right now—my marriage is stressed right now—while your body is sick right now—while you’re dealing with loss right now—while you’re dealing with the scars—the betrayal—the devastation.
You can find meaning in all of your suffering—if you understand that God is working through it for your good.
Every time you suffer—just remember this tagline. I should have put it in my notes—but you could just write it down.
I live by this tagline every time I go through hell—and I go through hell a lot. I say to myself: for my good—for Your glory.
For my good—for Your glory.
This is how you find meaning in all of your suffering—all of your hell—in the miscarriage—in the loss—in the trial—in the devastation—in the suffering—in the tears—in the pain—and what you’re going to deal with next year—and all that you’ve been through.
Look—officials—that God—you know what—for my good—for Your glory.
If you’re going through anything right now that is hurting you—anything—would you just lift your hand? I just want to see the people in the room.
I’ll go through anything. Let’s bring in your pain.
If your hand is lifted—look at this room—for Your good—for His glory.
He’s working—little while—of your suffering—sanctification—His glory—good in suffering.
From nothing—you got to start seeing suffering.
Every time you go through—for righteousness—God counted you worthy to identify with the Lord Jesus Christ.
If you’re suffering right now—God has counted you worthy to identify with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Some of you don’t even realize—your suffering is your badge of honor.
That through your suffering—God is showing how strong you are—how great He is.
Badge of honor. You—Monica—oh God—You counted me worthy to suffer.
Like He endured the cross for me—I will endure this life for Him.
That is the trade-off.
And if He does not give me what I want—if He does not open that next door—if I don’t get the blessing—what if I’m never rich—if they never know my name?
For my good—is He loving? Yes. Does He exist? Yes. Is He gonna remove suffering now? No.
He will work through it—for your good and for His glory.
This is how we find meaning in all of our trials.
We must find meaning in suffering—you know why? You must—because it’s not going away.
Oh—you’re good.
Know that pastor I told you about—Levi? You know—he could have just quit the ministry in bitterness.
You know what his family does every year? Marissa—you know what they do?
He takes his wife and his children—and they go to the graveside of that little baby. In Montana—so it’s always covered in snow—you can’t see the gravesite.
You know what he does? They take paint colors—they sprinkle it all over her grave. If you drive past a cemetery—you see this beautiful rainbow of colors.
And every year they go there—they just celebrate her little life.
But they refuse to die in bitterness because of what they go through.
And are they still suffering? Yes.
That prisoner that came out of that prison—a book was written about him—a global bestseller.
The pastor that I had a hell of a 2017 preaching now—but power and anointing that he did before—under the banner of favor—because God said so.
What about you? You—you—you—what about you?
For Your good—for His glory.
Love my suffering—His glory.
That’s how you find meaning in all of the problems that you’re going through.
For my good—for His glory.
Let not the devil rob you of your joy.
Praise—make it not strange the fiery trial that you are enduring.
But after you have suffered just a little while—you will receive the crown of righteousness.
This is why Paul wrote—the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed.
Prayer
Father—the amount of things that are in this room is probably staggering. The amount of things that people are dealing with—under these cameras—is probably staggering.
Your Father—we will not be robbed of believing in You because we deal with the suffering of these present times.
Father—I pray for the atheist. Pray for the unbelieving. I pray for the one who’s wrestling to reconcile suffering with a loving God.
I pray You would reveal Yourself to them. I pray You would ransom them. I pray many who maybe even hear this message will turn to You before time runs out—before it’s too late.
But there is a suffering greater than this, Lord—that You have taught us about—that we are not prepared to handle. May they turn before their last breath.
And Father—I pray for my brothers and sisters who are in this room—my brothers and sisters who are listening—my brothers and sisters who are watching.
Would You deliver us from believing in the false theologies that have not given us the strength we need to endure suffering?
Would You help us not to be surprised at the fiery trials that we are enduring—because we will have to face suffering?
Would You teach us, God—to embrace, expect, endure, work through, rejoice in, and stand firm and not waver from suffering?
Would You teach us, God—to not lose our testimony in the middle of trials—with our social media pages not go dark every time we have a problem?
Will You help us not to be a world of complaining every time the wind blows?
But would You teach us to have a consistency of faithfulness and adoration unto You—even in the middle of our suffering?
When I pray—my brother—my sister on the roof right now who is hurting—the heart that is sick—the body that is wracked with pain—sickness and disease—the marriage that is in turmoil—the tears that are being shed even right now.
I pray, God—and I ask that You would comfort us with the power of Your Holy Spirit—with Your presence.
Whether You choose to deliver us—or choose to allow us to go through—may we cry like Job: though You slay us—yet will we trust You.
We find strength in our suffering—not from pats on the back solely—but also from the promise of eternity.
May this Word not die in this moment—but would it live—reverberating in our souls.
May somebody who has a good season right now—come back to this when suffering comes—and we cling tightly to You, Jesus—not for what You can provide—but for who You are—for where You promised to take us.
How serious is this subject matter? Give us strength now. Comfort the hurting heart now.
Let the weary head lift to the matchless name—the mighty name—and the glorious name.
Your Father—we will not be robbed of believing in You because we deal with the suffering of these present times.
Father—I pray for the atheist. Pray for the unbelieving. I pray for the one who’s wrestling to reconcile suffering with a loving God.
I pray You would reveal Yourself to them. I pray You would ransom them. I pray many who maybe even hear this message will turn to You before time runs out—before it’s too late.
But there is a suffering greater than this, Lord—that You have taught us about—that we are not prepared to handle. May they turn before their last breath.
And Father—I pray for my brothers and sisters who are in this room—my brothers and sisters who are listening—my brothers and sisters who are watching.
Would You deliver us from believing in the false theologies that have not given us the strength we need to endure suffering?
Would You help us not to be surprised at the fiery trials that we are enduring—because we will have to face suffering?
Would You teach us, God—to embrace, expect, endure, work through, rejoice in, and stand firm and not waver from suffering?
Would You teach us, God—to not lose our testimony in the middle of trials—with our social media pages not go dark every time we have a problem?
Will You help us not to be a world of complaining every time the wind blows?
But would You teach us to have a consistency of faithfulness and adoration unto You—even in the middle of our suffering?
When I pray—my brother—my sister on the roof right now who is hurting—the heart that is sick—the body that is wracked with pain—sickness and disease—the marriage that is in turmoil—the tears that are being shed even right now.
I pray, God—and I ask that You would comfort us with the power of Your Holy Spirit—with Your presence.
Whether You choose to deliver us—or choose to allow us to go through—may we cry like Job: though You slay us—yet will we trust You.
We find strength in our suffering—not from pats on the back solely—but also from the promise of eternity.
May this Word not die in this moment—but would it live—reverberating in our souls.
May somebody who has a good season right now—come back to this when suffering comes—and we cling tightly to You, Jesus—not for what You can provide—but for who You are—for where You promised to take us.
How serious is this subject matter? Give us strength now. Comfort the hurting heart now.
Let the weary head lift to the matchless name—the mighty name—and the glorious name.