20140415 Renewal

sermon illustration: different response to tragedy

 

Tuesday 15 April 2014
Pastor Dr Daniel Ho
Wesley Methodist Church

RENEWAL

SUFFERING & RENEWAL
Place of suffering
Bible Text 1 Peter 4:12-19

Through suffering our faith is renewed

You and I have the key to transform society

Never did Jesus promise us that life would be easy

Yet, "Tiap tiap hari, God is good!"

Follow God and you will be blessed
the younger you look
the healthier you are

God is a rewarder
wants to bless us
wants to pour out his blessings on us

But following Christ can bring challenges
problems
sufferings

Some people, when suffering
wonder "I have been faithful, why am I suffering?"
WRONG QUESTION

HOW WE SHOULD RESPOND TO SUFFERING (not as a result of our sin)
1) DON'T be surprised 1 Peter 4:12

2) REJOICE 1 Peter 4:13
a) For what suffering do TO us and
b) for what suffering do FOR us


a) suffering do TO us
proves our faith in Christ is real
John 15:18

b) suffering do FOR us
preserverence
character
hope
maturity
brings out a better person

Small things do not bother a person who has suffered a lot in life .
They are gracious kind grateful

compared to presumptious demanding cocky pushy people who have not suffered.

3) DON'T be ashamed but PRAISE God 1 Peter 4:16
our response to suffering is a reflection of our attitude to God in life.

One family with autistic son could still praise God
the situation brought couple close
father made time for family.
Family showed rest, contentment, peace, joy with God.


How do you respond?
Complain?
Argue?
Angry?
Upset?

or....
I dont knwo why God
but help me respond correctly...

1 Thess 5:16-18

10% of the outcome of an incident is due to the incident itself
90% of the outcome of an incident is due to our response to the incident

Do we respond with anger, bitterness, rage?
and crash right down??

Or do we demonstrate right attitude
and soar to high altitude?
God help me respond correctly
I trust you God.

Sermon illustration
Case history is shared
two tragedies
one childon bicycle hit by car and died
another family child drowns in swimming pool

one family remain angry with God
spiral downwards
totally crippled

One family
"teach us how to accept and move on and serve God"

4) COMMIT to faithful Creator 1 Peter 4:19
God is faithful
WE need to be faithful
Dont abandon God because of suffering or setback.

5) Continue to DO GOOD 1 Peter 4:19
 Dont lash out
break the deadlock
respond with goodness and grace.

SUMMARY
1) DON'T be surprised
2) REJOICE
3) DON'T be ashamed but PRAISE God
4) COMMIT to faithful Creator
5) Continue to DO GOOD 1 Peter 4:19