Sermon: Vexation
by Chris Cumming
Recently I was approached by a member in the congregation asking that I
do a sermon on suffering experienced by firstfruits. In my research, I
found there are at least fourteen kinds of suffering spoken of in the
Word of God. Let list those here. Understand that some of these are
more rare.
Types of Suffering:
1] Adamic —all of mankind suffers because of sin.
2] Demonic—either by possession, influence and/or deception.
3] Victim—when we are sinned against.
4] Collective—when nations or people suffer poverty, famine,
wars, etc.
5] Disciplinary—when God chastens us to mature us.
6] Vicarious—which comes from the ungodly in persecutions and
other attacks.
7] Empathetic—which we experience with others are suffering.
8] Testimonial—where God allows suffering to send a message such
as when He had Hosea marry a harlot.
9] Providential—some suffer to teach a lesson about God so that
worship of Him increases. Example would be Joseph’s imprisonment in
Egypt.
10] Preventative—suffering that warns us of greater suffering if
we do not repent or heed God’s warnings. Example, a pain in your side
warning us of a possible burst appendix.
11] Mysterious—where God does not readily give us the reason.
Example would be Job’s story.
12] Punishment—given by God to bring us to repentance and to end
the specific sin process.
13] Consequential—because of foolish decisions. Example would be
in Proverbs: the lazy become hungry, adulterers reap what they sow,
fools suffer harm, poor financial stewards come to poverty.
14] Apocalyptic [uh-pok-uh-lip-tik] —the Bible speaks of
increased suffering as we enter the Tribulation.
Suffering is described in the Bible with words like:
1] adversity. Proverbs 24:10
2] affliction. Mark 13:19
3] anguish. Romans 2:9
4] distress. Lamentations 1:20
5] misery. Ecclesiastes 8:6
6] pain. Romans 8:22. In Job 33, it is uttered, “strong pain.”
7] persecution. Romans 8:35
8] punishment. Proverbs 19:19
9] suffering. 1 Peter 2:19
10] sword. Acts 12:2
11] travail. Ecclesiastes 4:6
12] trials. 2 Corinthians 8:2
13] torment. 1 John 4:8
14] tribulations. Romans 5:3
15] trouble. Psalm 9:9
16] vexation. Isaiah 65:14 …there are others including famine,
nakedness and peril..
So, why do we suffer? What is the purpose of this suffering? What
promises does God give us regarding escape from this suffering? Today
we will answer these questions and more as I encourage all of us to
understand and endure suffering.
Understand and endure suffering.
We will now take a journey through God’s Word. Our mission here is to
understand suffering. I will do this using subject headings. The
scriptures in each section will be in biblical order. Understand that
some scriptures apply in more than one subject heading.
We will experience
suffering
Psalm 34:19a
Many are the afflictions of the righteous:…
Mark 13:13 …end time prophecy
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure
unto the end, the same shall be saved. [see Matthew 10:22]
Luke 14:27
Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the
revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan
to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made
perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in
persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I
strong.
Philippians 1:29
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him,
but also to suffer for his sake;
2 Timothy 3:12 [see
Lesson]
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Hebrews 12:11a
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous:
Attitude:
Romans 5:3-5
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation
worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our
hearts by the Holy Ghost [Spirit] which is given unto us.
Romans 8:18
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:35-39
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or
distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are
accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved
us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us
from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Corinthians 4:8-10
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not
in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life
also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
Philippians 3:8-11
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all
things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law,
but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God
by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of
his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Philippians 4:12-13
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in
all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and
to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Colossians 1:24
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of
the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
James 1:2-4
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire,
wanting nothing.
James 5:10-11
10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for
an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of
Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of
tender mercy.
Action on Your Part
Job 13:15
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways
before him.
Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my
portion for ever.
Psalm 119:50 …immerse yourself in the Word of God
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy
word hath quickened me.
Psalm 119:71
It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
Matthew 24:13
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Luke 9:23-25
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his
life for my sake, the same shall save it.
25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself,
or be cast away?
Galatians 6:2
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Philippians 4:6 …see below for the promise that comes with this prayer
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
2 Timothy 1:8 [see
Lesson]
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his
prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the
power of God.
2 Timothy 2:3-4 [see
Lesson]
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he
may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that
was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at
the right hand of the throne of God.
1 Peter 2:19-21
19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief,
suffering wrongfully.
20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take
it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently,
this is acceptable with God.
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us,
leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1 Peter 3:17
14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not
afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an
answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with
meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of
evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in
Christ.
17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing,
than for evil doing.
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he
might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the
Spirit:
1 Peter 4:12-19
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,
as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when
his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of
glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on
your part he is glorified.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer,
or as a busybody in other men's matters.
16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him
glorify God on this behalf.
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it
first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of
God? \
18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the
sinner appear?
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the
keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
God’s Hand in Suffering
Isaiah 55:9 …lest any wonder what God is doing
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than
your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts
and minds through Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 5:10 [sermon,
"Stablishment"]
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ
Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish,
strengthen, settle you.
Hebrews 12:10-11 …we gave the first part of verse 11 above
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he
for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous:
nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto
them which are exercised thereby.
Promises and
Encouragements
Psalm 30:5 …read all 12 verses of this chapter
For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure
for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Psalm 34:19 …we gave the first part of this above
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of
them all.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of
peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Matthew 4:23-24 …what Jesus did then and is doing now.
23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching
the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of
disease among the people.
24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick
people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were
possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the
palsy; and he healed them.
Matthew 5:10-12
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say
all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so
persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Matthew 11:28
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the
world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the
world.
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to
them who are the called according to his purpose.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
mercies, and the God of all comfort;
4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them
which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of
God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also
aboundeth by Christ.
6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which
is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or
whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the
sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
Hebrews 10:36
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of
reward.
36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye
might receive the promise.
37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall
receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
1 Peter 1:6-7
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in
heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that
perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour
and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Revelation 2:10 …end time prophecy
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast
some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten
days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Revelation 21:4
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more
death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the
former things are passed away.
Here are some quotes on enduring suffering:
“When you mature in your relationship with God you realize how suffering and
patience are like eating your spiritual vegetables.”
"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure
in spite of overwhelming obstacles."
"Suffering, failure, loneliness, sorrow, discouragement, and death will be part
of your journey, but the Kingdom of God will conquer all these horrors. No evil
can resist grace forever."
"Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though
sometimes it is hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop
character, and we must learn that the setbacks and grieves which we endure help
us in our marching onward."
"If patience is worth anything, it must endure to the end of time. And a living
faith will last in the midst of the blackest storm."
"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of
trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success
achieved." ~Helen Keller
A Parting Promise
Psalm 23:1-6
1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still
waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his
name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no
evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou
anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will
dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.