Pr. DFD : Pentecost 3

Saturday, June 8, 2024

Pentecost 3 - Proper 5

Martini Lutheran Church
New Haven, IN
2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1
A Right Regard to Suffering

LORD: When evil darkens our world, give us light. When despair numbs our souls, give us hope. When we stumble and fall, lift us up. When doubts assail us, give us faith. When nothing seems sure, give us trust. When ideals fade, give us vision. When we lose our way, be our guide! That we may find serenity in Your presence, and purpose in doing Your will. John D. Rayner[1]

Paul would remind us today that we are living in a broken world outside of Eden. He describes us as broken vessels. Jars of clay. He defines our lives as an ordinary vessels. Made from the elements of earth. Subject to infirmity. Instability. Insecurity. A clay pot containing cracks and leaks. And yet the LORD will hide eternal life in these clay crocks.

We are surrounded by difficulties. Often caused by circumstances beyond our control. Paul would explain; “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” (4:8-10)

Affliction and suffering now always seem unpleasant. So often they can lead to discouragement and naturally resentment. Sometimes – regret. How do you react when disorder comes your way?

Do you run from suffering? Or. Do you embrace it? Some deny suffering even exists. Content to live a life of toxic positivity. Thinking that if you pray harder. Work longer. The blessings will simply flow. After all suffering with such a world view is a sure sign of weakness.

Today, St. Paul gives us a right regard with respect to the reality of suffering and affliction in this life.

Paul has a unique perspective. Consider his situation. Even though his physical body is weakening and decaying inwardly he is being renewed. What is it that Paul has come to understand? He knows that his affliction is being used by His LORD to accomplish a higher and greater good. “…For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

Consider Paul’s perspective regarding suffering and affliction. What is Paul’s take on human suffering and affliction?

I. Affliction and suffering can be used as opportunities for renewal. Listen again to Paul’s encouragement: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” (verse 16)

A. Naturally, Paul’s words run contrary to conventional thinking. Decay and weakness rather than renewal are the marks of affliction and suffering.

1. Think of how sickness weakens the body. Stress can weaken the immune system. Making a person susceptible to more illness. Doctors and health care workers recommend that most people keep up to date with their vaccines.

You’re sitting in traffic. Late for an important meeting. Watching minutes tick away. Your hypothalamus. A tiny control tower in your brain. Decides to send out the order. “Send in the stress hormones!” Your heart races. Your breath quickens. And your muscles are ready for action. This response was designed to protect your body in an emergency by preparing you to react quickly. But when the stress response keeps firing. Day after day. It could put your health at serious risk.

2. Think of how wrongs done to us can negatively affect our body and our mind. I can remember speaking to a person who commented that after one such event things are never quite the same. She described it as “a new sense of normal.” There were actions normally done before. Now there is a new standard or routine.

3. Affliction and suffering make us keenly aware that our body is only an earthly tent that is being destroyed. (5:1)

B. Although they often accelerates the decay of the body. Affliction and suffering can nevertheless direct us to Christ for inward renewal. Again, listen to Paul’s instruction: Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. (V. 16)

1. The very life of Jesus manifests itself in us. (v.10) When we believe that. Though “we are afflicted in every way.” The Savior will not allow us to be crushed. (v.8) Your inner life hidden with Christ can never be destroyed.

2. The life of Jesus manifests itself when affliction and suffering in our lives produces endurance and character. Paul put it this way in Romans 5:3-5 “...we also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character hope.

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom He has given us.”

Transition: God’s purpose in affliction and suffering goes beyond this life, however.

II. Affliction and suffering are preparation for glory.

A. Affliction and suffering make us more conscious of eternal values.

1. There is a strengthening of faith that confesses Christ as crucified and risen for us. Listen again to Paul’s teaching: “It is written I believed; therefore I have spoken. With the same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence." (verses 13-14)

2. Our own resurrection and acceptance by the Father is made strong through suffering and affliction. We will stand before Him on the last day. “...we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence.”

B. Affliction and suffering make us more heavenly minded.

1. We become more aware of how transitory our present life really has become. We become aware of the momentary state of affliction in comparison to eternity.

2. We wait for the glorified body that will not be afflicted in any way in glory. In glory there will be an end to suffering, an end to pain, an end to misery.

This is what Christ has done for you. When he victoriously rose from the grave on that first Easter. And when He did. He appeared again to His disciples, and told them, "Peace be unto you! As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you." This is your peace.

The peace of Christ even in the mist of suffering. For we are and always will be Easter people.

From the very beginning He puts His message back into the mouths of those He redeemed.

He sends sinners. You and me, Forth with His Word. Doesn't He know what we do with stories? How can He do this? He can do this. Because the Word made flesh has redeemed you. And when He redeemed you. He also redeemed the value of your words and actions.

Such that now when you speak of Jesus. When you utter the t ruth of God's Word. When your actions are the love of neighbor that the LORD commands. The Father blesses all that as His very own. Not by your strength or effort. But by grace alone. As the Apostle writes: "No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost."

Even as we live in this broken world. The LORD is doing His best work. Restoring and using you for His purposes. Even amidst the brokenness of this fallen world.

Affliction and suffering are opportunities for renewal. They are preparation for glory. Amidst life we are in death. Life can be delicate and fragile.

Even amid death. - We are in life. The LORD can and will give us His life in unexpected ways. When we have this perspective on affliction and suffering, we will be able to say with the Psalmist David: “It is good for me that I was afflicted.” (Psalm 119:71)