SERMON BY PASTOR DAVID LAYMAN,

June 6, 2004 at the 10:30 am worship

"Through Hardship to Hope"

Romans 5:1-5 NIV

Paul wrote to the Romans "We know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." A neutral party could quickly object "Wait a minute! I know many people that have suffered, and it hasn't produced perseverance.. .it's produced anger, or discouragement, or a hardened heart!" And that is indeed true! But Paul isn't talking about just anyone's suffering, but the suffering of those who believe in God. He begins his thought by noting "Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Paul is saying that for believers in Jesus, suffering can produce positive results.. .and that is GOOD news!

I'm certainly glad to hear that suffering can produce perseverance, character and hope. There are all kinds of suffering in life--physical pain and emotional distress. In our day and time, when many people suffer, such as from a hot coffee spill, their first response is not to thank God for the opportunity for character development. Instead, they sue McDonald's! Our cultural response to suffering is "Somebody's going to pay for this!" The Bible teaches we are to seek to make amends for wrongs inflicted. But that's not our focus today. Today we want to focus on the fact that God can use suffering in believers' lives to bring about good.

In nature, a tree which falls to the ground rots, and enriches the soil and make possible future growth. Forest fires are part of the cycle of nature which brings about much good. The suffering and death of an old or weak animal provides nourishment for predators. Even waste products from animals enrich the earth. That which may be perceived from one perspective in a negative light can lead to something positive!

In nature, suffering and death naturally fulfills God's good purposes for the earth. When it comes to human suffering, good may only come when we call for the presence of God to bring something good from the pain and hardship. Facing hardship with faith and trust in God can indeed bring about spiritual growth and blessings for us and others.

The best thing my parents did for me was to teach me the truth of Romans 5. My mother was particularly good at dealing with every childhood frustration, disappointment and pain in a positive way. A scraped knee could be used by God to learn to be more careful. The measles could be used by God to remind me to give thanks for the good health I had. When I didn't get the best grades, there was a lesson to study harder. When my team didn't win, I could learn lessons in humility. I had a lot of opportunities to develop humility! When my Grandmother and Grandfather English died, it was a reminder that this earthly life doesn't last forever, but I could strive to live as a faithful believer so that one day I could rejoice in heaven with my grandparents. I naturally shrank back from the pain of a dentist's chair, a visit to the doctor, or hard physical labor. But again and again, they emphasized that we often have to endure pain to avoid a greater hardship. They taught me that the best things in life require hard work, struggle and effort. And they also taught me to endure a hard road in this life, in order to one day enter into God's eternal presence. We shouldn't expect life on earth to be heaven. Instead, as Paul wrote, "We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." We know something wonderful is coming... .like a child is excited in the days before Christmas! Believers in Christ can rejoice in this great hope that we have.

We're not going to be defeated by--we're going to grow through the challenges of life! That's what God enables us to do! What a difference it makes if we can face the challenges and difficulties of life with such a conviction! God guides us on our hard journey thru the wilderness to the promised land!