The Hidden Power In Suffering + Tonight!
Good morning, Immanuel. The Spirit of Christ himself is the hidden power in our suffering.
“ 7. . . for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control . . . share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God . . . 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you” (2 Timothy 1:7;14).
The missionary David Livingstone once asked the great English preacher Charles Spurgeon, “How do you manage to do two men’s work in a single day?” Spurgeon answered, “You have forgotten there are two of us.” Every Christian can say the same. We are not limited to our own resources. We have the power of God in the Holy Spirit.
God does not ask us to suffer for the gospel by our own strength. He is asking us to trust in his power and take a risk. Are you afraid? The Spirit of God who lives in you is fearless. Are you unloving? The Spirit of God who lives in you is filled with love. Are you weak and undisciplined? The Spirit of God who lives in you gives power for self-control.
The great Scottish pastor Robert Murray M’Cheyne once observed, “If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies.” But here is an even more encouraging fact. Not only does Christ pray for us, but the Spirit of Christ dwells in us!
You might remember Jesus’ final exchange with Peter on the shore of the Sea of Tiberius. “Truly, truly, I say to you,” said Jesus, “when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.””
Some of us here today are facing into suffering we did not expect. And Jesus is saying to us as to Peter, “Follow me.” Is there any greater comfort than this? That the one who ordains the suffering is the one so near to us in our suffering as to be able to say, “Follow me.” How is he near, you ask. “By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.”
The Spirit of Christ himself is the hidden power in our suffering.
CELEBRATING SUNDAY…
Sunday Worship: Our series in 2 Timothy conintues! If you missed Pastor TJ’s sermon this Sunday, you can catch up on our YouTube channel here.
Immanuel College: We had the joy of celebrating and sending off more than a dozen college seniors into the world for the sake of Christ. Immanuel is blessed and strengthened by our college students. Keep up with all things Immanuel College here!
TONIGHT: TRENDING QUESTIONS
Wednesday Night at Immanuel - Join us tonight at 6:30PM for theology and community for everyone! Pastor TJ Tims will lead our time together. We hope to see you there!