Suffering Turns to Glory
Suffering is not the end, but rather a means of transformation that can bring us glory with Jesus for all eternity.
In this sermon transcript titled 'Suffering Turns to Glory' by Basilia Schlank, the speaker discusses the concept of suffering in the context of Christian discipleship. The sermon begins with a discussion among a group of friends about a woman who had a difficult life, living with a brother who did not understand God's guidance for her. Despite her hardships, she embraced her suffering as a form of training and believed that it would bear abundant fruit. The speaker emphasizes the importance of accepting suffering as coming from God's hand and renouncing thoughts of escaping it. The sermon concludes with the example of a woman who, through her suffering, was transformed into the image of Jesus and exhibited mercy and forgiving love even in the face of mistreatment.
Full Transcript
God lives and works today. With Him, suffering is never the end. This is an exciting truth of Christian discipleship.
But what does it really mean, and how can we apply it to our lives? The answer is in today's meditation by Basilía Schlenk called, Suffering Turns to Glory. One evening we were sitting in a small circle in our sisterhood. We were discussing the life of one of our friends who had recently been called home to God.
She had not had an easy life. For many years she had had to live with a brother who, although he was a believer, did not understand the Lord's guidance for her life. It was a difficult time for her.
But she always said, I need this training. My brother is only the tool which God is using to work on my hard heart so that it will become filled with His mercy and forgiving love. And she was right.
Towards the end of her life, she was taken to the hospital. Friends and relatives were horrified by the fact that the nurse in charge of her always spoke sharply with her, tried to annoy her, and treated her badly. God, however, had achieved His purpose.
The woman was quiet like a lamb. She never rebuked the nurse and was always friendly to her. Then our friend died.
And for what were we the most thankful? That God had led her on these ways of chastening. Through them she had learned how to love. This woman, however, had been transformed into the image of Jesus through problems with her brother, because she had accepted them as coming from God's hand.
Her sufferings had brought her unspeakable glory for eternity. Then we all agreed. We want to renounce every thought like, I wish I could escape from this suffering.
Or, if only this difficult time were over. For in eternity, there is a different cry which will echo forever. It is a laugh.
It is the lament of all those who could not inherit their heavenly glory because they did not want to follow Jesus on the way of the cross. They did not want to endure times of suffering here on earth. If we endure patiently now, one day we will be thankful for all our suffering, for it will have brought us glory with Jesus for all eternity.
Yes, if you live in the sight of eternity, every suffering will seem small to you. For out of every burden and difficulty which God sends you, you will gain a rich reward, and one day you will be able to dwell with our Lord Jesus at the throne of God. Therefore, begin now to thank God for every time of suffering in your life, and look beyond these times to the end, the great glory which they will bring.
For these times will bring you abundant fruit even here on earth. VALUE SUFFERING, SUCH JOY BRINGING GOD BLESS YOU
Sermon Outline
- I. Suffering is not the end
- A. God lives and works today
- B. Suffering can be a means of transformation
- II. Accepting suffering as from God's hand
- A. Recognizing God's purpose in our difficulties
- B. Learning to love and forgive through suffering
- III. The reward of suffering
- A. Glory with Jesus for all eternity
- B. Abundant fruit in our lives here on earth
Key Quotes
“If we endure patiently now, one day we will be thankful for all our suffering, for it will have brought us glory with Jesus for all eternity.” — Basilea Schlink
“For out of every burden and difficulty which God sends you, you will gain a rich reward, and one day you will be able to dwell with our Lord Jesus at the throne of God.” — Basilea Schlink
“VALUE SUFFERING, SUCH JOY BRINGING GOD BLESS YOU” — Basilea Schlink
Application Points
- Begin to thank God for every time of suffering in your life and look beyond these times to the end, the great glory they will bring.
- Recognize God's purpose in your difficulties and learn to love and forgive through suffering.
- Value suffering as a means of transformation that can bring you abundant fruit in your life here on earth and glory with Jesus for all eternity.