A Christian response to Trials, Troubles, Sickness and Sorrows in the World. Pt. 3
Good morning
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.
Matthew 14:13-14 When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. 14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
Jesus demonstrated His heart toward the sick and suffering and this ought to reflect our own heart as well. He had compassion on the multitude and healed their sick. A compassionate heart is the motivation for any Christian who seeks to minister to the sick and suffering around us. In the text the word compassion means our inner man yearns to love and help someone.
Philippians 2:25-28 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. 26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. 27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
Paul wrote to the church at Philippi about his current conditions in a Roman prison. In this text he mentions that he hoped to send Epaphroditus back to the church to give them an update on what God was doing with Paul at that time.
Notice how Paul describes Epaphroditus. He is a brother in Christ, a fellow worker in gospel ministry, a fellow soldier taking a stand for truth and a man who ministered to Paul's needs.
Epaphroditus had a heavy heart because he had been ill and knew that the believers at Philippi were greatly concerned about his health. Paul tells us that Epaphroditus had been near death with his sickness.
The Apostle prayed and sought God's intervention to help Epaphroditus recover from his serious illness and the Lord showed mercy and restored him. You see, Paul's heart was filled with great sorrow because his co-worker was so ill and it was a great relief when Epaphroditus got better.
Paul sent Epaphroditus to Philippi "carefully" or quickly so that the Philippians could hear from this man that they loved dearly. Paul knew it would bring a great blessing to them and the church would be comforted.
1 Corinthians 12:22-26 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
In this text the apostle Paul described the worldwide body of Christ as having many members but being one body. Some may seem to have more important positions in the body or have lives that "have it all together" whereas others may be judged as less important and not desirable.
Paul tells us that every member is equally vital to the entire body of Christ. He reminds us to have the same care for each other instead of showing partiality in how they care for one another.
Paul brings out this important truth for us to think about. If anyone in the body of Christ suffers, all other members suffer with that person.
Thus, when we think about Christians suffering in China, South Korea, America, Portugal or any other nation, even if we cannot go to them, we can pray for them and lift them up to the throne of grace to seek God's merciful intervention in their situations.
Points to Ponder...
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.
Matthew 14:13-14 When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. 14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
Jesus demonstrated His heart toward the sick and suffering and this ought to reflect our own heart as well. He had compassion on the multitude and healed their sick. A compassionate heart is the motivation for any Christian who seeks to minister to the sick and suffering around us. In the text the word compassion means our inner man yearns to love and help someone.
Philippians 2:25-28 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. 26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. 27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
Paul wrote to the church at Philippi about his current conditions in a Roman prison. In this text he mentions that he hoped to send Epaphroditus back to the church to give them an update on what God was doing with Paul at that time.
Notice how Paul describes Epaphroditus. He is a brother in Christ, a fellow worker in gospel ministry, a fellow soldier taking a stand for truth and a man who ministered to Paul's needs.
Epaphroditus had a heavy heart because he had been ill and knew that the believers at Philippi were greatly concerned about his health. Paul tells us that Epaphroditus had been near death with his sickness.
The Apostle prayed and sought God's intervention to help Epaphroditus recover from his serious illness and the Lord showed mercy and restored him. You see, Paul's heart was filled with great sorrow because his co-worker was so ill and it was a great relief when Epaphroditus got better.
Paul sent Epaphroditus to Philippi "carefully" or quickly so that the Philippians could hear from this man that they loved dearly. Paul knew it would bring a great blessing to them and the church would be comforted.
1 Corinthians 12:22-26 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
In this text the apostle Paul described the worldwide body of Christ as having many members but being one body. Some may seem to have more important positions in the body or have lives that "have it all together" whereas others may be judged as less important and not desirable.
Paul tells us that every member is equally vital to the entire body of Christ. He reminds us to have the same care for each other instead of showing partiality in how they care for one another.
Paul brings out this important truth for us to think about. If anyone in the body of Christ suffers, all other members suffer with that person.
Thus, when we think about Christians suffering in China, South Korea, America, Portugal or any other nation, even if we cannot go to them, we can pray for them and lift them up to the throne of grace to seek God's merciful intervention in their situations.
Points to Ponder...
- Like Christ we need God's compassion in our hearts toward those who suffer.
- Like Paul, we need to share the burdens of those who suffer with fervent, earnest prayers on their behalf.
- Like Christ, we do what we can for the suffering according to our ability to minister.
- Like Paul, we need the mindset that when any Christian suffers we share in their suffering.
The COVID 19 (Corona virus) news is not good. It is still spreading sometimes in unexpected ways or places. The flu is still very strong in America. Many people who have no relationship with God through Jesus Christ are facing this crisis alone and without hope.
We must continue to pray for God's will to be accomplished in each individual life of those who suffer. My prayer is that Christians everywhere will share the gospel with the sick and suffering. I pray that God would turn their hearts to Him so that they might receive His mighty salvation.
May God grant us the compassion of Christ, the burden to care like Paul and the desire to pray fervently as James teaches us (James 5:14-15).
Bob
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