Posts

Posted on

A Theology of Prayer

Every Christian should be a praying Christian. Prayer is a distinguishing characteristic of the Christian life.

What is prayer? Simply put, prayer is communion and communication with God. Christians pray because of who God is, because of what Jesus has done for us, and because of the Holy Spirit who helps us.

Jesus said to his disciples (and to us), “And I will do whatever you ask in my name so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (John 14:13-14).

Right away, we find ourselves asking if this promise is to be understood as an all-inclusive guarantee, like an Aladdin’s lamp with a magic genie inside. No, there are some built in limitations in this promise. The mention of the Father means that any request that would be granted must bring glory to God. Also the mention of the name of Jesus means that our petitions should be consistent with the character and purposes of the Lord Jesus.

The immediate context of this promise emphasizes the fact that Jesus was about to return to the Father in heaven. In preparing the disciples for this, the Lord mentions the Father twelve times in John 14:1-14. He wants us to think of God as a Father.

The Father is willing to hear us, to help us, to listen and to understand. He is strong and sympathetic. Jesus invites us to pray to him because of who he is, what he has done, and what he has promised to do. This gives us assurance in prayer.

Because we are sinners, we need a way of approaching God. We have such a way. Jesus is the Savior who died to take away our sins. He is the mediator who  intercedes for us as our representative before God. He is the one who says to believers, “You are in me and I am in you” (John 14:20). This union with Jesus makes the Father accessible to us. We may approach God with freedom and confidence in the name of Jesus. The name of Jesus gives us authority in prayer.

Furthermore, in the verses that follow, Jesus promised the disciples that he and the Father would send the Holy Spirit to them. He would indwell them and help them. One of the ways the Spirit helps believers is in prayer. Romans 8:26-27 tell us that the Spirit intercedes for us when we do not know how to pray as we ought. He helps us in our weakness. The Holy Spirit, then, gives us ability in prayer.

Robert Murray McCheyne wrote, “When we pray in private there are three persons with us: there is God the Father, whose eyes see in secret and whose ears are open to our cry; there is God the Son, blotting out our sins, and offering up our petitions with the incense of his own merit; and there is God the Holy Spirit, quickening our spirits and putting into our hearts good desires.”

Let us pray.

Pastor Randy Faulkner

Posted on

Jesus Prayed and So Should We

“Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16)

If our Lord Jesus, who was the embodiment of perfection, needed to pray, then certainly we who claim to follow him should do the same. I am quite certain that few of us would claim to be fully satisfied with our lives when it comes to prayer. I know I have much to learn.

Jesus instructed his disciples to pray. He taught them principles and precepts about prayer. But I think the greater impact on their lives was when they saw and heard him pray. They learned from his example.

The prayer life of Jesus illustrates to us when, where, and why we should pray.

When did Jesus pray?

He prayed at the beginning of things. As he stepped out into his public ministry, he prayed at his baptism, and the Holy Spirit descended on him (Luke 3:21). He spent an entire night in prayer before choosing his twelve disciples (Luke 6:12). The application for us is obvious. We ought to begin our days in prayer to the Lord for guidance and wisdom for every duty and decision.

He prayed in the middle of things. As he was surrounded by crowds of needy people, he felt the need for prayer. The gospels tell us that whenever possible, in the middle of busy activities and interruptions, he found time to retreat to talk with the Father in heaven. If we are too busy to pray, we are too busy.

He prayed at the end of things. near the end of his earthly ministry, our Lord prayed with his disciples in the upper room (Luke 22:31-32). He prayed for them in John 17. He agonized in prayer in Gethsemane (Luke 22:40-46). Three of his seven last statements from the cross were prayers (Luke 23:34). The habits of his life were continued at the time of his death.

When did Jesus pray? In every conceivable situation. When should you and I pray? In every conceivable situation.

Where did Jesus pray?

Luke 5:16 says he “withdrew” and sought solitude in out-of-the way places. The New International Version translates it as “lonely” places, possibly meaning uninhabited pasture lands or mountains.

What is the point of this for us? We all have a need for quietness and solitude as we spend time in prayer. Jesus said that when we pray, it is not to put on a show of piety before other people. “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is unseen. Then your Father who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:6).

Why did Jesus pray?

Our Lord prayed in order to get things from the Father. John 11 tells the story of his raising Lazarus from the dead. He expressed confidence that God heard his prayer (John 11:41-42). The miracle that followed was a direct answer to his prayer, for the glory of God.

He prayed because of the needs of others. The circumstances in our text describe the pressures of ministry to large crowds who wanted healing and who were spiritually hungry. Prayer was the key to his composure and compassion. No doubt he prayed for the people he served and healed.

He prayed to cultivate dependency upon God. Jesus had a sense of radical dependence on the Father for his mission and ministry. “Jesus gave them this answer: ‘the Son can do nothing by himself; he can only do what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does, the Son also does'” (John 5:19).

Jesus prayed to commune with God. There are at least fifteen instances recorded in the four gospels where we find Jesus praying. Many of these are obviously for simple communion with God.

I read about a woman who was sitting beside the bed of her sick husband looking at him. He asked in a feeble voice, “What are you doing?” She replied, “Just loving you.” When God looks at us and says, “What are you doing?” may our answer be, “Just loving you.” I think that is what Jesus was doing as he prayed, just loving the Father.

If Jesus needed to pray then so do we. The best way to learn to pray is to follow his example.

Pastor Randy Faulkner

 

 

Posted on

Profit and Loss

“But whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss, for the sake of Christ” (Philippians 3:7).

An acquaintance of mine was very active in community service. He had achieved some significant things in working for causes he believed in. When I asked him what motivated him, he said he was doing what he did for God. I learned in that conversation that he hoped to gain heaven by his good deeds.

Until the apostle Paul met the Lord Jesus that was his motivation, too. He told the story in Philippians 3:1-9. He wrote about how proud he had been of his ancestral heritage, and of his achievements in the strictest traditions of his religion. He was trying, he said, to attain a reputation for being “faultless” in the eyes of people, and in the eyes of God.

Paul was proud of these apparent advantages. Using accounting terminology, he had considered them spiritual assets. He had been trying to save himself by keeping the law of God. He discovered it cannot be done. What he had once considered “profit” was really “loss.” What he had once thought to be to his credit, was really a deficit. He had been trying to make himself righteous by self-effort and it cannot be done. His religious works were actually coming between him and salvation.

Paul learned there are two kinds of righteousness, God’s righteousness and human righteousness. Human righteousness is putting one’s confidence in the flesh, a do-it-yourself religion. The accumulation of human religion and good deeds, no matter how sincere and diligent, can never take a person to heaven. God’s righteousness is a gift of grace, and is not based upon good works or trying to keep the laws of God.

Paul wrote, “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith” (Philippians 3:8-9).

A friend told me about a hot dog stand in the Bahamas. It had a sign on the side that said, “Your pastor can’t get you to heaven. Your priest can’t get you to heaven. Your rabbi can’t get you to heaven. Only Jesus can get you to heaven.”

That was Paul’s message: righteousness comes through faith in Christ alone. The good news in the Christian gospel is that we may be declared righteous, not on the basis of what we do for God, but on the basis of what Christ has done for us. It is through faith in his death and resurrection. Jesus bore our sins and offers us his righteousness in exchange.

Is your righteousness an asset, or a liability? Paul said that if it is anything other than Christ, it is no better than “rubbish.”

“Not the labors of my hands can fulfill thy law’s demands. / Could my zeal no respite know; could my tears forever flow, / all for sin could not atone. Thou must save, and thou alone.

“Nothing in my hand I bring; simply to thy cross I cling. / Naked, come to thee for dress; helpless, look to thee for grace. / Foul, I to thy fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.” (“Rock of Ages” by A. M. Toplady).

Pastor Randy Faulkner

Posted on

Servant Leadership

Jesus had been telling his disciples about his coming death and resurrection. Instead of expressing concern or showing interest in what he had said, they began to discuss among themselves who would be the greatest in the kingdom of the Lord. They were more interested in power and prestige.

It has been said that the chief occupational hazard of leadership is pride. Jesus contrasted their appetite for earthly honor and power with his humility. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45). Jesus calls his disciples to follow him in humble service, not in ostentatious displays of power.

Oswald Sanders wrote, “True greatness, true leadership, is achieved, not by reducing men to one’s service, but in giving oneself in selfless service to them.” The word “serve” that Jesus used of himself and his disciples, was the common word for household slave. How many of Jesus’ 21st century disciples think of themselves this way?

Someone has said the test of whether a Christian has the attitude of a servant is how he reacts when he is treated like one!

Gordon MacDonald told the story of a gifted and privileged man from India who went to England to obtain his education. He completed a doctorate from the London School of Economics, after which he spent time in the ashram of the Mahatma Ghandi. He was there to receive guidance from Ghandi about his future work.

The rule of the ashram was that every person was to help with the maintenance of the community. He was given the assignment of cleaning lavatories. He protested to Ghandi that as a high-caste Brahman such a menial task was beneath him. He complained, “I hold a doctorate! . . . I am capable of doing great things. Why do you waste my time and talents on cleaning toilets?”

Ghandi answered, “I know of your capacity to do great things, but I have yet to discover your capacity to do little things. So, if you wish to seek my guidance and blessing, you will have to observe all the rules of the ashram.”

That is what our Lord Jesus was teaching his disciples. “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all” (Mark 10:42-44).

John Stott wrote, “In all this emphasis on service, the disciple is only seeking to follow and reflect his teacher, for though he was lord of all Jesus became the servant of all. Putting on the apron of servitude, he got down on his knees to wash the apostles’ feet. Now he tells us to do as he did, to clothe ourselves with humility and in love to serve one another.”

Pastor Randy Faulkner

Posted on

The Whole Bible is a Missionary Text

Emblazoned above the choir loft in the church where I was reared, in Old English lettering, was the text of the Great Commission of Jesus from Mark’s gospel, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15 KJV). I shall always be grateful for the influence of my pastor’s persistent emphasis on world missions.

I have since learned, of course, that the whole Bible shows that world missions has always been on God’s heart. The sweep of biblical history, from the call of Abraham to the coming of Christ’s kingdom, is the story of God’s calling out from the nations a people for himself.

Paul supports this idea in Romans 15 by quoting different sections of the Old Testament. He does this to explain the biblical authority for his missionary activities, and for those of the church today. Verse 4, for example, speaks of the continuing relevance of the Old Testament, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us” (Romans 15:4). This, he says, is so that today’s church may have endurance, encouragement, and hope.

Verse 7 is a plea for unity. Churches are made up of all kinds of people: mature and immature, old and young, laborers and professionals, red, yellow, black, white, and brown people. All true believers in Jesus are accepted by God in Christ, We are called to accept one another, despite racial, political, economic, or cultural differences. This is so that the church may be unified in its mission of sending the gospel around the world. “Accept one another, as Christ has accepted you” (Romans 15:7).

Then Paul gets to his main point. In Verse 8 he says that Jesus was a missionary, or “servant,” to his own people, the Jews. He was born under the law. He was sent first to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. His earthly ministry was confined mainly to the boundaries of the Jewish nation.

But then in verse 9 it says that Jesus is also the savior of the Gentile nations! And all this was in fulfillment of biblical prophecy. The inclusion of the nations of the world was not based on a few New Testament verses. It has always been the plan of God. Think of it! “So that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy,” Paul says in Romans 15:9. This is the goal of world missions.

Next in verses 9-12, Paul quotes from different sections of the Old Testament to prove his point. The mission to the Gentiles has always been on the heart of God. He quotes from the psalms: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles” (Romans 15:9, quoting Psalm 18:49). He quotes from the Law: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people” (Romans 15:10, quoting Deuteronomy 32:43). He quotes from the prophets: “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him” (Romans 15:12, quoting Isaiah 11:10).

These verses from the Old Testament are promises which will be kept, prophecies which will be fulfilled. They are certainties that undergird the church’s worldwide gospel initiatives. They give us hope that our labor for the Lord will not be in vain. Paul is quoting these Old Testament texts to validate New Testament missionary work.

The Great Commission is not a footnote to biblical history or a divine afterthought. It is integral to the scope of God’s eternal purpose. It has been his plan all along. We may feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. We may talk about closed countries and resistant cultures. But the truth is that God is going to accomplish his mission, fulfill his purpose, complete his task. By his grace he will use people like us to carry it out.

“Give of thy sons to bear the message glorious. / Give of thy wealth to speed them on their way. / Pour out thy soul for them in prayer victorious; / And all thou spendest, Jesus will repay. / Publish glad tidings, tidings of peace; / Tidings of Jesus, redemption and release.” (“O Zion, Haste” by Mary A. Thomson)

Pastor Randy Faulkner

Posted on

What’s in a Name?

I read about a boy who was learning to sail on Lake Michigan. His father was his instructor. The youngster had developed enough skill that his father permitted him and a friend to take out his 45 foot sailboat. If the winds were too strong, or if the weather was threatening, they would furl the sails and head for shore. His companion was not experienced enough to be of much help in a storm.

But if he sailed with his dad, he was not afraid of stormy conditions or heavy winds. His father had sailed across the Atlantic Ocean and had survived five days of a hurricane. The boy knew his father was able to handle anything Lake Michigan could throw at them. “With him on board I had both companionship and confidence.”

That is the way it is with God almighty. Our creator wants to be our companion. He wants us to find our security in him. That is one of the benefits of meditating on scripture. The Bible reveals God to us. As we get close to him in prayer and the word, he gets close to us. This is theology made practical.

How may we understand God? How may we experience God? One way is to study the names of God that appear in scripture. In the Bible, a name usually denotes character. The names of God tell us what he is like. Carl Henry said that God’s name discloses his inner nature. Herman Bavink said, “In the biblical names of God our creator has introduced himself.”

For example, the name Elohim speaks of God’s power. The name Yahweh denotes his eternal self-existence. The name Adonai is used of his supreme authority. El Shaddai is a name that tells us that God is able, he is sufficient. Yahweh Jireh means, “the Lord will provide.” Yahweh Nissi means, “the Lord my banner” or flag of victory.

Yahewh Tsidkenu says that the Lord is our righteousness. Yahweh Ra’ah is “the Lord, my Shepherd.” Yahweh Rapha means, “the Lord who heals.” Yahweh Shalom is “the Lord my peace.” Yahweh Sabaoth means that he is the Lord of armies, the heavenly hosts. El Elyon tells us that he is the most high God. Yahweh Shammah means that the Lord is present with his people.

This is one way the Lord “introduces himself” to us. This is how he wants us to think about him. This is how he wants us to know him. He meets us in the different circumstances of our lives with exactly the aspect of his character that is suited for the occasion. With him as our companion, we do not have to fear the storms of life. He will be with us.

A college student approached A.W. Tozer with a question. He was troubled about how to understand the sovereignty of God and the free will of man. Tozer answered, “Son, when you get back to college you’re going to find a lot of your friends gathered in a room arguing over Arminianism and Calvinism all night. I’ll tell you what to do.

“Go to your room and meet God. At the end of four years You’ll be way down the line and they’ll still be where they started. Greater minds than yours have wrestled with this problem and have not come up with satisfactory conclusions. Instead, learn to know God.”

J.I. packer said, “A little knowledge of God is worth more than a great deal of knowledge about him.” One of the ways we may get to know him better is by the study of his names.

Pastor Randy Faulkner

Posted on

A Birthday Wish for Wisdom

In two days I will be 79 years of age. I don’t know what profound statement I can make about that except that I am old. It is useless to pretend otherwise.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s, shaking, balance, choking, dizziness, are bothersome but they are not as bad as they might be. I am able to exercise by walking, stretching, golfing, and bicycling. I look forward to an afternoon nap.

The blessings of life far outweigh the burdens! Connie is a loving companion and God’s best gift to me. We are approaching our 57th wedding anniversary. God has blessed us with five wonderful children and 13 grandchildren, all of whom are accomplished and intelligent.

I have had the privilege of travelling to Europe, Africa, Asia, and South and Central America as a Bible teacher. Three times I have had the joy of visiting the Holy Land.

It has been an honor to serve as a pastor in two great churches. The Lord’s people in those congregations have been an encouragement to me by their love for the word of God and their faithfulness to Jesus Christ.

I am grateful for good friends, good books, and good music. My dear parents gave me a godly heritage.

My birthday wish is simple. I want to live a life of wisdom. “Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost you all you have, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7). I want to be an example to the young. “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your heart to wisdom . . . then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:1-5).

I want to avoid the pitfalls of folly. There is no fool like an old fool. “The folly of fools is deception” (Proverbs 14:8). I want to grow more, not less, wise as time goes on. “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance” (Proverbs 1:5).

Experience is not the same thing as wisdom. Lots of people get older without getting wiser. It is possible to accumulate years of living without accumulating knowledge. Lots of people get older without getting smarter. I want to have the wisdom that comes from reverence for the Lord. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).

As the past stretches out behind me, and as I think about the future on this birthday, I want to take to heart Proverbs 24:14:“Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”

Pastor Randy Faulkner

 

Posted on

Saved Through His Life

“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to him by the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved through his life!” (Romans 5:10)

An examination of Romans chapter 5 reveals our need of salvation, and what God in Jesus Christ has done to make it possible for us to receive salvation. It says that sin renders us alienated from God and helpless to do anything about it (v. 16).  It says sinners are enemies of God (v.10).

Furthermore it says that the Lord Jesus solved the problem of our alienation from God when he died on the cross. He made it possible for ungodly people to be objects of God’s love (v.8), justified by his blood (v.9), saved from God’s wrath (v.9), and reconciled to God (v. 10).

Added to all this is the promise that “we shall be saved through his life” (v.10). This means that the Jesus who died for our sins was also raised from the dead. His resurrection life is given to his people now and in the resurrection on the last day. This is salvation.

Consider some practical implications of the phrase “saved through his life.” Think of it this way: Christ outside the empty tomb, Christ inside our hearts, and Christ beside the Father in heaven.

Outside the tomb

We are saved by believing the gospel, the message of Jesus’ death, burial and  resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus is the basis for our assurance of resurrection life. The resurrection was prophesied in the Old Testament, recorded by eyewitnesses in the New Testament, and is the reason for the existence of the Christian faith today.

The empty tomb challenges philosophy: “explain this event.” It challenges history: “repeat this event.” It challenges time: “erase this event.” It challenges faith: “believe this event!” We  are saved through his life.

Inside our hearts

“Saved through his life” means that those who believe the gospel have the living Christ living in them. Paul the apostle wrote, “You, however, are controlled, not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ” (Romans 8:9).

This verse, and many others, tell us that we are being saved by the power and presence of the risen Christ in our lives, This union with Christ is our hope of eternal life. So, when the Father judges us, he does not look on us alone. In God’s sight the believer is one in union with Christ. Believers are declared righteous by faith in Christ. This is a new legal standing or position before God. We are justified by faith. We are saved by his life. “Christ in you the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

Beside the Father

“Saved by his life” also points to the present ministry of our risen savior at the right hand of God the Father. This means that believers are kept saved by the intercessions of Jesus our great high priest, who prays continuously on their behalf. It is through him that we are invited to draw near to God in prayer. He is the guarantor of our forgiveness and of our heavenly inheritance.

The Bible records numerous instances of Jesus praying for his disciples. One of my favorite examples is when our Lord spoke directly to Peter and warned him that Satan desired to claim him and sift him like wheat. Then Jesus gave Peter an assuring word, “But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:31-32).

Peter failed the Lord when he denied him. But through the intercessions of Jesus God brought him through the failure to restoration and fruitful ministry. I believe this is how Jesus is praying for his people now at the Father’s right hand. He is seated in the presence of God  on our behalf as advocate and representative (1 John 2:1-2).

In the future, as you read the phrase “saved through his life” in Romans 5:10, think of the living Christ outside the tomb, inside your heart, and beside the Father in heaven interceding for you.

Pastor Randy Faulkner

Posted on

True Worship

I once heard about a man who lined the walls of his house with posters picturing Elvis Presley. He dressed in Elvis costumes. He attended conventions of Elvis tribute artists. He made a pilgrimage to Graceland every year. I wonder if he was wishing for the second coming — of Elvis! Here was an individual who worshipped Elvis as one worships an idol.

The psalms tell us that we become like what we worship. This man tried to imitate Elvis in every way he could. He was consumed and obsessed with Elvis. This is what it means to worship.

What is true worship? It has been defined as an active response to God whereby we declare his worth. It is attributing worth, value, and honor to our creator and savior. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul instructs the church about worship. He says we may worship God in at least three ways.

The word of Christ

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16). When we reverently read and study the scriptures, it is an act of worship. When we listen attentively to the preaching of the word, it is an act of worship. When a faithful pastor prepares and proclaims the word it is, for him, an act of worship.

Warren Wiersbe wrote, “The believer’s mind ought to be so saturated with divine truth that it can determine the divine perspective on any question, issue, or decision.” We show our reverence for God by the way we welcome his word into our minds and hearts.

Singing God’s praise

“Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16). Music is an incredibly powerful medium for expressing our love and devotion to God. It impresses upon our hearts the truths of what we are singing. Music is one of the ways the Lord has chosen for his people to know him and to honor him.

Our text implies that God accepts a variety of cultural expressions in music. I think he welcomes many different styles and preferences, from classical anthems to African rhythms, from Pentecostal hand clapping, to traditional hymns, old and new.

All of life

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17). This recognizes the supreme authority of Jesus Christ in every part of our lives. We can and should do all that we do for his glory. This attitude sanctifies every word we speak, and every activity of our lives as acts of worship.

The story is told of a humble janitor who worked in a large church. He wasn’t a preacher. He didn’t sing. He never stood on the stage. But he came in every morning to clean restrooms, wash windows, sweep floors, set up classrooms and make sure everything was ready for Sunday services.

One day the young pastor stopped to thank him. The janitor smiled and said, “I’m not just cleaning floors, I’m preparing the house of the Lord. Every sweep of my broom is for him!”

The pastor was struck by the man’s attitude. What others saw as a chore, he saw as worship. Later, when the church honored him for his years of service, he said something that stayed with everyone: “Worship doesn’t begin with music or a sermon. Worship is how you drive, how you work, how you love your family, and how you treat people who can’t give you anything in return. I clean like Jesus is walking in next.”

Worship is not only what we do in church, but it is how we live outside of it. “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Pastor Randy Faulkner

Posted on

Thinking About Suffering

Not long ago I was asked to teach a Sunday school class. The assigned topic was suffering. I had to admit to my friends that although as a pastor I had spent much time with people who were suffering, I have had little personal experience with suffering. At this point, my Parkinson’s symptoms are not as severe as they might be. My past injuries and surgeries do not compare with the serious health problems others have experienced. I am a novice when it  comes to suffering, so I was not teaching from my own experience.

Suffering is part of the human condition. That is why the apostle Peter wrote his first letter. He wrote, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials” (1Peter 1:6). He also said, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12). In fact, every chapter in 1 Peter has a reference to suffering or persecution. He wrote to prepare the Lord’s people to face suffering with courage and hope.

There are various ways to think about suffering. Escapism and denial are one way. Some preachers want you to believe that suffering is never God’s will and that healing is always God’s will. Just say the word, name it and claim it, and instantly be free of sickness or trouble. If deliverance doesn’t happen, it is because the sufferer does not have enough faith to be healed. This flatly contradicts 1 Peter which says that suffering is sometimes the will of God for a believer (1 Peter 4:19).

Suffering is inevitable because we live in a world that is broken. Innocent people suffer because of wars, accidents, injustice, disease, natural disasters, and other tragedies. I was living in Oklahoma City thirty years ago when the Murrah Federal Building was bombed by domestic terrorists. 168 people lost their lives, 19 of them little children. Hundreds more were injured. What are we to think of events like this? Jesus told his followers that tragedies happen in our world but victims should not be thought of as greater sinners than anyone else (Luke 13:2-5).

In some parts of the world believers are being persecuted and martyred because they are Christians. I am humbly grateful that I live in a nation where we are still free to express our faith. I fear that we may become so used to our comforts and freedom, that we have no theology of suffering. We American believers have much to learn from fellow-Christians in places like North Korea, Iran, Myanmar, Nigeria, Somalia, and Afghanistan.

God has a purpose in our sufferings. 1 Peter 1:7 says that one purpose is to refine our faith. James 1:2-5 says that suffering tests our faith and produces maturity, if we respond with perseverance. We should never doubt the goodness of God. He does have a good purpose in whatever he allows to reach us (Romans 8:28).

Many New Testament passages tell how the church’s sufferings identify us with Jesus. When Peter tells us to follow in the steps of Jesus (1 Peter 2:21), he was talking about following in the way of suffering. “Rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:13).

One of the sacred responsibilities of being a local church pastor is accompanying God’s people as they experience suffering. I have witnessed great fortitude and courage in the face of overwhelming pain and sorrow in ordinary folks who had entrusted their lives to Jesus. I hope my presence and prayers reminded them of the compassion of Jesus. I also hope that when I am called to suffer, that I may do so with the same faith that I saw in them.

Pastor Randy Faulkner