Through the conquering work of Christ, we live in a world that is in the process of being renewed by the power of the Gospel through the Work of the Holy Spirit.
In this world, we also live a life that is being transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
In this life, by God's decree, we experience suffering but our Salvation is held secure and seated with Christ; at the right hand of the Father, who is the God of all comfort.
In the Christian walk, we may suffer alone but we are never alone, meaning that God is with us, and we are with the Body of Christ and the Holy Spirit dwells within each one of us.
Personal Affliction, Suffering, and Trauma are never without a Community of Comfort (the Trinitarian God), Grace, Mercy, and Salvation, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit and Body of Christ. We have the God of all Comfort and Mercy who made it known to us through the success of Christ's resurrection that even in trials our salvation is held secure by the Holy Spirit who uses all things to conform us to the Image of Christ and to build up the Body of Christ through the Sharing in Christ's comfort to all who believe. We have the fulfillment of Suffering in the life of Christ, who historically displayed the Heavenly Reality in which we live. In that, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit which allows us to be comforted in ALL afflictions and also comfort others in any affliction.
It is this that I want you to hold onto throughout this sermon.
The suffering of the Believer does not produce damnation - it sanctifies and through the power of the Holy Spirit, it unifies the Church to bring about the Kingdom of God through the work of the Holy Spirit by the Power of |
