THE CHRISTIAN AND AFFLICTIONS

Text:  John 16:33.

Purpose:  To better understand "afflictions" -- their nature, their necessity, and the manner of enduring them with joy.

Introduction

I. This is a Bible term which is not pleasant. The Greek word is thlipsis, translated "affliction" or "tribulation" most of the 45 times it occurs in the New Testament.

II. Literally, the word means to push, squash, hem in, apply pressure. Figuratively, it means trouble, distress, misery.

III. Its sense is seen in several New Testament examples.

   A. The travail of a woman giving birth (John 16:21).

   B. The pressure of family responsibility in troubling times (I Corinthians 7:28).

   C. The conflicting attractions of life and death for Paul (Philippians 1:23).

Body

I. Affliction is inevitable for true Christians.

   A. Matthew 7:13,14.

   B. John 16:33.

   C. Acts 14:22.

II. Affliction always comes in this world, when one receives the Word of God into his life.

   A. So states the Scripture (Matthew 13:20,21; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6; Hebrews 10:32; Revelation 1:9).

   B. The world pulls the Christian toward Satan and sin. The Word pulls the Christian toward God and righteousness. The pull of opposing forces creates a push (tension, pressure, affliction) on the one caught in the middle.

   C. The believer has upset the normal world order by going contrary to its pull. The Word of God literally "makes trouble" in his life, for without its influence he is easily molded by the world-system.

III. Christians comfort each other in this common affliction (pressure, tension).

   A. As each receives comfort (encouragement), he is able to share it with others (II Corinthians 1:3-7).

   B. The Thessalonians are a good example of this in Paul's experience (11 Thessalonians 1: 3-5).

   C. This is a purpose for Christian assemblies (Hebrews 10:24,25, 32-34).

IV. Affliction may therefore be accompanied by hope and great joy.

   A. Its full development leads to joy and peace in God (Romans 5:1-5).

   B. It is to be met with zeal, endured by prayer, and overcome by hope and joy (Romans 12:11-15).

   C. It reminds us of the conflict causing it, a conflict settled already in favor of Christ and the Christian (II Corinthians 4:14-18).

   D. God gives a beautiful picture of those who patiently endure this conflict for the Word of God's sake (Revelation 7:9-17).

Conclusion

"Affliction" is inevitable for the Christian, because it is the pressure which normally results from conflicting pulls on his life. If he is faithful to God's Word, he will go counter to the world-system, and the opposite "tuggings" bring pressure on him. In this he shares with other saints, and, encouraging one another with faith in God, they may victoriously endure in hope and great joy.

Back to Chapter 2 Forward to Chapter 4