How Love Affects Suffering | Matthew 27:32-66

Series: All!

Jesus has all authority,
So that all nations
Might pledge all allegiance to him.

Title: “How Love Affects Suffering”

Scripture: Matthew 27:32-66

Bottom line: “The one who loves much suffers much.”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
SERMON OUTLINE & NOTES
MAIN REFERENCES USED

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process:

Retell the story in your own words.
Discovery the story

What does this story tell me about God?
What does this story tell me about people?
If this is really God’s word, what changes would I have to make in my life?

Who am I going to tell about this?

Final Questions (optional or in place of above)

What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Q. What do I want them to know?

A. The one who loves much suffers much.

Q. Why do I want them to know it?

A. Because of the loss you feel when personally invested.

Q. What do I want them to do about it?

A. Recognize this so that as you suffer you embrace it knowing that love is what amplifies this.

Q. Why do I want them to do it?

A. Because this is how Jesus lived…and died. It’s how we should live.

Q. How can they begin to do this?

A. Letting empathy propel us to serve others who are suffering with compassion.

Introduction

It’s hard to imagine the loss of a loved one until you lose someone. The more you loved them, the more it hurts. There’s great emotion because the loss is felt so deeply. In contrast, going to the funeral of someone we didn’t know does not move us the same way. Why? Because loving much leads to much suffering.

Today I want you to see the relationship between love and suffering as it relates to God and to people. My hope is that this will comfort you and propel you to serve others who are suffering even as you suffer. Because love compels us to.

SERMON OUTLINE & NOTES

Bottom line: “The one who loves much suffers much.”

Today we’re just walking through these passages recognizing what’s happening along the way and seeing how love and suffering intermingle.

Conclusion

The one who loves much suffers much

In this newsletter, Nanette Palm reflects on the suffering she is experiencing as she grieves the loss of her teenage son. In 2014, 3 from Grace went to Kazakhstan to serve alongside of this missionary family. There we got to know Isaiah as a 6 year old. He is who died.

Newsletter, 8/22/23

“A graduating student from Belize Christian Academy presented Nannette with a special painting. It was truly a special moment!

‘Grief is a special kind of suffering. It’s intensely wanting what you know cannot be.’

The past 4-5 months have been the hardest in my life. I want to crawl into bed and never get out again. I don’t have that luxury. I have found that the simple responsibilities overwhelming. Cooking a meal felt like too much. I am so thankful for all the meals that were brought.

I have come to grasp that the one who loves much suffers much. Isaiah is an amazing kid. He gives the best hugs and he loves his family and others well. The only time I ever saw Isaiah upset is when he was concerned about his dad in the hospital or his dog Teddy being attacked by another dog. I love him so much, and I didn’t even realize how much until he was gone.

I stand at a moment in time that is crucial. I can walk this path of suffering and allow it to make me bitter or I can allow God to draw me closer to Him. The temptation is great, deep inside I want to sit and wallow in self-pity and pain. Some days are excruciating.

I have so many amazing beautiful memories of Isaiah. He brought joy, creativity and enthusiasm for life. He truly completed our family. Yet at this moment, the pain of his loss feels greater than the gratitude of having him in my life for 14 and half years.

In reading, Lament for a Son by Nicholas Wolterstorff, I have been thinking about the connection of love and suffering. Nicholas writes, “If I hadn’t loved him, there wouldn’t be this agony. ‘This,’ said Jesus, ‘is the command of the Holy One. You should love your neighbor as yourself.’ In commanding us to love, God invites us to suffer.”

I have never connected the words loving and suffering. It is truth. God loved me so much that he was willing to suffer. Nicholas states. “God is not only the God of the sufferers but the God who suffers. The pain and fallenness of humanity have entered into his heart. Through the prism of my tears, I have seen a suffering God.” God is with me. I know this fact to the very core of my being. Isaiah changed my life and his loss will be felt in my heart until we are reunited in heaven.

Elijah and I traveled to Belize in the beginning of June. We went to participate in Belize Christian Academy’s graduation. We felt so loved and we were given the freedom to just cry. My pastor looked at me and said, “You lost your baby, it’s ok to weep!” Of course the streams of tears raced down our faces. Everywhere we looked, there were memories of Isaiah. We were presented with a painting of Isaiah from the student council. They had led a candlelight vigil in April.”

Pray

NOTES

My personal notes

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes

“Matthew” by RC Sproul

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)

Outline Bible, D Willmington

CSB Christ Chronological (Harmony)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/