The Ministers of the Gospel-5

¹⁵ 너희는 다시 무서워하는 종의 영을 받지 아니하였고 양자의 영을 받았으므로 아바 아버지라 부르짖느니라 ¹⁶ 성령이 친히 우리 영으로 더불어 우리가 하나님의 자녀인 것을 증거하시나니 ¹⁷ 자녀이면 또한 후사 곧 하나님의 후사요 그리스도와 함께한 후사니 우리가 그와 함께 영광을 받기 위하여 고난도 함께 받아야 될 것이니라 ¹⁸ 생각건대 현재의 고난은 장차 우리에게 나타날 영광과 족히 비교할 수 없도다. ¹⁵ For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" ¹⁶ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs-- heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. ¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Rom. 8:15-18 ESV)

⁷ 이 복음을 위하여 그의 능력이 역사하시는 대로 내게 주신 하나님의 은혜의 선물을 따라 내가 일군이 되었노라 ⁸ 모든 성도 중에 지극히 작은 자보다 더 작은 나에게 이 은혜를 주신 것은 측량할 수 없는 그리스도의 풍성을 이방인에게 전하게 하시고

 ⁹ 영원부터 만물을 창조하신 하나님 속에 감취었던 비밀의 경륜이 어떠한 것을 드러내게 하려 하심이라 ¹⁰ 이는 이제 교회로 말미암아 하늘에서 정사와 권세들에게 하나님의 각종 지혜를 알게 하려 하심이니 ¹¹ 곧 영원부터 우리 주 그리스도 예수 안에서 예정하신 뜻대로 하신 것이라 ¹² 우리가 그 안에서 그를 믿음으로 말미암아 담대함과 하나님께 당당히 나아감을 얻느니라 ¹³ 그러므로 너희에게 구하노니 너희를 위한 나의 여러 환난에 대하여 낙심치 말라 이는 너희의 영광이니라.

⁷ Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. ⁸ To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, ⁹ and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, ¹⁰ so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. ¹¹ This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹² in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. ¹³ So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. (Eph. 3:7-13)

FCF: We tend to misunderstand the ministry and minister of the gospel for the unity of the church.

주제: 하나님은 복음을 위하여 사역하는 은혜를 주시기에 고난이 있어도 하나님을 위하여 복음으로 사람들을 섬겨야 합니다. 

Theme: Because God grants us the grace to minister for the gospel, we must serve others for God through the gospel amid suffering.

Introduction: Life is tough. No matter how hard we try to escape from trials in life, we are still troubled by them. So, we often question why we suffer or try to accept the reality of suffering. I have heard many stories about how parenting is one of the most trying things in life. Mom and Dad loved their children as themselves. They worked hard to feed them, educate them, and get them married. One son turned rebellious soon after he went to middle school. He hung out with bad friends. His father tried to correct his misbehaviors. But his son refused to take any corrections from him. He fled from home. But his parents opened the door even at night so that his son could enter the house freely. His son thought his parents were repressive, restricting his freedom. But his parents did their best to guide their son to the right path in life. Afterward, he was kicked out of school. He continued to walk on a perilous road in life. 

In the meantime, his parents, like the father of the prodigal son in the Bible, still loved him, bearing all the disgrace and heartbrokenness incurred by him. His siblings distanced themselves from him, denouncing that he deserved all his failures and losses. But his parents covered his faults and misbehaviors with love. Their only concern for this rebellious son was for him to stand alone and live a life worthy of success and honor. Despite all their wishes, the son kept walking toward self-destruction. While worrying about the discord among his children, the father was dying. He called all his children to his bedside. Then, he asked them to help one another in love, emphasizing the importance of unity in the family. The father worked hard for his children to practice harmony in the family. But his children were unconcerned about one another while engaging in sibling rivalries. They accused each other of being uncaring and unloving. They accused their parents of favoritism in the family even though the parents did their best to love all of them equally.

Can you imagine how painful a life both parents had lived in raising their divisive children? Can you imagine how much suffering they bore from the rebellious son’s escapade, failure, accusation, etc.? This son kept yelling at them, “You haven’t loved me. There is nothing you have done for me.” Here we hear a typical story of many families in the world today. This may be compared to the pain the apostle Paul bore for the divided family of God in Ephesus. He bore them through the gospel of grace. He founded the church in Ephesus. He did his best to nurture them in the way of the Lord. But they were divided into two factions, the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians. Paul has been explaining they should work together for unity in the church because they were reconciled to God and each other through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ on the cross. He presents himself as a faithful gospel minister who worked hard for the oneness of all believers in Christ.  

So far, we have been learning this proposition: “Because God grants us the grace to minister for the gospel, we must serve others for God through the gospel amid suffering.” We have discussed the four major points: 1) serve for the gospel with divine enablement, 2) share the wealth of Christ with others with humility, 3) show the unity of the church for the glory of God, and 4) speak freely to God in His presence. My final point is to “suffer for the glory of others.” Is the suffering the gospel ministers and all Christians endure for the glory of others worthwhile and rewarding? We will discuss the theology of Christian suffering for others.   

I.               하나님의 능하게 하심으로 복음을 위하여 섬기라/Serve for the gospel with divine enablement.

II.             겸손함으로 다른 이들과 그리스도의 부요함을 나누라/ Share the wealth of Christ with others with humility.

III.           하나님의 영광을 위하여 교회의 하나됨을 보여주라/Show the unity of the church for the glory of God.

IV.           하나님께 나와서 자유롭게 말하라/Speak freely to God in His presence. 

V.             다른 사람의 영광을 위하여 고난을 받으라/Suffer for the glory of others.  

In v. 13, Paul talks about his suffering for the glory of the Ephesian church. He puts it this way: 그러므로 너희에게 구하노니 너희를 위한 나의 여러 환난에 대하여 낙심치 말라 이는 너희의 영광이니라. “So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.” Paul is under house arrest for Christ, His gospel, and His church (v. 1). He has explained the mystery of Christ for the unity of the church, which is the unification and harmony of the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians in the Ephesian congregation. When the Ephesian church is united through its union with Christ in a world in which hatred, rivalry, or division abound, it shows forth the manifold wisdom of God to the world. When the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians freely come together to the holy presence of God in worship, the world will see how God is working mightily in their hearts and lives. Since they had free and bold access to the presence of God in Christ, now they shouldn’t lose heart for the tribulations of Paul.

These Gentile Christians in Ephesus may have wondered why Paul was under house arrest. They may have questioned the goodness of God because they knew Paul was a faithful gospel minister, who they believed was worthy of God’s blessings. But against their wishes and expectations, Paul was suffering from incarceration. So, they may have been discouraged by the bad news of Paul’s imprisonment, losing their motivation for a robust Christian life. The Greek word used here is “egkakeo,” which means "바람직한 행동이나 활동 패턴을 지속하는 데 동기를 잃거나, 열정을 잃거나, 낙담하거나, 큰 어려움에 직면하여 두려워하는 것" “to lose one’s motivation in continuing a desirable pattern of conduct or activity, lose enthusiasm, be discouraged, or be afraid in the face of a great difficulty” (BDAG).

The news that the founder of their church, their spiritual father was under arrest must have saddened their hearts. They may have been discouraged or afraid of their probable sufferings for the faith of Christ. Or they may have felt that they lost Paul, the man who fought for their freedom and rights in the church. They respected Paul as their founder, defender, and spiritual mentor. Knowing that they might not be able to see him again, they may have had sorrow in their hearts. While being discouraged, they may have lost zeal for Christ, His gospel, and His church. However, Paul encourages them to speak freely and boldly in the presence of God in Christ. They have that privilege in Christ. So, they don’t need to be discouraged even though Paul is under arrest or they may suffer for the sake of their faith. Paul reminds them they have free access to God. Confident of their privilege to enjoy God’s presence, they should work together for the unity of their church rather than suffer divisions in the church. The apostle Paul was willing to suffer anything for Christ, His gospel, and the church’s unity.

Let’s see how he suffered in his gospel ministry: ²³ 저희가 그리스도의 일군이냐 정신 없는 말을 하거니와 나도 더욱 그러하도다 내가 수고를 넘치도록 하고 옥에 갇히기도 더 많이 하고 매도 수없이 맞고 여러 번 죽을뻔 하였으니 ²⁴ 유대인들에게 사십에 하나 감한 매를 다섯번 맞았으며 ²⁵ 세번 태장으로 맞고 한번 돌로 맞고 세번 파선하는데 일주야를 깊음에서 지냈으며 ²⁶ 여러 번 여행에 강의 위험과 강도의 위험과 동족의 위험과 이방인의 위험과 시내의 위험과 광야의 위험과 바다의 위험과 거짓 형제 중의 위험을 당하고 ²⁷ 또 수고하며 애쓰고 여러 번 자지 못하고 주리며 목마르고 여러 번 굶고 춥고 헐벗었노라 ²⁸ 이 외의 일은 고사하고 오히려 날마다 내 속에 눌리는 일이 있으니 곧 모든 교회를 위하여 염려하는 것이라. ²³ Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one-- I am talking like a madman-- with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. ²⁴ Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; ²⁶ on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; ²⁷ in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. ²⁸ And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches (2 Cor. 11:23-28).

We see here how much Paul has suffered while traveling to preach the gospel of salvation to the Gentile world. He presents his sufferings as evidence of his apostleship against false teachers. False teachers avoided suffering and masqueraded themselves as the angels of light. The marked difference between true apostles and false teachers is suffering for Christ, His gospel, and His church. False teachers sought to evade any suffering. They sought to elevate themselves, promote their causes, or make monetary gains through their teachings about Christ.

Paul already knew how much he would suffer for the gospel of Christ. Ananias heard this from the Lord: ¹⁵ 주께서 가라사대 가라 이 사람은 내 이름을 이방인과 임금들과 이스라엘 자손들 앞에 전하기 위하여 택한 나의 그릇이라 ¹⁶ 그가 내 이름을 위하여 해를 얼마나 받아야 할 것을 내가 그에게 보이리라 하시니. ¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name" (Acts 9:15-16). Paul was not suffering because of his faults, misjudgments, or sins. He was suffering for Christ, His gospel, and His church. He stayed faithful to the Lord’s calling despite all his trials during his missionary journeys.

So, he was able to rejoice while suffering for Christ. When he wrote the letter to the Philippians, Paul urged them to rejoice in the Lord. It would be unthinkable for Paul to tell them to rejoice while he was wallowing in the pit of self-pity under house arrest in Rome. Paul must have known what the Lord commanded Christians under persecution to do in the Sermon on the Mount: ¹⁰ 의를 위하여 핍박을 받은 자는 복이 있나니 천국이 저희 것임이라 ¹¹ 나를 인하여 너희를 욕하고 핍박하고 거짓으로 너희를 거스려 모든 악한 말을 할 때에는 너희에게 복이 있나니 ¹² 기뻐하고 즐거워하라 하늘에서 너희의 상이 큼이라 너희 전에 있던 선지자들을 이같이 핍박하였느니라. ¹⁰ "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matt. 5:10-12).

The Lord says we are blessed when we are under persecution for His sake. We have our reward in heaven for our sufferings for Christ, His gospel, and His church. We are to face our persecution with the spirit of joy.

            The early church knew what it meant to suffer for the sake of Christ. Persecutions were common. All the apostles lived and died for the cause of Christ. However, we have no persecutions or trials like the ones the apostles suffered. No one will arrest us in America because we believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. We may be reviled or denounced for the sake of our Christian convictions. Or we may be bullied intellectually or academically in the world of liberal-minded academia. Or we may be stigmatized as “fanatics.” But we will not be arrested today because of our faith in Christ. We have the freedom of religion in America and Korea. However, some Muslim or communist countries forbid the freedom of religion and persecute Christians because they regard Christianity as a threat to their religion or regime.

            Since we are living in a free world, we do not worry about systemic persecution in America. But it may change in the future. For now, we have the freedom of our religion, for which we are so grateful. However, we still face trials, misunderstandings, conflicts, or divisions in the church. We may suffer pain from our families, friends, or fellow believers. In reality, suffering is part of our earthly existence. As mentioned above, we must count it all joy when we suffer in our gospel ministry or the church. Paul was under arrest while ministering to people through his letter to the Ephesians. I want to discuss three reasons why we must endure them for Christ, His gospel, and His church.

First, 다른 사람의 영광 위한 고난은 복음 사역의 필수 요소입니다. suffering for others is integral to our gospel ministry. Elsewhere Paul refers to his sufferings as integral to his apostolic ministry, and as such they were tied in with the clear proclamation of the gospel. For him the conjunction of affliction with this ministry of the gospel is no new thing; he had been forewarned by Christ at the beginning when he was called to preach him among the Gentiles (Acts. 9:16). Here at v. 13 the mention of Paul’s afflictions recalls the opening words of the chapter, “the prisoner of Christ Jesus” (v. 1). His arrest and subsequent imprisonment appeared to be a real setback to the cause of the gospel and Gentile equality with Jewish believers in the one new people of God. It was understandable that his readers should be dismayed at his being deprived of his freedom to move around for the advance of the gospel and the strengthening of the churches.

However, Paul encourages them not to lose heart because of his afflictions for the cause of the gospel and the unity in the church. All the apostles, including Paul, rejoiced in suffering for Christ, regarding their suffering for Christ as a joy. Acts 5:41 says, 사도들은 그 이름을 위하여 능욕 받는 일에 합당한 자로 여기심을 기뻐하면서 공회 앞을 떠나니라.  “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” If we suffer for the unity of the church, we must rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of Christ. The apostles knew the Lord’s teaching on how to face Christian persecution. James tells us this way, ² 내 형제들아 너희가 여러가지 시험을 만나거든 온전히 기쁘게 여기라 ³ 이는 너희 믿음의 시련이 인내를 만들어 내는 줄 너희가 앎이라 ⁴ 인내를 온전히 이루라 이는 너희로 온전하고 구비하여 조금도 부족함이 없게 하려 함이라. ² Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, ³ for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴ And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (Jas. 1:2-4). One of the benefits we may glean from suffering for Christ is maturity, namely, Christlike character. For this reason, we must count it all joy when we encounter trials in life.

The apostle Peter exhorts us this way: ¹² 사랑하는 자들아 너희를 시련하려고 오는 불시험을 이상한 일 당하는 것 같이 이상히 여기지 말고 ¹³ 오직 너희가 그리스도의 고난에 참예하는 것으로 즐거워하라 이는 그의 영광을 나타내실 때에 너희로 즐거워하고 기뻐하게 하려 함이라. ¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. Fiery trials are part of our Christian gospel ministry. However, some assume they will encounter no trouble in their Christian ministries. Their assumption is wrong. The occasions of resentment, discouragement, slander, or conflict abound when we try to work together with fellow Christians in the church. Despite all our efforts to edify the church, we may be unappreciated and maligned by others. We may be misunderstood and misjudged for our works in the church. We may be tempted to quit our ministries immediately and flee from the church.

Like Paul and all other apostles, we must take suffering for the church as suffering for Christ. We must take it as an integral part of our gospel ministry. As bringing up children takes a lot of effort and pain, so does our gospel ministry take a lot of effort and pain. “Without pain, without gain!” To build up the church and achieve the unity of the church, we must endure all the hardships involved in our Christian ministries. Too many Christians don’t want to engage in church ministries. They don’t want to spend their materials and energies on the hard works of the church. They don’t want to hurt while doing the ministries of the church. But we must take suffering for others in the church as an honor for the kingdom of God. We must endure whatever it takes for the harmony of the church, knowing that suffering for others in the church is integral to our gospel ministry. 

Listen to this story as told by Ralph Neighbor: Jack had been president of a large corporation, and when he got cancer, [the company] ruthlessly dumped him. He went through his insurance, used his life savings, and had practically nothing left. I visited him with one of my deacons, who said, "잭, 당신은 남은 인생이 얼마 남지 않았다고 너무 솔직하게 말하네요. 죽음 이후의 삶에 대한 준비는 하셨나요?" “Jack, you speak so openly about the brief life you have left. I wonder if you’ve prepared for your life after death?” Jack stood up, livid with rage. "너희 기독교인들.당신들은 내가 죽으면 어떻게 될까만 생각하잖아요. 너희의 신이 그렇게 위대하다면 왜 삶의 진짜 문제에 대해 뭔가를 하지 않는 거지?" “You—Christians. All you ever think about is what’s going to happen to me after I die. If your God is so great, why doesn’t he do something about the real problems of life?” He went on to tell us he was leaving his wife penniless and his daughter without money for college. Then he ordered us out.

Later my deacon insisted we go back. We did. "잭, 내가 당신을 기분 나쁘게 한 거 알아요." "겸허히 사과할게요. 하지만 그 이후로 제가 계속 일하고 있다는 걸 알아주셨으면 해요. 당신의 첫 번째 문제는 당신이 죽은 후 가족이 살 곳입니다. 우리 교회의 한 부동산 중개인이 당신의 집을 팔고 아내에게 수수료를 주기로 했습니다. "당신이 허락한다면 집이 팔릴 때까지 다른 사람들과 제가 집값을 지불할 것을 약속합니다. "그런 다음 길 아래 아파트 주인에게 연락했습니다. 그는 집세를 징수하고 배관 및 전기 수리를 감독하는 대가로 아내에게 방 3개짜리 아파트와 무료 공과금, 월 850달러의 월급을 제공하겠다고 제안했습니다. 집 수입으로 딸의 대학 학비를 충당할 수 있을 겁니다. 가족을 돌볼 수 있다는 사실을 알려드리고 싶었어요." “Jack, I know I offended you,” he said. “I humbly apologize. But I want you to know I’ve been working since then. Your first problem is where your family will live after you die. A realtor in our church has agreed to sell your house and give your wife his commission. “I guarantee you that, if you’ll permit us, some other men and I will make the house payments until it’s sold. “Then, I’ve contacted the owner of an apartment house down the street. He’s offered your wife a three-bedroom apartment plus free utilities and an $850-a-month salary in return for her collecting rents and supervising plumbing and electrical repairs. The income from your house should pay for your daughter’s college. I just wanted you to know your family will be cared for.”

Jack cried like a baby. He died shortly thereafter, so wrapped in pain he never accepted Christ. But he experienced God’s love even while rejecting him. And his widow, touched by the caring Christians, responded to the gospel message. Paul lived out the gospel in his everyday life—through the power of the Holy Spirit. His lifestyle, carried out in boldness and assurance, was an example to believers and unbelievers alike. The challenge for every believer to ask himself is this: Do others see Jesus in me? We need to do what we can to help others in need. We may be misunderstood and misjudged. Surely, our gospel ministry involves patience, trouble, or labor of love on our part. Again, suffering for the glory of others is integral to our gospel ministry.    

Second, 다른 사람의 영광을 위한 고난은 영광으로 가는 길입니다. suffering for the glory of others is a way to glory. Paul speaks of his sufferings as being for the Ephesian church, which is her glory. Although this enigmatic final clause has been taken to mean “for your honor or prestige and for your benefit, it is better to understand it in the usual sense of glory. Earlier references to the term in the letter denote God’s glory (1:6, 12, 14, 17); but this is a glory in which believers participate, both now (1:18) and fully on the last day (2:7; Col. 1:27; 3:4; 2 Thess. 2:14). Paul elsewhere makes clear the organic relationship between suffering and glory. In 2 Cor. 4:17, Paul says, 우리의 잠시 받는 환난의 경한 것이 지극히 크고 영원한 영광의 중한 것을 우리에게 이루게 함이니. “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” In Rom. 8:17, he says in a similar vein, ¹⁷ 자녀이면 또한 후사 곧 하나님의 후사요 그리스도와 함께한 후사니 우리가 그와 함께 영광을 받기 위하여 고난도 함께 받아야 될 것이니라. “and if children, then heirs-- heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”   

Here, too, in Ephesians suffering is the prelude to the glory, except that in this case the suffering is Paul’s while the glory will be the Ephesian church. On another occasion, the apostle can speak of his suffering leading to salvation for others. In 2 Cor. 1:6, Paul says, 우리가 환난 받는 것도 너희의 위로와 구원을 위함이요. “If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation.” The sense is much the same in the Ephesian context. A clear expression of this notion concerning Paul’s ministry appears in 2 Tim. 2:10: 그러므로 내가 택하신 자를 위하여 모든 것을 참음은 저희로도 그리스도 예수 안에 있는 구원을 영원한 영광과 함께 얻게 하려 함이로라. “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”

Commentator Lincoln proposes that this glory refers to eschatological glory, the glorification of believers. He bases this conclusion on the fact that Paul has stated elsewhere that sufferings are a condition for glorification (Rom. 8:17-18; 2 Cor. 4:17) and that in this passage Paul’s sufferings are for the Ephesians believers’ glorification. This is a primary interpretation of the text. The Ephesians’ final salvation is the goal of Paul. When they reached eternal glory, Paul would take it as glory to God and himself.

In the present context, the point is that if Paul had never carried out his ministry of the mystery to the Ephesians, he would not have been in prison and the Ephesians would never have been introduced to Christ. In other words, his imprisonment is tangible evidence that he preached the unsearchable riches of Christ to the Gentiles. Hence, his imprisonment is their glory and should not cause them grief.

Pain is something we naturally avoid. But it is part of living a life in this broken world. It is part of our gospel ministry. It leads to glory. How do we apply it to our lives? First, we should be willing to suffer for others to reach the glory of God. This means we should be willing to suffer for unbelievers to be saved by grace. Some wives prayed for many years and suffered hardships while trying to lead their spouses to Christ. Their spouses abused them verbally and physically simply because their wives went to church. Some threatened to kick them out of their houses if they kept talking about their need for salvation. While enduring all of them, their wives prayed for their salvation. When they got saved, they praised them for their prayers and patience. They knew they were greatly indebted to their faithful wives for their salvation. This is one example. We must endure all kinds of hardships while trying to lead unbelieving family members or friends to Christ. Love for them keeps us praying for their salvation and persevering in suffering for their salvation.

Second, we should be willing to suffer for the glory of others. Instead of doing things to dishonor others, we must suffer for their honor. We must be willing to suffer for their benefit. As mentioned above, parents suffer anything for their children’s honor and reputation. They are willing to take any pain so that their children receive best education, succeed in their careers, and conduct a happy and honorable life. Likewise, we should be willing to suffer for the unity of the church. We should be willing to suffer for our fellow believers to grow mature in Christ. We should be willing to serve them through word and action so that they will find Christ in us. Suffering for the benefit of others is never easy. But it is rewarding in the kingdom of God. God knows all the tears you have shed for the salvation and honor of others. God knows all the hardships you have suffered for Christ and His church. All you have done and persevered for Christ, His gospel, and His church are never forgotten. All Christians who suffered for the salvation and honor of others are honorable citizens in the kingdom of heaven.

When we do suffer for the glory of others, we bring glory and honor to God. The apostle Peter exhorts us to suffer for the glory of God this way: ¹⁴ 너희가 그리스도의 이름으로 욕을 받으면 복 있는 자로다 영광의 영 곧 하나님의 영이 너희 위에 계심이라 ¹⁵ 너희 중에 누구든지 살인이나 도적질이나 악행이나 남의 일을 간섭하는 자로 고난을 받지 말려니와 ¹⁶ 만일 그리스도인으로 고난을 받은즉 부끄러워 말고 도리어 그 이름으로 하나님께 영광을 돌리라. ¹⁴ If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. ¹⁵ But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. ¹⁶ Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name (1 Pet. 4:12-16). Suffering for the cause of Christ and His church takes faith and perseverance. We are encouraged to commit ourselves to God: 그러므로 하나님의 뜻대로 고난을 받는 자들은 또한 선을 행하는 가운데 그 영혼을 미쁘신 조물주께 부탁할찌어다. Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good (1 Pet. 4:19).

While beholding the future glory we will participate in, we will have to endure all hardships involved in our gospel ministry or for the harmony of the church. Martin Luther said, 우리가 죽음에서 부활했을 때 갖게 될 삶의 위대함과 영광을 생각한다면, 이 세상의 염려를 견디는 것이 전혀 어렵지 않을 것입니다.내가 말씀을 믿는다면 마지막 날, 형이 선고된 후 평범한 유혹과 모욕과 투옥을 기꺼이 겪었을 뿐만 아니라 이렇게 말할 것입니다: "오, 내가 지금 계시되고 그리스도의 공로를 통해 나에게 온 큰 영광을 위해 모든 경건하지 않은 사람들의 발 아래에 내 자신을 두었던 것이었습니다!" If we consider the greatness and the glory of the life we shall have when we have risen from the dead, it would not be difficult at all for us to bear the concerns of this world. If I believe the Word, I shall on the Last Day, after the sentence has been pronounced, not only gladly have suffered ordinary temptations, insults, and imprisonment, but I shall also say: "O, that I did not throw myself under the feet of all the godless for the sake of the great glory which I now see revealed and which has come to me through the merit of Christ!" Beholding the future glory we will participate in Christ, we must bear all hardships involved for the salvation of others and the unity in the church. 

Third, 다른 사람의 영광을 위해 고난을 겪는 것은 그리스도의 발자취를 따르는 것입니다. suffering for the glory of others is following in the footsteps of Christ. Suffering for the glory of others identifies us with Christ. Suffering for the church reveals an inseparable bond between Christ and His people. Christ suffered for His church in His life and death. He was verbally and physically persecuted by Jewish religious leaders. Later, He was crucified on the cross. Indeed, our Lord suffered for His elect. He endured suffering not only for the glory of His Father but also for the glorification of His people. In like manner, we need to suffer for Christ and His church. We should be willing to suffer for the unity of the church. Our suffering for the salvation of others binds us with our Lord Jesus Christ. We will suffer if we are like our Lord Jesus Christ. If we are Christlike, it means we are different from the world, as Martin Lloyd Jones says. 박해는 우리가 이 세상의 부패한 시스템과 얼마나 다른 지를 보여줍니다. 그리스도께서 바리새인들의 사악한 손아귀에서 고난을 받으셨듯이 우리도 그리스도와 닮은 점과 세상과 다른 점 때문에 고난을 받아야 합니다. Persecution displays how different we are from the corrupt systems of this world. As Christ suffered under the vicious hands of the Pharisees, so are we to suffer because of our likeness to Christ and our difference from the world.

Christ knew that His disciples would be hated by the world, forewarning them of the coming persecution as follows: ¹⁸ 세상이 너희를 미워하면 너희보다 먼저 나를 미워한 줄을 알라 ¹⁹ 너희가 세상에 속하였으면 세상이 자기의 것을 사랑할 터이나 너희는 세상에 속한 자가 아니요 도리어 세상에서 나의 택함을 입은 자인 고로 세상이 너희를 미워하느니라 ²⁰ 내가 너희더러 종이 주인보다 더 크지 못하다 한 말을 기억하라 사람들이 나를 핍박하였은즉 너희도 핍박할 터이요. ¹⁸ "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. ¹⁹ If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. ²⁰ Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also (Jn. 15:18-20).

So, when we are suffering for Christ, His gospel, and His church, we need to remember our Lord’s suffering and rejoice in the fact that we as His true disciples are participating in His suffering. Knowing we are the true citizens of His kingdom assures us of salvation and helps us face suffering with certainty of our glorious future. However, we must be careful lest we suffer because of our faults, follies, or fanaticism. If we suffer for the sake of Christ, His gospel, and His church, we are to be assured that we follow in the footsteps of Christ. However, if we are persecuted for our wrongdoings, political or social causes, or self-righteousness, there is nothing we can be proud of.

Many claim to be persecuted for Christ even when they incur foolishly persecution upon themselves. We should repent of our wrongdoings. The apostle Peter aptly says, ²⁰ 죄가 있어 매를 맞고 참으면 무슨 칭찬이 있으리요 오직 선을 행함으로 고난을 받고 참으면 이는 하나님 앞에 아름다우니라 ²¹ 이를 위하여 너희가 부르심을 입었으니 그리스도도 너희를 위하여 고난을 받으사 너희에게 본을 끼쳐 그 자취를 따라 오게 하려 하셨느니라. ²⁰ For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. ²¹ For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps (1 Pet. 2:20-21).

Most of the Psalms were born in difficulty. Most of the Epistles were written in prisons. Most of the greatest thoughts of the greatest thinkers of all time had to pass through the fire. Bunyan wrote Pilgrim's Progress from Jail. Florence Nightingale, too ill to move from her bed, reorganized the hospitals of England. Malcolm Muggeridge the famous British journalist said, 예상과는 달리 당시에는 특히 황폐하고 고통스러워 보였던 경험들을 특별한 만족감으로 되돌아봅니다. 실제로 제가 이 세상에 살면서 75년 동안 배운 모든 것, 제 경험을 진정으로 향상시키고 깨달은 모든 것은 행복이 아니라 고통을 통해서였다고 솔직하게 말할 수 있습니다. Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that at the time seemed especially desolating and painful with particular satisfaction. Indeed, I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my 75 years in this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my experience, has been through affliction and not through happiness. It is still true: “Without pain, without gain!” Through suffering, we grow mature, stronger, and wiser.

But, we often ask the Lord to remove suffering from our lives without knowing the providential purpose of God for our suffering for the glory of others. While serving others through the gospel in the church and the world, we may suffer rejection, slander, or disregard from people or fellow believers. While working for the building up and unity of the church, we should endure the pain of misunderstanding, unappreciation, or misjudgment. No one may know what we suffer for the church. We may be tired of going to church. We may be tempted to quit coming to church, suffering from depression. We may not want to talk with anyone in the church. We may want to escape from the people in the church. Such inner pain sometimes is unbearable. Too many Christians today have experienced it in their interpersonal relationship. What can we do to overcome it? We must look to the Lord Jesus Christ by faith, who suffered on the cross for our salvation. We should not seek to escape from suffering for the glory of others. Rather, we should humbly follow in the footsteps of Christ, knowing our suffering for the salvation of others and the unity of the church will lead us to glory in heaven.      

Conclusion: Chrysostom, nicknamed “a man of golden tongue,” was summoned before the Roman emperor Arcadius and was threatened with banishment if he didn’t cease to proclaim Jesus. It is told that he gave the emperor a reply as follows, “Sire, you cannot banish me, for the world is my Father’s house.” “Then I’ll slay you!” exclaimed the infuriated dictator. “Nay, but you cannot, for my life is hidden with Christ in God.” “Your treasures will be confiscated!” came the fiery retort. “Sire, that cannot be. My treasures are in heaven, where none can break through and steal.” “But I will drive you from man, and you will have no friends left!” “That you cannot do either, for I have a Friend in heaven who has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Ultimately, he was banished to the edge of Armenia, but he so continued to influence his friends by letters that his enemies determined to banish him farther away. He died on the journey.

Do you know why he suffered willingly for Christ, His gospel, and His church? He took persecution as a badge of honor for his Lord. No doubt, he was honored in heaven with a crown of life and righteousness from the nail-pierced hands of the Lord Jesus for whom he suffered persecution in joy. He took the path of the cross to advance to the glory of God. Suffering for Christ, His gospel, and the church is inevitable in our gospel ministry. If you have been discouraged in suffering for others, please, listen to what Paul and Barnabas said to the disciples of Christ: 우리가 하나님 나라에 들어가려면 많은 환난을 겪어야 할 것이라. “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). Surely, our suffering for Christ, His gospel, and His church will lead us to eternal glory. The apostle James said, 시험을 참는 자는 복이 있도다 이것에 옳다 인정하심을 받은 후에 주께서 자기를 사랑하는 자들에게 약속하신 생명의 면류관을 얻을 것임이니라. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him (James 1:12).

What are you suffering for the salvation of others and the unity of the church? Have you been trying to avoid it as much as possible? Or have you been enduring much for the church while serving others in love? Without the cross, there would be no glory. Let’s face suffering for the glory of others with the joy of heaven, confidently anticipating God’s gracious reward. Let’s fix our eyes on the things above as we go through trials for Christ: 믿음의 주요 또 온전케 하시는 이인 예수를 바라보자 저는 그 앞에 있는 즐거움을 위하여 십자가를 참으사 부끄러움을 개의치 아니하시더니 하나님 보좌 우편에 앉으셨느니라. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let me close the message with Paul’s exhortation in 2 Cor. 4:8-10, 17-18: ⁸ 우리가 사방으로 우겨쌈을 당하여도 싸이지 아니하며 답답한 일을 당하여도 낙심하지 아니하며 ⁹ 핍박을 받아도 버린 바 되지 아니하며 거꾸러뜨림을 당하여도 망하지 아니하고 ¹⁰ 우리가 항상 예수 죽인 것을 몸에 짊어짐은 예수의 생명도 우리 몸에 나타나게 하려 함이라 ¹⁷ 우리의 잠시 받는 환난의 경한 것이 지극히 크고 영원한 영광의 중한 것을 우리에게 이루게 함이니 ¹⁸ 우리의 돌아보는 것은 보이는 것이 아니요 보이지 않는 것이니 보이는 것은 잠깐이요 보이지 않는 것은 영원함이니라. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Benediction: ²⁴ 능히 너희를 보호하사 거침이 없게 하시고 너희로 그 영광 앞에 흠이 없이 즐거움으로 서게 하실자

 ²⁵ 곧 우리 구주 홀로 하나이신 하나님께 우리 주 예수 그리스도로 말미암아 영광과 위엄과 권력과 권세가 만고 전부터 이제와 세세에 있을지어다 아멘. ²⁴ Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, ²⁵ to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jud 1:24)