Fixed vs Growth: The Obstacle of Troubles and Trials

“The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”  This is more than the inscription on the gravestone of Harry Potter’s parents:  this is 1 Corinthians 15:26.  1 Corinthians 15 describes the impact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  The final obstacle between mankind and God is death.  The resurrection of Christ demonstrated His power over death and assures us that death ultimately has no power over us either, as we are God’s redeemed children through faith in Christ.  Death followed the Fall in Eden, and was a direct result of sin.  Therefore as Christ conquered death, He removed even that barrier between us and God.  

Read 1 Corinthians 15: 12 – 26.

a.       According to 12 – 14 and 18 - 20, why is the resurrection essential to the Gospel message and our hope as Christians?

b.      How does this comfort you when you are faced with danger, illness, age and ultimately death—in you or those you love?

c.       Verses 24 and 25 describe Christ in terms of power, authority and dominion—very royal, kingly words.  How is Christ’s authority over sin and death the right way of understanding His Kingship—rather than the bread-king we often want?

While you may not have listened to Handel’s Messiah before, it is likely you’ve heard the Alleluia Chorus which is part of this musical work.  This portion of the Messiah is based upon Revelation 19: 6, Revelation 11: 15 and Revelation 19:16.  These passages deal with the Kingship of Jesus Christ, His eternal rule as Lord of Heaven and the Earth when He returns in glory, His reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Christ Jesus is our King—not the kind of King we sometimes want, but truly the kind of King we need.  He destroyed sin and death by His death and resurrection and opened eternity to us.  We are not just citizens of God’s eternal Kingdom in Heaven, we are children and heirs of God Himself.  We do not need to fear anything in this life or in eternity—there are no barriers left to children of God.  

But life doesn’t feel that way.  We face obstacles every day.  What do we do with these barriers?  How do we reconcile the reality of these obstacles with the reality of our victory over sin and death in Christ Jesus?  Romans 8: 28 is often quoted—or misquoted or paraphrased—in response to obstacles in life. “It will work out”, “God has plans for you”, “God’s plans are bigger than yours.”  Worthy of t-shirts, tattoos and Facebook status-updates, these phrases don’t help much when faced with real obstacles.  How does one get out of bed the morning of a child’s funeral?  How does one look across the aisle in a divorce courtroom?  How does one look at the ultrasound images of a child conceived by rape?  How does one forgive the unrepentant murderer of a loved one?

It’s better to read Roman’s 8:28 in context.  Romans 8: 28 through 39 is a richer, more complete picture of God’s providence and protection. We are God’s beloved children, redeemed and justified.  God is more than the rich daddy willing to buy his kid a car but not willing to come to his ballgame or her dance recital.  God was willing to pay for our redemption by the brutal sacrificial death of His son Jesus—why would He ever neglect us in any other way?  The God of the Universe who is our Father; all power and authority are His.  He will allow nothing to separate us from Him.  

a.       According to Romans 8: 28 – 30, what is your status?  How is your relationship with God described?

b.      Read verses 31 and 32.  Meditate on exactly what Paul is saying here:  what price was paid for your redemption?  How much must your Heavenly Father value you?  What perspective does this give on troubles and tragedies in your life?

c.       Verses 33 – 34 remind us that sin no longer separates us from God, and that Christ Jesus is daily interceding for us with God.  Verse 35 asks a rhetorical question about what might possibly be able to separate us from God’s love.  What trouble, hardship or persecution are you facing?  What obstacles feel insurmountable in your life right now?  Do you feel like “a sheep ready for slaughter” (vs 36)?

d.      What are you, according to verse 37?  What does this mean?

e.      Contemplate the description of what cannot separate us from God’s love in Christ (verses 38, 39).  This is an intentionally broad and exhaustive list—“nor anything else in all creation”—meant to encompass any earthly, human obstacle or trouble.  Your troubles fit into this list.  There are no barriers between you and God, no matter how you feel in this moment.  Re-read these verses and insert specific details of your life into the description and insert your name instead of “us” and “our.”  

If we backtrack a bit into Romans 8: 18 – 27, we find Paul talking about life on earth.  He describes the whole creation as groaning and frustrated, waiting until we are released from the pain and sin of this world into our new, perfect and eternal bodies in heaven.  Life on earth is difficult and painful.  We are surrounded by sin and decay.  Jobs are lost.  Loved ones are injured irreparably by senseless accidents or intentional violence.  Debilitating illness is diagnosed.  Divorce and estrangement happens.  Property is destroyed, and rebuilding or renewal is impossibly difficult.  We long for heaven.  Verses 26 and 27 remind us that God has sent His Holy Spirit to help us in our weakness, to intercede for us even when we don’t have the right words and even when we don’t know what is in our own minds and hearts.  Not only has God redeemed us and made us His children through Jesus Christ; and not only are we confident that He will not allow anything on earth to separate us from Him; He also empowers us and connects to us with His Spirit.  He knows what we need even when we can’t articulate it.  He never says—like a frustrated human parent—“use your words!”  He has no need; He knows the words we are struggling to find, even before we can say them.  Even this—our own lack of self-awareness or inability to express our needs—cannot separate us from God.  

a.       Read Matthew 7: 11 – 12 and Luke 11: 9 –13.  How is God described?

b.      What are we promised in these verses?

c.       How do these words of Jesus fit together with the points made by Paul in Romans 8?

d.      Read Hebrews 4: 14 – 16.  Jesus is described as our High Priest, one who comes before God like the Old Testament priests did.  According to these verses, what makes Jesus different from those Old Testament human priests?  What can we find in Him?