We Must Through Much Tribulation Enter Into the Kingdom of God
God's people must endure trials and tribulations as a part of their lot, but they have the comfort of knowing their Master has traversed it before them and will reward them with the kingdom of God.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that trials and tribulations are an integral part of the Christian journey, as God's chosen people are not exempt from suffering. He explains that afflictions are predestined and serve to refine believers, drawing parallels with biblical figures like Job and Abraham, who endured hardships and emerged stronger in faith. Spurgeon reassures that while tribulations are inevitable, believers can find comfort in Christ's presence and example, which guide them through their struggles. Ultimately, the trials faced in this life will be overshadowed by the glory of entering God's kingdom. The message encourages believers to embrace their challenges as part of their divine calling.
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God's people have their trials. It was never designed by God, when He chose His people, that they should be an untried people. They were chosen in the furnace of affliction; they were never chosen to worldly peace and earthly joy. Freedom from sickness and the pains of mortality was never promised them; but when their Lord drew up the charter of privileges, He included chastisements amongst the things to which they should inevitably be heirs. Trials are a part of our lot; they were predestinated for us in Christ's last legacy.
So surely as the stars are fashioned by his hands, and their orbits fixed by Him, so surely are our trials allotted to us: He has ordained their season and their place, their intensity and the effect they shall have upon us. Good men must never expect to escape troubles; if they do, they will be disappointed, for none of their predecessors have been without them. Mark the patience of Job; remember Abraham, for he had his trials, and by his faith under them, he became the "Father of the faithful."
Note well the biographies of all the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and you shall discover none of those whom God made vessels of mercy, who were not made to pass through the fire of affliction. It is ordained of old that the cross of trouble should be engraved on every vessel of mercy, as the royal mark whereby the King's vessels of honour are distinguished. But although tribulation is thus the path of God's children, they have the comfort of knowing that their Master has traversed it before them; they have His presence and sympathy to cheer them, His grace to support them, and His example to teach them how to endure; and when they reach "the kingdom," it will more than make amends for the "much tribulation" through which they passed to enter it.
Sermon Outline
- I. Trials are a part of God's people's lot
- A. Chosen in the furnace of affliction
- B. Freedom from sickness and mortality not promised
- C. Chastisements included in their privileges
- II. Good men must not expect to escape troubles
- A. None of their predecessors have been without them
- B. Examples of Job, Abraham, and other patriarchs
- III. The cross of trouble is ordained for God's children
- A. As the royal mark of the King's vessels of honour
- B. Comfort of knowing their Master has traversed it before them
Key Quotes
“They were chosen in the furnace of affliction; they were never chosen to worldly peace and earthly joy.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“So surely as the stars are fashioned by his hands, and their orbits fixed by Him, so surely are our trials allotted to us: He has ordained their season and their place, their intensity and the effect they shall have upon us.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“It is ordained of old that the cross of trouble should be engraved on every vessel of mercy, as the royal mark whereby the King's vessels of honour are distinguished.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We must not expect to escape troubles, but instead, trust in God's sovereignty and presence.
- God's children have the comfort of knowing their Master has traversed trials before them, and they have His presence, sympathy, and example to support them.
- The ultimate reward for enduring trials is the kingdom of God, which will more than make amends for the 'much tribulation' through which we passed.