Affliction With Patience
The sermon emphasizes the necessity of patience in enduring affliction, drawing on biblical examples to illustrate the spiritual benefits of trials.
John Bunyan emphasizes that true strength and holiness in Christians often emerge during times of affliction, as seen in the lives of Noah, Lot, and David. He reflects on how adversity can lead to spiritual growth and deeper service to God, while prosperity may lead to idleness. Bunyan encourages believers to embrace their trials with patience, recognizing that these experiences are essential for their spiritual development. He concludes by urging the faithful to accept God's word and the challenges presented by others with a humble and patient heart.
Text
"Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip" (2 Sam. 22:37).
I have often thought that the best Christians are found in the worst of times: and I have thought again, that one reason why we are no better, is because God purges us no more. I know these things are against the grain of the flesh, but they are not against the graces of the Spirit. Noah and Lot, who so holy as they, in the day of their affliction? Noah and Lot, who so idle as they in the day of their prosperity? I might have put in David too, who, while he was afflicted, had ways of serving God that were special; but when he was more enlarged, he had ways that were not so good. Wherefore the first ways of David are the ways that God has commended: but the rest of his ways, such as had not pre-eminence (2 Chron. 17:3).
We have need of all, and of more than all that has yet befallen us: and are to thank God, since his word and patience have done no more good to us, that he hath appointed men to make us better. Wherefore for a conclusion, as we are to receive with meekness the engrafted word of God, so also we are with patience to bear what God, by man, shall lay upon us.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Understanding Affliction
- The Role of Patience
- Examples from Scripture
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II
- The Purpose of Trials
- God's Sovereignty in Suffering
- The Growth of Faith
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III
- The Importance of Community
- Encouragement from Others
- Bearing One Another's Burdens
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IV
- The Promise of God's Support
- Responding to Affliction
- Living Out Our Faith
Key Quotes
“Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.” — John Bunyan
“I have often thought that the best Christians are found in the worst of times.” — John Bunyan
“We are to receive with meekness the engrafted word of God, so also we are with patience to bear what God, by man, shall lay upon us.” — John Bunyan
Application Points
- Embrace affliction as a means of spiritual growth and reliance on God.
- Seek support from your community during difficult times to strengthen your faith.
- Practice patience in trials, knowing that God is working for your good.