A Theology of Suffering - Our Ministry Response

Of all the sermons on this subject, this is the one with the most direct application to our life together as a congregation of those who have been united to Christ and thus, united together. While glorying in the doctrines of grace and the implications for the teaching ministry of the church, it is easy to neglect the implications for our lives. It has been preached before from this pulpit; theology determines practice. The implications of your religious convictions will be lived out day-by-day. If we are truly united together in a mystical union (in the best sense), what is to be your response, both internal and external, when someone in the body of Christ suffers and is suffering? The inspired apostle teaches us that our union imposes duties upon each one of us. We often don't like to hear about duty and obligation and this is particularly so in matters of the Faith. Nevertheless, each one of us is obligated to the other one and this is especially true when one is enduring a trial. This doesn't mean that your ministry to the other members of the body is easy, but it is necessary and God-honoring. – Pastor Schlegel