Tribulation

 Temple Baptist Church - 10-7-2026

2 Corinthians 1:1-4

 

Introduction: 

A.  The Book of 1 Corinthians was a wonderful study and a great help to us here at Temple in the light of these perilous times in which we live.  It was a book of correction tempered with mercy, grace, and the wonderful love of both the Lord and the Apostle Paul. 

 

B.  2 Corinthians was written one year after the first epistle.

 

1. Evidently, news had gotten back to Paul allowing him to know of the spiritual growth that took place after they read the first epistle. A great sign of salvation and willingness to obey the Lord was abundantly displayed.

 

2. Paul’s joy over these Corinthian believers reminds me of the third Epistle of John.

 

3 John 3-4  For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.  (4)  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

 

C. The Corinthian Church’s great grace and growth are evidenced to us also, because of this book and in 2 Corinthians we find little rebuke.  I am glad that the Lord still uses His Word to get His work done!  This blessed old Bible that I hold in my hand will get the job done if we preach it, teach it, and heed it. 

 

D.  Paul begins this epistle dealing with tribulation and comfort.  On the heels of true repentance and spiritual growth comes a testing of your faith.  “A faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted!”  Why does God allow His children to have tribulation, trials, and sometimes persecution?  That is a familiar question because not one of us enjoys or wants it.

 

Romans 5:3-5  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;  (4)  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:  (5)  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

 

1. The key word in these verses is “worketh.” To fashion, to perform, or to accomplish. This tells us that these bad things that we are to glory in are not accidents. This tells us that, in God’s sovereign will, He allows bad things to bring out better things!

 

2. Tribulation – anguish that brings about pressure.  Burdens! These are necessary for us to learn patience: endurance, constancy, continuance (waiting).

 

3. Patience – experience: proof, tested.

 

4. Hope – confidence, expectation, to anticipate with pleasure.

 

5. Not Ashamed – not confounded, blush, or be ashamed.

E. The “godly” shall suffer persecution and Paul wanted these precious saints to be both aware of it and prepared for it. 

 

2 Timothy 3:12-14  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 

 

1. God’s children, when doing all the right things, too often are not spiritually prepared for hardships that prove their faith and faithfulness.  So many fall off or quit when hardship comes.  Again, let me remind all of us that life is hard and often seems unfair.

 

2.  Paul, writing to Timothy in the first Pastoral Epistle, expressed this very same thing to him! Persecution is not only for certain people or churches.  Satan hates them all!

 

3. The child of God who lives a carnal life is exempt for the most part. Isn’t that wonderful? No! Then God will chastise and scourge!

 

a) First Mention - Deuteronomy 8:5-6  Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.  (6)  Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. (7)  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  (8)  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

 

b) Last Mention - Hebrews 12:6-7  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

 

F.  As long as they blended with the world and gave no time to sanctification and service, their presence was virtually noticed and their influence minimal.  They got right and the fight was on! Don’t think for a moment that Satan will not attack those who live right! Paul told Timothy, you just do right!

 

2 Timothy 3:13-14  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  (14)  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

 

G. Tribulation is necessary for complete spiritual maturity!  It is the tough times that make the believer tough.  It is hard times that make the believer strong and steadfast.

 

Romans 5:3-5  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;  (4)  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:  (5)  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

 

1 Peter 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

 

H.  Paul assured the Corinthian Church of:

 

1.  The Probability Of Tribulation – vs. 4 – “all our tribulation…them which are in any trouble” Troubles, trials, and tribulations are a way of life to the godly.

 

1 Peter 1:6-7  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

 

1 Peter 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

 

Job 1:21  And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.Paul is simply warning the saints at Corinth! 

 

When you know that life is hard, you can make it!

 

2.  The Partakers Of Tribulation – vs. 4 - “our” We who are saved are not exempt from the trials of life because they are a way of life.

 

a.  Bad things happen to bad people!  Yes! What they sow, they reap!

 

b.  Bad things happen to good people! Yes! You may be doing well today, but—more than likely—your day is coming!

 

Job 1:8  And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

 

Job 2:3  And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

 

Job 42:7-9  And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.  Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.  So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job. 

 

3.  The Purpose Of Tribulation – vs. 8-9 - 1 Peter 1:6-7  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

 

a.  Tribulation brings about Purification – It causes us to examine ourselves and draw close to the Lord.

 

b.  Tribulation brings about Prayer – A crying out for help in time of need.  God could certainly prevent it but, instead, He allows it for our good.  I personally like the “rut” that goes along with everything doing great, but it normally does not stay that way.

 

4.  The Prospering Of Tribulation – vs. 4  Personal Testimony and Divine Comfort!

 

a.  Tribulation’s Strengthening – Philippians 4:12-13  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  (13)  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.God’s grace is sufficient.

 

b.  Tribulation’s Sanctification - Luke 6:22  Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.

 

The world will separate from you as you separate to God! They will not hang around godly people!

 

c.  Tribulation’s Sharing - 2 Corinthians 1:4  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

 

Our personal trials strengthen us so that we can share the burdens of those we love and know.

 

5.  The Peace Of Tribulation – vs. 10 In Paul’s final words recorded in the Bible, he spoke of three tenses of deliverance:

 

2 Timothy 4:16-18  At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.  (17)  Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.  (18)  And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

a.  Reflection Of The Past – He has delivered!  Praise Him.

 

b.  Resolve Of The Present – He is delivering!  Stay with Him.

 

c.  Rest In The Future – He will deliver!  Trust Him.

 

6.  The Praying Of Tribulation – vs. 11  We need to make supplication for each other as well as those in bonds around the world.

 

Romans 15:30  Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

 

Hebrews 13:3  Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

 

Conclusion:  1 Peter 1:6 says, “If need be.” 

 

1. Problems come and they become easier to handle when we realize that they are for our good and God’s glory! The Corinthian Church was doing better.  They were trying to correct problems and serve the Lord, but problems would probably come soon. 

 

2. Problems will both continue and increase as we approach the coming of the Lord and they both expose and build character!