Chris GnanakanChris Gnanakan, , DMin, PhD, DD.DMin, PhD, DD.

CEO, CEO, OOutreach utreach TTo o AAsia sia NNationalsationalswww.chrisgnanakan.com

EquippedEquipped

4life2serve4life2serve

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The Church equipped together…The Church equipped together…

PartnershipPartnership in in Missio DeiMissio Dei (1Pet. 5:11)(1Pet. 5:11)

the the LifeLife we we shareshare together - together - 1Pet.3:7 1Pet.3:7

the the LoveLove we we showshow together together - Col.2:2- Col.2:2

the the LordLord we we serveserve together together - Ph.1:29- Ph.1:29

God of PeaceGod of Peace, , equipsequips us,.. for us,.. for doing His willdoing His will, , working in us… what is working in us… what is pleasing to Him!pleasing to Him!

1.1. Great Great ShepherdShepherd alive, supplicates to... alive, supplicates to... equip usequip us

2.2. Holy Holy ScripturesScriptures as as God’s WordGod’s Word... (2Tim.3:17)... (2Tim.3:17)

3.3. Faithful Faithful Servants Servants gifted to gifted to equip us equip us (Eph.4:12)(Eph.4:12)

4.4. Unjust Unjust SufferingSuffering allowed to… allowed to… equip!equip! (1Pet.5:10) (1Pet.5:10)

Definition: Definition: EquipmentsEquipments “human “human toolstools”,”, Gifts2Go! Gifts2Go!

1.1. Warfare Warfare PrayersPrayers ( (SailorSailor: 2Cor.13:9): 2Cor.13:9)

2.2. WordWord as Sword as Sword ((SoldierSoldier: 2T.3:17): 2T.3:17)

3.3. WorkersWorkers GiftedGifted ((ServantServant: Eph.4:12): Eph.4:12)

4.4. WoundedWounded HealerHealer ( (SuffererSufferer: 1P.5:10): 1P.5:10)

Being a Being a Wounded healerWounded healer, a ‘, a ‘livingliving sacrifice’ sacrifice’ Jn. 12:24; 2Cor.1:4; 1 Pet.5:10Jn. 12:24; 2Cor.1:4; 1 Pet.5:10

Pete, after Pete, after suffersuffered, will ‘restore’ ed, will ‘restore’ katartizokatartizoPrinciple: Principle: dying 2live;dying 2live; comforted 2comfortcomforted 2comfort

Lord Lord = living Blood – Shepherd e= living Blood – Shepherd equips:quips:WordWord = = livingliving Book – the Gospel Book – the Gospel

Spirit Spirit = = livingliving Body– the Church Body– the Church SuffererSufferer = = livingliving sacrifice, Dead & Alive?! sacrifice, Dead & Alive?!

‘‘SufferingSuffering’: ’: the problem of painthe problem of painthat language we all understand well!that language we all understand well!

1.1. Something bad /evil (1Th. 5:18) Something bad /evil (1Th. 5:18)

2.2. Punishment for sin (Heb. 10:12-14)Punishment for sin (Heb. 10:12-14)

3.3. Non-productive (Rom. 5:3-5)Non-productive (Rom. 5:3-5)

4.4. Incompatible with God’s Character Incompatible with God’s Character reconcile love/power/justice (Isa. 55:8-9)reconcile love/power/justice (Isa. 55:8-9)

Facing pain, loss, Christians get easily Facing pain, loss, Christians get easily disillusioned, filled with despair, Give Up!disillusioned, filled with despair, Give Up!

How to get rid ofHow to get rid of

the Superheroes?! the Superheroes?!

Syndrome!Syndrome!

Why Why BadBad things happen to things happen to God’sGod’s people?! people?!

We are all human, living in a fallen worldWe are all human, living in a fallen world

We make bad choices; face consequencesWe make bad choices; face consequences

We give in to sin and the lusts of the fleshWe give in to sin and the lusts of the flesh

We have a common Foe - the Destroyer!We have a common Foe - the Destroyer!

We belong to system that’s against normalWe belong to system that’s against normal

We are pilgrims not settlers, headed homeWe are pilgrims not settlers, headed home

The GiftThe Gift - that Nobody Wants! - that Nobody Wants! (2Cor. 12:9; Phil. 1:29; 1Pet. 5:10)(2Cor. 12:9; Phil. 1:29; 1Pet. 5:10)

No Pain; No Gain: 4No Pain; No Gain: 4Ur Ur Good; Good; X’sX’s glory glory

1.1. FatherFather chastises child out of love chastises child out of love

2.2. FurnaceFurnace ‘burns’ gold to brighten! ‘burns’ gold to brighten!

3.3. FarmerFarmer prunes to be +productive prunes to be +productive

DiamondsDiamonds and and PearlsPearls; Cost vs. Value ; Cost vs. Value

Christ & Human SufferingChrist & Human Suffering! ! (Isa 53:10)(Isa 53:10)How God Chooses & Uses who He Bruises!How God Chooses & Uses who He Bruises!

1.1. X-ian X-ian sufferingsuffering>> gloryglory 2follow: 2follow: 1:111:11

2.2. God’s God’s willwill; Our ; Our callcall:: 2:21; 3:9; 4:19 2:21; 3:9; 4:19

3.3. X-ian’s gift, X-ian’s gift, joyjoy, privilege:, privilege: 1:22; 4:13 1:22; 4:13

4.4. Spirit’s power, Spirit’s power, gracegrace, glory:, glory: 4:10, 14 4:10, 14

5.5. Believer’s faith, Believer’s faith, hopehope & love: & love: 1:6-91:6-9

6.6. Church’s Church’s witnesswitness, 2world:, 2world: 2:12; 5:13 2:12; 5:13

What is “What is “ChristianChristian” Suffering? ” Suffering? 1Pet1Pet 4:16 4:16

‘‘Call’ 2endure unjust trials like Jesus 2:21Call’ 2endure unjust trials like Jesus 2:21 Not retaliate, but entrust to God as JudgeNot retaliate, but entrust to God as Judge Proof of genuine faith in Sovereign grace!Proof of genuine faith in Sovereign grace!

2Th 12Th 1 Sufferer = Paul’s joy, crown & boast Sufferer = Paul’s joy, crown & boast ‘‘Righteous thing’ reveals hope, vindicationRighteous thing’ reveals hope, vindication Incentive to live by Spirit worthy of callingIncentive to live by Spirit worthy of calling Suffer for name 2take Gospel2 the nationsSuffer for name 2take Gospel2 the nations

When suffering When suffering ask yourself…ask yourself…

Is it Is it God’s Rod?God’s Rod? - -

• take it! – Heb. 12:7-8take it! – Heb. 12:7-8

Is it Is it Satan’s thorn?Satan’s thorn?

• grace it – 2Cor.12:7-10grace it – 2Cor.12:7-10

Is it Is it my Cross?my Cross?

• bear it! – Luke 9:23bear it! – Luke 9:23

How to let suffering shape us? How to let suffering shape us? 

Expect suffering, don’t be surprised by it!Expect suffering, don’t be surprised by it!

Focus on Jesus’ life & follow His exampleFocus on Jesus’ life & follow His example

Thank God for his enough grace to endureThank God for his enough grace to endure

Trust God’s purifying purposes for all trialsTrust God’s purifying purposes for all trials

Allow it enhance your witness to unsavedAllow it enhance your witness to unsaved

It humbles, yet helps anticipate… heaven!It humbles, yet helps anticipate… heaven!

Joseph Damien: Wounded HealerJoseph Damien: Wounded HealerSuffering that shares and shapes!Suffering that shares and shapes!

Suffering, Is It…Suffering, Is It…

1.1. …….God’s Rod?.God’s Rod?

2.2. Satan’s ThornSatan’s Thorn

3.3. Or Or My Cross!!!My Cross!!!