Saints, Sufferers, Sinners

Michael R. Emlet

What’s True of Every Christian You Meet?

• The problem of identity• The problem of evil

• From “without” (suffering)• From “within” (sin)

Geerhardus VosAll that God disclosed of Himself has come in response to the practical religious needs of His people as these emerged in the course of history

God approaches His people as:

• Saints who need confirmation of their identity

• Sufferers who need comfort in the midst of their affliction

• Sinners who need confrontation of their sin in light of God’s redemptive work

Saints

The Bible Speaks To God’s People• We are image bearers (Gen 1:26-27)• We are those to whom blessing has come

(Gen 12:2-3; Gal 3:8-9)• We are part of the community God chose

and took for himself (Deut 4:32-40)• We are those distinguished by the very

presence of God (Exod 33:16)

The Bible Speaks To God’s People• We are sanctified and justified in Christ

Jesus (1 Cor 1:2; 6:11)• We are Christ’s ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20)• We are chosen, redeemed, forgiven children

of God, who have been given the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13-14; Gal 4:6-7)

• We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God (1 Pet 2:4-11)

Ministry Priority (for Saints)

Affirming and confirming identity in Christ and highlighting the current work of the Spirit

Examples in Scripture

• 1 Cor 1:1-9• Phil 1:3-6• Col 1:2-6• 1 Thess 1:2-10; 4:1; 4:9-10

Questions to Keep in Mind

• What evidence of God’s grace do I see in this person’s life?

• Where are the places he/she demonstrates the character of Christ?

• In what ways is he already living true to his identity in Christ?

Sufferers

The Bible Speaks to Sufferers

• Exod 37-8• Judg 2:18• Psalms of lament (e.g. 13, 22, 44, 88)• Jer 23; Ezek 34; Amos • Gospels; Hebrews 2:10-18; Phil 2:6-8• Rom 8:18-27; Phil 3:10-11• Hebrews, 1 Peter, Revelation

Ministry Priority (for Sufferers)

Comfort in the midst of affliction

Examples in Scripture

• 2 Cor 1:3-5• 2 Cor 4:8-10; 16-17• Heb 10:32-35• 1 Pet 1:3-9

Questions to Keep in Mind

• What situational stressors impact my counselee’s life? • “Intrapersonal”• “Interpersonal”• “Extrapersonal”

• What were the significant shaping events of his/her life?

• How is my counselee experiencing these troubles?

Sinners

The Bible Speaks to Sinners

• Old Testament• Gen 6:5• Leviticus• 1-2 Kings• Prophets• Only the intervention of God himself can

cure an evil heart (Jer 3:22; Jer 31: 31-37; Ezek 36:24-32)

The Bible Speaks to Sinners

• New Testament• The problem of sin is always linked with

the solution of God’s redemptive grace, which climaxes in Jesus Christ

• We live in the “overlap of the ages”• Our experience of new life is “already and

not yet” (Phil 3:12-14)• Growth in Christ is anything but automatic!

Ministry Priority (for Sinners)

Confront sin, always with the good news of Jesus in view

Examples in Scripture

• The link between the “indicative” and the “imperative”

• 1 Cor 6:15-20

Questions to Keep in Mind

• In what ways are my counselee’s thoughts, attitudes, emotions, and actions out of line with the gospel?

• What motives and desires rule my counselee?

• What realities of redemption address these errant desires, affections, and behaviors?

• What specific changes are warranted?

What Happens When . . .

• We ignore our counselees are saints?

• We ignore our counselees are sufferers?

• We ignore our counselees are sinners?

How Do We Prioritize?

• Pauline epistles: thanksgiving and commendation, followed by instruction and correction

• Revelation 2-3: commendation “nevertheless” issue of sin

• Exceptions• Galatians• Rev 3:14-22 (Church in Laodicea)• Modern equivalents?

• Wisdom is needed!