Chapter 4 | Don't Waste Your Life

Chapter 4|MAGNIFYING CHRIST THROUGH PAIN AND DEATH

A resource for small groups going through the book Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper.

Since I have been on staff at Central Christian Church, there have been several deaths that have directly affected our youth group. Grandparents eventually fade, loved ones' health fails, suicide has taken three young lives, natural disasters have come, and tragedy happens. Not only has our group experienced death, we have also seen sickness and pain. Hardship is a reality of life. That is why getting this concept deep in your soul is critically important to prepare you for life's difficulties.

I remember how much this chapter affected me three years ago. As I read, my eyes were opened to the concept of suffering for Christ. Ashley (my beautiful future wife) began to say, "You love suffering!" Which is an untrue statement but I do love that I can show how much I cherish Christ when I suffer. This concept has impacted me personally and has marked the way we have done ministry at CSM.

It should be no surprise that CSM has attempted to prepare you for suffering. That is why when CSM took over "big church" last fall, we took as our topic, "Why Suffer?" And, we continue to revisit this idea month after month.

Now for the task at hand: chapter 4. The point of the chapter is that the way we respond to suffering can do one of two things. Our response to suffering can either belittle Jesus and be a waste, or, it can show how much we adore Jesus. Following Jesus is difficult and filled with hardships. Piper starts the chapter by saying, "Living to magnify Christ is costly," and goes on to say, "[Jesus'] beauty shines most brightly when treasured above health and wealth and life itself" (pg. 61) The idea is that God gives us an opportunity to display how much we love Christ when we go through difficulties. Do we love Christ more than we love our comfort?

Piper looks to Paul as our example of a person who understands this. Paul was able to sit in a dark prison cell while uncertain of his outcome and say, "for me to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21) The question that arises from Paul's radical statement is this; 'how does dying become a gain?' The answer is that when we die, we go to be with Jesus. And when He is your desire, then death means gain. I love the series of questions that follow:

"Really? Better than all the friends at school? Better than falling in love? Better than hugging your children? Better than professional success? Better than retirement and grandchildren?" (Pg. 67)

And we could add to the list many other things... Better than getting your drivers' license? Better than holding your crush's hand? Better than winning the tournament? Better than getting a good grade on a difficult exam? Better than summer vacation? Better than a road trip? Better than seeing your favorite band at a concert? The answer according to Piper and the Bible; "Yes. A thousand times better" (pg. 67).

When we can say with Paul that death would be gain, then we have come to a point where life is gain too! To die is gain but also, "to live is Christ!" Piper puts it like this, "If we learn to die like this, we will be ready to live. And if we don't, we will waste our lives" (pg. 69). If you consider Christ a treasure worthy of dying to be with, then your every day life can be lived in service to Him.

"Daily Christian living, means daily Christian dying" (pg. 71). Following Jesus means that we 'take up our crosses [die to ourselves] daily.' It means that we recognize Christ has a better plan for our lives than we do for ourselves. We submit to His plan even if it leads us to make HUGE sacrifices. He knows better. So, following Him is gain.

Here is a magnificent truth about Christian suffering; "How we handle loss shows who our treasure is" (pg. 72). When struggles come and difficulty strikes, your attitude reveals what you really care about. If your treasure is your comfort or your possessions, then losing them will crush you. However, if your treasure is Jesus Christ, then your greatest reward can never be taken from you. Even if everything else is.

"God's glory shines more brightly when he satisfies us in times of loss than when he provides for us in times of plenty... The world is not impressed when Christians get rich and say thanks to God. They are impressed when God is so satisfying that we give our riches away for Christ and count it gain" (pg. 72,73).

We have the ability to reveal our treasure through our struggles. Our friends may ask how we can be joyful even in the midst of loss. Then we can show them it is because our treasure is Christ, and we will never lose Him.

Bottom line is everyone who follows Christ will suffer. The Bible puts it this way, "All who desire to live a godly life in Christ will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12). Hardship is coming.

What a tragic waste when people turn away from the Calvary road of love and suffering. All the riches of the glory of God in Christ are on that road. All the sweetest fellowship with Jesus is there. All the treasures of assurance. All the ecstasies of joy... They are all on the Calvary road where Jesus walks with his people. Take up your cross and follow Jesus. On this road, and this road alone, life is Christ and death is gain. Life on every other road is wasted (pg. 76,77)

Here are a couple questions to ask ourselves after processing this chapter.

1) What are some of the things that I would have the hardest time giving up?

2) Do I really think that Christ is better than those things?

3) Pray that God would reveal Christ as a greater treasure than (fill in the blank)__________. Pray also that you would be prepared to magnify Christ in pain and suffering.