Experiencing Christ: Purpose through Pain / Whole By Jesus

Weekend Service for May 25Scripture Readings: John 20:11-18 | Romans 8:28Pain is a universal experience, touching every life in different ways—sometimes through our own choices, sometimes through circumstances beyond our control, and sometimes simply as a part of living in a broken world. Pain itself is not inherently good or bad; it is a signal, a messenger that something needs attention. Whether it’s the physical pain of a broken bone, the lingering ache of an old injury, or the chronic suffering that some endure daily, pain invites us to respond. It can be a catalyst for change, a prompt to seek help, or a reminder that something in our lives needs healing.God did not design us for pain, but for wholeness and communion with Him and each other. Yet, because of the choices humanity has made, pain entered the world. Even so, God does not leave us alone in our suffering. Jesus models for us a life of love, grace, and presence—He meets us in our pain, just as He met Mary outside the empty tomb. In those moments when we are overwhelmed, when we don’t even have words to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, expressing our deepest groans to the Father.Pain, while difficult, has a purpose. It moves us from complacency, urging us to grow, to heal, and to become more like Christ. If we only numb or ignore our pain, we miss the opportunity for transformation. Instead, we are called to face our pain, to seek Jesus in the midst of it, and to allow our community to support us. Through this process, we not only find healing for ourselves but are equipped to help others who walk similar paths.Ultimately, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus—not pain, not suffering, not even our own failures. God’s promise is that, though we share in Christ’s suffering now, we will also share in His glory. Our hope is not in a pain-free life, but in the assurance that God is with us, working all things together for our good, and leading us toward wholeness. The invitation is to take the next right step, to reach for Jesus’ outstretched hand, and to trust that He is making us whole, one step at a time.[00:00] Welcome[00:32] Is Pain Good or Bad?[01:31] Personal Stories of Pain and Ignoring It[04:33] Responding to Pain: Danger, Choices, and Circumstance[06:05] Pain as a Catalyst for Change[06:49] God’s Design vs. Human Choices[07:47] How We Respond to Pain[08:40] Subduing vs. Working Through Pain[09:50] Community and Shared Experiences[10:39] Mary at the Tomb: Jesus Meets Us in Pain[12:47] Romans 8: Suffering and Glory[14:45] Hope in the Midst of Suffering[16:29] The Purpose of Pain and Endurance[17:50] The Promise of Eternal Wholeness[18:31] Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love[21:50] Assurance in Christ’s Love[23:37] Choosing Our Response to Pain[24:23] Taking the Next Right Step[25:53] Living Whole Lives in Christ[26:47] Prayer for Healing and Wholeness