Suffering Christians
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SUFFERING CHRISTIANS
(Christianology : Doctrine Of Christians)
SECTION 1: UNDERSTANDING SUFFERING
1. Opportunity As Salvation
Philippians 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
2. Chance To Become More Like Jesus
1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
3. Our Suffering Is Nothing Like What Jesus Went Through
Hebrews 12:2-4 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
4. Lost People Don’t Have This Promise
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
SECTION 2: FORMS OF SUFFERING
1. Mental
1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
2. Financial
Philippians 4:2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
3. Spiritual
Hebrews 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
5. Any Other Trouble
2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
SECTION 3: ACCEPTING SUFFERING
1. Christian Life = Suffering
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2. Satan Is Not The Cause. God Gives Permission
Job 1 Entire Chapter
Job 1:8-12 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?
9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
3. God's Plan Is Suffering
Acts 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
4. Suffering Is Joyful
1 Peter 4:14-16 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
SECTION 4: REASONS OF SUFFERING
1. Punishment
John 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
Numbers 12:10 And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.
2 Chronicles 16:12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.
2. Sins of Others
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Exodus 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
3. Satanic Attack
Job 1 Entire Chapter
Luke 13:16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
4. Glory of God
John 9:2-3 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
John 11:4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
SECTION 5: PURPOSE OF SUFFERING
1. Is To Prove You Are A Christian
a. Persecution
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
b. Chastised
Hebrews 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
2. Produce Holiness
2 Thessalonians 1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
3. Make Fruit
Psalms 126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
4. To Mature And Test Our Character
James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
5. Have The Power
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
6. To Increase Heavenly Mindness
Romans 9:18-19 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
7. Rewards
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
2 Timothy 2:12a If we suffer, we shall also reign with him:
8. Benefit Others
2 Corinthians 1:6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
9. Perfecting Us
1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
SECTION 6: RESPONSE TO SUFFERING
1. We May Despise It
Job 6:4, 9 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.
9 Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
2. We May Faint From It
Ephesians 3:13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
3. We May Dislike It
1 Peter 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
4. We May Bear It
1 Peter 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
5. We May Rejoice In It
1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
SECTION 7: SUGGESTIONS DURING SUFFERING
1. Remember That The Worst Sufferings For A Christian Is Better Than The Best Pleasure Of Life
Hebrews 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
2. To Read The Bible Because It Is Comforting
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
3. Pray To God Because He Will Regard The Prayers Of The Destitute
Psalms 102:17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
4. Assure Yourself By Leaving Everything To The Well Doing Of God
1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
5. Tell Yourself That You Are In The Right Path When You Are Still Persecuted
Galatians 5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
6. Use Your Suffering To Mightily Comfort Others
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.
7. Keep Serving God Because It Will Encourage Others
1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.