Why should we suffer for Christ ?


Main points

  1. Produces eternal glory
    1. Present troubles are small
    2. Produce long term eternal glory (2 cor 4:17)
  2. Produces Endurance
    1. Athletes practice; eat right
    2. Long distance produces endurance
    3. Sufferings produce endurance and endurance produces character (Romans 5:3-4) -> hope
      1. David suffered many times
      2. Jeremiah scroll burnt (Jeremiah 36:21-23)
      3. Jeremiah asked to write again (Jeremiah 36:27-28)
      4. Jeremiah put in dungeon (Jeremiah 38:6)
      5. Joseph in prison
      6. Suffer for the company ; work hard;
      7. Endure pains for the good of the company.
    4. They beat them and let them go (Acts 5:40-41)
  3. Produces growth of kingdom
    1. Stephen killed but church grew
    2. They ran at him (acts 7:57)
    3. They cast him out (acts 7:58)
    4. Great persecution (acts 8:1)
    5. Scattered ones preached (acts 8:4)
  4. Produces mass conversion
    1. By one man Jesus condemnation replaced by justification for all (Romans 5:18)
    2. By Jonas whole Nineveh saved
      1. Cried to God (Jonah 2:2)
      2. Arose and walked 3 days (Jonas 3:3)
    3. By Joseph the entire family of Jacobs
      1. They hurt his feet (Ps 105:18)
      2. They cast him into a pit (Genesis 37:24)
      3. Sold him for profit (Genesis 37:26)
    4. By Daniel the entire Babylon hears the gospel
      1. Darius encouraged all to follow God of Daniel (Daniel 6:25-26)
  5. Produces healing
    1. Jesus suffered outside the gate (Hebrew 13:12)
    2. Released Barabbas & scourged Jesus (matt 27:26)
    3. Soldiers mock Jesus (Matt 27:29-31)
    4. By His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5)
    5. Samaritan brought healing to wounded man,
    6. Your words can bring healing
    7. Tree of life: leaves are for healing of nations
  6. Produces reward
    1. Moses endured ..looked to reward (Hebrew 11:24-26)
    2. Paul encourage Timothy to endure affliction (2 Tim 4:5)
    3. There is a crown for finishing race(2 Tim 4:8)
  7. Produces evidence of a minister of Christ
    1. Not by degree or qualification
    2. But by how much we suffer
    3. List of Paul's sufferings (2 corinth 11:23-27)

Prayer

  • Am I mocked for gospel?
  • Am I scorned, despised for the gospel?
  • Do I have the marks of a minister?
  • Blessed are you when men revile for the name of Christ for your reward is great in heaven (Matt 5:11-12)