When Christians Suffer
Suffering Is An Unpopular Subject.
But Suffering Is A Real part Of Life.
Every hospital we pass says that suffering is real.Screaming sirens say suffering is real.
Not only physical suffering but mental suffering.
No One Is Exempt From Trials And Suffering, Not Even Christians 1 Peter 4:12-19
It Is Not Strange That Christians Have Trials
read verse 12Some thought that salvation meant no more trials.
But it´s not an easy road we are traveling to heaven.
Christians have trials because we live in a sinful world.
We are part of a fallen race.A world of wars and rumors of wars.
A world of tornadoes and earthquakes.
A world where sin runs rampant and greed brings violence.
Christians have trials because of the power of satan.
We have an adversary Ephesians 6:11-12Don.´t be surprised when he attacks you.
Christians have trials because we are on a collision course with the world
John 15:19-25
So, through the centuries Christians have suffered.
But The Christian´s Trials Are Different
read 1 Peter 4:13-14He does not suffer alone.
Other Christians stand with him in suffering.
He has the day of Glory ahead Romans 8:18
He can find joy even in jeopardy Acts 16:25
He can rejoice even in reproaches Matthew 5:11
Even in his darkest hour, Christ is working in himSometimes Christians Bring Suffering upon Themselves
read 1 Peter 4:15-19Let none of you suffer as a murderer 1 John 3:15
A busybody: someone who murders people´s reputations.
Some think they are looked down upon for their testimony when it is only for their meanness.Don´t invite suffering through hypocrisy.
Sometimes Christians engage in habits or practices that bring suffering.
Sometimes Christians suffer because of backsliding and the resultant chastening. Hebrews 12:6-7
Conclusion
Are You Willing To Suffer As A Christian?
Suffering Now But Glory Later.
Make Necessary Life Changes To Avoid Bringing Suffering Upon Yourself.
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
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.
14 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.
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
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.
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Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
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John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name´s sake, because they know not him that sent me.
22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.
23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also..
24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
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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.
14 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.
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Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which
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Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
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Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
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1 Peter 4:15 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.
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
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.
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Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
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1 John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
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Last updated on June 29, 2006