Are you Suffering with Are you Suffering with Christ?Christ?

We as Americans know very little We as Americans know very little about suffering compared with the about suffering compared with the

rest of the world.rest of the world.

But as Christians, we should know But as Christians, we should know about suffering for Christ.about suffering for Christ.

Jesus suffered for us and we must Jesus suffered for us and we must follow His example. (1 Peter 2:21)follow His example. (1 Peter 2:21)

Are you Suffering with Are you Suffering with Christ?Christ?

If we follow Him, we will also suffer If we follow Him, we will also suffer with Him. (John 15:18-20)with Him. (John 15:18-20)

Are you suffering with Christ?Are you suffering with Christ?

What are you suffering for the cause What are you suffering for the cause of Christ?of Christ?

Are You Suffering Insults Are You Suffering Insults for Christ?for Christ?

If you are following Him, it will happen. If you are following Him, it will happen. (Matthew 5:10) (Matthew 5:10)

Have you had to endure ridicule Have you had to endure ridicule because of your stand for truth on because of your stand for truth on the one true church or abstinence the one true church or abstinence on moral issues? (alcohol, sexual on moral issues? (alcohol, sexual immorality, abortion, etc.) (Eph. immorality, abortion, etc.) (Eph.

1:22-23; 4:4; Titus 2:11-12)1:22-23; 4:4; Titus 2:11-12)

Are You Suffering Insults Are You Suffering Insults for Christ?for Christ?

You need to remember what Jesus said You need to remember what Jesus said in Matthew 5:11-12! in Matthew 5:11-12!

Jesus said it is a blessing instead of a Jesus said it is a blessing instead of a curse because the prophets of old curse because the prophets of old were persecuted in the same way were persecuted in the same way

before you.before you.

So instead of being glum and So instead of being glum and discouraged, we should rejoice and discouraged, we should rejoice and be glad because of the great reward be glad because of the great reward

in heaven.in heaven.

Are You Willing to Suffer Are You Willing to Suffer Loss of Friendships for Loss of Friendships for

Christ?Christ?The peer pressure to conform to what The peer pressure to conform to what

your friends think, say, and do is your friends think, say, and do is great. great.

Bad company still corrupts good Bad company still corrupts good morals. (1 Corinthians morals. (1 Corinthians

15:33-34)15:33-34)

But don’t give in to it! (Proverbs But don’t give in to it! (Proverbs 1:10ff)1:10ff)

If someone close to you wants you to If someone close to you wants you to do evil, he isn’t your friend, but do evil, he isn’t your friend, but

enemy.enemy.

Are You Willing to Suffer Are You Willing to Suffer Loss of Friendships for Loss of Friendships for

Christ?Christ?The apostle Paul lost many friends The apostle Paul lost many friends

because of his stand for truth but because of his stand for truth but the Lord was His best friend and the Lord was His best friend and strengthened Him in his time of strengthened Him in his time of

trial. (2 Timothy 4:10, 16ff) trial. (2 Timothy 4:10, 16ff)

Do you have enough love for the soul Do you have enough love for the soul of your friend to rebuke their sin or of your friend to rebuke their sin or

do you fear the loss of their do you fear the loss of their friendship? friendship?

Are You Willing to Suffer Are You Willing to Suffer Loss of Friendships for Loss of Friendships for

Christ?Christ?If you lose your friend for telling them If you lose your friend for telling them

the truth, remember that Jesus will the truth, remember that Jesus will be with you and strengthen you!be with you and strengthen you!

Choose friends that will strengthen Choose friends that will strengthen your faith like Jonathan did with your faith like Jonathan did with David. (Proverbs 13:20; 1 David. (Proverbs 13:20; 1

Samuel 18:1f; 23:16)Samuel 18:1f; 23:16)

Are You Willing to Give Up Are You Willing to Give Up All Your Possessions for All Your Possessions for

Christ?Christ?Jesus said that you cannot be my Jesus said that you cannot be my

disciple if you don’t do it. (Luke disciple if you don’t do it. (Luke 14:33)14:33)

Does this teach that you must give up Does this teach that you must give up all of your possessions and give it to all of your possessions and give it to the poor or you can’t go to heaven? the poor or you can’t go to heaven?

(Luke 18:22f)(Luke 18:22f)

No, that would violate other No, that would violate other Scriptures. (1 Tim. 5:8; Matt. Scriptures. (1 Tim. 5:8; Matt.

22:21; Rom. 13:7) 22:21; Rom. 13:7)

Are You Willing to Give Up Are You Willing to Give Up All Your Possessions for All Your Possessions for

Christ?Christ?You must put God your Master first, You must put God your Master first,

not your wealth (Matthew 6:24).not your wealth (Matthew 6:24).

Store up treasures in heaven by Store up treasures in heaven by sharing with others instead of sharing with others instead of allowing your possessions to allowing your possessions to

possess you. possess you. (Matthew 6:19-21; 1 Timothy (Matthew 6:19-21; 1 Timothy

6:17ff)6:17ff)

Are You Willing to Suffer the Are You Willing to Suffer the Loss of Family Members for Loss of Family Members for

Christ?Christ?

We must “hate” our families or we We must “hate” our families or we cannot be His disciple. (Lk. 14:26; cannot be His disciple. (Lk. 14:26;

Mt. 10:34-37)Mt. 10:34-37)

Does this teach that you must give up Does this teach that you must give up all family relationships to serve the all family relationships to serve the

Lord? Lord?

No, just as the rich must love the Lord No, just as the rich must love the Lord more than their possessions, we more than their possessions, we

must love Christ above our families. must love Christ above our families. (Mt. 19:21-30)(Mt. 19:21-30)

Are You Willing to Suffer the Are You Willing to Suffer the Loss of Family Members for Loss of Family Members for

Christ?Christ?You still have responsibilities to honor You still have responsibilities to honor

your parents, love your spouse, your parents, love your spouse, teach and discipline your children. teach and discipline your children. (Eph. 5:22ff; 6:1-4) (Eph. 5:22ff; 6:1-4)

If there is a conflict between you and If there is a conflict between you and your family member concerning your family member concerning your loyalty to whom you serve, your loyalty to whom you serve,

Christ must come first or you Christ must come first or you cannot be His disciple.cannot be His disciple.

Are You Willing to Suffer the Are You Willing to Suffer the Loss of Freedom or Death for Loss of Freedom or Death for

Christ?Christ?

The members of the church at Smyrna The members of the church at Smyrna were facing imprisonment and even were facing imprisonment and even

death for the cause of Christ death for the cause of Christ (Revelation 2:10). (Revelation 2:10).

He told them to be faithful even if it He told them to be faithful even if it costs them their lives.costs them their lives.

Are You Willing to Suffer the Are You Willing to Suffer the Loss of Freedom or Death for Loss of Freedom or Death for

Christ?Christ?The Apostle Paul faced the loss of The Apostle Paul faced the loss of

freedom and even death for the freedom and even death for the cause of Christ. (Acts 22:25ff; 2 Cor. cause of Christ. (Acts 22:25ff; 2 Cor.

11:23ff; 1:8-11) 11:23ff; 1:8-11)

Would you be willing to stand up for Would you be willing to stand up for what the Bible teaches about what the Bible teaches about

homosexuality if it costs you your homosexuality if it costs you your freedom or your life? (Romans freedom or your life? (Romans 1:26ff; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10)1:26ff; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

ConclusionConclusionWe must be willing to suffer with We must be willing to suffer with

Christ.Christ.

Are you suffering for Christ? Are you suffering for Christ?

....by insults?....by insults?

....the loss of friendships?....the loss of friendships?

....willing to give up your possessions?....willing to give up your possessions?

...willing to give up family ...willing to give up family relationships?relationships?

....willing to give up your freedom and ....willing to give up your freedom and die for Him? die for Him?

ConclusionConclusion

There is no comparison between this There is no comparison between this present suffering and future glory present suffering and future glory so don’t give up! (2 Corinthians so don’t give up! (2 Corinthians

4:16-18)4:16-18)

Don’t be ashamed of suffering as a Don’t be ashamed of suffering as a Christian, but commit your soul to a Christian, but commit your soul to a

faithful Creator by doing what is faithful Creator by doing what is right. (1 Peter 4:16-19)right. (1 Peter 4:16-19)