| Summary: |
Suffering: To feel or bear what is painful, disagreeable or distressing, either to the body or mind.
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| 1. |
We are taught to be followers of Christ. What is one way we should follow Him? I Peter 4:1 |
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Christ suffered in the flesh both as an example and to ransom us from sin, we who aspire to be like him should prepare to suffer likewise because, ".. all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." |
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| I Peter 4:1 | Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; |
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| 2. |
Suffering indicates that we have ceased what? I Peter 4:1, 2 |
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When we suffer for righteousness it shows that we no longer live to satisfy the lust of men but rather we have ceased from sin and now live to the honor and glory of YHWH. |
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| I Peter 4:1 | Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; | | I Peter 4:2 | That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. |
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| 3. |
What can be the cause of the persecutions and suffering? I Peter 4:3, 4 |
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People are always afraid of change. When we no longer live life in the lust of the flesh, we strive for the ideals of YHWH: we “Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth." Col 3:2. Men therefore ridicule and condemn us because we no longer find pleasure in the lust of the flesh. |
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| I Peter 4:3 | For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: | | I Peter 4:4 | Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: |
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| 4. |
Jesus was persecuted for His teachings and even for healing the sick. Paul was persecuted for the same. What can we expect? I Peter 4:12 |
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Christ said, "For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?" Luk 23:31. When we face fiery trials we should not be surprise but rather we should "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." Jas 1:2, 3. |
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| I 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: |
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| 5. |
Is this a time for sorrow? I Peter 4:13, 14 |
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Oh no! When we are ridiculed for righteousness we must rejoice and be exceedingly glad, because we are assured that the spirit of YHWH is with us allowing us to show forth the praises of YHWH. They may thing they are embarrassing us, but in fact they are blaspheming YHWH; let us continue to be "..stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." 1Co 15:58. |
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| I 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. | | I Peter 4:14 | 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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| 6. |
If unbelievers have any accusations against the brethren, what should they not be? I Peter 4:15 |
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Christ said, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake." Mat 5:11. The key word here is "FALSELY". As children of YHWH we should never be accused of being, “a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. People who are idle do these things, "the devil always finds work for idle hands to do" |
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| I 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. |
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| 7. |
What should they not be? I Peter 4:16 |
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When we are new to the faith we may feel inclined to feel embarrass in the ministry of the LORD but we must be able to say like Paul, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth;.."Rom 1:16
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| I Peter 4:16 | Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. |
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| 8. |
What affect does suffering have on our souls? I Peter 4:13, 19 |
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When we endure suffering for Christ it preserves our souls and when he returns the second time we will reign with him. Halleluyah! |
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| I 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. | | I 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. |
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| 9. |
When Jesus suffered, was there a purpose for suffering for righteousness? I Peter 3:17, 18 |
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Yes, Christ suffered in the flesh that he might give us eternal life. |
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| I Peter 3:17 | For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. | | I Peter 3:18 | For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: |
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| Conclusion: |
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." Jas 1:2-4. |
This page was updated by: Bro Patrick Triple7@Vipowernet.net on 6/27/2009 11:37:09 PM |
