THE PURPOSE AND REWARDS OF GODLY SUFFERING

MARCH 13, 2022

è What is Godly Suffering? Identification with Jesus (2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:1; Philippians 1:29)

• Suffering in line with the will of God.

è Forms of Godly suffering

• Ridicule (Isaiah 53:3; Matthew 9:24)

• The world system (1 John 5:19)

• Resistance:

• Our own flesh (Galatians 5:17; Romans 8:7)

• The devil (1 Peter 5:8)

• Rejection/Distance from close relationships

• Betrayal

• “How does the Lord see them? Can I trust the Lord to draw them to Himself? Can I stay the course when I see no immediate change? (2 Peter 3:9)

è Rewards of God Suffering

• Greater intimacy with our Lord (Philippians 3:10)

• Maturity, perspective, strength, stability (1 Peter 5:10)

• The Glory of God comes out! (1 Peter 4:12-16)