Main Sermon Points- -1- When God brings judgment on nations, it is His usual way to begin with His own people. -2- There is great difficulty in the salvation of any sinner. -3- In the midst of great difficulty and suffering, believers can entrust themselves to the Lord and continue doing what is right in His eyes.

Main Sermon Points- -1- Believers need encouragement as they face the fact that suffering is an ongoing reality in life. -2- When believers suffer in the name of Christ they are blessed.

Main Sermon Points- -1- God calls believers to serve one another through the spiritual gifts He gives them for their encouragement and the growth of His church. -2- The Lord gives and works through spiritual gifts in His church for His own glory.

Main Sermon Points- -1- Believers are called to live in an awareness that the end of all things is near. -2- An awareness that the end of all things is near is a strong encouragement to believers to be careful about how they walk out the duties of the Christian life.

Main Sermon Points- -1- It is by Christ's glorious salvation work that believers are able to arm themselves with the same mindset as Christ when He endured suffering in the cause of righteousness. -2- The world at large pursues what is sinful, but with eternity in mind, Christians must commit for the rest of their lives to turn from sinful desires and pursue the will of God.

Main Sermon Points- -1- Remembering the work of Christ as the suffering Priest of His people, is encouragement for them in their own suffering. -2- Remembering Christ in His work as Prophet, highlights the need to hold firm to the gospel especially in times of persecution.

Main Sermon Points- -1- Believers must be prepared for the fact that suffering for the faith is a likely reality. -2- Believers must be prepared to give a clear defense of the gospel of salvation in Christ. -3- Believers must be prepared for suffering by submitting to God's providential will in all things.