“The Christian waits not for the end of the suffering but the GOAL”- which is GODS GLORY.”

  “For to you it has been Granted for CHRIST’S SAKE, not only to BELIEVE in Him, BUT to SUFFER for HIS SAKE, EXPERIENCING the SAME CONFLICT which you saw in me and Now HEAR to be in me.”{ Philippians 1:29-30}

SUFFERING is painful! For some suffering at the end of their life will have had no spiritual benefit to them but for the follower of the Lord Jesus who suffer according to the will of God- it can have meaning. The below notes are a portion from a radio message I gave from the book of Philippians. I pray you will be encouraged and see that “suffering according to the will of God”- which Peter speaks of in 1 Peter 4:12-19- can have  Temporal and Eternal “BENEFITS!” Not sure? Consider some of Scriptures truths for us to know, embrace and find hope in the midst of hurts and to be passed on to those who “suffer according to the Will of God. “I hope these notes may be of benefit to you…as you read beginning with Paul’s words to the church at Philippi…Philippians 1:29-30 “For to you it has been Granted for CHRIST’S SAKE, not only to BELIEVE in Him, BUT to SUFFER for HIS SAKE, EXPERIENCING the SAME CONFLICT which you saw in me and Now HEAR to be in me.”

 TWO GIFTS FROM GOD.  There are two “gifts” from God in this passage, the first “Gift” is – “the Gift of SALVATION.” The word “GRANTED” is based on the word “Grace” and is a verb which means, “to give. To favor, to grant graciously…to render… Given freely, unmerited.” SALVATION – AND SUFFERING ARE BOTH GIFTS Unmerited, Unearned, Undeserved Gifts from God. Just as it is God’s Unmerited Favor to bestow salvation upon you, it is also His unmerited Gift to GRANT You the PRIVILGE to SUFFER FOR “CHRIST’S SAKE”.  

ONE WRITER HAS PUT IT THIS WAY; “Christ’s vicarious sufferings means, however, for His followers NOT DELIVERANCE FROM Earthly Suffering, but Deliverance FOR earthly suffering.” Having been tested by suffering and that without sin…He is our Pattern to follow in the way to Suffer that Honors God that enables us to WALK WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST.

The essential Goal which the Christian suffers for is for the Kingdom of God, like Bunyon, like Paul and countless others before and since. Suffering is a GIFT FROM GOD ….FOR GODS GLORY AND IT HAS BEEN GRANTED – GIFTED…GOD HAS BESTOWED THIS FAVOR UPON THE CHURCH AT PHILLIPI not only to “Believe in His Name”- The Gift of Salvation but Secondly to “Suffer for His Name Sake.” Each “Gifted” by God. Salvation first, then the suffering. But it has purpose. What are some of the POTENTIAL Blessings from the Gift of Suffering for God’s People ….One writer has said “The Christian waits not for the end of the suffering but the GOAL”- which is GODS GLORY

Lets consider some of the “BENEFITS” of Suffering for CHRIST SAKE.

 1.    Suffering for Christ Sake is – A Gift “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for Him.” – {Phil 1: 29}

2.    Suffering for Christ Sake is  – An Evidence of Salvation. – without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.” {Phil 1:28}

3.    Suffering for Christ sake is –An Opportunity to Spread the Gospel Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard  and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.” {Phil 1:12-13}

We also read in 2 Timothy 1:8 Paul’s final words to Timothy in the midst of conflict “So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.”

 4.    Suffering for Christ sake is – A source of encouragement to strengthen other believers to speak Gods Word more boldlyBecause of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.” AND IN VERSE 15 AND 16 we see their motivation –“ out of goodwill. The latter do so in love.” {Phil 1:14}

5.    Suffering for Christ’s sake- Produces An increasing desire to Know Christ “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings,” {Phil 3:7-10}. PAUL  when he writes the book of Philippians it is approximately thirty years after his conversion  and he wants to enter into the power of Christ and intimacy with Christ. His AIM is CHRIST.

6.    Suffering for Christ sake  – Equips us to minister COMPASSIONATELY into the lives of others “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer.” {2 Cor 1:3-6}

So you see, SUFFERING can be a Blessing and not a cause for Bitterness – when it is embraced as a “Gift” and “FOR CHRIST’S SAKE”. Suffering for Christ is a Gift, Suffering is an evidence of salvation when it is for Christ’s sake, Suffering is an opportunity to spread the gospel for Christ sake; Suffering can be a means to encourage the brethren for Christ sake; Suffering can lead us to Evaluate life and see that all that counts is Knowing Christ and produce that Master Passion- for CHRIST SAKE- Life is to be lived; Suffering Equips us to Minister Compassionately

Oswald Chambers wrote – “If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a number of experiences that are not meant for you personally at all. They are designed to make you useful in His hands, and to enable you to understand what takes place in the lives of others.”

Lets continue and look at some other Benefits to the Gift of SUFFERING FOR CHRIST’S SAKE-

NUMBER…

7. Suffering for Christ sake is – A means to Learn Obedience “Although he was a Son, JESUS learned obedience from what He suffered.”{Hebrews 5:8}

8. Suffering for Christ sake is – An opportunity to GLORIFY GOD “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” – {1Peter 1:6}

9. Suffering for Christ Sake – Does not go un-noticed or unrewarded by God “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” –{Matthew 5:11}

10. Suffering for Christ sake is – A PRIVILEGE “The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus …” {Acts 5:40}

11. – Suffering  for CHRISTS Sake is- To Keep us from Pride “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” {2 Cor 12:7-10}

12. – Suffering For Christ’s Sake is – A Means to Unleash Gods Power in your life Paul continues verse 8 – “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” {2 Cor 12:8}

13. – Suffering For Christ’s Sake is – A means to Spiritual GROWTH – “And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that you have suffered a little while, shall Himself MATURE, establish, strengthen you.” {1 Peter 5:10}

GOD HAS PURPOSE IN YOUR SUFFERING;

CH SPURGEON WROTE- A MAN WHO WAS WELL ACQUAINTED WITH SUFFERING himself , these words, “ I owe everything to the FURNACE, hammer and File, The best piece of furniture in my house has been THE CROSS. My greatest enricher has been personal PAIN, and for that I Thank God. I can sing with the poet; “God in Israel sows the seeds Of affliction pain, and toil’ These spring up and choke the weeds Which would else overspread the soil.”

 

“Trials make the Promise sweet; Trials give new life to prayer; Trials brings me to His Feet, LAY ME LOW AND KEEP ME THERE.”

Throughout this book –Philippians has been called the Epistle of Joy. Paul finds his cause for rejoicing based not on his circumstances- for he is incarcerated but his foundation is because of CHRIST HIMSELF. In chapter 3 verse 1 he tells the people “Rejoice again I say rejoice for it is a safe guard for you.” Our focus will determine our altitude, Rejoicing is a command and it is an expression of love ….and partaking in the sufferings of Christ as we identify and suffer Peter wrote on account of that relationship we are to REJOICE. Suffering for Christ’s Sake – is A CHOICE TO REJOICE – 1 Peter 4:13- “But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

SEVERAL TRUTHS FOR THE BELIEVER TO FIND COMFORT IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING-  “…for Christ’s Sake.” And REMEMBER BELOVED- NOTHING CAN SEPARATE YOU FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST AND NOTHING CAN TOUCH YOU APART FROM HIS CONSENT….

  And in your Pain for Christ sake remember

  • There is GRACE to Suffer – {2 Cor 12:7:10}
  • There is A GOAL to Suffering – His Glory – {1 Peter 1:6-7 }.
  • There is GAIN through Suffering – 1 Peter 3:15- The Spread of His Fame and Name     in the Gospel.{1 Peter 3:15}
  • Suffering affords the opportunity for Spiritual GROWTH – {1 Peter 5:10}
  • INTIMACY with Christ can be known through Suffering – {Phil 3:10}
  • ENTRUST YOURSELF TO GOD.-– Commit yourself to God the Creator who is faithful and keep doing good. {1 Peter 4:19}-“Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.”
  • Note Peter has us focus on the character of God- He is Creator, and He is faithful, reliable He can be trusted and then he says in the middle of suffering they are to keep on doing good!
  • KEEP ON REJOICING IN THE LORD .- “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;  but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.  If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. {1 Peter 4:12-16}The Above are some of my notes from a radio message from the Philippian series titled ” Suffering; The Gift No One wants”

 

I am not sure your circumstances or pain  and at times how difficult it can be to make sense out of it all, or perhaps it’s not you presently but someone you know… maybe the above verses could be of some comfort to them and maybe you could pass them on….in the hope they may experience the Power of the Holy Spirit through His Word.

  • Keep looking away to Jesus! God bless!