Suffering for Righteousness Sake

image courtesy photobucket

Taking notes on the message by Pastor Jerry our guest minister on Sunday as he shared on the topic of Suffering. He read from 1 Peter 3: 18-22 regarding the suffering of Jesus, and spoke on how in this world we may expect suffering.

God does not guarantee us a life without suffering, yet Jesus is there with us giving us strength. God is there to ease our pain. Suffering is part of the human condition.

Pastor Jerry reminded us that there is much suffering in our local city.

Some suffering is man made. Doctors give us a prescription for pain as we hope to avoid pain and suffering. Suffering can be both physical and emotional.

Abraham and Sarah suffered doubt that they could have a son.

Jacob suffered guilt and fear as he ran from his brother Esau after cheating him of his birthright.

David suffered the painful results after killing Uriah, and taking his wife for his own.

Jesus warned his disciples that he would suffer many things, and they did not understand.

When Jesus gave the Beatitudes, one was this;

Matthew 5:10-11 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Jesus suffered on the cross to bring us redemption.

As the disciples ventured out preaching and teaching after Jesus ascended into heaven, they were not always received with gladness. Often they were ridiculed, beaten, thrown into prison, and some were killed as they suffered gladly for the Kingdom’s sake.

I Peter 3:13-17 If with heart and soul you're doing good, do you think you can be stopped? Even if you suffer for it, you're still better off. Don't give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They'll end up realizing that they're the ones who need a bath. It's better to suffer for doing good, if that's what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad. That's what Christ did definitively: suffered because of others' sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all—was put to death and then made alive—to bring us to God.

Turn to the cross and cling to Jesus as it is there we receive our daily strength.

What God Hath Promised

By Annie Johnson Flint

God hath not promised skies always blue,

Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;

God hath not promised sun without rain,

Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God hath promised strength for the day,

Rest for the labor, light for the way,

Grace for the trials, help from above,

Unfailing sympathy, undying love. - - -

More delightful poems by Anne Johnson Flint can be found at this site:
http://www.homemakerscorner.com/annie.htm


This post is linked up today with Michelle at: Hear it on Sunday