Suffering Outline

 

Read 1Peter 4

 

“God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life”  1Peter 1&2

 

1Peter 4:12-13

 

All Christians Suffer (4:12) - Why? 

 

Bad reasons

1.     You reap what you sow

2.     We live in a corrupt creation (imperfect world)

3.     Men are evil

 

Good reasons

1.     Persecution happens to all who follow Jesus

a.      2Tim 3:12(10-12) all who live godly…

b.     John 15:19-21 persecuted me, persecute you …

c.     1Peter 2:21 called to it … (4:12)

2.     Discipline/Training by God – process of sanctification, becoming more Christlike -  sometimes the Journey is the Destination

a.      Heb 12:7-11

b.     James 1:4

 

How to Persevere

1.     die to self – 1Peter 4:1-6, Luke 9:23-24

2.     Strengthen your faith by remembering what God has done/ “a man with an argument . . .”

a.      In your life

b.     For others; friends, books, Bible – Heb 11

3.     seek wisdom from God (don’t be afraid to ask why) – James 1:5

4.     Seek wisdom from others – two are better than one

5.     don’t lose heart, God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear – 1Cor 10:13 – You don’t have to sin! 

6.     Do Good - 1Peter 4:19 (Dynamic or active faith)

7.     Pray, read the Bible, fellowship, do good, keep your eye on the prize

 

 

Persevere in faith – continuing to do good/God’s will – James 1, 1Peter 4:19 

 

My Suffering - Questions people ask me

          How do you keep from getting angry at God with all the things that have happened in your life?

Simple answer – It’s not God’s fault.

 

My search for answers to why I was suffering.

 

 

No Scars by Amy Carmichael

 

Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land,
I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star,
Hast thou no scar?

 

Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers, spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening wolves that compassed me, I swooned:
Hast thou no wound?

 

No wound? no scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And pierced are the feet that follow Me;
But thine are whole: can he have followed far
Who hath no wound nor scar?

 

Sayings and Quotes:

·         "One can give without loving, but one cannot love without giving."

·         While serving in India, Amy received a letter from a young lady who was considering life as a missionary, She asked Amy, "What is missionary life like?" Amy wrote back saying simply, "Missionary life is a chance to die."