Unafraid of Suffering

Text: Philippians 1:28-30
12 July 2014

UNAFRAID OF SUFFERING

1. Adversaries          Philippians 1:28

a) They stand against Christians

b) They are enemies of the faith

2. Response to adversaries

a) Never be terrified by enemies          Philippians 1:28

b) Their adversarial conduct is proof of their perdition (destruction)

3. A Dynamic approach to the problem of suffering

a) Our suffering for the Lord is evident of our salvation from God            Philippians 1:28

b) Salvation and Suffering go together          Philippians 1:29

i) To believe in Christ

ii) To suffer for His sake

c) This was a clear teaching given by the Lord Jesus Himself

i) Jesus Himself sets the example of suffering          1 Peter 2:21

ii) We are to follow His steps          1 Peter 2:21

iii) We are challenged to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him            Mark 8:34

4. A word of encouragement

a) Paul offers himself as an example

b) He too suffers for the sake of the Gospel

c) He details some of his sufferings in          2 Corinthians 11

BIBLE MEMORY VERSE

For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.
Philippians 1:20