Sermon Central
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Suffering For The Gospel Series
Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Dec 11, 2014 (message contributor)
Summary: Who wants to suffer? Not a fun topic. We conclude our Committed series with the encouragement to never give up our calling, even if it causes us to suffer.
INTRODUCTION
• SLIDE #1
• This is the last message in our “Committed” series. Following Jesus is always easy to do. Commitment to anything will have times of difficulty, times of trying to decide what take priority in life.
• I saved this message as the last message in the series because I did not want people to run out the door on the first message of the series.
• There have been countless numbers of people who have suffered and even died for the sake of the Gospel.
• Recently ISIS beheaded four children because they would not convert to Islam.
• “Islamic State turned up and said to the children, you say the words that you will follow Mohammed,” White said. “The children, all under 15, four of them, said no, we love Yesua, we have always loved Yesua, we have always followed Yesua, Yesua has always been with us. “They said, ‘Say the words.’ They said, ‘No, we can’t.’ They chopped all their heads off. Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/1665841/isis-beheads-four-christian-children-after-they-refuse-to-convert-to-islam/#vH1VeeKQUlCCGCm2.99
• These children with their wholes lives ahead of them were all in for Jesus.
• The thought of suffering is not a joyful thought, it is not something one looks forward to do.
• The situation in the Middle East is an extreme one; however, there will be times when we will all will have to decide how sold out to Jesus we are.
• When we speak of suffering for Jesus, it is really all about being all in for Jesus.
• It is about having a deep enough conviction of faith to not let anything cause one to walk away from Jesus.
• Today we will examine some principles Paul shares with the young evangelist Timothy as he endeavors to encourage Timothy to follow Jesus no matter what, even in the midst of uncomfortable circumstances.
• Let’s being our examination today by opening the Word to 2 Timothy 2:8
• SLIDE #2
• 2 Timothy 2:8 (HCSB) Keep your attention on Jesus Christ as risen from the dead and descended from David. This is according to my gospel.
• SLIDE #3
SERMON
I. Keep your focus on the paragon of Jesus. 8
• Keep your focus on the excellent example of Jesus!
• Jesus came to show us the way. He constantly said to Come and follow Him. The washing of the disciple’s feet on one of the examples Jesus gave so that we could follow His example of service and humility.
• The foot-washers job was given to the lowest servant of the house.
• Jesus did not give orders to His followers and just sit back and do nothing. He was on the front lines!
• SLIDE #4
• Matthew 20:28 (HCSB) just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.”
• On many occasions Jesus spoke of the fact that He was going to have to suffer in order to carry out His mission.
• When Ananias was called to speak to Paul, Jesus told him that Paul would suffer for His sake. Paul recognized this also.
• SLIDE #5
• Colossians 1:24 (HCSB) Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for His body, that is, the church.
• Paul followed paragon of Jesus until the very end.
• Paul reminds Timothy of two other facts, one that Jesus rose from the dead.
• This shows that God put His stamp of approval on Jesus and His ministry.
• The same God who raised Jesus is the same God who will empower Timothy and YOU to be able to faithfully serve Him.
• Romans 6 reminds us that when we are in Christ, we will rise with Him when He returns!
• No matter what we face in this life, it is but temporary. We will not suffer for eternity when we are in Christ!
• Paul also reminds Timothy of Jesus’ incarnation. Jesus came in the flesh as a descendent of David.
• Jesus led the way, He is an example which can aspire us to stay faithful no matter what hits us!
• SLIDE #6
• 2 Timothy 2:9 (HCSB) I suffer for it to the point of being bound like a criminal, but God’s message is not bound.
• SLIDE #7
II. Appreciate the power of the Word. 9
• Have you ever had to deliver a difficult message to another person and you would ask them ahead of time to not shoot the messenger.
• Paul was a messenger for the gospel and plenty of people figuratively shot at him.
• He suffered much hardship because of his calling to proclaim the gospel; however, he would not stop.
