Suffering for Christ’s Sake
1. What did Jesus warn His disciples to expect?
“In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16: 33.
2. Through what experience must we pass to attain unto the kingdom?
“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through muck, tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22.
3. Are we then to be surprised when trials come?
“Beloved, think- it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some
strange thing happened unto you.” “For even hereunto were you called.” 1 Peter 4:12; 2:21.
4. With whom should we be willing to associate in suffering?
“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” John 15: 20.
5. Who is the instigator of the persecution of the righteous?
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking ‘whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5: 8.
6. What motives impel the wicked to persecute the righteous?
a. Guilty conscience. “Cain, who was of that wicked one, slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.” 1 John 3:12. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy, 3: 12.
b. Antagonism of the flesh to the spirit. “But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.” Galatians 4: 29.
c. Perverted religion. “The time comes, that whosoever kills you will think that he does God
service.” John 16:2.
7. What example of fortitude in persecution has Jesus set us?
“Because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judges righteously.” 1 Peter 2:21-23.
8. In what spirit, therefore, are we urged to meet persecution?
“Rejoicing in hope; Patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.” Romans 12:12.
9. What other examples of patient endurance do the Scriptures provide?
“Take, my brethren, the Prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of Patience.” James 5:10.
10. How is the believer bound to be temporarily affected by tribulation?
“And 1 said, Oh that I had wings like-a dove! for then would 1 fly away, and be at rest.” Psalm 55:6.
11. To what depths of despondency did even the Savior momentarily come in His affliction?
“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, My God, why has Thou forsaken Me?” Matthew 27:46.
12. What emotion, however, will triumph over transitory heaviness of spirit?
“Rejoice you in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.” Luke 6:23.
13. By what knowledge was Christ buoyed up in His terrible sufferings?
“He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall My
righteous Servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities.” Isaiah 53:11.
14. What aspiration enabled Paul to suffer with fortitude in the cause of the gospel?
“But none of these things move me, neither count my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20: 24.
15. What example did Paul set of joy in tribulation?
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10.
16. How does God promise to sustain those who suffer for His sake?
“Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.” Colossians 1:11
17. What will it be our privilege to share in the day of Christ’s triumph?
“If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us.” 2 Timothy
2:12.
.
18. Among what glorious company shall we have a place?
“And he said unto me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sits on the throne shall dwell among them.” Revelation 7:14,15
.
19. What eternal reward will be ours if faithful?
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10. (See also verses 11 and 12.)
“In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16: 33.
2. Through what experience must we pass to attain unto the kingdom?
“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through muck, tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22.
3. Are we then to be surprised when trials come?
“Beloved, think- it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some
strange thing happened unto you.” “For even hereunto were you called.” 1 Peter 4:12; 2:21.
4. With whom should we be willing to associate in suffering?
“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” John 15: 20.
5. Who is the instigator of the persecution of the righteous?
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking ‘whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5: 8.
6. What motives impel the wicked to persecute the righteous?
a. Guilty conscience. “Cain, who was of that wicked one, slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.” 1 John 3:12. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy, 3: 12.
b. Antagonism of the flesh to the spirit. “But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.” Galatians 4: 29.
c. Perverted religion. “The time comes, that whosoever kills you will think that he does God
service.” John 16:2.
7. What example of fortitude in persecution has Jesus set us?
“Because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judges righteously.” 1 Peter 2:21-23.
8. In what spirit, therefore, are we urged to meet persecution?
“Rejoicing in hope; Patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.” Romans 12:12.
9. What other examples of patient endurance do the Scriptures provide?
“Take, my brethren, the Prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of Patience.” James 5:10.
10. How is the believer bound to be temporarily affected by tribulation?
“And 1 said, Oh that I had wings like-a dove! for then would 1 fly away, and be at rest.” Psalm 55:6.
11. To what depths of despondency did even the Savior momentarily come in His affliction?
“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, My God, why has Thou forsaken Me?” Matthew 27:46.
12. What emotion, however, will triumph over transitory heaviness of spirit?
“Rejoice you in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.” Luke 6:23.
13. By what knowledge was Christ buoyed up in His terrible sufferings?
“He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall My
righteous Servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities.” Isaiah 53:11.
14. What aspiration enabled Paul to suffer with fortitude in the cause of the gospel?
“But none of these things move me, neither count my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20: 24.
15. What example did Paul set of joy in tribulation?
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10.
16. How does God promise to sustain those who suffer for His sake?
“Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.” Colossians 1:11
17. What will it be our privilege to share in the day of Christ’s triumph?
“If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us.” 2 Timothy
2:12.
.
18. Among what glorious company shall we have a place?
“And he said unto me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sits on the throne shall dwell among them.” Revelation 7:14,15
.
19. What eternal reward will be ours if faithful?
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10. (See also verses 11 and 12.)
posted by Michael A. Redwine at Wednesday, May 25, 2005
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