Finding joy in suffering

Introduction

Title: Finding joy in suffering

According to D. A. Carson in his book For the Love of God, more people have been martyred for following Christ in the last century than in all of the first nineteen hundred years of the church’s history

Acts 5:1-10 - Ananias and Sapphira

Acts 5:11-16 - ministry taking place

The opposition arises (17-18, 27-33)

Exalting Jesus in Acts Gospel Ministry Enriches the Poor in Spirit (Acts 5:12–16)

While we shouldn’t expect 100-percent acceptance of the message Jesus entrusted to us, we must act in the knowledge that some will respond in faith.

The oppressed escape (19-26)

The observation prevails (34-40)

v. 34

Acts 22:3 NASB95

3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today.

v. 40

Matthew 10:17–20 NASB95

17 “But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; 18 and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 “But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. 20 “For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

Conclusion (41-42)

Matthew 5:10–12 NASB95

10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Three things to help us find joy in suffering...

The scriptures warn us of suffering.

Acts 5:41 “41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.”

Luke 9:23 “23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”

John 15:20 “20 “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.”

Philippians 1:29 “29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,”

We find strength in suffering

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 “9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

We will be rewarded for our suffering.

Matthew 5:12 “12 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Romans 8:15–17 “15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”