Gospel Suffering : Part 2

Introduction:

Welcome

We are in the series “Gospel Suffering”

Read

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. 13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

We have been in the series “Gospel suffering”

Talk about what we learned last time

What is suffering for the Gospel

We looked at Paul’s persecution

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. 13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

I have one question for you today. Are you willing to suffer for the Gospel?

You might say Jacob, why do I need to suffer? Thats a really good question. Paul commands us to suffer, but why? What is the importance of suffering.

Look at the end of 8 “By the power of God”

The text gives us 3 reasons why we we suffer. lets look at 1 today.

Read verses 9 and 10 again

These verses give us 1 reason we suffer for the gospel.

He saved us and called us to a holy calling

We are saved through God’s power and this holds us to a higher standard, a holy calling.

Well why did God save us and why is so important to our suffering for the Gospel?

We are saved by the greater. The text says we were saved not by our works

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

English Standard Version Chapter 2

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

it goes on to say the we are saved for his purpose and grace. We werent saved just by the greater, but for the greater.

This is a gift from God. He has a purpose for our life. Look at Paul’s life. He was saved for a reason. Look at how much he impacted the world for God’s mission. You can’t tell me that jesus met Paul at the road in Damascus for no purpose.

And finally, we were given greater. Keep reading the text.

which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

Christ was given to us before the ages . Salvation has been given to us before the ages. And manifested through our savior. puts this into picture for us. That God sent his son to die for us. We have been given greater.

Look, if you aren’t a christian, i pray and urge you to taste the power of God. He has done something amazing for us. He has a purpose for us and doesn’t save us based off what we do, but off of what we will do. For those who are saved, remember the God’s power in salvation. “I am willing to suffer because he saved me.” Are you? God has a purpose for us and that is to spread his word, to give others the oppurtunity to taste the sweet taste of salvation. Why do I suffer? Because God saved me and I want others to experience what I have recieved. For those who still are cautious Trip lee, a rapper, pastor, and author puts gospel suffering this way. “There is no loss in this life that will take away your victory in the next.”