Suffering for Christ's Sake — John 15-16

0:00 Good morning. Good morning. Haven't used this thing before, so I'm gonna have to get used to it. So I'm quickly just... That song Day by Day that we just sang went right along with what I believe God's put on my heart to speak on.

0:19 And I just wanna read that first verse or stanza whatever it is again. Day by day and with each passing moment, strength I find to meet my trials here. Trusting in my father's wise bestowment, I have no cause for worry or for fear. He whose heart is kind beyond all measure gives unto each day what he deems best, lovingly its part of pain and pleasure, mingling toil with peace and rest. So I'd just like to open now in a word of prayer.

0:57 Father, we just come before you thank... Thankful for the gospel light, that it was sent upon us, that we have come to know you by your grace. Lord, I can only speak words, but you can give them life. I can only speak words to men's ears, but you can speak to their hearts. And I can only preach the gospel, Lord, but only you can save.

1:27 And I pray that you might even draw some here to you today, Lord, that they might come to saving faith in you. And us who know you, Lord, I pray that you would convict our hearts and that we would seek to follow you with all that we are. I pray this on Jesus name. Amen. So today, I'm going to be talking about something that Christian actually always reminds me of that we're living kind of in a bubble in Christianity that us not being persecuted for our faith even though it's starting.

2:06 We're just living in that little bubble, but it seems as though that bubble's popped here in America. And today, I'm going to be talking about rejection, persecution, and suffering. Without Christ, it is a subject that is hopeless and brutal. Apart from Christ, it's empty and in vain. But as Paul said, if Christ be not raised, our faith is in vain.

2:35 However, the more I study the subject of suffering, I see that Christ is something beautiful. And suffering for him is beautiful and does more damage to the kingdom of darkness than all our efforts. It's amazing that when persecution comes, the gospel thrives. Men and women who are lukewarm turn either hot or cold, and those who are on the fence between Christ and the world will either climb down from that fence and step back into the world or jump over that fence and follow Christ. It has a way within itself of separating the tares from the weeds.

3:14 And if you are on that fence neglecting him today, I pray that you will see Christ as fully worthy of your full surrender, That he is fully trustworthy with the saving of your soul. And he is the only one who is able to save you from hell. I'm not speaking on suffering that I might put fear into us, but rather that it would be removed. Or that we might exchange the fear of man for the fear of God. The fear of man who can only kill the body and send you to be with the Lord for the fear of God who can kill both the body and the soul.

3:57 When I first was saved about six years ago, remember thinking to myself, well, it would have been great to live during one of those times when revival was needed, but America is already a Christian nation. As you can tell, I was relatively a new Christian. And as we know, revival is greatly needed in each one of us and in the Church of Christ. Another thing I remember thinking was great. We can't be persecuted here because our law prohibits it.

4:30 And we have the great and powerful First Amendment. But the Supreme Court has showed us and is continuing to show us that freedom is being given its limitations. Now, I wouldn't bank on the First Amendment for our freedom and protection, but I would start depositing into the bank of Acts five twenty nine, which says we ought to obey God rather than men. There are attacks on Christians on different issues everywhere in this country. The attacks seem to be just the beginning of what is soon going to turn serious.

5:10 We have to remember that God never said to America, I will bless those who bless you and I will curse those who curse you. That was to Israel. And as America rejects God and is turning from supporting Israel, what do we think is going to happen to our nation? See, this is why we need to talk about suffering, knowing and fearing only God and doing what he has commanded us to do. The rejection of God by this nation is already here.

5:39 The persecution is starting and the suffering is soon going to follow. We see how the world hates the Jews, the Christians, and is rejecting God, and at the same time, it's preparing itself to accept the Antichrist. We need to start turning down the fun and games in life and start turning up our spiritual sensors. This is the reality. We need to start exchanging the happiness and fun of this world for the holiness and joy of his world.

6:38 So if we're not being persecuted, we might be doing something wrong. Jesus said to his disciples in John fifteen eight to 21, if the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore, the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, a servant is not greater than his master.

7:03 If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, will keep yours also, but all these things they will do to you for my name's sake because they do not know him who sent me. The world doesn't know our master. The world rejected and crucified our savior and if they did that to him, then what do we expect them to do to us? And in John sixteen one through three, Christ says, these things I have spoken to you that you should not be made to stumble.

7:34 Again, you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God's service. And these they will do to you because they have not known the father nor me. But these things I have told you that when the time comes, you may remember what I told you of them.

7:53 And I know he's speaking to the Jews here to the his disciples, but we can see this going on today and it's very familiar seeing people killing Christians thinking that they offer God service. If we are living Godly in Christ Jesus, if we are sharing the gospel faithfully, then the devil is going to be right there like a lion seeking to devour his prey. It's not a coincidence that in the book of Revelation, the persecuted church in Smyrna and the faithful church in Philadelphia were the ones that Jesus said were dealing with those that are of the synagogue of Satan. We just learned about the sufferings of Joseph and the transformation of Judah. And in order to gain understanding of suffering and transformation, I want to look at someone who was closely affiliated with both, the Apostle Paul.

8:51 And I hope that we might learn that it's a calling by God's grace that we suffer for him. But to start, let's first look at the mentioning of Paul... The first mentioning of Paul and suffering and I think we'll gain insight from his writing. So if you'll turn with me to Acts seven fifty four. And to to fill you in with where we're at here, the disciple Stephen had just given one of the most beautiful stern rebukes to the council on behalf of him teaching in the synagogues, the teachings of Jesus.

9:23 And now we step into the response of the council. And also, this is previous to Paul being known as Paul, and here he is known as Saul. So if you didn't know, this is the same man that went on to write much of the New Testament. And I will probably go back and forth in between what names I will use for him. So Acts seven fifty four, when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart.

9:48 This is the response of the council, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, look, I see the heavens open and the son of man standing at the right hand of God. They then cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord. And they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

10:22 So here's the first mentioning we ever get of the Apostle Paul. It is in a circumstance where Stephen, a disciple, a follower of Christ, is being stoned, and the ones that are stoning him come to Saul and they lay their clothes at his feet, Likely in part because they didn't want to bloody or dirty them when they stoned Stephen. So they take their clothes which were probably valuable and trust them to this man Saul and they continue as Saul witnessed. Acts seven fifty nine, and they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, Lord, do not charge them with this sin.

11:04 And when he had said this, he fell asleep, meaning he died. Now Saul was consenting to his death. Saul had witnessed the killing of Stephen, the first martyr for Christ. He witnessed the boldness of Stephen and the cry with a loud voice, Lord, do not charge them with this sin. And we see Saul's first reaction to it.

11:32 He didn't feel sorry or sorrow or pity. It says that he was approving of agreeing with the stoning of Stephen. Acts eight:one, At that time, a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church entering every house and dragging off men and women committing them to prison.

12:07 So great persecution arises. The church is scattered from Jerusalem to all throughout Judea and Samaria except for the apostles. Stephen, the martyr, is buried, and then we return to what Saul is doing, continuing in his persecution of the church, making havoc of it, and dragging off Christian men and women to prison. In Acts twenty six nine eleven, Paul tells us more of what he did saying, indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests.

12:48 And when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme. And being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities. But here in Acts four, we get a glimpse of the beauty of what happens when persecution comes. Therefore, those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

13:21 Paul would later write in Romans eight twenty eight, and we know all... That all things were together for good to those who love God, to those who are called... They called according to His purpose. See, the persecutions and sufferings is what caused the initial spreading of the gospel, and what seemed to be evil brought forth good and brought many souls to be saved. And the church could say like Joseph, as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring it about as it is this day to save many people alive.

13:57 See, Paul's first association with Christians was when he was the one inflicting the suffering. And Paul's first association with spreading the gospel was when it was being spread because of him persecuting them. He was meaning to destroy it but caused the spreading of it. And Saul was in every way an enemy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And he continued his assault against the Christians, but God had had a different plan for him.

15:10 And he said, who are you, Lord? Then the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads. So he trembled and astonished said, Lord, what do you want me to do? Then the Lord said to him, arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.

15:32 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were open, he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus, and he was three days without sight and neither ate nor drink. And again, to to gain a little more insight from this, Saul tells us in Acts twenty six fifteen eighteen more of what Jesus said to him. He said, I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, but rise and stand on your feet for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.

16:15 I will deliver you from the Jewish people as well as from the Gentiles to whom I now send you. To open their eyes in order to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me. So this is what God called Paul from and to, and this is what he's done and what he desires in each one of us. Sending us out amongst the people that their eyes might be open, that they might turn from darkness to light, that they might turn from the power of Satan to god. So after appearing to Paul, Christ then appears to Ananias and tells him that Paul is coming.

17:02 And when Paul comes here, lay your hands on him that he may receive his sight. And if we turn to Acts nine thirteen, then Ananias responds. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem, and here he has authority from chief priest to bind all who call on your name. But the Lord said to him, go, for he is a chosen vessel of mine to bear my name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel, for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake. See, before Paul had become a Christian, he had rejected Christ and persecuted those who followed him and cause much suffering to them that followed him.

17:51 He knew what it would mean to follow Jesus that in following Jesus, he may be persecuted, he may be rejected, and he may suffer for his sake, even possibly being put to death for his faith in him. Paul now understood that what he fought against as idolatry was actually the worship and acceptance of the true god. The Christ he caused to be blasphemed was the Christ who died on the cross to save him. The gospel he tried to bring death to was the gospel that gave him life. And now, Paul understanding that only by grace and mercy was he spared, now saw Christ as the true person that he is, the son of God, worthy of our life for his glory and worthy of our death for his glory.

18:42 In order to be ready to be rejected or to suffer for Christ, we must know the eternal worthiness of Christ. Is Jesus Christ worthy to suffer for? Even before the cross, John the Baptist, whom Christ said among those born of woman, there is no one greater, said it is he who coming after me is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I'm not worthy to lose. The centurion seeking the healing of his servant sent his friends, counting himself unworthy to be in Christ's presence to him, saying, Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I'm not worthy that you should enter my roof. Therefore, I did not even think myself worthy to come to you.

19:29 But say the word and my servant will be healed. When Jesus drew near to the descend of the Mount Of Olives, known as the Triumphal Entry, a multitude of disciples was rejoicing, praising God with a loud voice saying, blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest. And the Pharisees told Christ to rebuke the disciples, and he answered them saying, I tell you, if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out. See, Christ alone is worthy to be praised.

20:06 He is so worthy and so glorious and nothing will stop his name from being lifted. This is Jesus. He is the creator of all things, the everlasting father, the word of God, the brightness of his glory, the living bread, the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, the king of kings and the lord of lords. And he became the sin of sinners. Second Corinthians five twenty one tells us, for he made him who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

20:46 The great shepherd of the sheep became the lamb that was slain. See, if we are going to live our lives for the sake of Christ, we must understand how beautiful and holy and glorious and merciful and gracious and worthy he is. The gospel message isn't what some people say to you. You have you have a god shaped hole in your heart. Now, the gospel message is this, you have a heart shaped hole in your body.

21:19 You have a heart of stone that is only at enmity with Jesus Christ. And when you seek to gain his favor through coming to church and doing good, you still don't understand the cross. Jesus didn't die on the cross so that you could be a better you, believe in him, and get to heaven. Jesus died on the cross so that you can believe in him, become a new you, and get to heaven based on what he has done. This is Paul's story.

21:54 Paul became a new creation with a new heart and a new mind because he now trusted Christ and he knew him as the only way of salvation. The cross that he hated and persecuted had now become the cross that was precious to him and the cross that he would carry. John eight provides a true story for us and a great illustration of our salvation. So if you can please turn with me to John eight verse two. Now early in the morning, he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them.

22:50 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to him a woman caught in adultery, and when they had set her in the midst, they said to him, teach her, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do you say? This they said, testing him that they might have something of which to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with his finger as though he did not hear.

23:15 So when they continued asking him, he raised himself up and said to them, he who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first. And again, he stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their consciences, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised himself up and saw no one but the woman, he said to her, woman, where are those accusers of you?

23:45 Has no one condemned you? She said, no, Lord. No one. And Jesus said to her, neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.

23:59 See, this woman, this is the story of us. And when you hear and see Jesus who could have justly, righteously, and gloriously condemned her, revealing that he is the one without sin, the one that is able to throw the stone. Instead, show grace and mercy, it changes your life. That is us deserving of condemnation for sin but not condemned only because god chose not to condemn us. But it doesn't end there.

24:32 Instead of condemning us to death, he takes our place. He is delivered out to be punished. Barabbas, a murderer, is released instead of him. Chosen to be released. He is stripped and mocked with a crown of thorns and a purple robe.

24:53 He is spat upon and struck in his head, and he is led to a cross to die a death though he had never sinned. Why? For your sake and for mine. See, in this is love, not that we love God, but that he first loved us and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins. See, Christ died that he might reconcile us to himself.

25:23 Rejected, persecuted, and suffered, Christ humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death even to death of the cross. Let that mind be in us. God has not called us to anything that he has not let us in. Paul knew this. Paul understanding who Christ was and placing in his faith in him was now a new creation, and he would now suffer persecution for the name of Christ.

26:21 In first Corinthians, Paul wrote, for I am the least of the apostles who am not worthy to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God, but by the grace of God, I am what I am. See, we can't forget that Christ saved us and what he saved us from. That we are free from condemnation, but we shouldn't forget what we were. If you know Christ, you're a testimony. Give God the glory for the grace he has shown you.

26:52 Now one day, was thinking of the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, and I thought about how the Pharisee went down to pray and about how he gave an account of his good deeds and his efforts for God, thanking God that he was not like the other sinner... Other sinners or even like the tax collector. And the tax collector would not even lift his eyes to heaven but beat his breast saying, God, be merciful to me, a sinner. And the tax collector went home justified rather than the Pharisee. And to my shame, one time this thought crossed my mind.

27:36 God, I thank you that I'm not like that Pharisee. And right then, I became him. See, we can't forget where we came from. We must remember that it is by grace that we are saved. We must humble ourselves and not be judgmental of the world, but pray for the world because apart from God's grace, we would be what they are.

28:06 So let's first learn this lesson with Paul that I am what I am by the grace of God. Paul meant it with every ounce in him when he said it. Do we mean it when we say it? If we don't continually understand that we're saved by grace, we won't understand how to live by grace. So Paul, by the grace of God, was chosen to suffer for Christ's sake.

28:31 This is not something to be fared. It is a glorious calling for those who are chosen by God. And let's look at some of the things that Paul would go on to write about suffering so that we can gain some understanding from him. So please turn with me to Philippians one twelve. And we're going to jump around between some of the writings of Paul and a few other verses.

28:58 And Paul's mindset was that everything was gained to him that was gained to him, he counted as loss for the sake of Christ. To Paul, it didn't matter how Christ would use his body, but that only that Christ would be magnified in it. Paul was the very definition of being a vessel. Philippians one twelve, but I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, So that it has become evident to the whole palace guard and to all the rest that my chains are in Christ. And most of the brethren in the Lord having become confident by my chains are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

29:38 See, Paul is writing from prison and surely he's being persecuted, but he is rejoicing that because of his imprisonment, others are gaining confidence to speak the gospel boldly and without fear. See, this is where we need to be without fear of persecution so that we'll go and proclaim the gospel boldly. And knowing that if chains and sufferings do comes that our chains are in and with Christ. And Paul goes on to write in verse 19, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed. But with all boldness is always so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

30:29 For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. For I am hard pressed between the two having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. See, Paul knew that he would die for the sake of Christ, but no way does he fear it. He actually calls it gain. He calls it that which is far better.

30:49 We don't need to fear suffering and persecution and death. Then he goes on to tell us in verse 29, for to you, it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake, having the same conflict what you saw in me and here is in me. See, suffering for Christ is not a punishment. It's it's an honor that is granted to us. This is what is so amazing that Christ suffered for the sake of our sin so that we can suffer for the sake of his righteousness.

31:28 That is God imputed our sin to Christ to suffer for our sake so that He can impute Christ's righteousness to us so that we can suffer for His sake. See, it is by grace that we suffer for Christ. Now, let's fast forward to chapter three and verse three. For we are the circumcision who worship God in the spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks that he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so.

32:03 Circumcised the eighth day and of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews concerning the law, Pharisee concerning zeal, persecuting the church concerning the righteousness which was which is in the law blameless. But what things were gained to me, these I have counted for loss for Christ. Yet indeed, I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord. If anyone had room to boast in their flesh, it was Paul. If anyone had room to boast in their zeal, it was Paul.

32:34 Yet, he counted everything that would give him an advantage as a loss that he might gain Christ. And continuing, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ. The righteousness which is from God by faith that I may know him in the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings being conformed to his death, if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. See, Paul wanted to know Christ and Paul wanted to know Christ in every way. And we see him wanting to know Christ in the power of his resurrection and we all nod our heads in agreement with that one.

33:20 But then he says, and to know the fellowship of his sufferings being conformed to his death. See, Christ died humbly and obediently and what Paul says, I am being conformed into that image, seeking to imitate Christ completely in every way that I might be obedient to God even to the point of death. See, Paul was a man close to suffering and because he was close with suffering, the world couldn't explain or understand it. Why do Christians suffer for the name of Christ? Even Gamaliel's advice to the Jews was, if their faith is not true and Jesus is not the Christ, then his followers will be scattered and come to nothing.

34:07 But if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it, lest you even be found to fight against God. See, much of our testimony and our witness is in our suffering for Christ in his name. Many have come to Christ and been saved because of the testimony of someone who suffered for him. So, let's turn to second Timothy chapter two. In verse eight, where Paul tells us of his suffering, why he endures all things.

34:42 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains, but the word of God is not chained. So again, we see Paul suffering again as an evildoer, again for sharing the gospel. But though they can chain Paul, he says they cannot chain the gospel. And he goes on to say, therefore, I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. This is a faithful saying, for if we died with him, we shall also live with him.

35:24 If we endure, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he will... He also will deny us. If we are faithless, he remains faithful. He cannot deny himself.

35:35 See, Paul would go on to endure all things for the sake of Christ and for the sake of the elect that others would come to know him. And that through his trials, he would obtain an eternal weight of glory. He tells us an important lesson in suffering here that if we are faithless, God remains faithful. And Peter would be a great advocate for this verse. For when he feared suffering for the name of Christ, even denying the lord three times, god remained faithful to him.

36:13 And when we cower and fear of rejection from doing good or from sharing the gospel or speaking up for god, God still remains faithful to us. We still remain in His grace and it's His faithfulness to us that produces a passion in us for our faithfulness to Him. So we see that suffering for the sake of Christ is an honor and enduring all things for those whom God is saving is producing an eternal weight of glory for us just like for Paul. Like Paul, we can say it is only by God's grace that we are called and able to suffer for Christ's name for his glory. And the sufferings of this present age are not to be compared with the glory that awaits us for eternity.

37:28 He's a sheep who loves his shepherd, and he stays close to his shepherd. That's the only safe place for a sheep at the shepherd's side because the devil doesn't fear sheep. He just fears the shepherd. Your spiritual safety and well-being lies in being near to the shepherd. Stay close to Jesus, and all of the wolves of the world cannot get a tooth in you.

37:51 See, Jesus is talking about spirit or Tozer is talking on spiritual terms. Knowing that if we want to be strong spiritually for the sake of Christ, we must stay near the good shepherd. The devil will do anything he can to drive us away from Christ or to think that Christ has abandoned us. But remember that God is faithful to those who He has called. That is why Paul wrote in verse 32 there in Romans chapter eight, yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

38:22 For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, depth, nor any other created things shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord. We have to remember that absolutely nothing can separate us from God. And though we go through trials, He goes through them with us. And that is also why in second Corinthians four seven, Paul says to us, but we have this treasure in earthen earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side yet not crushed.

39:01 We are perplexed but not in despair, Persecuted, but not forsaken. Struck down, but not destroyed. Always carrying about in this body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake. Why?

39:20 That the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh, so then death is working in us but life in you. See, Paul risked death death for the sake of Jesus so that others might have life. And through trials that the name of Jesus would be manifested in his flesh. Then in verse 16, he goes on to say, therefore, we do not lose heart even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day for our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.

40:01 For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. Our affliction is brief and temporary, producing an eternal weight of glory. And Peter refers to us as sojourners just passing through this world. And he again tells us to count suffering for Christ as a joy and that we are blessed when we are reproached for his name and that Christ is glorified when we suffer for his name. See, we need to get our eyes on the things that are eternal, not the things that are temporary.

40:38 And it... This is key to living a Christian life, to living a life for Christ that we may have our eyes upon those things. And what are those things that are eternal? Christ. Us.

40:53 And the souls of men and women. Those are the things that we are to be living for. And Jonathan Edwards wrote this, Lord, stamp eternity on my eyeballs. Might that be our prayer That we might live for eternity. Please turn with me to Hebrews while I share with you according to traditional history how the apostles left this world and entered into glory.

41:43 Matthew beheaded. Thomas thrust through with pine spears, tormented with red hot plates and burned alive. James the Lesser, cast down from the temple and surviving then beaten to death with clubs. Simon the Zealot, crucified. Judas Thaddeus, beaten to death with sticks.

42:00 Matthias, stoned while hanging on a cross. John, the apostle who laid his head on the breast of Jesus, was boiled alive in oil but miraculously survived. And though he did not die a martyr's death, he lived a martyr's life. And apostle John would finally enter his... Or apostle Paul would finally enter into glory beheaded for his savior.

42:25 Now, Hebrews eleven thirty five tells us others were tortured, not accepting deliverance. Why? That they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and of imprisonment. They were stoned.

42:43 They were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins being destitute, afflicted, tormented. All for the sake of God, all for the sake of Christ. Because even before Christ had come, we are told of Moses that Moses chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sins, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater than the treasures in Egypt, for he looked for the reward. And what does it tell us in verse 38 of these people?

43:21 It says, of whom the world was not worthy. See, we have no need to be afraid of suffering for the sake of Christ. We have no need to be afraid of being persecuted for the sake of Christ or being rejected for the sake of Christ because in doing so, the gospel will go forth unchained. And Jesus Christ, the lamb of God who alone is worthy will receive the glory. Our lives are about his glory and we ought to be ready to follow him wherever he was willing to lead us.

43:56 We ought to count it as an honor and a privilege to suffer for the name of Christ. And have we counted up the cost in following Christ yet? Paul did. Paul was saved completely by the grace of God, an enemy of God chosen to be a vessel of God. And the vessel that delivered persecution and suffering for the gospel of Christ would be the vessel that received persecution and suffering for the gospel of Christ.

44:29 Paul counted the cost and knew that Christ was worthy, and by the grace of God, he would serve him however he willed. That's why Paul said in second Corinthians eleven twenty three, I speak as a fool. I am more in labors, more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews, five times I received 40 stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods.

44:53 Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. A night and a day I have been in the deep. In journeys often in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness and toil, and sleeplessness often, and hunger and thirst, and fastings often, and cold and nakedness. Besides other thing, whether it comes upon me daily, my deep concern for all the churches.

45:20 Who is weak and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble and I do not burn with a nation? If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. So brothers and sisters, we do live in a nation that has turned its back on God and seems to be continuing down that path. The reality of it is that persecution is already starting and suffering will probably be coming.

46:44 Power me for the load, wean me for thy will, love me with the rod, and more I love thee still. Of thy suffering, Lord, I pray fill me up that I may follow thee, oh, let me drink thy cup. We'll close in a word of prayer. Father, we thank you for your word. We thank you for the testimonies, Lord, of men and women that have lived for you and suffered for your sake, and they have done so all that Christ might receive the glory.

47:30 Lord, we just pray that you would burden our hearts here, that you would turn our eyes off of this world and the things that are temporary onto the things that are eternal. Lord, what does it profit a man to gain the whole world yet forfeit his soul? We pray for the ones here, Lord, that don't know you yet, that are still on that fence, that they might come to trust in you even today, Lord, that they might see that you are fully worthy to come to and that you are the only way of salvation. Lord Jesus, do a work in our hearts. We've been hardened by this world and the things around us.

48:18 Lord, soften us through your word. Fill us, Lord. Revive us that Christ might be the one who receives all the glory, that he might be all in all. We pray this all in Jesus' name.