Transcript: God's Love Endures Despite Trials: A Christian Perspective

The today is, though you slay me, O God, yet will I love you. You see, when Job was going through his great afflictions and the heavy trials, especially when his wife told him to curse God and die, and also in losing all of his children and everything he owned, he cried out to God and said in Job chapter 13, verse 15, Though he slay me, yet will I trust and love and have hope in him. Dear Church, in this year of 2022, there are many heavy trials and burdens upon God's people all over the earth. While afflictions and trials may seem to be heavy and difficult, and our sorrows many, we must remember Jesus sanctifies them all with his grace and assurance that he will never give us more than we can bear and there will be an end to all of these things in time. We think especially of Apostle Paul when he went through his trial and affliction with the thorn in the flesh, the episode that was given to him by the Lord himself to keep him humble because he had been shown such great and mighty things. All afflictions and trials are meant to lead us to him and prompt our souls to lean upon our precious Savior and cause our hearts to abide, to live in him and compel our souls to say, Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him. All things work together for the good and will be found in the end to be the light at the end of the tunnel. In Romans chapter 8 verses 37 through 39, Apostle Paul tells us, Yet amid all of these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through him who loves us. And I am persuaded beyond a doubt, I'm sure, that neither death nor life nor angels or principalities nor things impending and threatening nor things to come nor powers, verse 39, nor height nor depth nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Jesus Christ our Lord. When Job declares the words, Though he slay me, yet will I love him and have hope in him. We need to understand, dear ones, that this is a faith-filled statement, and it is meant to encourage and yet challenge us as believers in Jesus Christ to strive for a similar trust in the Lord and in the face of trials. Job made this statement when he was in terrible time of pain and suffering. He lost all of his children, his wealth, and his health. His friends were of no help. His wife was no support to him in this time of need. In fact, it was stated before she told him to just curse God and die. In other words, just put an end to yourself and your misery. Oh, dear. I don't think love nor faith dwelled in her heart. Job felt as though his life was over, and the only thing left to do was die. But, as Job says, even if God did slay him, Job would still trust him. That is a key for all of us. Job realizes in the end the suffering he endures is allowed by God. It is God alone who has the right and the power to slay or kill Job. Even in the midst of his pain, Job knows that the Lord brings death and makes alive. And he brings down to the grave and he rises up. 1 Samuel 2, verse 6. The Lord slays and makes alive. He brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich. He brings low and he lifts high. Jesus said in Revelation 1.18 And the ever-living one, I am living in the eternities of eternity. I died, but see, I am alive forevermore. I possess the keys of death and Hades, the realm of the dead. Jesus Christ alone holds the keys of death. The faith of Job is seen in the fact that even if God's plan results in Job's death, Job will continue to trust in God. Dear listener, nothing at all can shake the faith or disturb the peace of someone so grounded in the deep revelation knowledge that God Almighty alone is all-powerful and full of goodness and love. Job may not understand what is happening to him and why, but he knows that God is good, loving, and trustworthy. We need to grab a hold of that. We see this when in Job chapter 13 verse 16 he declares, Indeed this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless person would dare come before him. He knew deep down in his soul, by faith, in God alone, he was not a godless one. He expressed true and genuine fear and awe of God in this statement, And also that if he did die, he would be with God and would enter into his presence. Hallelujah. Job realizes his pain was not permanent. With God, there is a way of escape, the scripture tells us. And the suffering of this life that we all live is temporary. And it will end for those who trust in the Lord. After this life, there is eternal life. with our loving creator God in heaven for the true and genuine believers in Jesus Christ. That is very comforting. Jesus Christ came to offer eternal life to all who would believe and trust in him. John chapter 3 verse 16 tells us, for God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world, that he even gave up his only begotten unique son, so that whoever believes and trusts in, clings to, relies on him, shall not perish, come to destruction and be lost, but have eternal everlasting life. Hallelujah. This is so wonderful and great. Salvation is nothing you or I can do in our own power because in Ephesians chapter 2 beginning in verse 8, the word declares, for it is by free grace, God's unmerited favor that you are saved, delivered from judgment, and made partakers of Christ's salvation through your faith. And this salvation is not of your own, of your own doing. It came not through your own striving, but it is a gift of God. Verse 9, not because of works, not the fulfillment of the law's demand, lest any man should boast. It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself. Verse 10, for we are God's own handiwork, his workmanship, recreated in Christ Jesus, born anew, that we may do those good works which God predestined, planned beforehand for us, taking paths which he prepared ahead of time, that we should walk in them, living the good life which she pre-rearranged and made ready for us to live. Ah, what an awesome God. What an awesome God. Well, using Job's example of one man who had lost everything, including his family, except for his wife, he also lost all that he owned, and in fact, he lost as well his health. We see in the very end of his account that God raised him up from the ash heap and healed him and restored back a hundredfold all that he lost in his well and new family of children. And he says at the end, I know my Redeemer lives. In the New Testament, Apostle Paul was one who went through great trials and tribulation, even though he was chosen by God before the foundation of time to write most of the New Testament. Paul had great faith, just as we saw in the life and the account of Job. Paul's great faith led him to declare in the words in Philippians chapter 1, beginning in verse 19, I am well assured, indeed know, that through your prayers and bountiful supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ the Messiah, this will turn out for my preservation, for the spiritual health and welfare of my own soul, and avail towards the saving work of the gospel. Verse 20 This is in keeping with my own eager desires and persistent expectation and hope that I shall not disgrace myself nor be put to shame in anything, but that with the utmost freedom of speech and unfailing courage, now as always heretofore, Christ the Messiah will be magnified, get the glory and praise in this body of mine, and be boldly exalted in my person, whether through my life or through my death. Verse 21. For me to live is Christ, his life in me, and to die is gain, the gain of the glory of eternity. Verse 22. If, however, it is to be life in the flesh, I am to live on here. That means fruitful service for me so that I can say nothing as to my personal preference. I cannot choose. You see, Apostle Paul certainly demonstrated his great faith throughout his epistles and shows us that in Jesus Christ, we are given ample courage and abundant faith as we trust in our Lord and Master. Dear Church, many times when we are afflicted and suffering in body, soul, or spirit, we do not necessarily understand why, but we can trust that God has a greater plan at the end of it all. Both Job and Apostle Paul, their experiences show us that we can trust in the Lord rather than trust in ourselves. God has a greater and more perfect plan in all of this. Paul said, by life or by death, may Jesus Christ be exalted. As we live in this year of 2022 and are faced with many trials and troubles that are parallel or correlate with Matthew 24, verses 3 through 14, when Jesus gave the signs of the time and the end of the age. I do want to comment that in general these signs have been partially fulfilled in this present age and have characterized the period between the first and the second coming of Christ. We should, however, expect a complete fulfillment in the future as in the book of Revelation, chapter 6 through 18, they give further information concerning this time. Now back to what Jesus said regarding the signs of the time, beginning Matthew 24, verses 3 through 14. While he was seated on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately and said, Tell us, when will this take place? And what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age, the completion, the consummation of the age? Jesus answered them, Be careful that no one misleads you, deceiving and leading you into error. For many will come in on the strength of my name, appropriating the name which belongs to me, saying, I am the Christ, the Messiah, and they will lead many astray. And you will hear wars and rumors of wars. See to it that you are not frightened or troubled, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. Verse 7, for nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in places after place. All of this is but the beginning, the early pains, of the birth pains, the intolerable anguish. Verse 9. Then they will hand you over to suffer affliction and tribulation and put you to death. And you will be hated by all nations for my namesake. And then many will be offended and repelled and will begin to distrust and desert him who they ought to trust and obey and will stumble and fall away and betray one another and pursue one another with hatred. Verse 11, And many false prophets will rise up and deceit and lead many into error. And the love of the great body of people will grow cold because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity. But he who endures to the end will be saved. Verse 14, And this good news of the kingdom of the gospel will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end. So when you see the appalling sacrilege, the abomination that astonishes and makes desolate, spoken by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place, let the reader take notice and ponder and consider and heed this. As true believers in Jesus Christ, we can see the signs of the times being written in our present day history with many forms and ways where destruction is taking place in our nation by evil-minded people who cannot reason because they are demented. By saying they are demented. This is according to Webster's Dictionary, says they are deranged, which means they have a very abnormal or sick state of mind. You must know, dear Christian, that this is due to their rejection of Jesus Christ, their Savior, who would have saved them from the evil influence that originate from Satan the devil that dominated and influenced their minds. These evil-minded people are called the Cabal, which is an organized group of people who knowingly worship and serve Satan the devil. These people are the elite of the world in every nation around the world. They scheme the demise of God's human creation. and think they rise above deciding who lives and who dies in their plot to arrange deadly vaccines they tout as safe and urgent to take. But the reality is, millions of people have died from taking these vaccines, and yet the number of deaths are hidden from the public by the mainstream news media. and if you've never heard of chemtrails you need to do your homework and check it out basically the mainstream news media have scrubbed this from the net but there is the site that will tell you about it and how long they have been poisoning populations around the world including the United States And it is called geoengineeringwatch Again, geoengineeringwatch.net. The mainstream news calls these chemtrails a conspiracy theory. But I can tell you, this is a real thing happening in our nation and other nations around the world. people are unaware that chemtrails are lethal poisons that are being dumped into our atmosphere to alter the weather and also poison we the people and the land in which we live and love and if you've noticed especially this year if you live in the south we have had spring and summer temperatures in the 70s in December. They have altered this to confirm their theory about global warming, which is a big lie. Global warming is all about control, just like the COVID-19 flu and the vaccinations were all contrived for a matter of controlling the populations of the earth and genocide of God's precious creation called man. The truth about all of these facts are coming to the light of people. They are waking up to see what the agents of Satan have been orchestrating for a long time. They are interfering with God's plan for the children when they are born into this world by grooming them for changing their gender. There are various names they attach to this sick perversion, but one of them is called gender fluid. These sick-minded, demented people are getting away with this by introducing it into the school curriculum. Many parents are ignorant of this outrageous agenda to take control of the children, and many stand before their school boards and protest in behalf of their children and the fact that it is immoral and perverted and against their Christian values. prophet Isaiah in chapter 45 verse 9 he cried out woe to him who strives with his maker a worthless piece of broken pottery among other pieces equally worthless and yet presuming to strive with his maker shall the clay say to the potter who fashions it what do you think you're making or your work has no handles? And in the New Testament, in Romans chapter 9, beginning in verse 20, Apostle Paul echoes, But who are you, a mere man, to criticize and contradict and answer back to God? Will what is formed say to him that formed it? Why have you made me thus? Has the potter no right over the clay to make out of the same mass the lump one vessel for beauty and distinction and honorable use and another for menial ignoble and dishonorable use what if god although fully intended to show the awfulness of his wrath and to make known his power and authority has tolerated with much patience the vessels objects of his anger which are ripe for destruction. You see, people take it upon themselves to change and come against what God has created. They're writing out details for their funeral and burial in the lowest depths of hell. Books are being written about gender change for children, and this is called grooming the children for destruction in ruining their lives. In many states, children don't have to tell parents about this. All I can say is, come Lord Jesus, come. Maranatha, come Lord Jesus. But dear listener, there are so many other things which contribute to the heartaches and the concerns and great trials today, not only for parents, but for the working class and the elderly who face great need due to fixed incomes and having to pay for groceries and other bills because the cost of living has spiraled out of control. These are very real concerns, not only for our citizens in the United States, but practically for every nation around the world. Yes, we are told that things will only get worse as far as our economy, which affect practically everyone. but dear believer in Jesus Christ I ask you are you able to say in these times and in this day and hour when the world is so shaky and maybe you are in the midst of some great health trial or financial trial or affliction of some kind and can you say oh God though you slay me yet will I love you can we say that we know for sure that there is a blessing in suffering as a believer in Jesus Christ. Paul said he lost everything and considered all that he lost as mere rubbish in comparison to gaining or winning Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ and fellowship with him is all that Paul needed in continuing on in faith. Apostle Paul tells us this in his epistle found in Philippians chapter 3 beginning in verse 8. yes furthermore I count everything as a loss compared to the possession and the priceless privilege the overwhelming preciousness the surpassing worth and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with him of perceiving and recognizing and understanding him more fully and clearly for his sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish, refuge and dregs, in order that I may win, gain Christ the Anointed One, and that I may actually be found and known as in Him, not having any self-achieved righteousness that can be called my own based on my obedience to the law's demands, ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God. but possessing that genuine righteousness which comes through faith in Jesus Christ, the anointed one, the truly right standing with God, which comes from God by saving faith. Verse 10. For my intended purpose is that I may know him. I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of his person more strongly and more clearly that I may in that same way come to know the power of flowing from his resurrection which it exerts over believers and that I may share also in his sufferings as to be continually transformed in spirit into his likeness, even to his death, that if possible, I may attain to the spiritual and moral resurrection that lifts me out from among the dead, even while in the body. Not that I have now attained this ideal or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay a hold of to grasp and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus the Messiah has laid hold of me and made me his own. I do not consider, brethren, that I've captured and made it my own yet, but one thing that I do, it is my one aspiration. Forgetting all that lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the supreme and heavenly prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward. Hallelujah. We are told that we will have suffering as a believer in Jesus Christ. Jesus told us in our opening scripture regarding the signs of the times that some of our brothers and sisters in Christ will even be killed. But no matter what our loving Father in heaven has for each one of his sincere believers who are vitally attached to his son, we know his plans for us is good. His plans for our lives are tailor-made in heaven, dear one. This is why we can say, though you slay me, O God, yet will I love you. Even though there are general blessings for all people, believers and unbelievers alike, there are general sufferings and trials shared by both parties too. But the difference is, and please know, that unbelievers must go through suffering by themselves because God does not share in their trials and their afflictions. They walk through that alone. But let it be known that we, as believers who share in Christ's suffering, he shares in our sufferings. And although God may not directly ordain suffering, he does use it and he turns it into a blessing, even as Christ's suffering became a blessing for all of mankind. Hallelujah. In Philippians chapter 1 verse 29, Paul makes this point clear when he says, For you have been granted the privilege for Christ's sake, not only to believe, to adhere in, to rely on and trust in him, but also to suffer in his behalf. So you are engaged in the same conflict which you saw me wage and which you now hear to be mine. In a genuine believer, there are two things that make up God's gift to us as believers. One of them is to believe in Jesus Christ and have faith in who he is and what he says. The second thing is to suffer for him. Dear Church, salvation did not come to us as something cheap that you can buy and earn. Jesus did not die to give you salvation. Jesus Christ is salvation himself. Salvation in the highest sense is the person of Jesus Christ. He is the Savior of all those who choose him as their hope of glory. And Paul declared in 1 Timothy chapter 4 beginning in verse 8. For physical training is of some value, useful for a little while, but godliness, spiritual training, is useful and of value in everything, in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come. verse 9 this saying is reliable and worthy of complete acceptance by everyone with a view to this we toil and strive yes and suffer reproach because we have fixed our hope on the living God who is the savior the preserver the maintainer the deliverer of all men especially those who believe, trust in, adhere to him. Paul's words to Timothy, continue to command these things and teach them. In other words, be diligent. So you can see that in this short teaching today that salvation is a gift of God's grace and also so is suffering part of God's plan for every genuine believer in Jesus Christ. Paul's desire expressed in Philippians chapter 3 verse 10 when he said, to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his suffering being made conformable unto his death. Dear church, suffering cannot be a blessing unless we have first partaken of the power of Christ's resurrection, and that means becoming a new creature in Jesus Christ. Before Jesus went to the cross, he promised his disciples that they were going to experience tribulation, but they would have inner peace as they did experience it. Believers in the New Testament are never said to be exempt from suffering. In fact, we can read of the many trials and persecutions that they went through and endured. It is said that they became stronger and had great faith and endured all that they were confronted with and in regards to the afflictions and the trials that they faced. Have you ever felt that yourself as you have gone through a trial and you relied on, you leaned on your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and he brought you through. You saw the light of the tunnel and you are walking in that light right now. And all you can do is say, I know that my Redeemer lives. Hallelujah. Dear church, the reason that they were able to endure trials and afflictions they went through is because they kept their eyes and their hearts fixed on Jesus Christ. Apostle Paul teaches us in Hebrews chapter 12 verse 2 by saying that we must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and also reminds us that Jesus went to the cross with great joy in obtaining the prize that awaited him. Hallelujah and may I tell you that all true and genuine believers who will fast to their Savior to the end of their lives are that great prize that Jesus saw and had great joy as he was about to go to the cross and die on behalf of the multitudes throughout the generations who would choose him as their Savior and Redeemer and the lover of their souls. Hebrews chapter 12 verse 2 declares, looking away from all that will distract to Jesus who is the leader and the source of our faith, giving the first incentive for our belief, and is also its finisher, bringing it to maturity and perfection. He, for the joy of obtaining the prize that was set before him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hallelujah. Praise be to our wonderful, precious Savior, the name above all names, Jesus Christ. Dear ones, Jesus Christ is the only one who can save a fallen sinner and become the author and finisher of one's faith. He paid the price on the cross when he suffered humiliation of hanging from the cross naked and endured the horrible, excruciating pain and suffering on our behalf. He asked the Father to forgive all the mockers and God-haters who were standing around that cross throwing insults at him on that day. He knew before the foundation of time what and where and when he would die on that cross for sinners, who would be brought back to God his Father and would become his children and inherit eternal life and spend eternity with him forever. Jesus was fully God and fully man. though God his father had slayed him on the cross that day yet he loved the father above all things and was obedient to do the will of his father in dying on the cross for all sinners Jesus Christ set the greatest example for sincere believers to follow as they suffer afflictions and griefs or sickness and persecution and the thing that Jesus regretted the most in going to the cross was not the suffering he knew that he was going to endure on our behalf it was the brief spiritual separation that he would go through when his father turned his back on him as he carried all the sins and sickness upon himself on that day on behalf of all of us sinners scripture tells us that glory followed Jesus' suffering. We too are told that through our sufferings we become refined like fine gold. And this is God's way of perfecting his chosen people. Remember dear one love went to the cross for you personally Our Heavenly Father gave His beloved Son on our behalf If we fight against God dealings with us however painful they might be then we abort God's very best for us. As a Christian who suffers for Christ's sake, as reason to glorify God because they are reaching their God-intended goal of becoming established and strengthened in God's love. 1 Peter 2, verse 20 declares, After all, what kind of glory is there in if when you do wrong, are punished for it, and you take it patiently? What glory is there in that? But if you bear patiently with suffering, which results when you do right, and that is undeserved. It is acceptable and pleasing to God. Praise the Lord. Let us always remember the words of Job when he was going through his great trial when he said, Though you slay me, O God, yet will I love you. Also he said, Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance for no godless person would dare come and stand before him. And above all, let us always remember Jesus' words when he said, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. God promises he will never leave us nor forsake us. He is all powerful and almighty and he is the God of love. Remember always, God loves you more than you or I will ever know. Remain faithful to him. Then he will surround you and bring you through every trial and affliction that comes your way. And he will bring you into the eternity of eternities. Hallelujah. Thank you. Today our title is There are blessings of suffering for believers in Jesus Christ. In Hebrews chapter 11 verse 6 the word declares but without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to him. For whoever would come near to God must necessarily believe that God exists and that he is a rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek him out. Our rewarder has conditions placed upon being rewarded, dear church. And these conditions are not simply a matter of outward behavior or observance of the letter of the law. The Bible emphasizes inner qualities including wisdom in living, humility, faithfulness, generosity, and goodness. All of these seem to grow by leaps and bounds as we go through trials and hardships if we are doing things God's way. When we speak of Christian suffering, we always want to look at it as related in the Bible perspective. them. We must know firsthand that Jesus Christ, our Savior, suffered incomprehensible pain and death upon the cross for all those who would love him with all of their hearts and hold fast to him until the end. Suffering for the believer in Jesus Christ is related in the Bible to sanctification and growth in Christian character. In Romans chapter 5, beginning in verse 1, the word tells us, Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand, And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Verse 3, not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given to us. Hallelujah. We see this passage in Romans, how Paul catalogs the virtues that suffering produces if we do not lose heart in our personal maturing process in Jesus Christ. Suffering in these scriptures is pictured as a story of increase for the believer in Christ. An example would be Job, who lost all of his family, all of his livestock, only to find all that he lost was restored again, giving twice as much as he had before. Scripture also shows that the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. Other scriptures that are parallel with Romans 5.1 portray suffering as a process of refinement that God brings for our good in that we may share in his holiness. 1 Peter chapter 4 beginning in verse 1 clearly defines how we share in his holiness. Therefore since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind. For he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. Verse 3, for we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lewdness, lust, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. Verse 4, in regards to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dispensation, speaking evil of you. they will give an account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. Summed up in a nutshell sharing in God's holiness and being clothed in his righteousness is truly a process of refinement and happens only to those who have been trained by it. Whoever has suffered in the flesh for Christ's sake will have or has ceased from willfully sinning. in reading further down in 1st Peter chapter 4 verse 12 we see that Peter is warning the believer not to be surprised that they are suffering as believers in Jesus Christ let's read that 1st Peter 4 beginning in 12 suffering for God's glory beloved do not think it strange concerning the fiery ordeal which is about to try you as though some strange thing has happened to you. Verse 13, But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part, he is blasphemed, and on your part, he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. Many Christians feel very surprised when other people misunderstand, insult them or dislike them or treat them harshly when they seek to carry out God's will in living like a Christian. So Peter reminds them and us that this reaction is not a strange thing, but a normal Christian experience. Their persecutions were fiery, burning ordeals in the sense that they were part of God's refining process, and these, dear listener, were very uncomfortable to say the least. But we come to understand that this was for their own testing in proving their faith because God allowed these sufferings. James chapter 1 beginning in verse 2 declares My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience but let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing Dear listener, take heart and know that through your trials God is doing a perfecting work in your heart and soul We need to understand, as we grow and mature in our Lord Jesus Christ, we can rejoice in these sufferings because when we experience them, we share in Christ's sufferings. We reflect back on what Jesus experienced in his suffering in his time on earth before he went to the cross and hung naked and died upon that cross for the sins of mankind. He continued in faithfulness to his Father's will. God will glorify us one day, just as he glorified our dear Savior. There's an analogy of our present experience as we suffer for Christ's sake. It is similar to a pregnant woman who feels discomfort and pain as she anticipates her due date delivery. And when she gives birth, the joy at the delivery of her child replaces that pain she felt. especially on the onset and the birthing of that child. So this is why we look beyond the moment of suffering, this momentary suffering that we experience at different times in our Christian journey. I like the scripture in 2 Corinthians 4, verses 17 and 18, which describes this so well. Verse 17, for our light affliction, but which is for a moment, is working for us far more exceeding an eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, for the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. We may have our moments, dear one, but the hope of our future joy should encourage us to hang on tight to our precious Savior, Jesus Christ. If we are insulted and hated or rejected for being followers of Jesus, they may curse us, but their curses have no effect if we are obedient to Christ's commands. Their curses and insults are really blessings from God. Matthew 5, verse 11 declares, Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely for my name's sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Dear believer, people who curse us actually become a blessing, because the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of glory, already lives within us and shields us from the effects of all of these things. Praise the Lord. Hallelujah. God, our loving Father, has provided everything we need for our home going if we remain faithful to him and his commands of holy living. The Israelites enjoyed the presence of God in the fiery pillar, even during the wilderness testing. But rejoice, dear one. We enjoy the presence of God in us as we are journeying through our wilderness experiences. Suffering Christians do not have to wait for heaven in order to experience the glory of God. It is through precious Holy Spirit within them that they can enjoy total peace and comfort of God's glory as they journey through this wilderness of life. Can we know, please, that this explains how the martyrs could sing praises to God while bound in the midst of blazing fire? It also explains how persecuted Christians can go to prison and to death without complaining or resisting their captors. This was for the glory of God, dear ones. 1 Peter 4, verse 12 again. Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you as though some strange thing was happening to you, but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. For if you're reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you. For the spirit of glory and for God rests upon you. On their part, he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, as a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Yes, even though we repeat the scriptures several times, how many know that repetition is good. Amen. Apostle Paul gives us his personal experience on the blessing of suffering for Christ's sake in Philippians chapter 3, beginning in verse 7. He begins by saying, But whatever former things I had that might have been gained to me, I have come to consider as one combined loss for Christ's sake. Yes, furthermore, I count everything as a loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege, the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, the supreme advantage of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord, of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with him, of perceiving and recognizing and understanding him more fully and clearly. For his sake, I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish, refuge, dregs, in order that I may win, gain Christ the Anointed One, and that I may actually be found and known as in him, not having any self-achieved righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the law's demands, ritualistic uprightness, and supposed right standing with God that's acquired, but possessing that genuine righteousness which comes through faith in Christ the Anointed One, the truly right standing with God which comes from God by saving faith. Verse 10. For my determined purpose is that I may know him, and I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of his person more strongly and more clearly. and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from his resurrection, which it exerts over believers, and that I may so share his sufferings as to be continually transformed in spirit into his likeness, even to his death in the hope. Verse 11. That, if possible, I may attain to the spiritual and moral resurrection that lifts me out from among the dead, even while in the body, not that I have now attained this ideal or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold and grasp and make it my own for that which Christ Jesus the Messiah has laid hold of me and made me his own Verse 13 I do not consider brethren that I have captured and made it my own yet but one thing I do it is my one aspiration forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on towards the goal to win the supreme and heavenly prize to which God in Jesus Christ is calling us upward. Hallelujah. Praise the Lord. We see in these scriptures the parallel that while Christ did not consider God-likeness to grow or increase to his own advantage, but rather he made nothing of himself. So Paul now tells us that he considers his former gain as a loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. As Jesus Christ was found in human likeness, Paul describes that he is now found in Christ, knowing what it means to be conformed like a slave to his death. These scriptures also show us that Christ's humiliation was followed by God's glorious vindication of him. So present suffering for Christ's sake will be followed by the glory of God in the form of our resurrection. this is what it means to know Christ and it's to be found in him to know Christ is to be found in him you see by means of conformity to his righteousness as he was raised up and exalted to the highest place and was seated next to his heavenly father on a throne all those who remain faithful to the end will also be raised up and be given the opportunity to sit beside our Christ on his throne for the eternity of eternities. Ephesians chapter 2 verse 6 declares, He raised us up together with him and made us sit down together, giving us joint seating with him in the heavenly sphere by virtue of our being in Christ. Hear that please. In Christ. in Christ Jesus, the Messiah, the Anointed One. Also in Revelation chapter 3, verses 20 through 22, the word declares, Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears and listens and heeds my voice and opens the door, I will come to him. I will eat with him and he will eat with me. Verse 21, He who overcomes is victorious, and I will grant him to sit beside me on my throne, as I myself overcame and was victorious and sat down beside my Father on his throne. Verse 22. He who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the Spirit says to the assembly churches. When we talk about the believer in Jesus Christ and the suffering they are assured of in their journey through this life, Well, they must know that all suffering of mankind is the consequence of man's original sin in the Garden of Eden. In Romans 5, chapter 12, the word tells us, Therefore a sin came into the world through one man, and death as a result of sin. So death spread to all men, no one being able to stop it or to escape its power, because all men sinned. So God in whose word tells us that there are general blessings for all people, believers and unbelievers alike. Matthew chapter 5 verse 45, the Lord said, To show that you are children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall on the upright and on the wrongdoers. So we see that there are general sufferings shared by believers and unbelievers as well. But we have to make note here that suffering for unbelievers is something that they have to bear by themselves as they journey through this life. Because God Almighty does not share in their sufferings. They stand alone in this place. But God tells us as faithful followers of Jesus that he shares in our sufferings. Hallelujah. How very comforting, dear listener. And we need to understand as well that God may not directly ordain suffering for anyone, but he will use it to turn it into a blessing just as when Christ's suffering became a blessing to mankind. Apostle Paul explains this so well. In Philippians chapter 1, verses 19 through 23. For I am well assured and indeed know that through your prayers and bountiful supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, this will turn out for my preservation for the spiritual health and welfare of my own soul and avail towards the saving work of the gospel. This is in keeping with my own eager desire and persistent expectation and hope that I shall not disgrace myself nor be put to shame in anything, but with that utmost freedom of speech and unfailing courage, now as always hitherto, Christ the Messiah will be magnified and get glory and praise in this body of mine and be boldly exalted in my person, whether through by life or through by death. Verse 20. This is in keeping with my own eager desire and persistent expectation and hope, that I shall not disgrace myself, nor be put to shame in anything. For me to live is Christ. His life in me and I is gain. The gain of glory of eternity. If however is to be life in the flesh, and I am to live on here, that means fruitful service for me. So I can say nothing as to my personal preference. I cannot choose. Verse 23. But I am hard pressed between the two. My yearning desire is to depart, to be free of this world and be with Christ, for that is far, far better. I believe that Apostle Paul and his writings show us two things which comprise God's gift to us as Christians. These things would be to truly believe in Jesus Christ and secondly, to willingly suffer for him. to believe in Christ and to willingly suffer for him. Dear listener, out of these comes salvation, which is a gift of our Lord's precious grace. Salvation leads to eternal life and this is forever and ever. Think about this. Paul's desire in which he shared in Philippians 3.10 was to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his suffering being made conformable unto his death. Among all other things that Paul wanted to learn in his relationship with Christ, he mentioned first the power of Christ's resurrection. And it is likely he meant that he wanted to experience this resurrection supernaturally as Jesus Christ had done. He knew that if he died, he would experience such a resurrection. He knew he needed the same power of the Holy Spirit who resurrected his Savior. And he knew that at the same time power resided within himself because of his union with Christ. In Romans chapter 6, beginning in verse 4, Paul speaks. We were buried therefore with him by the baptism into death. So just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, so we too might habitually live and behave in the newness of this life. For if we have become one with him by sharing a death like his, we shall also be one with him in sharing his resurrection by a new life lived for God. Verse 6. We know that our old unrenewed self was nailed to the cross with him in order that our body, which is the instrument of sin, might be made ineffective and inactive for evil, that we might no longer be slaves of sin. And also in Colossians chapter 3, beginning in verse 1, and if then you have been raised with Christ to a new life, thus sharing his resurrection from the dead, aim at and seek the rich eternal treasures that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. And set your minds and keep them set on what is above the higher things, not on the things that are on the earth. For as far as this world is concerned, you've died and your renewed real life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with him in the splendor of his glory. Dear believer, we see that by what our Lord shares with us regarding his resurrection power, then it involves the fullness of the Holy Spirit's life within us. God wants yours and my life to be a demonstration of the very same power of the Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. For us to know and experience the same power of his resurrection life, then we will show our self-denial from the things of the world as a first priority. When we intimately seek Jesus Christ in the book of life, and through prayer and meditation, the Holy Spirit is sure to be available to enrich our hungry and thirsty souls with his resurrection power to see to it as we grow in his wisdom and the supernatural revelation of his godliness. We must be willing, however, to share in his sufferings and to be transformed daily into his likeness, dying to sin and the desires and the poles of the world. In doing these things, you can know that your daily life will be a demonstration of the resurrection power of Jesus Christ in your life. Romans 8, verse 11 declares, And if the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, then he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal short-lived perishable bodies through his spirit who dwells in you. You see, suffering cannot be a blessing unless one has first partaken of the power of Christ's resurrection. and that means that professing believers must grow in becoming a new creature in Jesus Christ. If anyone thinks that suffering is a curse from God, then they need to truly repent of their sins and turn to God and ask him to forgive them in order to experience his wonderful supernatural resurrection life within their own spirit and soul. before Jesus went to the cross he promised his disciples that they were going to experience tribulation but they would have inner peace as they went through these trials and hardships dear one this is the resurrection power of our savior working within your soul do not be afraid but rather be confident that our savior has surrounded you and the evil forces of the devil cannot harm you because he has conquered the arrows of the devil when he died on the cross and was resurrected and seated next to his heavenly father on his throne. We see in John chapter 16, verse 33, the word declares, I have told you these things so that in me you may have perfect peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration, but be of good cheer, take courage, and be confident, certain undaunted. For I have overcome the world, I have deprived it of power to harm you, and have conquered it for you. Hallelujah, what a Savior! Jesus told his disciples that they would have trials and tribulation because he wanted them and every believer afterwards afterwards to know that they would not be exempt from suffering because of their union and fellowship with him. Apostle Paul suffered greatly and was mistreated at Philippi. In 1 Thessalonians 2, verses 1 through 4, the word declares, For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming among you was not useless and fruitless. But though we had already suffered and had been outrageously treated at Philippi? You know, yet in the strength of our God, we summon courage to proclaim to you unfaltering the good news, the gospel, with earnest contention and much conflict and great opposition. For our appealing in preaching does not originate from delusion or error or impure purpose or motive, nor fraud or deceit. But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with glad tidings the gospel. So we speak not to please men, but to please God, who tests our hearts, expecting them to be approved. And in 1 Corinthians 9, beginning in verse 1, we read where Paul was suffering an uprising in the church with some of the people. Paul was not exhorting the people who were challenging his rights as an apostle for their material support, but rather he was setting the record straight according to the law. Paul in chapter 9 did not start out by justifying his outright rejection or renouncing his apostolic rights but by vigorously establishing the fact that he had these rights to their support. Let's read to get the flow of his suffering by those who rose up to challenge and put Paul on trial and cross-examine him like he was a thief in their midst. 1 Corinthians chapter 9 beginning in verse 1. Am I not an apostle, a special messenger? Am I not free and unrestrained? Am I not free and exempt from any obligation? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you yourselves not the product and the proof of my workmanship in the Lord? Even if I am not considered an apostle, a special messenger by others, at least I am one to you. For you are the seal, the certificate, the living evidence of my apostleship in the Lord. Verse 3. This is my real ground of defense, my vindication of myself. To those who would put me on trial and cross-examine me, have we not the right to our food and drink at the expense of the churches? Have we not the right also to take along with us a Christian sister as wife, as do not other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from doing manual labor for a livelihood in order to go about the work of the ministry? so we see that in 1st Corinthians chapter 9 verses 1 through 20 where Apostle Paul we can read of the flow of his sufferings by those who rose up to challenge and put Paul on trial and cross-examine him like he was a thief in their midst and we can learn as well how Paul in through these verses which I will leave for you as homework to do your reading and studying of them but how Paul handled it not only did our chief apostle suffer the insults and condemnation of the people in the churches that he had established but he also endured beatings and imprisonment for Christ's sake scripture is full of the suffering that the New Testament churches went through and endured for Christ's sake. Apostle Peter told also those who called to God's eternal kingdom in Jesus Christ that they would suffer just as Paul told Timothy when he said all who live godly lives in Jesus Christ would suffer persecution. We read that in 2 Timothy 3, verses 12-14. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Verse 13. Evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as far as you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of because you know those from whom you have learned it. The heroes of faith suffered greatly for their faithfulness. Moses prepared to suffer affliction with the people of God as he led them out of Egypt. The prophets also gave supreme examples of suffering because of their allegiance to their great God, Jehovah. Dear ones, our concern as believers in Christ Jesus should be to suffer according to the will of God, and that is for well-doing in our journey towards our heavenly home. The fruit of suffering for all believers is to mimic and follow the example of our Master Jesus Christ. Through Christ's suffering, he became perfect. That is, he reached the goal for which he came to this earth to accomplish. We read in Hebrews 2.10, Bringing many sons to glory, for it was fitting for him, For whom all things, and by whom all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through their suffering. And also Hebrews chapter 5 verse 8. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. And once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who would obey him. Interesting. for all who would obey him. That is again parallel to living in Christ. Hallelujah. Through our suffering and trials, we grow in maturity by our obedience and also our faithfulness to do the will of God. Suffering for righteousness' sake will bring many blessings in the end. In 1 Peter 3, beginning in verse 14, The word says, Verse 16, and see to it that your conscience is entirely clear, so that when you are falsely accused as evildoers, those who threaten you abusively and revile your right behavior in Christ may come to be ashamed of slandering your good lives. Verse 17, for it is better to suffer unjustly for doing right, that it should be God's will, than to suffer justly for doing wrong. Peter said, if we suffer for the sake of righteousness, we are blessed. So, if we are blessed, dear church, that means we will have the fruit of our suffering. Jesus told his followers in Matthew 5, verse 10, Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. He reminded his disciples in John 15, verse 18, if the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. So you may ask, what does this really mean for me? What is the fruit of our suffering? Bottom line here is that all who are called to God's eternal glory in Jesus Christ will suffer a while in this earth life, will be perfected enough according to the Lord's will to reach their God-intended goal. and they will be established and strengthened by God. Remember the goal of a Christian is to inherit eternal life. There is no greater goal or gift than this, dear believer. This is forever. Compared to our earth life, which is but for a breath of time, eternity has no end. What a Savior we have. What a Savior, a precious Savior. has given eternal life to us. So one who suffers as a Christian has reason to glorify God by doing so. Scripture tells us that we are worthy to suffer in his name. Please know that when we suffer in his name, our eyes should be fixed upon our suffering Lord and Savior and remember what he did for us personally. 1 Peter 15 says, But let none of you who suffer as a murderer or thief or any sort of criminal or mischief maker, a meddler in the affairs of others, infringing on their rights. But if anyone is ill-treated and suffers as a Christian, which he is contemptuously called, let him not be ashamed. But give glory to God that he is deemed worthy to suffer in his name. For the time has arrived for the judgment to begin with the household of God. And if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who do not respect or believe or obey the good news of the gospel of God? Verse 18. And if the righteous are barely saved, what will become of the godless and the wicked? Therefore, those who are ill-treated and suffer in accordance with God's will must do right, commit their souls in charge as a deposit to the one who created them and will never fail them. Let me tell you in addition, Judgment is upon the house of the Lord today. The church in this year of 2023 is being exposed for what she is. The visible church is showing herself as the great harvest, and she is being identified and recognized for what great atrocities they are causing to humankind, and the world is guilty as well. There are many so-called leaders who are wolves in sheep's clothing, and are leading great numbers of weak people down a wrong path because they lack in God-given discernment and lack the knowledge of what the precious book of life declares in the tried and true path that a Christian must follow. This is truly a time in history where we must arm ourselves with the same mind of Christ and Paul said it, Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Jesus wept because of the presence of sin in people's lives. For their sins and ours, he went willingly to the cross. This was Christ's unique work, and this is why he came to the earth. We cannot redemptively suffer for others in this way because Jesus is the only Savior of the world. but we can have pity for the presence of sin in their lives. We can witness to those who are in air and do not know Christ as their Savior and we can pray for them. Remember, even though Jesus died on the cross for the sins of others he did not choose to enforce his salvation upon them. All people have a choice. They can choose Christ's offer of salvation or they can reject it. Our part as a suffering Christian is to remember our Savior's words when he said, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. They know not what they do, dear listener. In the fact that they are bringing torment and suffering upon those who belong to Almighty God, they as well bring the greatest and most horrendous judgment upon themselves as they are thrown into hell forever. and this is why we must forgive those who cause trouble for God's people and remember even the worst and most horrible king whose name was Manasseh had a good ending he was captured by the enemy and blinded and put into prison he deeply repented for his evil doing to God's people and consequently his life was spared and he returned to his homeland and was buried among his people. Remember for those who are faithful to the end and endure the trials and the hardships that come up on their path, there are many wonderful blessings. Remember, please, the greatest of these blessings is the promise of eternal life. And I finish with a true testimony that describes the finishing work in our hearts and souls as we go through each and every trial in our lives. The testimony goes like this. When in Amsterdam, Holland last summer, says a traveler, I was much interested in a visit we made to a place that was famous for polishing diamonds. We saw men busy about their work. You see, when a diamond is found, it is in the rough and it's dark like a common pebble. It takes a long time to polish it, and it is very hard work. It is held by a means of a piece of metal close to the surface of a large wheel, which is kept going around and around. Fine diamond dust is put on the wheel, nothing else being hard enough to polish the diamond, and this work can take months, and sometimes several years before it is finished. And if a diamond is intended for a king, the greater time the trouble is spent upon it. Jesus Christ calls his people his jewels he is our king now and forevermore to fit his people for beautifying his crown they must be polished like diamonds and be assured Jesus makes use of all the trouble he sends to each and every one to polish jewels of his crown be strong dear one through every trial and hardship that comes your way Remember as you are in the midst of each one, give praise and honor to your King and thank Him that He's bringing you through and that there is an end to it. Eternity awaits you. Our great God promises that He will never leave us or forsake us. What mercy, what love and grace our great God and Father has for all of His people. Hallelujah. Thank you. Never before have we as a people living on the face of this earth today ever lived so close to see the times prophesied throughout the whole Bible regarding the end times so close in coming to pass. I mean we are meeting these days face to face right now. Dear church, we are living and walking in the end days. These are not idle words that I speak because never before in the history of time has the proof of these days ever been so plenteous both in sign and number. And I have titled this word today walking confidently in the end times. Walking confidently in the end times. God's word in Matthew 25 verse 13 says that we cannot know the time of the Lord's return. But the scripture makes it equally as clear that we can know the season of the Lord's return according to 1 Thessalonians 5, 2 declares, For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes as labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they shall not escape. Verse 4, But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this day should overtake you as a thief. You are all the sons of light, sons of day. We are not of the night or darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep as others do, but let us watch and be sober. Well, this statement in Paul's epistle asserts that Jesus is coming like a thief in the night. But let me say this. This will be true only for the pagan world, but not for believers. The return of Jesus Christ should be no surprise for those who truly know him and live in his word and have the indwelling of precious Holy Spirit who gives understanding of the nature and insight of these times. Today we have multitudes of millions of people who are watching the decline of a great nation called America the Beautiful. And these people are saying, what is going on? They're asking and puzzling over the question, how can this present leadership of this great nation knowingly set her on a spiral or a nosedive downward only to end up in an economic crash, along with all of the other nations of the world, by depleting her treasuries and creating IOUs in the amount of trillions of dollars. One person stated just recently, this leadership is systematically dismantling this great nation in all that it has stood for. It seems that these people are winning. What can we do to stop them? They are really the minority in number, but they are winning on every front environmentally, morally, and religiously. Well, this statement contains some of the signs of the times and concerns according to what Jesus said in Matthew 24. my reply to this individual could only be given in light of God's word which is the truth. I shared what Jesus said in Luke 21 verse 35 For it shall come as a snare on all of those who dwell on the face of the earth. Watch therefore and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all of these things that will come to pass and stand before the Son of Man. We are told in this verse to watch and pray that we may be counted worthy to escape all of these things that will come to pass. Watch and pray should be our key aim in this watchman role as we walk forward in these last days. Watch and pray must go together. those who will escape the wrath to come must make sure of the joys which lie straight ahead by watching and praying and making it the main focal point or business of their lives to keep a guard on themselves is watching against sin and watching for every opportunity to do good and to improve their character so that when Christ does return they will be found in holy conduct and communion with him so that he might receive them and find them worthy of eternal life. I shared also with this individual that these words of warning from Jesus to be ready is speaking of the end times right before the great tribulation and before the time of the rapture. and what they see and are experiencing in being anxious about the moral decline and the perversion and erosion of our constitutional rights are all a part of the trouble that is prophesied to come I said, this trouble that will come suddenly upon an unexpecting majority who have never cared to develop a close relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. And sad to say, this includes a large number of Christians in the church today. These people will not escape the dreadful and the awful times that Jesus spoke about in Matthew 24, in 1 Corinthians 15, 24, the books of the prophets and the book of Revelation. The individual's desperate question was, what can we do to stop them? I proceeded to say that if this prophesied time is spoken about in all of these scriptures and especially in Matthew 24 where Jesus clearly lays out the signs of the end times that there would be nothing that we could do to stop them. I shared how their question reminded me of the scripture in Acts 5 verse 37 which states Therefore, in this present case, I advise you, leave these men alone. Let them go. For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men, an