They Suffered for Christ from Charles E. Whisnant on Vimeo.
NOW THE OUTLINE OF TODAY’S MESSAGE
1A THEY BELIEVED THE RIGHT THINGS: THEY RECEIVED THE WORD OF GOD AS THE WORD OF GOD AND NOT AS WORDS OF MEN
2A THEY HONORED THE SAINTS BY FOLLOWING THEM
3A THEY PERSEVERED IN SUFFERING AND STOOD AGAINST THE OPPOSITION.
They kept their faith in the teaching of paul, and protected themselves from anything that would cause them to lose their faith or cause them to fall out of use for the lord Jesus Christ
14 “For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:”
in Judea -- The churches of Judea were naturally the patterns to other churches, as having been the first founded, and that on the very scene of Christ's own ministry. Reference to them is specially appropriate here, as the Thessalonians, with Paul and Silas, had experienced from Jews in their city persecutions (Acts 17:5-9) similar to those which "the churches in Judea" experienced from Jews in that country.
in Christ Jesus -- not merely "in God"; for the synagogues of the Jews (one of which the Thessalonians were familiar with, Acts 17:1 were also in God. But the Christian churches alone were not only in God, as the Jews in contrast to the Thessalonian idolaters were, but also in Christ, which the Jews were not.
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of your own countrymen -- including primarily the Jews settled at Thessalonica, from whom the persecution originated, and also the Gentiles there, instigated by the Jews; thus, "fellow countrymen" (the Greek term, according to Herodian, implies, not the enduring relation of fellow citizenship, but sameness of country for the time being), including naturalized Jews and native Thessalonians, stand in contrast to the pure "Jews" in Judea (Matthew 10:36). It is an undesigned coincidence, that Paul at this time was suffering persecutions of the Jews at Corinth, whence he writes (Acts 18:5,6,12); naturally his letter would the more vividly dwell on Jewish bitterness against Christians.
even as they -- (Hebrews 10:32-36). There was a likeness in respect to the nation from which both suffered, namely, Jews, and those their own countrymen; in the cause for which, and in the evils which, they suffered, and also in the steadfast manner in which they suffered them. Such sameness of fruits, afflictions, and experimental characteristics of believers, in all places and at all times, is a subsidiary evidence of the truth of the Gospel.
This church followed the Preachers, they followed the Word and then they followed the church at Jerusalem. They patterned their lives after the Church. I patterned this church after the “Shepherd’s Conference, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley California.
The pattern of suffering, and persecution.
A great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; Persecution Strikes the ChurchActs 5:16 — 8:3
And they were all scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, except the apostles (Acts 8:1).
The time of “favor with all the people” Acts 2:24 is over. Acts traces the Satanic attack on the church in Jerusalem as the Jewish authorities that killed the Lord Jesus turn against His people (3:1-6:7).
The irresistible force of the church will not be stopped as the church continues to multiply disciples—
We read of the church expanding beyond the city of Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria, just as the Lord Jesus had said in Acts 1:8.
The church at Jerusalem set the pattern how to deal with persecution. And the church at Thessalonica followed their pattern. They were experiencing the same kind of suffering from their own countrymen. Acts 17:4-9
SUFFERING IN CHRIST, FOR YOUR STAND FOR CHRIST IN RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE TRUE TEST OF DISCIPLESHIP.
Spirituality is an absolute
Maturity is a process.
Handling suffering. This book was written to suffering Christians.
The soul permeated with a devotion of truth will stand the fiery test of life.
Our love for the Gospel is tested by what we suffer for it.
You go along with the soft pace, along the stream of the world, do as others do…sit down and take your ease…you will not suffer.
But you take up the cause of Christ, act for Christ, you will meet with spite as men and the devil can possibly throw at you.
Note some verses on Suffering in Righteousness of Christ
- Jeremiah 2:11
Matthew 5:10-12
John 15:18-20
Acts 14:21-22
Romans 8:35-39
2 Corinthians 4:8-11
2 Corinthians 12:10
2 Timothy 3:12
1 Peter 4:12-14,16
1 Peter 5:10
What kind of suffering in the United States, in Ohio, in Scioto County would you say we would encounter in our righteousness for Jesus Christ?
I really do not believe in Scioto County, that any pain is inflicted upon those who live a righteous life. Physical or psychological pain or distress often occur in our lives. Yet there are all kinds of trials, difficulty that will occur in the life of everyone.
This church was the kind of people to be happy for:
1. They received the Word as God’s.
2. They followed the pattern of the saints in Jerusalem.
3. They stood firm in Christian fortitude in suffering.
Rivers of Joy Baptist Church, Minford Ohio.
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