Suffering for the Gospel Illustrations

Christian Sufferings:

1. At the Nicene Council, an important church meeting in the 4th century A.D., of the 318 delegates attending, fewer than 12 had not lost an eye or lost a hand or did not limp on a leg lamed by torture for their Christian faith.

2. Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that at the time seemed especially desolating and painful with particular satisfaction. Indeed, I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my 75 years in this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my experience, has been through affliction and not through happiness.
Malcolm Muggeridge, in Homemade, July, 1990.

3. Most of the Psalms were born in difficulty. Most of the Epistles were written in prisons. Most of the greatest thoughts of the greatest thinkers of all time had to pass through the fire. Bunyan wrote Pilgrim's Progress from jail. Florence Nightingale, too ill to move from her bed, reorganized the hospitals of England. Semi-paralyzed and under the constant menace of apoplexy, Pasteur was tireless in his attack on disease. During the greater part of his life, American historian Francis Parkman suffered so acutely that he could not work for more than five minutes as a time. His eyesight was so wretched that he could scrawl only a few gigantic words on a manuscript, yet he contrived to write twenty magnificent volumes of history.
Sometimes it seems that when God is about to make preeminent use of a man, he puts him through the fire.
Tim Hansel, You Gotta Keep Dancin', David C. Cook, 1985, p. 87.

How to Deal with Anxiety Effectively - Philippians 4:6-7

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Anxiety, a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.

Worry refers to the thoughts, images, and emotions of a negative nature in a repetitive, uncontrollable manner that results from a proactive cognitive risk analysis made to avoid or solve anticipated potential threats and their potential consequences.

Worry from the old High German "wurgen" which means "to strangle" which is what worry does to our joy!

The first definition of "worry" in Webster is "to harass by tearing, biting, or snapping especially at the throat", and then "to subject to persistent or nagging attention or effort" and "to afflict with mental distress or agitation = make anxious".

Have you been anxious lately?

Illustrations:

A great percentage of our illnesses is in some way related to worry and anxiety and stress. In fact, the #1 killer in America is heart disease.

• 38% of all deaths are heart related and many of those are related to hypertension, high blood pressure and anxiety.

• Worry has been linked to cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis, gastrointestinal illness and suicide.

Suicide due to depression, are common now a days and being published through social media.

A recently licensed pilot was flying his private plane in a cloudy day. He was not very experienced in instrument landing. When the control tower was to bring him in, he began to get panicky. Then a stern voice came over the radio, “You just obey instructions, we’ll take care of the obstructions.”

"Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow; it only gradually weakens today of its joy."—Leo Buscaglia

"There is more joy in Jesus in 24 hours than there is in the world in 365 days. I have tried them both."—R. A. Torrey

1. We are commanded not to be anxious (feel worry, nervous, or unease) Philippians 4:6,

Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

2. Anxiety(Worries) robs us our Joy and peace in Christ Jesus.

What is the cure/remedy/medicine of anxiety? Only the peace of God, not any medication.

Peace of God,

Proverbs 12:20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

How can we access the peace of God?

Prayer and Supplication with thanksgiving

Supplication is a form of prayer in which someone makes a humble petition or an entreaty God.

Prayer, however, can be defined as sincere thanksgiving or requests made to God.

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath, Matthew 12:1-8

Sabbath - the seventh day of the week observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening as a day of rest and worship by Jews and some Christians. b : Sunday observed among Christians as a day of rest and worship.

But if you look closely the law in the old testament it's not discourage to pluck heads of corn. Deu. 23:25 

The Jewish teachers had corrupted many of the commandments, by interpreting them more loosely than they were intended; a mistake which Christ discovered and rectified (ch. v.) in his sermon on the mount.


Prov. 6:30 They do not despise a thief, if he steals to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; 

For I desired mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

God will have mercy and not sacrifice, v. 7. Ceremonial duties must give way to moral, and the natural, royal law of love and self-preservation must take place of ritual observances

Application:

1. Sabbath day: Why Sunday, Not Saturday for the Christians?
Colossians 2:16–2:17
16Therefore do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food and drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or sabbaths. 17These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

 2 Corinthians 3:2–3:3
  2You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all; 3and you show that you are a letter of Christ, prepared by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
  
Hebrews 3:7-19

One such interpretation of Hebrews states that seventh-day Sabbath is no longer relevant as a regular, literal day of rest, but instead is a symbolic metaphor for the eternal salvation "rest" that Christians enjoy in Christ,

Jesus If you have the Jesus Christ in your heart "the Lord of the Sabbath" then you have a complete rest "salvation".

In Christ we can truly rest from the physical burdens (struggles, pressures, stress, problems, sufferings) of this physical world and importantly we have peace and favor with God, because we have enter into His rest.

2. Study God's word "Bible", pray always for guidance about the correct interpretation.

The more you study the Bible the more decerning you will be of error.

They are cursed who add to, as well as they who take from, the words of this book,Rev 22:16; Rev 22:19; Pro 30:6 (refs3).

Christ Brings Division, Matthew 10:34-39

It seems contradicting that Jesus Christ "The source of peace" with a title "Prince of Peace" will say or teach as quoted in verse 34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword." 

Jesus was not referring to physical peace (The peace the world understands), like there's no more war in the Land. At that time Israel will be free from Roman Empires colony.

Jesus mission was to bring spiritual peace through His sacrifice on the cross that we might have peace with God.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 

2 Tes. 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.

"I did not come to bring peace but a sword"
It means that sword is used to divide through the God's word we can leave a holy life set apart for God's purposes that we might distinguish from truth and error, the wordly and spiritual things, and wise and foolish choices.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer.

 And because of our testimony of Jesus Christ, His word we have conflict with the world and even to our family and our very own nature.


Lessons:
1. Christians should not expect to live comfortable and ease of life always, as to what prosperity preaching aims. There will be trials and trib. because of our faith in Jesus.

2. Loyalty to our Lord Jesus Christ is our top most priority, above all things and above all relationships including our families.

Anchor of the Soul, Hebrews 6:19

Hebrews 6:19 (NKJV)
19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Have you seen a ship or boat? Have you ride one?
No matter how small or big the ship or boat, common to all is the part which is very important, and that is the anchor

Anchor is a heavy metal object that connects the vessel to the BED OF BODY of water to prevent the craft from drifting due to wind or current (also means to stabilize).

What do you think will happen if a ship doesn't lower the anchor on a sea port?
The ship will drift, no matter how big or heavy the ship (carrier, oil tanker, container, cruise ship) even to a lightest wind or current it will drift away to it's original place.

And the same with our soul, without an anchor, it will drift/move at the slightest current of worldly pleasures and pressures.

Talking about drifting and falling away from the faith.
Just recently, two known people in Christian circle made headlines. I'm not sure real status of their souls before God. God will always save His own not matter what. But these only shows how slippery this world for God's people, and the enemy is always active.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Joshua Harris, the author of the best-selling book "I Kissed Dating Goodbye", announced in an Instagram post that "he is no longer a Christian".

The admission comes a week after Harris publicly announced He's divorcing from a 20 years of marriage,

Marty Sampson, who has notably written songs for Hillsong Worship, Hillsong United, Delirious and Young & Free, shared a now-deleted post to Instagram, explaining how he is "losing" his faith.

The following is a transcript of the post from Relevant Magazine:
Time for some real talk. I’m genuinely losing my faith, and it doesn’t bother me. Like, what bothers me now is nothing. I am so happy now, so at peace with the world. It’s crazy.

All I know is what’s true to me right now, and Christianity just seems to me like another religion at this point. I could go on, but I won’t. Love and forgive absolutely. Be kind absolutely. Be generous and do good to others absolutely. Some things are good no matter what you believe. Let the rain fall, the sun will come up tomorrow.

In our text reading in verse 19, we read that our soul needs an anchor called "Hope" (Paglaom)
If we will define hope in the worldly sense, Hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

Just like a wishful thinking.
- I hope that someday, I'll win the lottery.
- I hope that someday, I'll will go abroad to work.
- I hope that someday, I'll be able to buy a red Ferrari, or any sports car.
- I hope that I'll get to heaven because of my good works.

But, the HOPE mentioned in our verse is the opposite, both sure and steadfast (once anchored it is immovable.)
And to support it based on verse 18, that It's impossible for God to lie.

- What is that hope exactly?

1 Peter 1:3-5 (NKJV)
A Heavenly Inheritance
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a LIVING HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance [a]incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

The Hope is the assurance of salvation and His promises in the bible.

Romans  8:1 (NKJV) 
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
John 10:28-29  (NKJV)
28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.

Salvation is by grace alone, by faith alone, through Jesus Christ alone, we will be like Jesus and live with Him in Heaven.
God's promises can be found in the bible, His nature, life, teachings, miracles and encouragements.
We look forward to that day when will be at the Lord Jesus Christ side in His dwelling place.

We continue with our verse "and which enters the Presence behind the veil"

Like the real anchor of a ship, when lowered down at the sea needs to cling on a stable object (the sea bed, a rock).

The anchor of the soul is attached to an immovable rock our firm foundation (Jesus Christ)
The "Presence behind the veil" is the presence of God in the inner sactuary of the old temple.
(In the old temple only the High Priest - [intercessor between the people and God], can enter the inner Sanctuary (ark of covenant), separated by the huge veil)
Now, Since, Jesus Christ is our intercessor (High Priest) before God the father, we can now access the very presence of God anytime, anywhere

Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Jesus Christ, is our High Priest Forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Who is  Melchizedek? A mysterious character in the old testament, mentioned only in few passages.

Gen. 14: 18-20
18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. 

Most scholars believed that He is the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ, and therefore superior than any High Priest from clan of Aaron the levites.

The questions:
Do you have that anchor (Hope)?
Then praise God! Be confident in Christ knowing that the salvation of our soul is safely secured and anchored in Jesus Christ. That no matter how hard life can be, we will never drift and wonder from our faith. (Expound God is our help in times of need)

Let us continue to abide in Him through studying His word and prayers. Hold on to your anchor(Hope) which is firmly attached/secured/in-place on the sea bed (Christ)
Because without the anchor and the sea bed, we can drift far away from the truths of Jesus Christ.

If you don't have the anchor (Hope)/Salvation.
The bible says in, Romans 10:9 (NKJV)
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Fear But Do not Fear - Matthew 10:27-31

Fear - feeling of perceived danger or threat.

As a Christian we fear to testify about Jesus Christ (Gospel), because of rejection and persecution. Mat. 10:16-22

- “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.

Whatever interpretation and insight the Holy Spirit has revealed to us then we should teach it plainly, clearly, distinctively and Intensionally to our bro. and sis. and to the in believers.

Most of old houses in Israel have a rooftop where they can use in gatherings.

Preaching the word of God in gatherings where people need to hear the gospel.

- But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Rev. 21:8

“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: Mat. 25:41

And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Mat.25:46

Psalms 115:11
You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 | NIV

So we say with confidence, 
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”
Hebrews 13:6 | NIV

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:15 | NIV

Calling of Matthew - Mat. 9:9

Tax/Toll collector,Jews employed by Romans to collect taxes and tolls.
• Mark and Luke calls him Levi, common to have multiple names like Paul and Peter.
• It's a sin to associate/intimate with evil doers:

Depart from me, you evil-doers, for I will keep the commandments of my God. 
Psalms 119:115, 

Blessed [is] the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and has not stood in the way of sinners, and has not sat in the seat of the scornful.
Psalms 1:1

1. God chooses people of any kind to serve Him. Sovereign grace, God's favor, God chooses us for His purpose. 
- No need to compare to others, each are equiped according to God's purpose

2. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, God reaches out to people not the other way around (Most Religion)
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10

- The Holy Spirit actively convicts the world of it's sins.
- When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: John 16:8

3. Healing starts once we acknowledge to God that we are sick. In reality, we need to be save/spiritual healing from our sins/spiritual sickness.
- Genuine Salvation results in repentance(turning around) from Sins.

4. God desires mercy and not sacrifice.