Honoring Jehovah Through Suffering Glorifying God Through Patience During Trials “Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name” (Psalm 29:2)

1 Peter 4:13-14 “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. 14 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, but on your part He is glorified.” Rejoice, Really?

Rejoice, Exceedingly Glad … Really? Matthew 5:10-12 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Don't let the cares of the world strangle out your faith.   Mt 13:22 "Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. There are three types of suffering in the scriptures. 1.  If I am in control of the suffering (sin), then I can fix that by repentance.  This is not the purpose of today's conversation.  2.  Suffering and sorrow that comes when we have no control over the situation.   3.  Suffering that comes as a direct result of serving God Rejoice, Exceedingly Glad … Really?

Stephen (Acts 6-7) What was said of Stephen’s face while he was being persecuted? (6:10-15) What were his last words? (7:55, 59-60)

Paul (Acts 27:19-25, 33-36) How did Paul conduct himself during the shipwreck? How did the people around him respond? Ac 27:20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up. Ac 27:22-25 "And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.' Ac 27:33-36 And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you. And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves.

Rejoice, Exceedingly Glad … Really? Matthew 5:10-12 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Rejoice, Exceedingly Glad … Really?

Our response when we are persecuted or suffer will either glorify God or highlight ourselves!

Why Do We Suffer? Easy, Sin Is it God’s Will that People Suffer? Is Suffering a Result of Sin? Will We Suffer? Yes & No Yes & No Yes

How Do We Patiently Endure? Faith View From A Different Perspective Realize God’s Grace is Sufficient

How Do People Normally Respond To Religious Persecution Today? Highlight God? Or... Highlight Themselves? How Did The Apostles Respond?

How Does Our Enduring Trials Glorify God? We Show There is More Than Earthly Life Eternity Outweighs Things Humans Protect at All Cost (Matt. 10:28) Rejoicing That You’re Counted Worthy Shines in Contrast to… Woe is me – Normal Blaming others – Normal Depression – Normal Complaining – Normal Mt 10:28 "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

How Was God Glorified When… Peter asleep in prison? (Acts 12) Jesus asleep on the boat? (Mark 4) Stephen’s face of an angel (calm, powerful, peaceful)? (Acts 6) Abraham “when we return” knowing the coming sacrifice? (Gen. 22) Jesus’ Trial (Mark 15) Did any of these men draw attention to themselves? Did they highlight how they had been mistreated or how God was mistreated? Just like Jesus on trial before Pilot, people can’t understand why you wouldn’t try to save your own life. When something is more important to you than this most basic human drive, God will be glorified.

A Sad Spiritual Condition … Mt 13:22 "Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.”

If We keep the focus on God and divert it from ourselves. We will Glorify God in our Suffering If We keep the focus on God and divert it from ourselves.