Sharing the sufferings of Christ

“I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings …” Philippians 3 10

“I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, (and) be a partner in his suffering …” Philippians 3 10 The Message

Sharing the sufferings of Christ As followers of Jesus, it is inevitable that we will share in his sufferings. We can be crushed by this, or we can conquer through it … We will conquer when we encounter suffering knowing Jesus personally … … and knowing the power of His resurrection. An outline An outline …

Sharing the sufferings of Christ The suffering that we encounter is not all due to us being followers of Jesus

 hangover  speeding ticket  self-destructive actions  illness from disordered lifestyle  not living according to the maker ’ s handbook Sharing the sufferings of Christ Suffering as a consequence of our own sin Suffering as a consequence of our own sin (Jesus didn ’ t encounter this!)

Sharing the sufferings of Christ Suffering as a consequence of our own sin Suffering as a consequence of our own sin (Jesus didn ’ t encounter this!)  credibility we have given away  criticism for what we have messed up  damaged relationship with spouse or family when we have used “ ministry ” to meet our own needs

Sharing the sufferings of Christ Suffering as a consequence of living in a fallen world Suffering as a consequence of living in a fallen world (Jesus did encounter this!)  bad weather  accidental injury (not our fault)  grumpy shopkeeper  bereavement

Sharing the sufferings of Christ Suffering as a consequence of living in a fallen world  being let down  betrayal may also include:  painful childhood  generational effect of sin or curse

Sharing the sufferings of Christ Suffering as a consequence of choosing to follow Jesus  spiritual attack  financial insecurity  no permanent home  loneliness  false accusation  ridicule for faith

Sharing the sufferings of Christ  reputation compromised because of mixing with rejects  empathy with the lost  endurance of physical hardship Suffering as a consequence of choosing to follow Jesus

Sharing the sufferings of Christ  living a life of self-less love will attract attack (accusation / “ devil-influenced ” / hate)  exposing the hypocrisy of the religious will provoke attack (defensiveness / slander / “ faulty doctrine ” )  the more you live like Jesus, the more likely they are to crucify you! Suffering as a consequence of choosing to follow Jesus

Sharing the sufferings of Christ Consequence of following Jesus Consequence of our own sin Consequence of living in a fallen world Repent, learn from experience, receive healing Forgive, endure, beware of bitterness, receive healing Forgive, embrace, anticipate redemption Note: often suffering will come from more than one source

Sharing the sufferings of Christ

Knowing Jesus “ savoir ” or “ connaitre ” ? “ wissen ” or “ kennen ” ? Hebraic rooting in intimacy: far more than “ knowledge about ”

Sharing the sufferings of Christ Knowing about God Knowing Jesus Ancestry Ritual Training Effort Obedience skubal a excrement offal rubbish sweepings “… the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things …” A load of ****

Sharing the sufferings of Christ Knowing about God Knowing Jesus memorised Bible verses theological understanding diligent study leadership training time with Him absorbing Scripture “ soaking ” prayer conversation spiritual reading

Sharing the sufferings of Christ Knowing about God Knowing Jesus CEO of Church Inc?Someone who knows Jesus? What sort of pastor do you want?

Sharing the sufferings of Christ Your church expects their pastor to be a man or woman of prayer … … and to be available mornings … … and to do the work of a pastor … … to lead the team … … and to be well prepared for meetings … … and to care for their family … … and to rest, and take time off!

Sharing the sufferings of Christ Your church expects their pastor to be a man or woman of prayer … … and to be available mornings … … and to do the work of a pastor … … to lead the team … … and to be well prepared for meetings … … and to care for their family … … and to rest, and take time off! When do you expect him/her to pray? Who makes sure they can?

Sharing the sufferings of Christ Surviving the suffering that will come with following Jesus is far, far easier when we know Him closely … He wants us to know Him more than He wants us to succeed The enemy ’ s long-term strategy is to erode our relationship with Jesus We cannot predict when suffering may next come our way

Sharing the sufferings of Christ Knowing Jesus

Sharing the sufferings of Christ As followers of Jesus, it is inevitable that we will share in his sufferings. We can be crushed by this, or we can conquer through it … We will conquer when we encounter suffering knowing Jesus personally … … and knowing the power of His resurrection. An outline An outline …

Sharing the sufferings of Christ Knowing the power of His resurrection

Sharing the sufferings of Christ Knowing the power of His resurrection “ A Kingdom breakthrough of power reversing apparently certain disaster ” “ Intimately conversant with, and experienced in ” There is no imaginable suffering into which God could not break through in power

Sharing the sufferings of Christ It will not suffice for us to know about the power of His resurrection

Sharing the sufferings of Christ Knowing the power of His resurrection Research Resolve Risk-taking