3 RD ADDRESS: SUFFERING FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE

SUFFERING FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE 1 Peter 2:19-21NKJV For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. Our consciences have to be prepared for such. God sees all. We have role models in the Word. We need role models in real life.

SUFFERING FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE 1 Peter 2:18-19 NKJV Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. Being submissive has little meaning when the boss is good & gentle.

SUFFERING FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE 1 Peter 2:13-15 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: Out of our knowledge of the will of God. Out of submission. Out of Conscience.

SUFFERING FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE 1 Peter 2:21-23 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Our chief role model is the Lord. He suffered. His reasoning was that his Father would judge matters in due time. He was obedient.

YOUR CONSCIENCE LIFE EXPERIENCES LOWER COURT SPIRITUAL RESOURCES HUMAN RESOURCES UPPER COURT STATUS QUO CHANGE SPIRITUAL VALUES AGAPE HELP How to find HELP when SUFFERING! SELF DECEPTION WHAT IF THE SPIRITUAL RESOURCES ARE EMPTY?

SUFFERING FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE Luke 22:61-62 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. This was suffering for a lack of conscience. Whom of us would likewise weep bitterly when we realize our failings?

POTENTIAL SPIRITUAL RESOURCES: PAST:Preparation Memory PRESENT:Prayer Fellowship FUTURE:Study Fellowship

SUFFERING FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE Matthew 25:7-9 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. Suffering for the lack of Preparation!

SUFFERING FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE Prov 1:27-29 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: Suffering for the lack of Conscience!

SUFFERING FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE Matthew 27:4-5 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. Where was his conscience when it was needed? Was his final act an act of conscience?

OUT of CONSCIENCE LIFE EXPERIENCES LOWER COURT SPIRITUAL RESOURCES HUMAN RESOURCES UPPER COURT STATUS QUO CHANGE SPIRITUAL VALUES AGAPE HELP How to find HELP when SUFFERING! SELF DECEPTION

SUFFERING FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE Ezra 8:21-23 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us. Prayer – a source of great spiritual strength. For Conscience sake!

SUFFERING FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE Hebrews 11:35-36 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: Reasoning from the Word – a Spiritual Resource. True suffering for Conscience sake!

SUFFERING FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE Hebrews 11:24-26 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. Reasoning. Acting on His faith. For Conscience sake!

SUFFERING FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Fellowship. Acting on faith. For Conscience sake!

SUFFERING FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE Acts 5:40-42 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Suffering that leads to Joy! For Conscience sake!