1. Will You be Counted Worthy to Suffer for His Name’s Sake? 2 Timothy 3:12, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” 1

2. “So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” Acts 5:41  Jesus taught in Matthew 5:10-16, “ “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  Paul taught in Philippians 1:29, “ “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,” 2

3. “BUT IF I’M LIVING RIGHT WHY WOULD PEOPLE PERSECUTE ME?” “ BUT I’M POPULAR WITH MANY PEOPLE, DOESN’T THAT COUNT FOR SOMETHING? IS IT WRONG TO BE POPULAR?” (NO, BUT WHY ARE YOU POPULAR?) “WHY MUST I SUFFER?” “WHY MUST IT BE SO?” “For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” Acts 9:11-16 3

4. One preacher, who was somewhat in the brotherhood called me to talk about his suffering. “I’ve preached for forty years and I’ve never suffered this kind of problem in any church I ever worked with, but I’ve suffered in this place.” “Everyone has always gotten along, and there has been no troubles at all!” “I’ve never suffered this way in all the time I’ve been preaching.” 4

5. “ Brother, I’ve never read of a church in the New Testament that didn’t have problems, so what really is the problem?” “you are telling me that you have been preaching for over forty years and never one time suffered with any kind of problem in a local church where you were the preacher?” BROTHER, WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN PREACHING? 5

6. 2 Timothy 3:12, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”  Some Christians have wondered, “Why don’t I suffer persecution?”  One Sister in Christ made comments in a Bible class studying 2 Timothy 3:12.  Listen to the following statements she made to the class: 6

7. “Why am I not persecuted in my community?” “Everyone in the community just loves me, I don’t have a problem with anyone, and to my knowledge no one has a problem with me” “All the churches in town love me and allow me to direct their plays and drama projects.” 7

8. “Why am I not persecuted?”  “I’ve always been loved by those at school where I taught, and I just don’t understand this scripture at all in 2 Timothy 3:12.”  “I get along with everyone, and the community thinks the world of me.” 8

9. Romans 8:16-18 “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” 9

10. 2 TIMOTHY 1:7-12, ANY QUESTIONS?  2 Timothy 1:8, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,”  2 Timothy 1:12, “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” 10

11. Jesus Suffered on the Cross for you! John 10:17-18 Hebrews 5:7-9, “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,” 11

12. 1 Peter 2:18-25  “For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.” verse 20  “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:” verse 21  “who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;” verse 23 12

13. “AM I A SOLDIER OF THE CROSS?” WRITTEN BY ISAAC WATTS “ Must I be carried to the skies On flow’ry beds of ease, While others fought to win the prize, And sailed through bloody seas? ” 13