1. Suffering For And With Christ The good news: it is only temporary.

2. Introduction WHAT IS SUFFERING? It is "to undergo, be subjected to, or endure (pain, distress, injury, loss, or anything unpleasant)" - Dictionary.com Who in this audience does not suffer? Right, suffering is universal and worldwide.

3. Are You Suffering? If not you should be. (will explain this later). Actually we all suffer day by day, and if we are not currently suffering, our day will come. Jesus never promised that the life of a Christian is going to be easy. It may be comforting to know that we are serving God in His ways, but we are still suffering.

4. Are You Suffering? Jesus warned that we will suffer. So we must be strong in our faith and resolve. We must learn to be strong in the Lord, We must learn to be strong in His word. We must be courageous and faithful. 2 Timothy 3:12 “…everyone who desires to live godly will suffer persecution”.

5. Suffering Is Two-Fold Negative suffering happens when people find themselves on the wrong side of the law, whether God’s or mans. They suffer because someone has taken something from them. They suffer because someone hurt them. Perhaps they suffer losing their freedom if they are caught and sent to prison. 1 Peter 4:15 shows that this suffering is condemned by God.

6. Suffering Is Two-Fold Positive suffering Only Christians suffer positive suffering. 1 Peter 4:12-16 We must anticipate suffering for Christ’s sake. In this we should rejoice, because Jesus will turn that suffering into eternal joy. Matthew 5:10-12

7. Suffering Is Two-Fold Positive suffering will bless us because God will see our plight. Acts 5:41 Matthew 10:32-33 Remember that if you are ashamed of Christ, He will be ashamed of you (Mark 8:38).

8. But, Why Do We Suffer? James 1:2-4 1 Peter 1:6-9 James 1:12 Romans 5:3-5 Acts 14:22 Because Satan wants you to give up serving God.

9. Suffering Is Temporal The suffering won’t last long. Romans 8:17-18 Romans 8:35-39 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 2 Timothy 1:12

10. What Should We Do If Suffering? Rejoice if for the right reason. Pray for deliverance if God so desires. James 5:13 Seek assistance from the church. You might realize you are not the only person going through your ordeal. Psalm 34:19

11. Conclusion Where there are righteous people, there will be sufferings. This suffering test our resolve towards serving God. Revelation 2:10 If you take nothing else from this lesson, remember that the suffering is only temporal. Invitation.