Why we suffer as Christians?!

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Suffering for Being a Christian - 1st Peter 4:12-16... 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
 
It’s obvious that as Christians we are going to suffer and go through trials!
 
MAIN VERSE: 1st Peter 5:10 "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
 
GOD’S PROMISES WHILE WE SUFFER AS CHRISTIANS:
 
#1. God is behind the scenes working out His Purposes! (God’s Grace and Hope)
 
POINT: I would rather suffer on this earth with sickness and heartache than to suffer for all eternity in Hell! The sickness and suffering I face on earth will never compare to the suffering that Jesus went through when He died on the cross for my sins! (God has something big in store for me that I cannot see!)
 
#2. God is preparing us a place in Heaven so that we can spend all eternity with Him!
 
POINT: We suffer so that one day our body will be like Jesus. We were all born in a natural body, but will be raised in a spiritual body!
 
#3. Refer to 1 Peter 5:10 – This is our temporary home, and we won’t suffer for long or always!
 
POINT: We are NOT going to remember our suffering on earth – because Heaven is a place where there is NO WEEPING, NO PAIN, NO SUFFERING, NO HURTING, NO SICKNESS, NO DARKNESS – Our suffering is only for a short while and we must grasp this concept!
 
#4. God uses are suffering to mold us and educate us into the Christian that He wants and needs us to be!
 
POINT: I have had health problems since birth, but I believe that it keeps me humble in Christ and I’m thankful that I still have JOY that I share with others even though I’m sick. A dear friend once told me this: “Keep the laughter going! It opens a door of conversation to those who don’t know Christ, but are desperate to understand the source of your happiness!”
 
"You, Lord, give perfect peace even in turmoil to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in You." + Isaiah 26:3

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