GGCRC Live Stream

S30TH JUNE
Speaker- Pastor Avi Sophie
Topic:
1 peter 4:12-19
Suffering for Being a Christian
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice in a smuch as 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. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[a]
19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

In the early portion it says, living for God.
We are to love each other and support each other and the word of God remind us that the end of all things is near, therefore be clear mind and be self-control and pray above all love each other deeply. Because Love covers multitude of sins. The word of God reminds us. Love is very important; love is the key. We are to love one another to fulfil gods promises. God also knows When we do this it’s not easy, sometimes we suffer, insulted.
We suffer for the sake of Christ, and how do we suffer?
It has to do with our neighbour, self, next person. For the sake of the Gospel. Gor the sake of the good news. Rejoice that you participate in the suffering of Christ. Be glad not just glad but exceedingly glad.
Matthew 5:10-12
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Blessed are you when you are persecuted because of God’s righteousness for yours is the Kingdom in Heaven.
Jesus talked to the disciples and Jesus talked to the multitude. What Jesus said is remarkable. He said, Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kind of things against because of Me. And He says, rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in Heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you, this is one of the first message Jesus publicly spoke. To the multitude he was speaking, and Jesus said, it is because he exists before he was born as Jesus. There were prophets that were persecuted because of their faith, righteousness. God the father, son, Holy Spirit are one. If for the sake of God, they suffer they suffer because of Jesus.
Very few times, Christians have been mentioned in the bible, however if you suffer as a Christian do not be ashamed, we should be very happy that we are Christians, that somebody labelled us. We must understand this, today we want to Ut the cross on our neck, tattoo on our shoulder, but in those days, their life shows they are Christians, they love each other deeply. The word of God says, because Love covers over a multitude of sins. A lot of Sins.
-No matter how wrong things you loved ones, does, you are willing to forgive because you love them. When you come to the church, God wants to pour out his Spirit on you. We need to pour our heart tp God. And pray the prayer jesus taught us, forgive us as we forgive. Are we willing to sacrifice for the sake of Christ. The Word of God says, you will be amazed when the reward has been given to you. Lord wants us to have a compassionate heart
Suffering is necessary, it is the first way to give us perseverance.
Romans 5: 1-8
Peace and Hope
5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.


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