Enduring Tribulation

Enduring Bad Treatment

/ Bobby Mayfield / 2 Comments

Spiritual Power To Endure Unjust Treatment

Book of 2 Corinthians 4

The truth is, if we cannot see this world from a Biblical point of view we will suffer even greater in this world. We need a “Spiritual Perspective” in order to endure our time here and be of use to the Lord who has saved us!

It is a fact that we will suffer for our sins after salvation but the truth is, bad things can happen to good people and good things can happen to bad people that have nothing to do with personal sin.

Most of our own problems come from the choices we make!

Paul will now teach us all more about our personal ministry for the Lord and the ministry of those who are called to preach the “Gospel”.

**We will see that our ministry calls for us to be consistent, God does not have a retirement plan!

**We will see that our ministry calls for integrity in it’s service.

**We will see that our ministry calls for us to keep the “Gospel” simple.

**We will see that our ministry calls for us to serve Christ above ourselves.

**We will see that our ministry demands the presence of God within us!

**We will see that is is the presence of God that sustains us through all things in this life!

Our life is to be a manifestation of the “Gospel of Jesus Christ”!

*****2Co 4:1  Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 

We know that word “therefore” means to look at the previous Scriptures which was last weeks lesson that ended with us doing our best to live in the image of Jesus Christ.

When we have received God’s “Grace”, which is “God’s Riches At Christ Expense”, which begins with God’s “Mercy”, then we have no reason to “faint”.

We have no reason to give up!

We have no reason to be weak, we have no reason to be weary, we have no reason to fail!

We must remember God does not reward us for our accomplishments, for that is in His hands, God rewards us for “effort”!

We are not to give up our ministry for any reason, including persecution.

The “Gospel” will always be “Good News” to those who accept it!

The “Gospel” is the only cure for what ails this world. How can we call ourselves Christians, if we do love people enough to tell them of this cure!

Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 
Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 
Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 
Eph 2:7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 

So what are the traits of a true Pastor?

*****2Co 4:2  But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 

Most pulpits would empty up on the first thing:

**God’s ministry demands honesty and integrity! There must be purity in the motives of every man of God!

We are all sinners, including our Pastors but when things are hidden that could cause disgrace to that person or that church or a scandal to either, that person is no being honest in his ministry.

1Ti 3:2  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 

**God’s ministry demands our Pastors to walk as Jesus walked. There must be purity in the conduct of our Pastors, they are not to be imposter’s who pretend to lead others to Heaven without being prepared themselves.

He is not to walk using or misusing people, or circumstances, or events, all for his own purpose.

Eph 4:1  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 

**God’s ministry demands purity in doctrine. The Word of God came from God, it is not to be handled like it came from man and subject to change.

God is the author and God is the authority behind His Words!

Each Pastor is only a spokesperson for God.

God does not intend for His Words to fit into the philosophy of man but be treated as Divine Truth!
God’s Word is never to be twisted and turned in order to lead us into false doctrine!

The Pastor is never to add the ideas, the traditions, or the speculations of men to the Word of God.

The Pastor is to preach the whole council of God. Some parts of Scripture are tough to preach and may not set well with those who listen but the Word of God is always true!

These harsh places are to be studied and preached with the same love as those of salvation and the glories of Heaven.

Mat 22:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. 

Tit 1:9  Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 

Tit 1:14  Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 
Tit 1:15  Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 
Tit 1:16  They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. 

**Every Pastor is to be true to the truth of the Word of God!

Mal 2:6  The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. 
Mal 2:7  For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. 

The “Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ” is never to be hidden by words or by actions or confusion!

*****2Co 4:3  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 
2Co 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

We must be clear on just what is the “Gospel”!

The “Gospel” is the “good news” of God to a lost world!

I think it is “good news” that I know my Creator and my Spiritual Father, but many do not.

Even all of nature will teach us this truth of our Creator!

I think is is “good news” that our Father sent His Son into this world as a man but most see these as just words from a book of fables.

But when it says the God sent His Son into this world to save sinners, then this is certainly “good news”!

1Co 15:1  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 
1Co 15:2  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 
1Co 15:3  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 

1Jn 2:1  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 
1Jn 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 
1Jn 2:3  And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 
1Jn 2:4  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 

This is the “Good News” the “Gospel” of the Lord Jesus Christ!

AND, the “Gospel” is only hid to those who refuse to believe!

Those who are “lost” are those who will perish because they refuse to accept this truth of the Word of God!

These are the ones who are traveling down the wrong road and in the wrong direction, totally opposite from the road that God has shed the light of Jesus upon.

These are all those who have chosen on their own, to travel away from God and therefore they cannot see God because their back is turned toward Him.

BUT, there is also another reason, “the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who believe not the “Gospel”.

The god of this world is Satan!

The Scriptures teach us that Satan rules in the minds of the people of this world. Satan is not a figment of imagination, he is a real living person who lives in the spiritual world that surrounds us all.

Satan opposes God and everything God stands for!

Jesus said:

Satan is the “prince of this world”.
Satan is the “evil one”
Satan is a murderer, a liar, and the father of all liars.

Paul said:

Satan was the “god of this world”
Satan was the “prince of the power of the air”

Peter said:

Satan was our “adversary”.

John said Satan was the Devil.

What these things mean is, that it is Satan’s evil nature that rules over this world!

1Jn 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 
1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 
1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 

Satan is able to blind a person’s mind more and more as they follow in the ways of this world because Satan appeals to the flesh.

Satan is able to manipulate any government that governs by the laws of man rather than the laws of God.

The reason all these things are true is because our own sin will not prepare us for the truth of the “Gospel”.

Our sin has dulled our perception of sin, so sin is just punished by another sin until death comes as we completely separate ourselves from God!

Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

The ministry of God requires each and every Pastor to be servants of the Word of God!

*****2Co 4:5  For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 

No Pastor can preach Jesus Christ effectively who has not first learned the Spirit of Christ!

The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of complete self-sacrifice!

Php 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 
Php 2:6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 
Php 2:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 
Php 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 

A Pastor does not preach to build himself up in the eyes of man!
A Pastor does not preach, his own ideas, his own thoughts, or his own philosophy!
A Pastor does not preach to impress people, with his abilities, his speech or his leadership qualities!

The true Pastor preaches Jesus Christ and Him alone!
The true Pastor preaches that Jesus Christ is Lord!

And we need to always remember that Christ means the Messiah, the Savior promised by the Living God.

1Ti 2:5  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 
1Ti 2:6  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 

A true Pastor is a servant to the Church for Jesus’ sake, he is not sent to please man just to lead them to the Savior!

Jesus Christ became our servant and He sacrificed Himself everyday and this He did for all of us!

Php 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

All these things have happened and will happen because our Creator, our Father in Heaven, commanded it to be so!

*****2Co 4:6  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

If you haven’t figured it out yet, when God speaks things happen!

Gen 1:3  And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 

The Apostle Paul says even God’s great act of creating light takes a back seat to the glorious light of Christ in our salvation!

Col 3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 

You see it is God who shines in our hearts after salvation:

1Jn 5:1  Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 

Salvation then, is seeking the “Glory of God” in the “Face of Jesus Christ”.

We then know that the glory of God is in His Son Jesus and that Jesus is the absolute image of God!

Col 2:9  For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 

Heb 1:1  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 
Heb 1:2  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 
Heb 1:3  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 

The Pastor that knows all these things and teaches all these things, must also be able to endure the troubles and trials of his profession all his days and it is the same for each saint of God.

*****2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

It should obvious that no one Pastor has the power to do all these things in his own power. We see our own Pastor experience weariness and fatigue.

We see our own Pastor experience the strain of his work and the pressure in always doing the right thing in the eyes of his flock.

He is sometimes criticized and even opposed especially by this world we live in.

The thing we need to know is that it is the presence of God within him that sustains the Pastor and God will do the same for each child of God!

In verse 6; it is God who gives the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

We are all earthen vessels!

Gen 2:7  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. 

God moves in to each believer, at the moment of salvation!

Rom 15:13  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. 

Rom 5:4  And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 
Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 

At the moment of salvation, the presence of God enters into our bodies made of earth, our earthen vessels.

These earthen vessels are weak and worthless until it houses the presence of God.

The power to sustain every Pastor comes from within, because that is where the presence of God dwells!

**This power will convert and transform us into new creatures!

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

**This power makes us new everyday.

Eph 4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

**This is the power of the divine nature of God.

2Pe 1:4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

**This is the power to give us abundant life here and throughout eternity.

Joh 10:10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 

1Ti 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 
1Ti 1:16  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 

It is God and God alone that is the strength of every child of God.

It is God that lives within each Pastor, and this is his true sustaining strength!

Sometimes our Pastor’s troubles come from every direction!

*****2Co 4:8  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 
2Co 4:9  Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 
2Co 4:10  Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 

It is a fact that our Pastors and even each believer will face all sorts of troubles and difficult situations in this life but it is also a fact that the answer to the relief of these things lies within each of us by the Holy Spirit.

Our Pastors face many outward distresses but as only humans they face the same inward distresses that affect us all.

That word “Troubles” refer to the present situations.

That word “Perplexity” refers to the future.

When Jesus Christ was on the cross, He was forsaken by God and Man.

Mat 27:46  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 

But Jesus says though this happened to Him, it would never happen to those who believed upon Him.

Sure man will eventually forsake every Christian, but the Lord will never forsake us and He is the right hand of the power of God.

Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 

Heb 1:1  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 
Heb 1:2  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 
Heb 1:3  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 

Many Christians are exposed to death every day and many die but before that last breath leaves that body, they already present with the Lord.

We will certainly be a corpse in this world one way or another, unless the “Rapture” takes place before our death but we will be a corpse that shares the life-giving power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ!

Jesus Christ gave His life for no one could take it from Him. Just as He had the power to give His life, He also had the power to take back His life.

Joh 10:17  Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 
Joh 10:18  No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. 

This is the power of Christ that lies within each of us.

When we go to sleep in this world we will wake up in the glories of Heaven!

But, We should wake up every day willing to die for Jesus Christ!

And, We must die to ourselves to be that one who can serve the Lord!

Luk 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 
Luk 9:24  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 

Remember the cross is not a sign of life, it is a sign of “death”!

We may be cast down by this world but we are indestructible at the hands of this world!

Every Pastor will spend the rest of his life wrestling with the forces of evil but the strength that comes from the indwelling Spirit will sustain him if he clings to the Lord!

*****2Co 4:11  For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 
2Co 4:12  So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

We have a tendency to forget sometimes that while Christ was and is the Almighty God, He also poured Himself into a body of flesh and physically, Jesus was dying to Himself daily.

It took every fiber of the physical body of Jesus to deliver His message to this lost world.

It is this great message of the Lord that brings life to all those who were once lost!

1Co 6:11  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Jesus Christ set the example for all those that would follow in His footsteps.

The Apostles clearly understood this and all but John were martyrs for the faith.

The Apostle Paul clearly understood these things and lost his head in the end simply for preaching the “Gospel” of Jesus Christ.

Every minister of the “Gospel” is to die daily.

Every minister of the “Gospel” is to die until they reach that point of eternal life.

Paul said he was alive only because the power of Christ’s “life” is manifested in each and everyone that knows the Lord in a personal relationship!

Rom 8:10  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 
Rom 8:11  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

No matter what we are going through as a child of God, we are never facing death if we have already died to our selves, we are facing a glorious life of eternity with our Lord.

So why do we cling to these lifeless, earthly vessels like they are so special when the true treasure of life lies within and can never die!

Php 3:7  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 
Php 3:8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 
Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 

The truth is, that every new “Born Again” child of God begins to live in a peace that they could have never known without the Lord, but that Pastor, or that Preacher must continue to die daily in order for others to come to know the Savior.

This is what Paul is saying to all those who are called of God to take His(Jesus) message to all the world.

Both these things happen because of the same “faith”.

*****2Co 4:13  We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; 

When God poured Himself into the flesh of Jesus, He spent all His time bringing the truth of the Word of God.

Jesus Christ sacrificed His body in order that His message reach as many Jews as possible and even some Gentiles.

Jesus Christ died daily that all the world might have life!

Joh 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 

Every true minister of God is to die daily!

Col 3:3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

And it must be the “Spirit of faith” that sustains each Pastor and all those that minister the Word of God!

When the “Body of Christ” has “faith” and the Pastor has “faith” and they are the same “faith” in the “Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ”, then we can have church.

We must speak as we believe!

Psa 116:9  I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living. 
Psa 116:10  “I believed, therefore have I spoken”: I was greatly afflicted: 

A Pastor can never speak properly if he does not believe the things he says!
The more “faith” in his heart the more energy in his speech!
When a Pastor believes, he is bound to speak that truth!

Politicians speak because they are expected to say something.

God’s chosen men speak because they have something to say!

God’s truths are the most important message to speak in this world far above all other speech!

God will sustain those He has called upon.

Psa 41:11  By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me. 
Psa 41:12  And as for me, “thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever”. 

We should never forget there is no amount of work that get us closer to God but there is one work that we must do and the more the better.

Joh 6:28  Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 
Joh 6:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, “that ye believe on him whom he hath sent”. 

The only work required of God is the work of “believing upon the Lord Jesus Christ”!

*****2Co 4:14  Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 
2Co 4:15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

The Pastor that cannot believe in the “Rapture” of the Church then is not a true Pastor!

Jesus Christ was raised from the dead by His own power. Though there are those who reject this thing it is a proven fact, established by the things that happened.

The truth of each Pastor and of each believer is that we will be raised up also!

Once this raising has taken place we will all be presented by the Lord to our Father in Heaven.

Joh 5:23  That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. 
Joh 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 
Joh 5:25  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 

All the struggles the Lord Jesus had, all the struggles Paul had, and all the struggles that God’s Pastors and Preachers have, are for one purpose, that each believer can taste the “abundant Grace of God”.

It is only these things that can bring our soul to the rest that God has promised!

Heb 4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 
Heb 4:10  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 
Heb 4:11  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 

Each Pastor then, is to meet the spiritual needs of each believer and lead these that believe to praise and glorify God!

Paul said this was a serious job.

*****2Co 4:16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 

What is the duality of man?

There is the outward man the flesh, and the inward man, the soul!

The inward man is renewed every day by the power of God through the Holy Spirit and “faith” in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

And no matter what we do, the outward man perishes a little everyday and some days allot.

The truth of the Pastor who understands these things is that he will never quit on God!

He will allow nothing to drive him from the ministry God has called him to do!

He feels the presence of God.
He has the “Spirit of faith”.
He has the hope of the resurrection.
He knows the needs of the people.
He know his work is for the glory of God!

The outward man is that earthen vessel, that house made of earth, the human flesh, the human body and it will age, wear out, deteriorate, corrupt and die!

The true Pastor knows that his inner man is renewed day by day.

He has been “Born Again”.
He has been made alive by Christ Jesus.
He is a new creature.
He is indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
He knows this new hidden man of the heart is not corruptible.

1Pe 3:4  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 

He knows that it is the presence and the power of God that lives within him that sustains him in all things!

Psa 34:19  Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. 

And above all, it is the hope of glory that sustains the true man of God!

*****2Co 4:17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 
2Co 4:18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

The truth is everything we go through while living in these decaying bodies of flesh is light when compared to the eternal weight of our future glory.

In fact many of our afflictions have made us a better persons, we may not want to go back through them again but sometimes we are glad we went through some of these things.

Heb 12:11  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 

So even our Pastor, who struggles day by day with afflictions, they to are light when compared to the glory that is coming to them if they remain faithful.

1Pe 5:4  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

The things that are seen are earthly things whether good or bad, whether refreshing or afflicting, for they are only temporary and of this lifetime.

We must concentrate on the unseen things that only get clearer as we near our end!

Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 

Those that have the mind of Christ, can brightly behold what the eye cannot see!

Our goal is to spend eternity with God in the New Heavens and the New Earth and see the New City of Jerusalem!

Rev 21:1  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 
Rev 21:2  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 
Rev 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 
Rev 21:4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 

When we wrap our minds around the “Grace” of God, “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense”, then the things of this earth have no real meaning!

It is the “Work” of God, and the “Purpose” of God that is the only real thing in this life! Amen

Questions?

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Enduring Tribulations

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Enduring Patiently

2 Thessalonians 1

Again the theme of our lessons this quarter is practical Christian living.

Once you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior you will find out that we are all in a spiritual war.

Each believer must endure suffering in this world to be worthy to be called a Christian!

Christ Jesus will provide comfort through these troubles and abundant rewards when He returns to take us home. Not only this but Christ will bring judgment to all those that have troubled His people.

The “Second Coming” of Christ will reveal His wrath and power upon all His enemies and that same power will be magnified in the complete salvation of His saints.

The Church will not pass through any part the Great Tribulation period nor see the time of God’s wrath.

1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

These Thessalonians were still struggling with these things as some do today, so the Apostle Paul wrote this second letter to them.

Both of these letters were written from the city of Corinth.

The first letter dealt largely with the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His saints and these Thessalonians misunderstood some the teaching.

For this reason we need to hear the Word of God over and over again.

These people were so convinced that the Lord could come at any moment, which is still true today, they came to the conclusion that it was useless to work for a living.

This was the wrong conclusion because of Christian persecution they felt that they were already going through the tribulation period spoken of by Paul.

Paul wrote this second letter to correct these views and bring them to the knowledge of what it means to walk worthy of God.

The Book of 2 Thessalonians will also teach us some important things about the Anti-Christ.

Let’s begin:

*****2Th 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

It is believed that after these Thessalonians had received the first of Paul’s epistles that some anonymous person had also written a letter to them claiming to be Paul and that stated that they were already living in the “day of the Lord” which is a lie.

2Th 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

This teaching is still taught today in many places and was false then as it is now.

This brought confusion and fright to this newly formed church.

The “day of the Lord” will not begin until Jesus returns unto this Earth.

Act 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Act 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Act 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Jesus will return to the same spot from where He left on the Mount of Olives.

This will not be a secret thing.

Rev 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Silvanus or Silas and Timothy were still with the Apostle Paul and this only happened at Corinth on Paul’s second missionary trip.

This is where the Apostle Paul wrote both the books to the Thessalonians.

Notice Paul immediately recognizes this assembly as a church.

Jesus said:

Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

This is what constitutes the Church.

Remember a church is a house consecrated to the worship of God the Father, through the “Gospel of the Son, Jesus Christ” or a collective body of Christians who are filled with the Holy Spirit!

One of the best weapons for fighting Satan is praise. No matter what our circumstances are we need to praise the Lord!

*****2Th 1:2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is not the Church that saves, it is God through Jesus Christ.
It is not the Church that is to be worshipped it is Our Father in Heaven.
It is not the Church where we are to place our faith, it is in Jesus Christ.
It is not the Church building that is blessed, it is the “Body of Christ”!

Grace is still “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense”.

Grace is the unmerited favor of God and it is only the love of God that can satisfy us enough to bring peace in our lives in this flesh.

When we think of peace as being the ending of war we have missed the point of this word in our scripture.

Peace with God is being reconciled back to Him.

2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

It is the “Gospel” of Jesus Christ that closes the gap between us and God.

It is God who decided that He wanted to do this.
It is God who provides the means for this to take place.
There is absolutely nothing we could have done to make peace with God!

God was in Christ Jesus and this is the only means of reconciliation!

Those that reject that God came down from Heaven to abide in Jesus cannot be reconciled and will never have the peace that God offers so freely by His “Grace”.

Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

When God as a babe in the flesh, the angels got involved in God’s plan!

Luk 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Luk 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And this is why we must esteem those that are called of God.

Isa 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

And this is why we must thank God for what He has already done and God tells us what He is about to do in His Word.

*****2Th 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

The Lord Jesus redeemed us and we have been pardoned!

Pardoned means “like it never even happened”.

Num 14:20 And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word:
Num 14:21 But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.

We are pardoned by the “Grace of God” and paid for on Calvary’s Cross.

Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, “which he hath purchased with his own blood”.

That word “bound” means “we owe”.

We are obligated to thank God for what He has done and foolish if we do not do so!

When God calls and we answer, He does not hesitate to immediately forgive us all our sin.

Not just the sin we have sinned up to that point but of sin throughout our life time.

Our names are immediately written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life and can never be removed, surely we can thank God for what He has already done.

The Lord Jesus paid the price for our redemption while we were all still sinners, surely we can thank Him for what He has already done!

We have been saved from a burning Hell.
We have been saved from the coming wrath of God.

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Surely we can thank Him for what He has already done!

When we abound in the love of God, then that love will abound even more toward each other!

These are just the proper things to do if you claim to be a Christian and walk the Christian walk!

Only when our faith is real can these things happen!

Our faith cannot be in miracles, nor in the history of the church, nor counterfeit, nor temporary.

Our faith must be in the unseen but the true Living God!

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Our faith must be that we believe the promises of God are so real, that we can live them in this life we have now!

This is the faith that can be seen by others!

*****2Th 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

The Apostle Paul had now been in Corinth for nearly a year and a half and not only had he heard of how these Thessalonians were enduring persecutions and tribulations but Paul had even boasted of it in his own sermons to other churches started in Corinth.

1Th 1:8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

We can think what we want to, but even in America Christians may wake up one day and find that Christianity is outlawed!

We should pray much for those in certain places that are being beheaded and condemned to death just because they trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

These tribulations in the Church Age are those that all saints must endure and these tribulations come from men.

Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

The future tribulations that come after the Rapture of the Church, will all come from God Himself.

There will be a great difference!

It is hard for us in America to realize true persecution until we see what is happening in Iraq and Syria and throughout the world, today to Christians.

The Bible speaks of these thing in the Psalms:

Psa 74:7 They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.
Psa 74:8 They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land.
Psa 74:9 We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.
Psa 74:10 O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?

Places of worship are being destroyed.

Even old places such as the tomb of Joseph, the Temple mount, and many other places are being systematically destroyed by those of false religion.

It astounds me that the Muslim call Jerusalem a holy place but “they turn their backside” to Jerusalem and pray toward Mecca 5 times a day.

They never pray toward Jerusalem!

**It is Jehovah God, not Allah who instituted and founded the Church.

Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

These are the places where Jehovah God is to be worshipped and acknowledged.

But we should remember it is all those with faith and patience who inherit the promises of God.

Heb 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

**Faith comes before suffering because we will all suffer for the name of Jesus Christ.

The faith of all Christians will be tested before the return of Jesus Christ to get His Church!

What is the greatest sign of faith? To grow in the love of God and for our fellow saints with great joy through all persecutions.

*****2Th 1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

We are made heirs to the Kingdom of God by the “New Birth” but we prove our worthiness of that kingdom by the readiness with which we endure suffering for the things of Christ Jesus.

We are all subject to the same treatment that Jesus suffered.

Listen to what Jesus said:

Joh 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

We may never have to endure the cross but Jesus says to pick up your own cross daily and be prepared.

Jesus never said that that cross would not be heavy at times!

We may never be whipped by a cat of nine tails but some go through worse than this today in other parts of the world.

We are not standing on a mountain top with no escape and no food and water but there are some that are doing that in our world today.

We all will suffer some but many today suffer a deliberate attack on their person just because they claim Jesus as Lord.

Still at all times we are to praise the Lord!

We are to take a definite stand knowing that we will become the objects of the world’s hatred.

This is how we become worthy of God’s Kingdom!

We are to love our enemies.
We are to bless them that curse us.
We are to pray for those that despite-fully use us.

But in His own due time God will deal with all those that have persecuted His Church.

This is also a promise of God!

There will be a righteous judgment of the ungodly!

*****2Th 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

Righteous here in this verse means that God is justified in the actions He will take!

Most liberals do not like this verse.

God is not pleased with how the world treats His children.

And just as God made His own choice to provide this period of “Grace” we call the “Church Age” God has already made His own choice to recompense tribulation to them that trouble His children.

Recompense means to repay them for what they have done!

Psa 94:23 And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off.

From God’s standpoint this is the absolute right thing to do!

There are only two groups of people on this Earth.

Those that love the Lord Jesus Christ and those that do not!

Those that love the Lord will be in Heaven during this time of re-compensation and only those left behind will feel the judgment of God for all the things they have done and for rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ.

This re-compensation is righteous in the sight of the Lord!

Today we know of the Muslim who believe they will rewarded for persecuting the followers of Christ but God says that their reward will be His judgment not 70 virgins in Heaven!

After all Allah is not Jehovah God!

Where will the Church be when this takes place?

*****2Th 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

In Chapter 4 we saw Christ Jesus returning in the clouds to possess His Church.

This when Jesus will return as a “thief” in the clouds!

We do not know much about this time.

Here in this verse, we see Christ Jesus returning to the Earth.

This will take place at the end of the tribulation period which will last 7 years.

These are two separate events!

Those who are doing the troubling will receive tribulation during those 7 years.

Those who are being troubled will already be at rest, where no troubles can ever reach them again, gathered by the Lord!

Those that are “at rest” are the “Raptured” Church.

Rest is the exact opposite of tribulation!

Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Those angels that come with the Lord the first time testified of peace:

Luk 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Luk 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Those same angels that come with the Lord on in second return will bring vengeance and flaming fire.

The angels may not know the plan of God but they will always be involved in God’s plan!

*****2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

When God introduced Himself to Moses it was at the burning bush.

Exo 3:2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

God guided Israel through the wilderness with a pillar of fire.

Exo 13:21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

Fire is used throughout the Tribulation period.

Rev 8:5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

Rev 18:8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

This Earth we now live on will be burned up in the end by fire.

2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

God will come in vengeance but this cannot be considered revenge, because to God it is only justice.

Psa 50:3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.
Psa 50:4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.

Our God is a consuming fire.

Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

There are only two kind of people in this world. Those that love Jesus and those that do not love Jesus and God has this warning.

Psa 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

The world may mock these things but on the “day of the Lord” they will get to meet my God and it will not be a good day to be alive on this Earth.

Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Knowing God means much more than knowing about God!

To know God is to know Him as He is!

Knowing God requires a personal relationship with Him!

Knowing God is acknowledging Him as the Sovereign Creator of this Earth and all creation.

Knowing God is acknowledging Him as the only Redeeming Savior.

Knowing God is acknowledging Him as the all-seeing Righteous Judge.

Who are those that do not know God?

Those that do not obey the “Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ”!

It is by the “Gospel” that people are saved.

1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

No matter what the world says there is no other means of salvation!

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

The “Gospel” is the good news of the Bible and salvation is offered freely to anyone who has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Those that die in the “Day of the Lord” will have no excuse for rejecting the love of God as they face the Living God!

Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

How will all these that reject the Lord perish?

*****2Th 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
2Th 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

This destruction this “everlasting judgment” is not an annihilation of being!

This destruction is “everlasting punishment”!

Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Rev 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

This destruction is “everlasting torment”!

There will no parties and no joy in the Burning Lake of Fire.

This destruction will be an everlasting separation from God and His power to change things for the better!

**This fiery hell cannot be located on this Earth.

Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

This burning lake of fire was created for Satan and his angels and it exist now and will exist after the Earth is destroyed by fire.

This burning lake of fire will be as far away from the New Earth as possible!

God is pure.

God is love.

God is power.

God is righteous.

God is in all beauty.

God is the essence of intelligence.

These are some of the things that make man real and these are the things that have been rejected by the lost and none of these things will be found in hell!

While those that choose to be in Hell, and it is a choice they make themselves, God will be glorified in all His saints.

In Chapter 4 the Rapture of the Church was made clear.

God will be “admired in all them that believe”.

There is no such thing as a partial Rapture!

There will be a time of rewards at the “Judgment Seat of Christ” but “all the saved” will admire the Lord on the day He will judge this Earth!

2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Knowing all these things then we need to pray for the saints and for the lost!

*****2Th 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
2Th 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is in the hope of all these things that must keep us faithful in these days we live now!

In verse 5 Paul said we should strive to be worthy of the kingdom of God.

This is our walk with God after salvation until the day of the Rapture or physical death.

In this verse we that should consider this day by day.

God ‘s calling is in His “Grace and Love” and this is the same calling we all have to show to those around us!

We should not ever forget, it is a great privilege to be allowed to walk with God in this life, through a world that rejects Him and be given the opportunity to walk with God throughout eternity.

It is a privilege to bear the name of Christian, when the name of Christ is so despised in this world.

It will a great privilege to be counted worthy of His calling!

But for those that reject Our Lord Jesus there is this coming judgment!

Those that do not know the Lord today will certainly know Him when He is revealed from Heaven in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that obey not the “Gospel”!

Without a doubt every knee will bow to Jesus!

Isa 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

This is also the “Gospel”!

Let’s Pray!