All The Counsel of God

AHAB – A LIFETIME OF SIN

Scripture: 1 Kings 16:25 thru chap 22

INTRODUCTION: Two men are prominent in this passage of Scripture–Elijah and Ahab. Today we will study the sordid life of Ahab, a man in every way the opposite of Elijah. Ahab is a pathetic picture of what sin will do to any person when it is allowed full sway in one’s life. As we learn some lessons from Ahab’s lifetime of sin, let us not only take warning, but let us offer thanks to God for how He has kept us from some of these tragic effects of sin by the work of His grace in our lives!

WICKED PARENTS If ever a Bible character illustrated the truth of Ex 20:5, it is Ahab. God said He would visit “the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me.” This doesn’t mean that God punishes the children or grandchildren directly for their parents’ sins; rather, it is a matter of cause and effect. Paul’s statement to the Galatians gives us insight as to how this works, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (See Gal 6:7-8) Ahab really had two strikes against him because of the wickedness of his parents (1 Kgs 16:25- 26). Omri is specifically mentioned here, but his mother must have been evil as well, else she could have balanced out some of Omri’s evil influence on Ahab. As would be expected, the curse of wickedness mentioned in Ex 20:5 continued in Ahab’s son, Ahaziah (1 Kgs 22:51-53.) Notice in v 52 the words “in the way of his mother,” indicating a greater than usual influence of the mother.

WICKED PARTNER Having been brought up by wicked parents, it is no surprise that Ahab chose a wicked woman as his wife. And it seems that Jezebel worked just like a catalyst in a chemical reaction to bring out the worst in Ahab (see 1 Kgs 21 :25-26.) (Teacher, here is an opportunity to stress to older teenagers the extreme importance of finding the will of God in this second most important decision of one’s life — choosing a wife or husband. One must first be fully yielded to God’s will in the matter. Then care must be taken in dating so that those who do not share the same philosophy of life and spiritual goals are quickly screened out. Of course, a Christian should never date an unsaved person. In Ahab’s case as a Jew, we would note that he violated the law of God by taking a heathen–a non-Jew–as his wife and queen of the kingdom.)

WICKED PRACTICES Without question Ahab sold out to the devil, giving himself over to work wickedness and to follow idols, with much the same fervor and commitment with which a J. Hudson Taylor or a David Livingstone went off to the mission field! Ahab was not just for evil, but, under the wicked influence of Jezebel, he was against good. We learn in 1 Kgs 18:3-4 that Ahab permitted Jezebel to kill the prophets of the Lord. By the way, here is an interesting principle: When evil is in the minority, it hollers for tolerance and equal rights–but, when evil is in power it denies any liberty or tolerance for good! (Example: teaching of evolution/creationism in public schools–60 years ago, when America was still basically Christian, the evolutionists were pleading for the right to teach both views. Now that the ungodly are in control, they deny the right of the creationist view to be presented!)

WICKED PERCEPTION

o Ahab accused the man of God of causing Israel’s trouble – 1 Kgs 18: 17-18. Isn’t this incredible?!,.-it makes as much sense as a man with cancer accusing the doctor  who diagnosed it of causing the disease! The simple truth is, Ahab was the cause and Elijah had the cure! But, believe it or not, unsaved men are still just as blind today–they have no perception of reality or of spiritual things.

o The Carmel experience was totally lost on Ahab – it changed him not one whit! (And this was one of the greatest miracles in Israel’s history!) Many people say, “Oh, if l could just see a miracle, I would believe.” Here is plain proof that that isn’t true. Believing is seeing, not the other way around. (See Luke 16:27-31)

• Concerning the campaign against Syria, Ahab believed the lying prophets instead of Micaiah, even after demanding that he tell him the truth. Overall, there is some humor in this incident, but in the final analysis it reveals the insanity of sin! Watch this:

1. Jehoshaphat, good King of Judah (who shouldn’t have been there in the first place!) asks if there is a prophet of the Lord they could inquire of.

2. Ahab replies in the affirmative, but admits that he hates Micaiah because he always prophesies evil against him (translation: “tells the truth about Ahab’s affairs!”)

3. At Jehoshaphat’s insistence, Ahab has Micaiah brought to them. At first he has a little fun at Ahab’s expense and tells him the same thing the lying prophets had said.

4. Ahab is indignant and demands that Micaiah tell him “nothing but that which is true in the name of the Lord.”

5. Micaiah proceeds to do just that–the armies of Israel will be defeated and Ahab will be slain–and he even explains how the Lord had put a lying spirit in the mouth of Ahab’s prophets to deceive him.

6. And what does Ahab do? Just what he had intended to do all along– go into battle against Syria! This cost Ahab his life; reminding us that lost men will continue to die and go to hell unless they allow the Word of God to light up their darkened souls.

WICKED PASSIONS

■ Ahab’s Pride – 20:30-34 Instead of being eager to destroy the wicked enemy of God, Benhadad, Ahab was more concerned about having his name on some street markers in Damascus. Pride always leads to wrong actions which, in tum, bring the judgment of God.

■ Ahab’s Covetousness – 1 Kings 21 This is one of the saddest stories in all of the Word of God, and certainly one of the most dastardly and infamous deeds ever perpetrated. (Note the parallel with Stephen in Acts 6: 11-13.) Naboth was a godly man who believed, as God had commanded, that the land was to stay in the family perpetually from generation to generation. After Jezebel had Naboth murdered and Ahab had taken possession of his vineyard, it looked as though evil had won out. But not so–the dogs drank Ahab’s blood and ate Jezebel’s body before it was all over. The wheels of God’s judgment may tum slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine!

LESSONS:

1. For parents, the lesson is obvious: see Pro 22:6 and Eph 6:1-4. The main goal of parents should be to raise up a godly heritage of children and grandchildren. Children that are brought up for God actually become weapons against Satan. (See Psa 127:3-5)

2. It is vitally important that we obey the injunction to separation given to Believers in 2Cor 6:14- 7: 1. Although Ahab was already wicked himself, he was goaded to greater depths of wickedness by heathen Jezebel, his queen whom he took from among the Baal- worshiping Zidonians, in disobedience to God’s command to the Jews.

3. We must guard our heart diligently, “for out of it are the issues oflife.” Ahab did not do this, and, thus, his wicked life reflected his wicked heart. As Jesus plainly stated, all these sinful practices come from the heart – Mark 7:21-23.

4. “Be sure your sins will find you out!” The sins of Ahab and Jezebel not only brought physical destruction, but they will yet have to stand before God at the Great White Throne judgment.

ABSALOM – ANOTHER TRAGIC VICTIM OF SIN

SCRIPTURE: 2 Sam 13-2 Sam 19:8

INTRODUCTION: The name Absalom means “father of peace.” If David gave his son this name, it turned out to be wishful thinking! He was the third son of David by his wife Maacah, daughter of the king of Geshur, thus born of a polygamous marriage. Absalom’s story is most fascinating, and we are spellbound as the main events of his adult life unfold. [It reads somewhat like a western novel, but it doesn’t tum out well at all for the main character!] Absalom’s weak character and unusual beauty pull him along in the wrong direction until Satan sets a trap for him from which there seemed to be no escape. The final result was his destruction. Let us consider some factors that shaped his life and destiny.

1. HE WAS OF ROYAL DESCENT Both parents were royalty. His mother, Maacah, was the daughter of the king of Geshur, and thus, a gentile. Although David’s third son (2 Sam 3:2-3) Absalom was the idol of his father and seems to have been heir to the throne.

2. HE POSSESSED REMARKABLE PHYSICAL BEAUTY – 2 Sam 14:25 Absalom was a striking person with poise, natural dignity, and a commanding presence, as well as sheer good looks.

3. HE WAS CHARMING AND PERSUASIVE Absalom was not only good looking, he was “Mr. Personality.” [He was probably the outstanding member of Toastmasters of Jerusalem and had completed Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People” with honors!] When he “turned on the charm,” (2 Sam 15: 1-6) he literally stole the hearts of the men of Israel away from their great and godly warrior-king!

4. BUT – HEW AS TRAITOROUS Absalom had his own brother murdered (2 Sam 13:29) and conspired to take the kingdom from his father by force. Had he been successful, it would have resulted in his father’s death, and it appears that he felt no qualms about this possibility! Absalom seems to be the kind of self-centered person who would step on, or destroy if necessary, anyone who stood between him and the things he wanted.

5. HE CAME TO AN UNTIMELY END – 2 Sam 18:9-15 Absalom had everything in his favor, yet his life ended in a tragic way. In spite of all his beauty and natural gifts, plus being in line for the throne of Israel, he nevertheless wound up being buried like an animal in a pit in a deserted wood (18: 17). What a strong warning this sad story presents to parents, especially dads. Much of the blame for

Absalom’s tragic demise originated with David:

o He obviously doted on this handsome son as he was growing up, and, therefore, failed to restrain him as he should have.

o David failed to develop character in Absalom. Character is instilled by the process of training commanded in Pro 22:6. When the child has been thoroughly and consistently trained, character manifests itself in the automatic doing of right!

o David set a poor example for Absalom (and all of his children) in the matter of Bathsheba and Uriah. The tragic consequences of David’s sin in the lives of his children should be ample warning to Christian parents about their need to live clean, godly lives at all times. The worst feature in the “boomerang” of sin is its repercussions in the lives of our children! (For example – Lot and Elimelech)

6. ABSALOM’S FATAL WEAKNESSES

o His egotism – Absalom was totally taken up with self. He had no thought, no feeling, no pity for anyone but himself. He only used those around him to obtain his own selfish goals. But in trying to use his life for himself, he lost it! (See Mark 8:34-37.)

o His godlessness – This poor, self-centered creature seems to have had no God- consciousness or reverence for God, and thus no religious faith. Consequently, he had no principles or personal restraint in his relationships with others. He was his own master, and his own will was his only law.

CONCLUSION: We may properly blame David for his obvious failures with some of his sons, and David will certainly have to give account to God for those failures. However, as far as Absalom is concerned, he has no excuse for his lack of character. The Bible says very clearly, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Rom 14:12) Unfortunately, we have a society that is afflicted with this “victim” mentality–that is, whatever happens or whatever a person does, it’s someone else’s fault. For example, “I started robbing people because my daddy didn’t take me to ballgames when I was a kid.” Or, “I became a prostitute because my mother ran off with another man when I was a baby.” This is wicked nonsense! David will answer to God for why he was not a better person, but Absalom will answer to God for why he didn’t get some character!

LESSONS:

1. Character is much to be preferred over talent, brains, beauty, or any combination thereof!

2. One’s chief glory and cherished gift can become his downfall. Whatever gifts we may possess need to be guarded and sanctified every day by prayer.

ABEL – THE FIRST MAN TO DIE

In these series of lessons we will be taking an in-depth look at some well known Bible characters, finding out what made them “tick,” and, even more importantly, learning some vital Bible principles. Many of these will be positive, but there will also be some powerful warnings of the consequences of disobeying God’s Word. Every lesson will provide an opportunity to apply practical truth to our daily lives.

Scriptures: Gen 4:1-10, 25; Matt 23:35; Heb 11:4, 12:24

“ABEL” means “breath” or “vapor”. His name, no doubt, is associated with the shortness of his life. (See Psalms 90:6; James 4:14)

1. ABEL & CAIN– Abel was a shepherd and owned flocks and herds – Cain was a tiller of the ground (farmer). It was not occupation, though, which parted these first two brothers in the world; rather, it was their understanding of God’s program of salvation. The principle of redemption by blood was made clear to Adam and Eve in the garden when God made them coats of animal skins, and it is safe to conclude from the Genesis record that Cain and Abel had been taught about this. They both knew that God required an offering, but the response of Abel was quite different from that of Cain. Abel feared God, and because he did, he offered to God the best of his flock (4:4). He slew the animal and thereby made a sacrifice of blood. Two significant conclusions can be drawn from Abel’s action: 1) he understood God’s requirement of shedding of innocent blood for the forgiveness of sin (Heb 9:22), and, 2) this action represented the personal surrender of Abel’s heart to God. By contrast, Cain brought what he had grown and gathered from the earth. Therefore, his offering represented his own effort, which was totally unacceptable to God. Thus we learn right at the beginning of the Bible that there are only two basic plans for Approaching God: 1. the shedding of blood for the remission of sin (the innocent takes the place of the guilty) 2. the bloodless way – that is, the religions of works, all of which are built to some degree on man’s presumed potential for goodness. The first is 100% successful–John 6:37. The second is a total, 100% failure–Isa 64:6; Titus 3:5; etc. How foolish of man to think any effort of his own could ever satisfy an infinitely holy God, yet multitudes today are still following the “way of Cain” (Jude 1 la). Because God accepted Abel’s offering and rejected Cain’s, the angry brother killed Abel in the field. Isn’t it strange that down through the ages false religion has so often resorted to murder, torture and persecution of true believers in an effort to bolster its own position?? Millions of Abels have been tortured and killed by Cains, but have you ever heard of a Cain being put to death by an Abel?! (Consider Matt 5:43-48)

ABEL IS UNIQUE AMONG BIBLE MEN:

• He was the first human to experience physical death. (His body has been dead for almost 6,000 yrs!)

o He was the first human to be murdered. (Murdered by his own brother, who was the first person born into the human race!)

o He was the first person to present an offering acceptable to God. (No doubt Adam had brought offerings to God, but Abel’s is the first of which we have record.)

o Abel is the first man mentioned in God’s “Hall of Fame of the Faithful” (Heb 11).

• 2. ABEL & CHRIST– God was looking on and saw what Cain did to his brother. (By the way, God is always watching you, and He sees everything you do.) Therefore, Abel’s innocent blood cried from the ground to be avenged! (Do you suppose that the blood of millions of innocent babies, murdered in their mother’s womb, is crying out to God from America today?!)

It is interesting to note the comparison of Abel’s blood with that of Christ in Heb 12:24. Christ’s blood is far better in at least three ways:

• Christ’s blood was sinless – there was absolutely no taint of sin upon it!
• Abel’s blood cried out for vengeance against his murderer – but the blood of Christ cries out for mercy upon the sinner. (This is graphically illustrated in Christ’s amazing statement from the cross, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”)
• Abel’s blood, although the blood of a righteous man (Matt 23:35), cannot atone for sin; but, hallelujah! Christ’s blood is ever able to cleanse from ALL sin (1 John 1 :7)!

LESSONS FROM ABEL’S LIFE:

1. There is only ONE WAY of salvation – faith in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Pet1:18ft).-

2. Man’s goodness, good works, or any other of his own efforts, can never justify him before God!

3. God’s own people must stand true to Him and the Only Way of Salvation REGARDLESS of the cost.

As Christians, there are many things we can know for sure. There is no room for debate or questioning about these things. You don’t have to run around a Christian agnostic who doesn’t know anything for sure. If you are a Bible Believer, that is you believe the Bible (can you imagine that anymore?), you can know some things for sure. Here is a list of some of the things we know for sure as Christians.

Things we know for sure about God

We know all the promises God promised us in Christ are true (2 Corinthians 1:18-22)

We know the grace of God (2 Corinthians 8:9)

We know God can do every thing (Job 42:2)

We know the Lord is great and above all gods (Psalm 135:5)

We know the LORD he is God and he hath made us (Psalm 100:3, Hebrews 11:3)

We know God’s judgments are right (Psalm 119:75)

We know Jesus is who he claimed to be because of the cross (John 8:28)

We know God doesn’t hear sinners (John 9:31)

We know God hears those that worship him and do his will (John 9:31)

We know if God hears us, we have the petitions we desired of him (1 John 5:15)

We know he came to take away our sins (1 John 3:5)

We know Jesus knows our works (Revelation 2:2)

We know the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:19)

We know what the word of the Lord is (Deut 18:21-22, Isaiah 43:8-13, John 21:24)  – We know the Bible is inspired by God because of the fulfilled prophecies. There is no other book on this planet like it. That’s how we know it is the word of God not because of what any Papist says. The Roman Catholic Church didn’t give us the Bible, they gave the world doctrines of devils.

Other Things that we know for sure

We know the saints shall judge the world and angels (1 Corinthians 6:2-3)

We know what the order of the house is (1 Corinthians 11:3)

We know whosoever is born of God sinneth not (1 John 5:18)

We know there is nothing good in our flesh (Romans 7:18)

We know a little sin ruins the whole thing (1 Corinthians 5:6)

We know we use to be blind but now we see (John 9:25)

We know the whole world lies in wickedness (1 John 5:19)

We know the whole world shall become guilty before God (Romans 3:19)

We know if we are friendly with the world we are the enemy of God (James 4:4)

We know what doctrine is of God (John 7:16-17, Proverbs 8:6-7)

We know the truth (John 8:31-32, 1 John 2:21)

We know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error (1 John 4:6)

We know the Spirit of God by those that confess God came in the flesh (1 John 4:2-3)

We know we are at the end (Matthew 24:32-42)

We know we will suffer, but also partake of the consolation (2 Corinthians 1:5-7)

We know we are appointed unto afflictions (1 Thessalonians 3:3)

We know we were baptized into his death (Romans 6:3-5)

We know we are members of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:15)

We know we were redeemed with the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18)

We know at death we are present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-8)

We know we will be resurrected unto life (2 Corinthians 4:14)

We know we are getting a new body (2 Corinthians 5:1, 1 John 3:2)

We know Jesus Christ is in us (2 Corinthians 13:5, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19)

We know he is in us because of his Spirit in us (1 John 3:24, 4:13)

We know we know him if we keep his commandments (1 John 2:3-5)

We know all things (1 John 2:20)

We know we have a better and enduring substance in heaven (Hebrews 10:34)

We know the things that are freely given to us of God (1 Corinthians 2:12)

We know we have eternal life (1 John 5:13)

We know our labour is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58)

We know all things work together for God if we love God (Romans 8:28)

We know the Lord personally (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

We know his voice and know him (John 10:4, 14, 27)

We know what eternal life is all about (John 17:3)

These are just some of the things that we can know for sure as Christians. Aren’t you glad you can know you have eternal life, and are not going to hell, and will be raised up with a body just like Jesus Christ’s? Amen to that brother!

It’s because it points to Jesus! What I am trying to do today is point you to Jesus!

Revelation 19:10 The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy

Testimony

Testimony – An Affirmation or declaration made for the purpose of establishing or proving some fact. Such affirmation in judicial proceedings may be verbal or written, but must be under oath. Testimony is the declaration of a witness and evidence is the effect of that declaration of mind, or the degree of light which it affords. Witness, proof of something;

Testimony (1st appearance): Exodus 16:34, Exodus 25:17-22, Exodus 31:18, Exodus 32:15-16 (Revelation 5:1-14, Daniel 12:4, Isaiah 29:10-12, Ezekiel 2:9-10, 3:1-3, Revelation 10:8-11)

Real quick note on preservation of God’s word though man destroys them: Exodus 34:1-4, 27-35 The second set was written by Moses not God but it still was written by God according to God

The book sprinkled with blood (Exodus 24:6-8, Hebrews 9:18-28)

The testimony is a reference to the two stones that contained the ten commandments and also the book of the law (Deuteronomy 31:24-26)

Prophecy

Prophecy (1st appearance): Numbers 11:24-29

They spirit of God came upon them and they started to prophesy not in the “church building” but in the camp among millions of Hebrews! Notice it was after Moses told the people the words of the LORD that the spirit came upon the 70 elders of Israel and they prophesied and did not cease! What did they preach? Likely that the LORD was going to feed them shortly.

Why do we have the Bible? Why are certain stories recorded in the Bible? It’s because it points to Jesus!

John 5:39-47 (c.f. Hebrews 10:7-10, Psalm 40:6-8) The Scriptures testify of Jesus and are designed to point you to Jesus that you might come to him and have everlasting life! The sufficiency of the Scriptures alone to point you to Jesus (Luke 16:27-31)

Acts 10:34-43 All the prophets bear witness of Jesus! Luke 24:25-27, 44-48 The Scriptures bear witness of Jesus! John 3:11 They testify of what they’ve seen 1 John 5:6-7 The Godhead bears record and agrees John 1:12-13 Receiving Jesus makes you a son of God John 3:31-36 He that received his testimony knows that God is true

Why is it in the Bible: It’s because it points to Jesus!

Genesis 3:15

Genesis 12:1-3

Genesis 17:9-14 Circumcision points to NT Spiritual Circumcision performed by Christ

Genesis 22-23-24-25

Genesis 28:12-17 (c.f. John 1:51)

The Story of Joseph: FIRST TIME: Betrayed by the children of Israel for 20 pieces of silver because he was to rule over them and was loved the most by his father, SECOND TIME: Famine in the land, come to Egypt for food, Joseph is a ruler in Egypt and provides for them and eventually reveals who he is and is able to preserver Israel. What evil was done unto Joseph at the first time God turned it out for good to save life later!

Moses: Great type of Christ from before his birth til after his death – Mediator of the covenant, knew God face to face, was made a god, both delivered Israel, A prophet and king, both bodily resurrected

The Passover: It points to Jesus

The Rock in the wilderness smitten – Exodus 17:5-6, I Corinthians 10:1-4 (c.f. John 7:38-39)

The Day of Atonement and the blood stained mercy seat

Joshua: Picture of Jesus at the Second Advent

Ruth: She was the great great grandmother of king David from which Christ sprang up from Samuel through Chronicles: Gives the lineage of Jesus

Song of Solomon: Picture of Christ and the Church

Jonah: Picture of Christ going to hell for three days and three nights and rising again from the dead and sending a preacher to go to the Gentiles and the Gentiles hear it!

ALL THE PROPHETS: Pointed you to Jesus!

Isaiah 53, Daniel 9, Psalm 2, Psalm 110, Zechariah 9, Zechariah 11:10-14, Zechariah

12:10, 13:1, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6-7

Why did the prophets prophesy! Its because it points you to Jesus! I’m trying to point you to Jesus tonight because he is your all in all. He is your Savior, Mediator, Advocate, Alpha and Omega, He is your eternal life. He is your forgiveness! He is your redemption, He is your righteousness, He is your salvation, He is your husband, he is Jesus!

This Book was designed to point you to Jesus that you might come to him and have eternal life and have a relationship with God Almighty through him! It’s because of Jesus!

Faithful – loyal, constant, steadfast; reliable; having a strong belief; staying true to something; firm in adherence to the truth and to the duties of religion; firmly adhering to duty.

Things that are hard for God to find
Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? (morally good, obeys the law of God)
Proverbs 20:6 Who can find a faithful man? (Isaiah 1:19-21)
Psalm 12:1 The faithful men have stopped being faithful
The LORD is faithful
Deuteronomy 7:9, Colossians 1:9, Hebrews 3:1-2, Revelation 19:11
1 Corinthians 10:13 God is faithful in helping you in your temptations (Hebrews 2:17-18)
His word is faithful: Psalm 19:7-11, 119:86, 160; Revelation 21:5, 22:6;
Men who were faithful
Number 12:7 (1st appearance) Moses was faithful in all God’s house
1 Samuel 22:14 David was faithful
Nehemiah 9:7-8 Abraham was faithful
Daniel 6:1-5 Daniel was faithful
1 Corinthians 4:17 Timotheus was faithful
1 Timothy 1:12 Paul was faithful
**Wouldn’t you like to have a relationship with God like these men had? Be faithful!
What God does for a faithful man
Psalm 31:23 The Lord preserveth the faithful
Proverbs 28:20 A faithful man shall be filled with blessings
Psalm 101:6 David looked upon the faithful in the land that they may dwell with him
The characteristics of a faithful man
1 Samuel 2:35 A faithful man does according to God’s will and heart
Nehemiah 7:2 A faithful man fears God
Proverbs 11:13 A faithful man does reveal secrets
Proverbs 14:5 A faithful person doesn’t lie
2 Timothy 2:2 Faithful men pass down sound doctrine
Proverbs 27:6 The wounds of a friend are faithful (He’ll rebuke you) Ecclesiastes 7:5
Matthew 24:45-51 A faithful man is doing what he is suppose to do consistently
(Matthew 25:14-30) and compare with Luke19:11-27
1 Corinthians 4:1-5 We need to be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God
Luke 16:10-13 God counts being faithful in a few things as being faithful in much

“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;” Philippians 1:29

Today I want to talk about suffering for his sake, what things we might suffer, how God commands us to handle these sufferings, and what the purposes of these sufferings are for. I’m not talking about the suffering and shame that we endure for our sin. I want to talk about the suffering we endure for living godly. The fact is as sons of God, we are going to suffer either for sin, or for godliness. And its better that we suffer for godliness.

The Suffering Christian
Philippians 1:29 (suffer for Christ’s sake)
II Thessalonians 1:4-5 (suffer for the kingdom of God’s sake)
I Timothy 4:10-11 (suffer reproach because we trust in God)
II Timothy 3:10-12 (the godly shall suffer persecution)
John 15:18-20 (persecution to come for the Christian)
John 16:33 (Ye shall have persecution)
Psalm 34:19 (many are the afflictions of the righteous)

Examples of divers sufferings
II Corinthians 6:4-10 (a list of them)
I Corinthians 4:10-14 (written to warn us)
Philippians 3:4-8 (suffer loss of previous things once possessed by the old man)
Luke 12:51-53 (divisions and problems at home because of Jesus Christ)
James 5:10 (prophets’ examples of suffering affliction) The children of Israel in Egypt, Joseph, David and Saul
Job 1:1 (perfect, upright, feared God, eschewed evil)
Job 1:6-8 (The LORD speaks greatly of Job)
His servants die, sheep, camels taken, his sons die and Job blessed the name of the LORD. Job smitten with boils and doesn’t sin with his lips saying to his wife that we are to receive good and evil from the hand of the LORD.

How are we to handle these sufferings?
I Peter 3:13-17 (be happy)
I Peter 4:14-16 (be happy for the Spirit of God rests upon you and glorify God on this behalf) — in Acts, apostles rejoice because accounted worthy to suffer for his name
II Corinthians 12:10 (take pleasure in infirmities)

Appointed unto afflictions
I Thessalonians 3:1-4 (appointed unto afflictions)
I Peter 2:20-25 (Called to suffer for doing well: just like Christ; How Christ reacted to these things is the way we are commanded to respond to these things) Colossians 1:23-24 (fill up the afflictions of Christ for the church’s sake)
II Corinthians 1:5 (the sufferings of Christ abound in us)
Isaiah 53:3,4,7 (these are the sufferings of Christ)
II Corinthians 1:7 (as we partake of the sufferings, so shall we of the consolation)
II Corinthians 4:8-11 (we are to bear in our bodies the dying of the Lord Jesus that his life might be made manifest in us)

Why do we suffer?
Philippians 3:8-11 (to know him! And the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death)
To know the Lord we must read his word and also keep it.
I John 2:3 (we know him if we keep his commandments)
But you know what, in order to know him, we need to experience the things Christ experienced, not only the sweet fellowship of the Father, and the comforting of the Holy Ghost, but also his sufferings, and reproach.
Romans 13:14 (Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ)
Galatians 3:27 (we have put on Christ)
Galatians 2:20 (Christ liveth in me)
Don’t you think if Christ lives in you, the world will treat you and say the same things they said to the Lord 2,000 years ago?
I Peter 4:12-13 (Don’t think it strange)
You ever have anyone say to you, “You just walk one day in my shoes and you’ll see what its like” or something like that? We can know about it from the outside but we truly do not know what it is like unless we have walked in that persons shoes, experiencing what that person experienced. So it is with Christ, we are to put him on, and go through what he went through, why? As Paul said in Philippians 3, that we might now him and the fellowship of his sufferings
Look at Ephesians 4:15 (We are to grow up into him) In Romans 8:29 we are predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. How can we expect to grow up into Christ without going through what he did? And he suffered.
Christ said to his disciples that it behooved him to suffer (Luke 24:46). The word behooved according to the 1828 dictionary means this – “To be necessary for; to be fit for; to be meet for, with respect to necessity, duty, or convenience.
“Turn to Hebrews 2:10. Paul writes in Hebrews that the captain of our salvation was made perfect through sufferings (Hebrews 2:10). Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered (Hebrews 5:8-9).
In behooved him to be made like unto his brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour [to help, aid, relieve from difficulty] them that are tempted (Hebrews 2:17-18).
As it behooved Christ to suffer first, then be glorified, so it is with us that we too are to first suffer, and then be glorified. As it behooved Christ to be made like unto us, so we too must be made like unto him. As he was made perfect through sufferings, even learning obedience thereby, so we too are made perfect through sufferings, even learning obedience to God thereby.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. We too are sons of God by believing on him. If Christ was made perfect through sufferings, how much more does it behoove us to suffer that we might be perfect? If Christ learned obedience by the things which he suffered, how much more do you think particular sufferings, afflictions, persecutions, and temptations, are coming our way that we might learn obedience to God?
As soon as the Spirit descended upon the Lord, he was immediately driven into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. You know, as soon as the Holy Ghost comes upon us, we too are immediately found in temptations and persecutions.
I Peter 5:8-11 (after suffering awhile, make you perfect) Do you see how suffering is tied in to the perfecting of the saints? The Lord allows you to suffer down here for awhile in order to make you perfect, in order for you to understand WHAT GOD HAS GONE THROUGH! He came to his own and they received him not. He is continually pleading with this world yet they don’t care. He manifests his love toward us that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, yet the world just walks on by when we proclaim these things on the streets. When we suffer wrongfully we learn a little more about our Saviour. He suffered for the unjust and endured such contradiction of sinners against himself but he didn’t respond. How many times do we share the word of the Lord with people and they don’t care. Are you learning how Christ feels yet, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
When a redeemed son of God rebels against the Lord and sins against him, can you imagine what that does to the heart of God? Yet he’s plenteous in mercy, and slow to anger. That is how we are supposed to be.
Look at II Thessalonians 1:4-10
Encouraged to suffer by the apostle Paul
II Timothy 1:7-8 (be a partaker of the afflictions of the gospel)
Your labour is not in vain in the LORD
Why? Why did Paul say I’d rather glory in my infirmities, and distresses, and persecutions, and reproaches for Christ’s sake?

The rewards for suffering
Mark10:29-30 (receive an hundredfold in this life WITH PERSECUTIONS)
Look at the end of Job. He received twice as much as what he had to begin with. Job 42:12 says that the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning. We need to consider our end, seeking those things that are above and setting our affections on things above, for where our treasure is, there will our heart be also. Deuteronomy 32:29, “O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!”
II Timothy 2:8-13 (If we suffer, we shall reign with Jesus Christ)
Romans 8:16-18 (to be glorified with him)
Luke 6:22-23 (great reward in heaven for suffering)

Summation: The fact is that as sons of God we are going to suffer, whether for our sin in disobedience or for righteousness and Christ’s sake. Hebrews 12:5-11 tells us that every son whom the Lord recieveth he chasteneth and scourgeth. All sons are partakers of this. By the way he does this for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. In Revelation 3:19 the Lord Jesus Christ says, As many as I love I rebuke and chasten. The Lord will correct you for your sin no doubt. If we sow to the flesh we are going to reap of the flesh corruption. But I ask you this question: Would you rather suffer for sin, or for Christ’s sake? (we are going to suffer)
If we live godly we are going to suffer persecution just like Christ. You want to know the Lord more, forsake the things of world: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, live godly for Christ sake, abhor that which is evil, cleave unto that which is good, and obey the voice of LORD thy God: be partakers of the afflictions of the gospel. Go out and proclaim the gospel of the grace of God. We have an opportunity to do that today. People might speak evil of you and curse you and think you’re nuts, but your Saviour won’t think that of you. They might look and stare and mock. Paul said in Galatians, Do I seek to please men, for if I yet pleased men I should not be the servant of Christ.
Do you think preaching the gospel and keeping those things which are written in this book is going to please men? No. Do you think the world is going to respect you for preaching the gospel out in the streets, at work, at school? No. The condemnation of this world is that men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. You’re not going to please men by living godly and preaching the word of truth. But I can tell you this, you’ll please the Lord.
He’ll look down and smile upon you. An obedient child, not ashamed of my name bearing my reproach: he’ll be glad and rejoice that you are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ that did so much for you, saving you from a life of destruction and from the wrath of God. Suffering for him is worth it.
End of this Passage
II Corinthians 4:17

Our Walk with the Lord Jesus Christ
Amos 3:3

Walk-to live and act or behave; to pursue a particular course of life

People that walked with God pleased God
Genesis 5:22-24 – Enoch walked with God
Genesis 6:9 – Noah walked with God
Genesis 17:1 – God charges Abraham to walk before the LORD (Abraham’s response;
Genesis 24:40)

The Lord requires it
What does it mean to walk with God? The word “walk” and it’s variations appear over 400 times in the Holy Bible and most of the time it doesn’t refer to literally walking with your feet, buy obeying the Lord and living in accordance to his ways and will.
Micah 6:8 & Deuteronomy 10:12 – What the Lord requires of thee
Exodus 16:4 – walk in his law (see Exodus 18:20, Leviticus 18:4, Deuteronomy 5:32-33)
Jeremiah 7:22-24 Walk in his ways
Psalm 119:1

Negative walking
Leviticus 20:23 – walk not like the nations, II Kings 17:8
Deuteronomy 8:19 – walk after other gods
I Kings 15:1-5 – heart not perfect before the LORD
II Kings 10:31 – didn’t walk with all of his heart
II Kings 17:19 – they made up their own rules
Job 31:7 – walk not after thine eyes (walk by faith not by sight II Cor 5:7)
Promises
Psalm 84:11 not withhold good things to them that walk aright
Proverbs 2:7 Shield to those that walk uprightly

Other Verses
Jeremiah 10:23 The way of man is not in himself
Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise
Hosea 14:9 The Lord’s ways are right
Proverbs 14:2 Walking shows your fear of the LORD
Jeremiah 6:16 Find rest unto your souls (see also Matthew 11:28-30)
Jeremiah 18:11-12 On backsliding
Micah 2:7 His words do good to them that walketh uprightly
Luke 1:6 Walking in the commands and ordinances of God renders one blameless
NT on walking
Romans 8:1, 4 Walk after the Spirit
Galatians 5:16 Walk in the Spirit
I John 1:7 and Proverbs 16:3 Walking, committing works to God establish thoughts
II John 1:6 This is love, walk in his commandments

Pray to please God and to do of his good pleasure

1. Praying that the brethren might please God (Colossians 1:9-11)
2. Pray that the brethren would fulfill God’s pleasure (II Thessalonians 1:11)

What pleases God?

1. Obedience to parents (Colossians 3:20)
2. Speaking the gospel (I Thessalonians 2:4; I Corinthians 1:21)
3. Uprightness (I Chronicles 29:17-22; Proverbs 14:2)
4. Your prosperity (Psalm 35:27)
5. Those that fear him (Psalm 147:11)
6. His people (Psalm 149:4)
7. Praising God in song and magnifying him with thanksgiving (Psalm 69:30-31)
8. Giving us the kingdom (Luke 12:32)
9. Predestinating us unto the adoption of children (Ephesians 1:5)
10. Making known unto us the mystery his will (Ephesians 1:9)
11. His creation (Revelation 4:11)
12. Blessing Israel (Numbers 24:1)
13. With the sacrifice of the righteous (Psalm 51:19)
14. Not entangling yourself with the affairs of this life (II Timothy 2:4)
15. To do justly, and love mercy, and to walk humbly with God (Micah 6:6-8)
16. Enoch pleased God (Hebrews 13:16; Genesis 5:21-24)
17. Jesus (John 8:29)
18. To bruise the Messiah (Isaiah 53:10)
19. When we ask for discernment between good and evil and an understanding heart
    (I Kings 3:5-14)
20. Your faith is a prerequisite for pleasing God (Hebrews 11:6)

Demas (means “popular”)
-appears three times in the Holy Bible (Colossians 4:14, Philemon 1:24, 2 Timothy 4:10) In Philemon, Demas is mentioned as a fellow labourer with the apostle Paul. He also sends greeting along with Paul in Colossians. In Timothy he forsakes the apostle Paul having loved this present world and departs to Thessalonica. Demas was a fellow labourer in the ministry with Paul. So it is likely that Demas was a preacher and a great Christian. What happened? His heart turned back to Egypt having loved this present world.

1 John 3:15-17 Love not the world
Demas is a good example of a biblical truth: It doesn’t matter how you start, it matters how you finish. There are many examples of Christians starting out good, and then falling away for one of the reasons we talked about. Paul said, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. He was faithful unto death. At salvation God has given you a great start. He has given you of his Spirit, and his Word, and there are still some good Bible believing churches around and the rest is up to you whether you will love the Lord Jesus Christ and obey him in all things. The most general thing I can say to you that sums up what God expects of you from the day of your salvation to the day of the salvation of your body is CONTINUE in THE FAITH (John 8:31, John 15:9, Acts 13:43, Acts 14:22, 1 Timothy 4:16, 2 Timothy 3:14, Colossians 1:21-23).