1129. Paul and the Ministry of Suffering

Paul and the Ministry of Suffering

Paul's P rivations (Php_3:7)

erils (2Co_11:26)

ains (Act_14:19)

urpose (Php_3:14)

rospective (Php_3:10-11)

Both Paul and Peter have a vital touch with the ministry of suffering. Through the travels and experiences of the Apostle Paul we have a strong appeal to our own hearts, concerning the ministry of suffering with the believer. In the case of Peter it is not so much his own personal experiences as it is his messages which magnify the glory of the ministry of suffering. These messages of Peter will be taken up in a subsequent lesson. Just now we will study the ministry of suffering as exemplified in the life of Paul.

When Paul was first saved the Lord said to Ananias, "I will show him how great things he must suffer for My name's sake" (Act_9:16).

In this study we must avoid the idea, that suffering for Christ belongs exclusively to the first century, and more particularly to Paul himself.

Paul tells us that, "All that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." Again he says: "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake." May each one of us be encouraged to take the cross and follow in the footsteps of the One Who bore the Cross for us.

"Nearer my God to Thee,

Nearer to Thee,

E'en though it be a cross

That raiseth me."

If we are near to Him and follow Him, there will be no doubt as to the fact of our cross.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR