The source of suffering—"your adversaries" (1 Corinthians 16:9)
1 Corinthians 16:9 c. No doubt this originates with our great adversary, the Devil (1 Peter 5:8).
Ephesians 6:16
2 Timothy 1:7 Acts 9:31 d. The context obviously referring to earthly adversaries. 4. The testimony of suffering (see 2 Thessalonians 1:5-6)
2 Thessalonians 1:5-6 Romans 8:18
a. For your adversaries—"of perdition"; While the word perdition could be descriptive of behaviour, its contrast with the word salvation seems to make it more indicative of position or condition. b. For you—"of salvation" c. Modern believers seem to do everything possible to avoid suffering and the testimony associated with it, but the early church rejoiced in such times (Acts 5:41-42; 2 Corinthians 12:10)
B. As It Is the Gift of God (Philippians 1:29)
1. The recipient of the gift—"unto you" 2. The giver of the gift—" in the behalf of Christ" 3. The nature of the gift a. "not only to believe on him" b. "also to suffer for his sake" c. Every believer readily understands his ability to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9), but equally so, the Lord has given man the ability to suffer for the Lord's sake (1 Peter 4:13-16). C. As It Was in Paul (Philippians 1:30)
1. The testimony of suffering was one that would be familiar to the people because of what they saw through the life and testimony of the apostle Paul. 2. This testimony was evident in two ways: a. They had seen it in him previously (Acts 16:19-39) while he was in their presence. b. They now heard it to be in him (Philippians 1:12-19; Philippians 1:7, 29-30; see postscript) because he was in Rome and not visible to their eye
Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter.
Text-Featuring a sermon is a less expensive way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands on the right bar with optional newsletter inclusion. As low as $30/day.
