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Breakthrough Qualifications
I Peter 4:1
Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin
Intro:
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
- When trials come, our Lord is listening, and your qualification for a Breakthrough is based on the type of praise lifted to Him in your storm.
REMEMBER:
- You are destined for the throne
- God has and is sanctifying you to himself
- All things work together for good to those that love God. . .
ERRONEOUS CONCEPTS ABOUT CHRISTIANS AND SUFFERING
1. Christians should never suffer.
2. If we are suffering it is because we have sinned.
3. The devil causes God's people to be afflicted.
Hebrews 11:35-37
35 Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.
36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
James 5:10, 11
10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.
11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord; that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
Hebrews 12:2-4
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
Remember
1. You are destined to reign with Christ. You are Royalty and must be prepared in all wisdom and righteousness.
II Timothy. 2:12
12 If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.
2. You are equipped to be an over comer.
Romans 8:35-37
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Isaiah 43:1, 2
1 But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O
Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.
3. Christ utilized His sufferings.
Hebrews 5:7, 8 7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear,
8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
APOSTLES' REACTION TO TROUBLE
1. They rejoiced.
Acts 5:40-42 40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
Romans 5:3-5
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
2. They appreciated the consequences.
Romans 8:18
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
II Corinthians 4:17, 18
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
WRONG REACTION:
1. Self-pity
2. Depression
3. Rebellion
1. SUFFERING AND REGENERATION
2. TRUE CHRISTIAN SUFFERING
I Peter 4:12-16
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters.
16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
3. THINGS TO LEARN BY SUFFERING
A. Obedience
B. Dependence upon God
C. Patience
D. Hope
E. Love
4. THINGS BY WHICH WE LEARN
A. Sickness
B. Unpleasant work
C. Money problems
D. Relationship problems
E. Inactivity
Closing:
ACCIDENTS OR DESIGN?
I walked a mile with pleasure;
She chattered all the way,
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say.
I walked a mile with sorrow;
And never a word said she;
But, O, the things I learned from her
When sorrow walked with me.
- "Suffering is not an accident but a gift to be cherished for when properly received it works to enhance one's eternal rank, fame and honor." (DON'T WASTE YOUR SORROWS by Paul Billheimer)
- "The distressing situation will pass but one's reaction toward it will leave a moral and spiritual deposit in his character that is eternal." (Billheimer)
- When trials come, our Lord is listening, and your qualification for a Breakthrough is based on the praises lifted to Him in your storm. Not all Breakthroughs are eternal, each Break through has its own reward either in this life or the life to come.
PAUL'S LESSON WELL LEARNED
Philippians 4:11-13 NKJV
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
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