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This IS what we signed up for
Introduction
1. God sometimes allows BAD things to happen to faithful people
2. Bad times will test our faith.
3. 2 Corinthians 3:12-15
Hebrews 12 gives us 3 things to remember when we suffer.
1. Join the club; Christians have always suffered – Hebrews 12:3-4
a. We are not the first to suffer for our faith
b. We will not be the last.
c. Jesus, the apostles, early Christians – persecution today
d. Our small pain is little compared to them.
e.
Jeremiah 12:5
2. Read the Scriptures: This is what we signed up for – Hebrews 12:5-6
a. Key words: son, sons, children
b. Key word: chastening
c.
God
chastens His children – Deut. 8:5; Rev. 3:19
3. Just wait and see: God is putting on the finishing touches – Hebrews 12:7-11
a. If you endure –
b. Fathers chasten – not to be mean – but to mold, correct, lead in right way
4.
God
comforts us in our trials – 2 Cor. 1:4
5. Take suffering for what it is. IT IS WHAT WE SIGNED UP FOR!
From tract by Allen Webster
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