Sharing the Suffering of Christ

Sharing the Suffering of Christ
Philippians 3: 10

Introduction: Some things Paul desires for himself and other Christians…

1. The importance of possessing the mind of Christ…
2. To know Christ Jesus…is of surpassing worth…
   a. To be found in Him…
   b. To know the power of His resurrection, i.e. Romans 6:4
   In addition to all the benefits mentioned he desires to “…share in Christ’s sufferings…”
3. Share is to have in common…
4. Sufferings means:
   a. sometimes afflictions, Romans 8:18
   b. Christ’s sufferings specifically, I Peter 1:11; 5:1; Hebrews 2:9

Lesson: There is uniqueness to the sufferings of Christ…

c. The word is sometimes used in reference to those sufferings of Christ as shared by believers…*2 Corinthians 1:5; I Peter 4:13

I.. What Does it Mean for the Christian to share in the sufferings of Christ…
It doesn’t mean nor even imply that the sufferings of Christ and His atonement by death on the cross is lacking in sufficiency…Hebrews 10:14

Note:Consider Colossians 1: 24
A. To Suffer for His sake…Romans 8:16-17; I Thessalonians 1:6 ff, cf. I Corinthians 12:10
B. To Suffer with His attitude…I Peter 2:19ff
C. To His glory… I Peter 4:12-16

II. Why Should Christians desire to share in the Sufferings of Christ?
It is not suffering for sufferings sake…
It has a sanctifying affect, i.e. Romans 8:28
A. It is the will of God…I Peter 1:6
B. Christians have a grateful love and affection for Jesus, therefore… 2 Timothy 4:10 cf. I John 2:15ff
C. The Sanctifying affect…James 1:2-3; I Peter 1:6-9
D. The Promises of God connected to suffering for Christ…

Application: