THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERING

Sons Training July 3, 2017

How to Study and Teach the Bible Lesson 22

Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and from our Father God, who has truly blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places. Raising us up in the newness of life that we may behold the glory of our Lord and Savior. The depths of His riches are boundless and so we celebrate Him as He gathers His elect from the four corners of the world. The question is, “Are you a member of the elect?”. The scripture let us know that the enemy is, as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. However, we are safe in the bosom of the Father. We are safe if we obey Him. We have been on the theme of oneness for many weeks now. God has taught us that we are baptized in Him and we are now one Spirit. This allows Jesus to be Lord over our bodies. They belong to Him, and are for His use. However, there are some things we should consider as we learn about Christ.

Matthew 10:34

34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Listen to the words of our Master. He has not come into this world to send peace, but rather He has come to send a sword. He speaks this in light of the fact that sin is peaceful to a sinful world as is darkness in the midst of darkness. However, if light shines in the darkness, then a problem arises. Jesus did not come into the world to make us comfortable in sin. He came to bring forth righteousness and holiness. It is by His presence in us that we are indeed children of God and light. However, take note of the following verses.

Matthew 10:35-36

35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

When I saw this passage I was in awe at the wisdom and foreknowledge of God. Jesus is letting us know that when His light enters us, the darkness around will definitely despise this. There is darkness in our homes, on our jobs, in the mall; this world has been given over to darkness. No wonder the scripture calls us the light of the world. From the very beginning darkness has tried to comprehend (overtake) the light, but it cannot and will not. God is light and there is nothing more powerful than Him. The point, however, is that as long as Christ is in the world, He will suffer.

Hebrews 2:9

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

When Jesus is in the flesh this is the only time that darkness can attack Him. They cannot raid the throne of God in the heavenlies. Therefore, Jesus had to be made a little lower than the angels (placed in a fleshy body) just so that he could suffer death. Yes, Jesus faced death on the cross. However, Paul teaches a marvelous truth.

2 Corinthians 4:7-10

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

Verse 10 teaches us that we always bear about the dying of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a great mystery.

Heb 2:9

lets us know that Jesus can only die in flesh. However, let us not forget that Christ has come in our flesh.

Galatians 2:20

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

It is therefore clear, that as long as Christ is in us, He will be attacked by spiritual wickedness. He is hated by the devil and wherever he sees Christ, He will attack Him. But let us bring this home - literally. Jesus has come inside of us as a light in the darkness. He is shining brightly. However, the darkness that will attack Him, is the darkness within those that are very dear to us. Again…

Matthew 10:35-36

35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

The darkness is in our spouses, children, friends, co-workers, and even strangers. The devil in them will attack the Christ in you. However, what is Christ doing amidst all this?

Isaiah 53:7

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

And again…

1 Peter 2:21-23

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

Jesus does not respond maliciously. Rather, when darkness attacks, He responds with the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. In fact, He will always respond with the fruit of the Spirit. However, it seems that at times, we, the children of Christ, fail to respond in righteousness. This happens when we have taken personally when the darkness attacks the Christ in us. When we think carnally, when suffering or unfortunate situations come our way, we perceive them through eyes of carnal principles rather than the principles of Christ. We will think in terms of our offender’s integrity, love, care, or values, rather than discerning spiritually.

Example 1: Jupy has the Holy Spirit and her spouse does not. He constantly gives her a hard time, and one day commits adultery. However, when Jupy thinks about this situation she is enraged at the fact that adultery is a lack of integrity, and a lack of love for her. She is angry at her husband and can’t seem to come back to joy and peace. However, if Jupy had discerned that situation spiritually, she would have been conscious of the fact that the devil in her husband will try to attack the Christ in her. Her husband on the other hand is being controlled by the devil in a manner he cannot help. Though the devil does not use all unsaved men to be adulterous, the fact of the matter is, he is using her husband in this manner. This situation goes past principle and integrity. This is a spiritual situation that needs Jesus to intervene for his soul sake.

Example 2: Lex, works at company XYZ. He is a hard working Christian man, and does His best to prosper the company. However, he has a supervisor that constantly lies; painting a picture that Lex is complacent, and not performing. Though Lex’s work speaks for itself, his co-worker has made it his duty to tear his reputation down. Many Christians will see this situation and think the co-worker is simply evil. Many will begin to speak concerning the people of the world, and how much evil is in the world. Some will enter into malice and try to defend themselves and sometimes even maliciously. This too is a situation that must be discerned spiritually. The devil in the co-worker hates the Christ in Lex, and hence a situation has arisen. This is the variance that Jesus prophesied would arise when He would come in us.

However, we are to respond righteously in these situations. When you think spiritually, you remain mindful of spiritual principles. This will cause us to be efficient intercessors who God will hear and answer. However, if we take personally the suffering that Christ is facing, we will end up hurt and discouraged. We have entered into the fellowship of the sufferings of Christ. This means we will face the things He faces. We will be directly affected by the things that affect Him. However, if we walk in the true perspective of Christ, which relates to the fact that the life that we live in the flesh is not ours but Christ’s, we will walk in the peace of the Spirit. When you agree with the will of God and embrace your path of suffering, it is then that you will experience the power of the Holy Ghost as a Comforter. You will experience peace in the midst of your hostile situation. It is then and only then you would have truly experienced God’s love for in the saints. God bless you all.