Demonstrate Christ through suffering!

1. Rejoice in your stewardship 24-27

We are entrusted with a stewardship: make God’s Word fully known!
How?  Through suffering!
Suffering is necessary and valuable. Beware the idol of comfort!
We are called to suffer to display the rich hope of Christ!
God had one son on earth without sin, but never one without suffering. -Augustine

2. Struggle by Christ’s power 28-29

Buckle up for the hard work of life and ministry!
Don’t be a shouting spectator! Get in the game!
Intentional influence – seek to know, love, and impact people!
Connect Scripture to life to show people new patterns of living.
We bring others before God as our offering to Him.

3. Endure for others’ encouragement 1-5

Grow in burden for others – loving them with Christ’s love and wanting Christ’s best for them!
Dive into focused prayer for others, asking God for His best in them!
Invest yourself in and through suffering for God to use you for others!
“When a child is born into this world, some woman must travail in pain; and the reason there are not more people being born again is because there are not enough believers who are willing to travail.” –Dr. George Gill
Don’t lose sight of the blessed hope of Christ in you!

Discussion questions available here.