2. Suffering for the Gospel
However, as we all know, to preach the gospel is not a welcoming experience. The early disciples had to face great suffering for the spread of the gospel of Christ. But they counted this as a great privilege and blessing.
When the apostles were beaten and were charged not to speak in the name of Jesus, it is written, “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” (Acts 5:41).
What a strange reaction! They were neither ashamed for being publicly humiliated nor were they intimidated by the scourgings and beatings. Rather, they counted themselves worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name of the Lord Jesus.
What happened next? “And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.” (Acts 5:42)
The book of Acts is a record about persecution for the gospel of Christ. In the New Testament, most Scriptures that speak about suffering, they speak in the context of either for being a Christian or for proclaiming the gospel of Christ. And many modern believers draw comfort from these Scripture for suffering like the people of the world, rather than unlike the world, i.e. for the gospel of Christ Jesus.
To the believers in Philippi, Paul encouraged, “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but ALSO SUFFER FOR HIS SAKE, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have” (1:29). He wrote to the Thessalonians, “no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that WE ARE DESTINED FOR THIS” (1 Thess. 3:3). He also encouraged Timothy, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God” (2 Tim. 1:8).
Paul suffered for the gospel. The believers too suffered for the gospel. They knew they were destined for this. Are we suffering for the gospel? Are we preaching the gospel and facing rejection, insults and persecution? Do we know that we are called to suffer and are appointed to suffer for Christ?
In personal or corporate meetings, when asked to share our problems and sufferings, we immediately express that we are suffering due to sickness, troubles in job, interpersonal problems in family, lack of money and material comforts, children’s security, no proper house, loss of hair and beauty…etc.
Leonard Ravenhill was right, “The early church was married to poverty, prisons and persecutions. Today, the church is married to prosperity, personality, and popularity.”
Candidly, how many us are suffering for the gospel? I feel ashamed to confess that I am not suffering much for the gospel. I am encouraged by the Word to arise and preach the gospel and suffer for the gospel. What a blessed suffering!
If we are not suffering for the gospel, it is because we are NOT preaching the gospel. Everyone who preaches the gospel will suffer.
Even many pastors and preachers are not suffering for the gospel. This is because they are not preaching the gospel to unbelievers, but preaching sermons only to believers, enjoying their praise and applause.
The world today is becoming so hostile to the exclusive message of the gospel of Christ that we face inevitable suffering if we courageously proclaim the gospel. Our Lord Jesus already said, “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:19)
Remember, if we are not preaching the gospel, we are not living for our Lord who loved us and laid His life for us. If we are not suffering for the gospel, we are not suffering for Christ. As believers of Christ, we are called to live for Christ and suffer for His gospel and glory.
O, how Paul expressed his passion to share in Christ’s sufferings! (Phi. 3:10) He said, “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal.” (2 Tim. 2:8-9)
In personal or corporate meetings, when asked to share our problems and sufferings, we immediately express that we are suffering due to sickness, troubles in job, interpersonal problems in family, lack of money and material comforts, children’s security, no proper house, loss of hair and beauty…etc.
Leonard Ravenhill was right, “The early church was married to poverty, prisons and persecutions. Today, the church is married to prosperity, personality, and popularity.”
Candidly, how many us are suffering for the gospel? I feel ashamed to confess that I am not suffering much for the gospel. I am encouraged by the Word to arise and preach the gospel and suffer for the gospel. What a blessed suffering!
If we are not suffering for the gospel, it is because we are NOT preaching the gospel. Everyone who preaches the gospel will suffer.
Even many pastors and preachers are not suffering for the gospel. This is because they are not preaching the gospel to unbelievers, but preaching sermons only to believers, enjoying their praise and applause.
The world today is becoming so hostile to the exclusive message of the gospel of Christ that we face inevitable suffering if we courageously proclaim the gospel. Our Lord Jesus already said, “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:19)
Remember, if we are not preaching the gospel, we are not living for our Lord who loved us and laid His life for us. If we are not suffering for the gospel, we are not suffering for Christ. As believers of Christ, we are called to live for Christ and suffer for His gospel and glory.
O, how Paul expressed his passion to share in Christ’s sufferings! (Phi. 3:10) He said, “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal.” (2 Tim. 2:8-9)
Do we have this passion to suffer for Christ and for His gospel?
Let us stop focusing and complaining about our suffering like the world does. Of course, we have to pray and trust in God to help us in our earthly troubles. But let our suffering be different from the world. Let us also suffer for the gospel. Let us not be afraid of the suffering for the gospel. Let us rejoice in our suffering for the gospel. Like the early disciples, let us count ourselves blessed to suffer for the Name of Jesus (Acts 5:41).
Let us not love our lives and abstain from preaching the gospel. The Lord Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for MY SAKE AND THE GOSPEL’S will save it.” (Mark 8:34-35)
Remember, we suffer for Christ only on earth, and our life on earth is short. Let us not miss this privilege. Let us preach the gospel and partake in the glorious privilege of suffering for Christ. 
Click here to read Part Three
Click here to read Part Three 
Thank you for this encouraging blog post. God bless my brother.
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