MUCH AFFLICTION

Sunday Morning: October 3, 1999

Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:6 "And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:"

THE ELECT ENTER THE KINGDOM

2 Peter 1:10-11 "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall [stumble]:

THROUGH TRIBULATION

Acts 14:22 "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."

OFFENCES WILL COME

Luke 17:1 "Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences [skandalon, scandalize] will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!"

WORTHY OF THE KINGDOM

2 Thessalonians 1:4-5 "So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience [upomonh, continuance] and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

THE WORD OF THE KINGDOM

Matthew 13:18-23 "Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

BETTER A MILLSTONE THAN OFFENCES

Matthew 18:3-7 "And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children [paidion], ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

GATHER OUT OF HIS KINGDOM

Matthew 13:41-42 "The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things (those) that offend [skandalon, scandalize], and them which do iniquity [anomia, lawlessness]; 42. And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth."

AFTER ILLUMINATION

Hebrews 10:32-35 "But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

WITH JOY

Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:6 "And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:"

THE KINGDOM IS JOY

Romans 14:17 "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

COUNT IT ALL JOY

James 1:2-4 "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

LIGHT AFFLICTION

THE JOY SET BEFORE US

Hebrews 12:2 "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL

1 John 1:4 "And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full."

ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM

Matthew 25:21 "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."