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"Delivered to death for Jesus' sake..."

Text: 2 Corinthians 4:11

UNAFRAID TO SUFFER

Nobody enjoys suffering. But one can learn how to be unafraid of suffering. Paul is a good example of one who had developed his faith to the point when he was unafraid of suffering or death!

“For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake,
that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
So then death is working in us, but life in you.”
2 Corinthians 4:11-12

1. In the first century AD

a) The first century Christians had a particularly hard time.

b) Christianity had just begun to put its roots down.

c) Many opposed Christianity.

d) The believers were persecuted because of their faith in Christ Jesus.

2. “For we who live are always delivered to death”

a) Those who lived as Christians had to be prepared to suffer for their faith.

b) Some were delivered to death.

c) Many had already died for their faith.

d) The waves of persecution did not show signs of ebbing.

3. “For Jesus’ sake”

a) Believers found courage and strength in their faith in Christ.

b) Their faith enabled them to endure all kinds of hardship “for Jesus’ sake”.

4. “That the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh”

a) The way believers conducted themselves even in the face of death reflected the Lord Jesus and how He faced suffering and death.

b) The life of Jesus would be manifested in the mortal Christian.

i) Their courage

ii) Their faith

iii) Their resoluteness

c) Christ was truly manifested in these brave souls.

5. “So then death is working in us, but life in you”

a) Stout-hearted Christians were not afraid to die for their faith in Christ.

b) They were aware that their faith in the Lord may cost them their very life.

c) But their death could result in bringing many to eternal life through faith in Christ.