Christian Quotes on Suffering

"Jesus promised the disciples three things---that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy and in constant trouble." G.K. Chesterton


"No character is ultimately tested until it has suffered." Harry Emerson Fosdick

"Christian, remember the goodness of God in the frost of adversity." Charles Spurgeon

"They gave our Master a crown of thorns. Why do we hope for a crown of roses?" Martin Luther

"God would not rub so hard if it were not to fetch out the dirt that is ingrained in our natures. God loves purity so well He had rather see a hole than a spot in His child's garments." William Gurnall

"Whomever the Lord has adopted and deemed worthy of His fellowship ought to prepare themselves for a hard, toilsome, and unquiet life, crammed with very many and various kinds of evil." John Calvin

"God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain." C.S. Lewis

"A Christian is someone who shares the sufferings of God in the world." Dietrich Bonhoffer

From http://christianquotes.org/tag/cat/35/0/34

Quote - Billy Graham

"If I had it to do over again, I'd spend more time in meditation and prayer and just telling the Lord how much I love Him and adore Him and (am) looking forward to the time we're going to spend together for eternity." - Billy Graham

Quote - Billy Graham

"Spend more time in study and prayer.  That's the secret of successful evangelism.  If you neglect that, you've neglected the very heart of God's call to you." - Billy Graham

Quote - Charles Spurgeon

"I will not believe that thou hast tasted of the honey of the gospel if thou can eat it all to thyself" - Charles Spurgeon

Quote - Charles Spurgeon

"Faith and obedience are bound up in the same bundle. He that obeys God trusts God; and he that trusts God obeys God. He that is without faith is without works; and he that is without works is without faith." - Charles Spurgeon

In Christ: I am significant - Neil T. Anderson

The below is quoted from Neil T. Anderson's The Bondage Breaker (p.43-45) and is an extremely helpful summary of our identity in Christ.

In Christ...

I am significant:

• I am the salt and light of the earth (Matt. 5:13)
• I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life ( John 15:1,5)
• I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)
• I am a personal witness of Christ's (Acts 1:8 )
• I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3:16)
• I am a minister of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:17-20)
• I am God's coworker (2 Cor. 6:1)
• I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm (Eph. 2:6)
• I am God's workmanship (Eph 2:10)
• I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3:12)
• I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)

In Christ: I am secure - Neil T. Anderson

The below is quoted from Neil T. Anderson's The Bondage Breaker (p.43-45) and is an extremely helpful summary of our identity in Christ.

In Christ...

I am secure:

• I am free from condemnation (Rom. 8:1,2)
• I am assured that all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28)
• I am free from any condemning charges against met (Rom. 8:31-34)
• I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom. 8:35-39)
• I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God (2 Cor. 1:21,22)
• I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3)
• I am confident that the good work that God has begun in me will be perfected (Phil. 1:6)
• I am a citizen of heaven (Phil. 3:20)
• I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7)
• I can find grace and mercy in time of need (Heb. 4:16)
• I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me (1 John 5:18)

In Christ: I am accepted - Neil T. Anderson

The below is quoted from Neil T. Anderson's The Bondage Breaker (p.43-45) and is an extremely helpful summary of our identity in Christ.

In Christ...

I am accepted:

• I am God's child (John 1:12)
• I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
• I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
• I am united with the Lord and one with Him in spirit (1 Cor. 6:17)
• I have been bought with a price - I belong to God (1 Cor. 6:20)
• I am a member of Christ's body (1 Cor. 12:27)
• I am a saint (Eph. 1:1)
• I have been adopted as God's child (Eph. 1:5)
• I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
• I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins (Col. 1:14)
• I am complete in Christ (Col 2:10)

Demons - C.S. Lewis

"There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils [demons].  One is to disbelieve in their existence.  The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.  They themselves are equally pleased by both errors, and hail a materialist or magician with the same delight." C.S. Lewis in The Screwtape Letters

Our Primary Duty - John Stott

“According to this commission, which is still addressed to us today, our primary duty is to be neither reformers of society nor healers of the sick, but rather preachers of the Gospel.”  John Stott

The Great Commission - Part III" at The Congress on World Evangelism - Berlin, 1966

The Holy Spirit - Billy Graham

"We are now living in a generation when nothing will break through the overwhelming power of Satan except the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit." Billy Graham
"Why the Berlin Congress?" at The World Congress on Evangelism, in Berlin, 1966

Turning Churches Inside Out

"We deeply regret that many of our congregations are inward-looking, organized for maintenance rather than mission, or preoccupied with church-based activities at the expense of witness. We determine to turn our churches inside out, so that they may engage in continuous outreach, until the Lord adds to them daily those who are being saved"  - The Manila Manifesto (1989)
Lausanne II, Second International Congress on World Evangelization

The Devil vs. The Church - John Stott

"The devil uses moral as well as intellectual weapons. If he cannot deceive the church into error, he will attempt to corrupt it with sin and worldliness...Not content with his attempts to introduce sin and error into the church, the devil also attacks the church from outside, seeking either by physical persecution or by restrictive legislation to hinder the church's work."
John Stott
The Lausanne Covenant: An Exposition and Commentary

Miracles - Billy Graham

“Brethren, I do not believe that the day of miracles has passed. As long as the Holy Spirit abides and works on the earth, the Church's potential is the same as it was in apostolic days. The great Paraclete has not been withdrawn, and He still waits to work through those who are willing to meet His conditions of repentance, humility, and obedience.”

Billy Graham

"Why the Berlin Congress?", World Congress on Evangelism, Berlin, 1966

Christ Crucified vs. Morality Preaching - David Brainerd

"I found that when my people were gripped by this great doctrine of Christ and Him crucified, I had no need to give them instructions about morality. I found that one followed as sure and inevitable fruit of the other."
David Brainerd, in the journal of his life and doings among the North American Indians.
Quoted by Billy Graham

Daily Walk & Evangelism - Billy Graham

"I am convinced that if each of us is living a Spirit-filled life, God will continually bring across our paths people in spiritual need that we can lead to Christ."
Billy Graham
"Why the Berlin Congress?", World Congress on Evangelism, Berlin, 1966

Effective Evangelism - Billy Graham

"The most effective method of evangelism is organizing the laity of the church to do the work of evangelism. The clergyman is not to do the work alone. He is to be like the foreman in a shop, or the coach of a team. The actual work is to be done primarily by the laity."  Billy Graham
"Why the Berlin Congress?", World Congress on Evangelism, Berlin, 1966

Satan - Billy Graham

"To Jesus and the apostles Satan was very real. He was called "the prince of this world," "the god of this age," and "the prince of the power of the air." The names used concerning him indicate something of his character and strategy. He was called "deceiver," "liar," "murderer," "accuser," "tempter," "destroyer," and many other such names.  The Apostle Paul said he wanted to visit the church of Thessalonica "but Satan hindered us" (I Thessalonians 2:18). Thus the evangelist and the work of evangelism is opposed on every hand by tremendous spiritual forces."

"Satan's greatest strategy is deception. His most successful strategy has been to get modern theologians to deny his existence...If we ignore the existence of Satan or our ignorance of his devices, then we fall into his clever trap. However, we have the glorious promise that: 'Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.'"
Billy Graham
"Why the Berlin Congress?", World Congress on Evangelism, Berlin, 1966

The Feast That Never Ends (Exodus 13:3-10)

The Feast That Never Ends (Exodus 13:3-10) from Jonathan Carl on Vimeo.
The Feast That Never Ends (Exodus 13:3-10)
Northside Baptist Church (Elizabethtown, KY)
November 21, 2010
AUDIO ONLY
“Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you.” John 6:27

“And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the LORD had made them joyful…” Ezra 6:22a

1. _____________ your deliverer
“You shall tell your son on that day, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ And it shall be to you as a sign on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth.” Exodus 13:8-9

2. _____________ in God’s strong hand
“for by a strong hand the Lord brought you out from this place.” Exodus 13:3

3. _____________the leaven
“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy” Luke 12:1

“Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened.” 1 Corinthians 5:6-7

4. _____________ the Bread
“And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’” Luke 22:19

“I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died… the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” John 6:48-51

"What does a pastor do?" - John MacArthur

"So what does a pastor do? ...He makes the following commitments. I will warn my people of error. I will devote myself to the study of Scripture. I will avoid the influence of unholy teaching that sucks out my conviction. I will discipline myself in godliness. I will work hard. I will teach with divine authority. I will endeavor to be a model of spiritual virtue. I will maintain a thoroughly Biblical ministry. I will employ my spiritual gift and not neglect it. I will be passionate about this privileged work. I will let all see my growth in grace and persevere with endurance to complete the task that God gives me"  John MacArthur in '12 Marks of Excellent Pastoral Ministry' (1 Timothy 4:6-16)

1 Timothy 4:6-16 (ESV)  "6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers."

Quote - George Mueller

"God's plan is that there shall be none of self and all of Christ. The very people who are doing the most for God in saving souls, in mission work, in the care of orphans, are those who are working on short supplies of strength, of money, of talents, or advantages and are kept in a position of living by faith and taking from God, day by day, both physical and spiritual supplies." George Mueller

FOCUS: Not the event…the relationship. (Exodus 12:1-14)

FOCUS: Not the event…the relationship. (Exodus 12:1-14) from Jonathan Carl on Vimeo.
FOCUS: Not the event…the relationship.
(Exodus 12:1-14)
@ Magnolia Baptist Church (Magnolia, KY) on Novermber 14, 2010
AUDIO ONLY

1. We must FOCUS on our ________God, not the _____ situations.

Exodus 12:2 “This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you.

ISRAEL: Slavery vs. A God who is faithful.

John 8:34 “Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.”

US: Slaves to Sin vs. A God who loved us first.

John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

1 John 4:10 “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

2.We must FOCUS on the promise ____________, not on the __________ circumstances.

ISRAEL: The Exodus vs. A God who keeps His promises

US: Slaves to Righteousness vs. A God Who Saves

Romans 6:17-18 “17But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.”

Romans 10:13 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful”


3. We must FOCUS on the source of _______, not the unknown _______.

Exodus 12:25 “And when you come to the land that the LORD will give you, as he has promised, you shall keep this service.”

ISRAEL: The Promised Land vs. The God Who Leads and Restores

Exodus 14:13,14 “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today…The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Exodus 16:8 “your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord”

US: Heaven vs. The Passover Lamb

1 Corinthians 5:7b,8 “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

Luke 22:43 “And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

Revelation 21:22-23 “And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.”

-Creation vs. The Creator
-Deliverance vs. The Deliverer
-Redemption vs. The Redeemer
-Saving vs. The Savior
-Provision vs. The Provider
-Health vs. The Healer
-Life vs. The Life-giver
-Crucifixion vs. The Crucified One
-Resurrection vs. The Resurrected One

Heb 9:22 “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”