Privileged Suffering

“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.” Philippians 1:29

 

Paul wrote in the previous verses that we are to conduct ourselves as though our only citizenship was worthy of the gospel message that we proclaim, and that in doing so we should be committed to a mindset held together by the Holy Spirit. Then, he encouraged us not to be “terrified by your adversaries”

(Philippians 1:28).

Such adversaries—from the devil himself (1 Peter 5:8) to business (Matthew 5:25) and family problems (Luke 12:13)—are part and parcel to those who would “live godly in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:12). We should not be surprised when such challenges come; rather, we should be alarmed if all men “speak well of you” (Luke 6:26).

Curiously, Paul wrote that we are “gifted” (Greek verb charizomai, same idea as the related noun charis) with this privilege, in the interests of our Lord Jesus, to “suffer for his sake.” The apostles understood this paradox as they left the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name” (Acts 5:41).

Peter wrote that we should follow the example set for us by the Lord Jesus, “who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:23). In fact, we should “rejoice” when asked to share in the same kind of sufferings that our Lord endured, and whenever we are “reproached for the name of Christ” we should be happy, “for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you” (1 Peter 4:14).

Privileged suffering indeed! James wrote that we should “count it all joy” (James 1:2) when we are tested. Those times increase our faith and allow us to demonstrate our allegiance to Christ. – Dr. Henry Morris III

The Lord’s Day Services

Sunday, April 17th 10:00a.m. Sunday School classes for all ages.

Adult Bible Class – Study on God’s Existence & Attributes – Dr. Frank McClelland

11:00a.m. Morning Service – Dr. Larry Saunders
6:00p.m. Pre-Service Prayer Meeting
6:30p.m. Evening Service – Dr. Larry Saunders

Weekly Announcements

Wednesday, April 20th 7:25p.m. Annual General Meeting

(Everyone is welcome to attend)

Thursday, April 21st 7:30p.m. Women’s Missionary Fellowship

(Tidy up in the primary school building)

7:30p.m. Youth Fellowship
Friday, April 22nd 7:00p.m. Good News Bible Club

Advance Announcements

Sunday, April 24th 11:00a.m. Morning Service – Dr. Larry Saunders
6:30p.m. Evening Service – Dr. Larry Saunders

(Fellowship & Refreshments Team #3 is on Set-up and Clean-up)

Wednesday, April 27th 7:25p.m. Prayer Meeting & Bible Study
Friday, April 29th 7:00p.m. Good News Bible Club

Please Pray For:

Memorize Scripture

Congregational Memory Verses

Philippians 4:4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Wedding Shower and Welcome

Ladies, we will be having a wedding shower and a welcome on Tuesday, April 26th for Aszerina Ijaodola who was married in our church on December 19th, 2015. For gift ideas, please see Dana McAnally or Esther Moorehead.

Deepest Sympathy

The congregation would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. May McClelland and Mr. Robin Cleland on the passing of their beloved sister Anna Richards. We pray for the whole family that they will know the comfort of the Lord during this sad time.

Visitation at Pine Hills Cemetery – Thursday April 21st – 2-4pm & 7-9pm

Friday April 22nd, visitation at 10am – Funeral Service at 11am

Internment and Reception to follow.

Pine Hills Cemetery – 625 Birchmount Rd. Scarborough, ON M1K 5E4