Trials and Persecution in the Christian Life

SIMON TEMPLE AME ZION

CHURCH BIBLE STUDY

PASTOR: BISHOP BRIAN R.

THOMPSON SR.

SUBJECT: 

Difficult Times Are A Part Of The Christian’s Life

 Facilitator: Dr. Leon B. Newton

Scripture to ponder: 2 Timothy 3:12 –” Indeed all who delight in piety and are

determined to live a devoted and godly life in Christ Jesus will meet with

persecution [will be made to suffer because of their religious stand]”.

INTRODUCTION

        As one writer puts it, Oysters suffer affliction when they get a grain of sand stuck

inside their shells. No matter what they do, they can’t get rid of it. The sand gets stuck

there and it’s irritating to the oysters. It’s a thorn. It drives them crazy. To bring comfort to

their anguish, they begin covering the grain of sand with a smooth hard substance, over

and over and over again. Covering the sand doesn’t get rid of it; it just comforts them.

        Over time the covering of the grain of sand over and over again produces

something that costs a mint. It’s called a pearl. Do you know what a pearl is? A pearl is

the result of an irritated oyster. Out of that came something women place great value on.

       The pain resulted in beauty. The pain resulted in elegance. The pain resulted in

something of high value. When God allows us to suffer, he is producing something

precious (Evans 944).

1. LIVING IN A FALLEN WORLD MEANS

TOUGH TIMES ARE INEVITABLE!

•

Genesis 3:17 (AMPC): “And to Adam He

Genesis 3:17 (AMPC): “And to Adam He

said, Because you have listened and

said, Because you have listened and

given heed to the voice of your wife and

given heed to the voice of your wife and

have eaten of the tree of which I

have eaten of the tree of which I

commanded you, saying, You shall not

commanded you, saying, You shall not

eat of it, the ground is under a curse

eat of it, the ground is under a curse

because of you; 

because of you; 

in sorrow and toil shall

in sorrow and toil shall

you eat [of the fruits] of it all the days of

you eat [of the fruits] of it all the days of

your life.”

your life.”

•

Job 5:7 (AMPC): “7 But man is 

Job 5:7 (AMPC): “7 But man is 

born to

born to

trouble

trouble

 as the sparks and the flames fly

 as the sparks and the flames fly

upward.

upward.

•

Job 14:1-2 (AMPC): “Man who is born of

Job 14:1-2 (AMPC): “Man who is born of

a woman is of few days and 

a woman is of few days and 

full of

full of

trouble

trouble

. He comes forth like a flower

. He comes forth like a flower

and withers; he flees also like a shadow

and withers; he flees also like a shadow

and continues not.”

and continues not.”

2. TRIALS ARE TO BE EXPECTED AND REMIND

US OF THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST.

•

1 Peter 4:12-13: “Beloved, do not be

1 Peter 4:12-13: “Beloved, do not be

amazed and bewildered at the 

amazed and bewildered at the 

fiery

fiery

ordeal 

ordeal 

which is taking place 

which is taking place 

to test 

to test 

your

your

quality, as though something strange

quality, as though something strange

(unusual and alien to you and your

(unusual and alien to you and your

position) were befalling you. But insofar as

position) were befalling you. But insofar as

you are 

you are 

sharing Christ’s sufferings

sharing Christ’s sufferings

,

,

rejoice, so that when His glory [full of

rejoice, so that when His glory [full of

radiance and splendor] is revealed, you

radiance and splendor] is revealed, you

may also rejoice with triumph

may also rejoice with triumph

[exultantly].”

[exultantly].”

•

2 Timothy 2:3: “3 Take [with me] your

2 Timothy 2:3: “3 Take [with me] your

share of the 

share of the 

hardships

hardships

 and 

 and 

suffering

suffering

[which you are called to endure] as a

[which you are called to endure] as a

good (first-class) soldier of Christ Jesus.”

good (first-class) soldier of Christ Jesus.”

3. GOD ALLOWS TRIALS SO THAT OUR

FAITH WILL BE STRENGTHENED!

•

1 Peter 1:6-7: “[You should] be

1 Peter 1:6-7: “[You should] be

exceedingly glad on this account, though

exceedingly glad on this account, though

now for a little while you may be

now for a little while you may be

distressed by trials 

distressed by trials 

and 

and 

suffer temptations

suffer temptations

,

,

So that [the genuineness] of your 

So that [the genuineness] of your 

faith

faith

may be 

may be 

tested

tested

, [your faith] which is

, [your faith] which is

infinitely more precious than the

infinitely more precious than the

perishable gold which is tested and

perishable gold which is tested and

purified by fire. [This 

purified by fire. [This 

proving of your faith

proving of your faith

is intended

is intended

] to redound to [your] praise

] to redound to [your] praise

and glory and honor when Jesus Christ

and glory and honor when Jesus Christ

(the Messiah, the Anointed One) is

(the Messiah, the Anointed One) is

revealed.”

revealed.”

•

James 1:2-5 (AMPC): “

James 1:2-5 (AMPC): “

Consider

Consider

 it wholly 

 it wholly 

joyful

joyful

,

,

my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or

my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or

encounter 

encounter 

trials 

trials 

of any sort or fall into various

of any sort or fall into various

temptations. Be assured and understand that the

temptations. Be assured and understand that the

trial 

trial 

and 

and 

proving of your faith 

proving of your faith 

bring out

bring out

endurance

endurance

 and s

 and s

teadfastness

teadfastness

 and 

 and 

patience

patience

. But

. But

let endurance and steadfastness and patience

let endurance and steadfastness and patience

have full play and do a thorough work, so that

have full play and do a thorough work, so that

you may be [people] perfectly and 

you may be [people] perfectly and 

fully

fully

developed 

developed 

[with no defects], lacking in nothing.

[with no defects], lacking in nothing.

If any of you is 

If any of you is 

deficient in wisdom

deficient in wisdom

, let him ask of

, let him ask of

[b]the giving God [Who gives] to everyone

[b]the giving God [Who gives] to everyone

liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching

liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching

or faultfinding, and it will be given him.”

or faultfinding, and it will be given him.”

4. TRIALS ENABLE US TO DEVELOP INTO

THE PERSON GOD WANT US TO BE.

•

Job 23:8-10: “Behold, I go forward [and to the east], but He is not there; I go backward

Job 23:8-10: “Behold, I go forward [and to the east], but He is not there; I go backward

[and to the west], but I cannot perceive Him;

[and to the west], but I cannot perceive Him;

•

On the left hand [and to the north] where He works [I seek Him], but I cannot behold Him;

On the left hand [and to the north] where He works [I seek Him], but I cannot behold Him;

He turns Himself to the right hand [and to the south], but I cannot see Him.

He turns Himself to the right hand [and to the south], but I cannot see Him.

•

But He knows the way that I take [He has concern for it, appreciates, and pays attention to

But He knows the way that I take [He has concern for it, appreciates, and pays attention to

it]. When 

it]. When 

He has tried me

He has tried me

, I shall come forth as 

, I shall come forth as 

refined gold 

refined gold 

[pure and luminous].”

[pure and luminous].”

5. THROUGH TRIALS WE ARE DRIVEN TO

FOCUS MORE ON HEAVEN AND ETERNITY.

•

2 Corinthians 4:17-18: “2 Corinthians 4:17-18: “For our light, 

2 Corinthians 4:17-18: “2 Corinthians 4:17-18: “For our light, 

momentary affliction 

momentary affliction 

(this

(this

slight distress of the 

slight distress of the 

passing hour

passing hour

) is ever more and more 

) is ever more and more 

abundantly preparing 

abundantly preparing 

and

and

producing

producing

 and 

 and 

achieving

achieving

 for 

 for 

us

us

 an 

 an 

everlasting weight of glory 

everlasting weight of glory 

[beyond all measure,

[beyond all measure,

excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory

excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory

and blessedness never to cease!]

and blessedness never to cease!]

•

Since we consider and look not to the things that are 

Since we consider and look not to the things that are 

seen

seen

 but to the things that are

 but to the things that are

unseen

unseen

; for the things that are 

; for the things that are 

visible

visible

 are 

 are 

temporal

temporal

 (brief and fleeting), but the things that

 (brief and fleeting), but the things that

are 

are 

invisible

invisible

 are 

 are 

deathless

deathless

 and 

 and 

everlasting.

everlasting.

”

”

6. A POSSIBLE REASON FOR TRIALS IS GOD’S

DISCIPLINE THAT MOVES US TO REPENTANCE AND

CONFESSION OF SIN.

•

Hebrews 12:10-11 (AMPC): “10 For [our earthly fathers] disciplined us for only a short

Hebrews 12:10-11 (AMPC): “10 For [our earthly fathers] disciplined us for only a short

period of time and chastised us as seemed proper and good to them; but 

period of time and chastised us as seemed proper and good to them; but 

He disciplines

He disciplines

us for our 

us for our 

certain good

certain good

, that we may become 

, that we may become 

sharers in His own holiness

sharers in His own holiness

.

.

•

For the time being 

For the time being 

no discipline 

no discipline 

brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but

brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but

afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness 

afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness 

to those who have been 

to those who have been 

trained

trained

 by

 by

it [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness—in 

it [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness—in 

conformity to God’s will 

conformity to God’s will 

in

in

purpose

purpose

, 

, 

thought

thought

, and 

, and 

action

action

, 

, 

resulting

resulting

 in 

 in 

right living 

right living 

and 

and 

right standing with God

right standing with God

].”

].”

7. THE COMFORT GOD PROVIDES FOR US

CAN BE PASSED ON TO HELP OTHERS.

•

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (AMPC):” Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (AMPC):” Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus

Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God [

Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God [

Who is the Source

Who is the Source

] of

] of

every comfort 

every comfort 

(consolation and encouragement),

(consolation and encouragement),

•

Who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in 

Who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in 

every trouble 

every trouble 

(calamity and

(calamity and

affliction), so that 

affliction), so that 

we

we

 may also be able 

 may also be able 

to comfort 

to comfort 

(console and encourage) 

(console and encourage) 

those

those

who are in any kind of trouble or distress

who are in any kind of trouble or distress

, with the comfort (consolation and

, with the comfort (consolation and

encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and

encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and

encouraged) by God.”

encouraged) by God.”

8. WE MUST RESPOND TO TRIALS BY RESTING IN

GOD’S PRESENCE AND STRENGTH WHICH IS CRUCIAL.

•

Psalm 3:4-5:” But You, O Lord, are 

Psalm 3:4-5:” But You, O Lord, are 

a shield

a shield

for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

With my voice I cry to the Lord, and He

With my voice I cry to the Lord, and He

hears and answers me out of His holy hill.

hears and answers me out of His holy hill.

Selah [

Selah [

pause,

pause,

 and 

 and 

calmly think of that

calmly think of that

]!”

]!”

•

Jeremiah 33:3:” 3 Call to Me and I will

Jeremiah 33:3:” 3 Call to Me and I will

answer you and show you great and

answer you and show you great and

mighty things, fenced in and hidden,

mighty things, fenced in and hidden,

which you do not know (do not distinguish

which you do not know (do not distinguish

and recognize, have knowledge of and

and recognize, have knowledge of and

understand).

understand).

•

Psalm 9:9-10:” The Lord also will be a

Psalm 9:9-10:” The Lord also will be a

refuge 

refuge 

and a high tower for the

and a high tower for the

oppressed, a refuge and 

oppressed, a refuge and 

a stronghold 

a stronghold 

in

in

times 

times 

of 

of 

trouble

trouble

 (high cost, destitution,

 (high cost, destitution,

and desperation).

and desperation).

•

And they who know Your name [who have

And they who know Your name [who have

experience and 

experience and 

acquaintance with Your

acquaintance with Your

mercy

mercy

] will lean on and confidently put

] will lean on and confidently put

their trust in You, for You, Lord, 

their trust in You, for You, Lord, 

have not

have not

forsaken

forsaken

 those who seek (inquire of and

 those who seek (inquire of and

for) You [on the authority of God’s Word

for) You [on the authority of God’s Word

and the right of their necessity].”

and the right of their necessity].”

9. WE CAN TRUST GOD’S SOVEREIGN

WISDOM AND SUPPORT.

•

Jeremiah 10:23:” Am I a 

Jeremiah 10:23:” Am I a 

God at hand

God at hand

,

,

says the Lord, and not a God afar off?

says the Lord, and not a God afar off?

•

Psalm 56:8: “You 

Psalm 56:8: “You 

number

number

 and 

 and 

record

record

 my

 my

wanderings; put 

wanderings; put 

my tears 

my tears 

into Your

into Your

bottle—are they not in Your book?

bottle—are they not in Your book?

•

2 Timothy 4:17-18: “But the Lord 

2 Timothy 4:17-18: “But the Lord 

stood

stood

by

by

 me and 

 me and 

strengthened me

strengthened me

, so that

, so that

through me the [

through me the [

Gospel] message

Gospel] message

might be fully proclaimed and all the

might be fully proclaimed and all the

Gentiles might hear it. 

Gentiles might hear it. 

So I was

So I was

delivered out of the jaws of the lion

delivered out of the jaws of the lion

.

.

•

[And indeed] the Lord will certainly

[And indeed] the Lord will certainly

deliver

deliver

 and [a]

 and [a]

draw me 

draw me 

to Himself from

to Himself from

every assault of evil

every assault of evil

. He will 

. He will 

preserve

preserve

and 

and 

bring me safe 

bring me safe 

unto 

unto 

His heavenly

His heavenly

kingdom

kingdom

. To Him be the glory forever

. To Him be the glory forever

and ever. Amen (so be it).”

and ever. Amen (so be it).”

10. GOD’S GRACE IS OUR SUFFICIENCY.

COUNT ON IT!

•

Psalm 55:22: “Cast your burden on the

Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He

will sustain you; He will never allow the

[consistently] righteous to be moved

(made to slip, fall, or fail).”

•

2 Corinthians 12:9: “But He said to me, 

2 Corinthians 12:9: “But He said to me, 

My

My

grace 

grace 

(My favor and loving-kindness and

(My favor and loving-kindness and

mercy) is enough for you [sufficient

mercy) is enough for you [sufficient

against any danger and enables you to

against any danger and enables you to

bear the trouble manfully]; for My

bear the trouble manfully]; for My

strength

strength

 and 

 and 

power

power

 are made perfect

 are made perfect

(fulfilled and completed) and [b]show

(fulfilled and completed) and [b]show

themselves 

themselves 

most effective 

most effective 

in [your]

in [your]

weakness

weakness

. Therefore, I will all the more

. Therefore, I will all the more

gladly glory in my weaknesses and

gladly glory in my weaknesses and

infirmities, that the 

infirmities, that the 

strength

strength

 and 

 and 

power

power

 of

 of

Christ (the Messiah) 

Christ (the Messiah) 

may rest 

may rest 

(yes, may

(yes, may

[c]pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

[c]pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

11. AS WE ARE STRONG THROUGH ADVERSITY,

GOD’S REWARD WILL BE EVIDENT.

•

James 1:12: “Blessed (happy, [c]to be envied) is the man who is 

James 1:12: “Blessed (happy, [c]to be envied) is the man who is 

patient under trial

patient under trial

and 

and 

stands up under temptation

stands up under temptation

, for when he has 

, for when he has 

stood the test 

stood the test 

and 

and 

been approved

been approved

,

,

he will 

he will 

receive

receive

 [

 [

the victor’s

the victor’s

] 

] 

crown of life 

crown of life 

which 

which 

God has promised 

God has promised 

to those 

to those 

who love

who love

Him

Him

.”

.”

12. SOME PRACTICAL STEPS!

•

Keep 

Keep 

a daily prayer journal, noting your pain

a daily prayer journal, noting your pain

and struggles. Record answers as God

and struggles. Record answers as God

responds. Every day, list items of thanksgiving.

responds. Every day, list items of thanksgiving.

•

Memorize

Memorize

 Philippians 4:6-7.Writer it on a card

 Philippians 4:6-7.Writer it on a card

and keep it close at hand.

and keep it close at hand.

•

Be 

Be 

open with other believers. Enlist them to

open with other believers. Enlist them to

empathize and pray for you.

empathize and pray for you.

•

Consider

Consider

 the response of each of the following

 the response of each of the following

people to their suffering: Job, Job 1:21; 2:10;

people to their suffering: Job, Job 1:21; 2:10;

James 5:11; Joseph, Genesis 37-50; David, 1

James 5:11; Joseph, Genesis 37-50; David, 1

Samuel 19-30; Apostles, Acts 5:27-42.

Samuel 19-30; Apostles, Acts 5:27-42.

•

Seek

Seek

 out others going through trials;

 out others going through trials;

encourage them by listening to their journeys

encourage them by listening to their journeys

and praying faithfully for them.

and praying faithfully for them.

•

Meditate

Meditate

 on Romans 8:28 and write down a

 on Romans 8:28 and write down a

past difficult event in your life that God has

past difficult event in your life that God has

used for good.

used for good.

•

Center

Center

 your Bible reading in the Psalms where

 your Bible reading in the Psalms where

the authors experienced adversity, see

the authors experienced adversity, see

especially Psalm 12; 34; 46; 55; 73; 91; 121; 143;

especially Psalm 12; 34; 46; 55; 73; 91; 121; 143;

145.

145.

RESOURCE FOR THIS LESSON

•

Miller, Keith R. Quick Scripture Reference for Counseling Men. Baker Publishing

Group, Grand Rapids MI: 2014, pp.  297-300.