In this world we find a lot of people, belonging to a lot of different religions. One among them is Christianity. We all fall under this category.
And we all fall under this religion. We also are aware that there are unnumbered groups under this religion, trying hard to claim that they are correct…..example The Penticostal Mission, roman catholic etc.
But we know that we are doing everything according to the bible. And now from the same scriptures, let us get to know about an overview of life of a Christian.

There are different types of Christians like:

* Christians by Birth
* People belonging to other category of Christianity like evangelical churches, 7th day adventist, and were directed to the rite place to the body of Christ. 
* People belonging to other religions like Hinduism, Muslims, etc. getting converted into a Christian. 
If we ask ourselves, reason for being/becoming a Christian, then few people come up with these kinds of answers:
* For getting married
* For getting a job and to be settled??
* To get rid of various diseases. [converted because of fake miracles at conventions]
* Troubles/Problems present in the family to get solved
› Son/Daughter disobeying their parents
› Person feeling lonely/deserted without having anyone to take care/show love.
› Bored in life.
* Peacefulness
* Feeling much stress because of poverty, lots of problems due to money, etc.

Are we called for this? Do we know who has called us to be a part of Christ’s body?
* Ephesians 1:4 says “He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world”
* So our father has called us which was decided millions of decades ago, and it is not “we” who chose to be the children of God.

What might have been the reason for calling us? Are we called to enjoy our life, as we wish? 
Anything to think about it????? Absolutely not. The answer is a “NO”. 

God surely has some valid reason for calling us. Lets have a look at those reasons.
Ephesians 2:10 says “... we are created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” 
There is also another reason for us to be called:
* 2 Timothy 3:12 says “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution”
Therefore we have been called in Christ to do good works and to suffer persecution, to fight against the evil..
* Therefore, we should always be ready and alert in order to suffer persecution and to fight against the evil.
* Its like a exam/test where we are about to face the evil things and satan. We have to be ready in order to face the exam, else we will fail/fall to him L .
In Matthew 25:1-12, we read about the parable of 10 Virgins. 5 of them were ready for the event and others weren’t. So if we are brave/wise by preparing ourselves for the trial, we will succeed else, we will also be left out by the other 5 Virgins.

Are there any role models who suffered persecutions in the scriptures for us? Yes we do have them.
We will discuss about Jesus Christ and Apostle Paul, as the role models for us.

JESUS CHRIST:
* Jesus came as the Governor/King of Israel. [Matthew 2:6]
* Jesus came to rescue the lost sheep of Israel [Matthew 15:24]
* Since the Israelites didn’t accept his, we [the gentiles] got the opportunity to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. 
Why did He suffer? 
In order to provide us the remission of sins, and in order to remove the old covenant and provide the new covenant to all the people who accept him. Ephesians 2:10-20
We also know that by grace of the God, we are saved and it is his gift.
Thereby we are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God. 
What might have been the thoughts running through Jesus mind, while he suffered these persecutions/troubles?
* Hebrews 12:2 “Jesus..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”
* Philippians 2:5-11 says “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”
* There are a lot more to read about Jesus Sufferings. 

PAUL – THE APOSTLE:
* Apostle Paul is the most troubled apostle.
Persecutions of Paul:
› 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 – Well known scriptures
* What was his mentality? Philippians 3:12-14 “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” 

Targets for Jesus and Paul:
Both Jesus Christ and Paul had some targets set in front of them.
While striving hard to get/achieve that target, they hold firmly when they were persecuted/troubled by someone or by evil.
Do we have any target set for us? If so What is our target? 

What is our target?
To fight against Satan and his plans are our main targets.
* How do we prepare ourselves, while doing so or while being persecuted/troubled?
* Who is helping us during troublesome times? 
* Hebrews 2:18 “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” 

How our mentality should be?
Hebrews 12:3 “For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”
* 2 Timothy 1:12 “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” 
Our target:
* Philippians 3:14,15 “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you” 

Conclusion:
We should always be ready to be persecuted/troubled, because that’s what we are called for.
The reward that we will get is:
› 2 Timothy 4:7,8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” 


AMEN


Vorige