1. 1 DO YOU SUFFER FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST? “You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.” Hebrews 12:1-4

2. 2 Is there not a cause? David said, “ Is there not a cause?” 1 Samuel 17:21-29 (Soldiers of Christ Arise!) David said, “ Is there not a cause?” 1 Samuel 17:21-29 (Soldiers of Christ Arise!) “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Jude 3 “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Jude 3

3. 3 IS THERE A COST INVOLVED IF YOU CHOOSE TO FOLLOW JESUS! (“But I thought Jesus Paid it all?”)  It is true that Jesus freely gave Himself to die on the cross so we might be saved, but salvation was not without cost!  1 Peter 1:17-21, “knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

4. 4 Pattern of Sound Words 2 Timothy 1:13  Is it your understanding that Jesus died so men might continue in sin?  Didn’t Jesus die that men might come out of sin?  Jesus never died that men might continue in sin!

5. 5 Christians Choose to Suffer  Jesus taught, “Blessed are you if you are persecuted for righteousness sake.” Matthew 5:10-12  Peter wrote, “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this name.” 1 Peter 4:16

6. 6 2 Timothy 3:12  “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12  “For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3:17

7. 7 2 Timothy 3:12  Jesus said, “ Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets.” Luke 6:26  “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you,” 2 Peter 2:1

8. 8 1 Peter 4:1  “ Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.”

9. 9 2 TIMOTHY 3:12  A woman who believed herself to be a faithful Christian, made the following comments in a Sunday morning Bible class.  (The class was listening to her arguments. You could see the influence she began to have over those in the class.)

10. 10 SHE DIDN’T UNDERSTAND IT!  “Well, I don’t understand 2 Timothy 3:12.  “People in my community know me, and I’m loved.”  All those people know that I’m a Christian!”

11. 11 James 1:22, “Self Deceived!”  “I live a godly life”  “But I don’t suffer persecution!”  “If this verse is true, why don’t I suffer?”  JESUS TAUGHT: Luke 12:51-57  “Why do you not judge what is right?”

12. 12 HAVE YOU COUNTED THE COST?  "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost,” Luke 14:28-30  “MUST I BE CARRIED TO THE SKYS ON FLOWERY BEDS OF EASE, WHILE OTHERS FOUGHT TO WIN THE PRISE, AND SAILED THROUGH BLOODY SEAS ?” (Am I a soldier of the cross?)

13. 13 Do I suffer for the cause of Christ?  I see other Christians suffering because of their stand for truth, why am I not suffering?  Am I ashamed of Jesus and His words? Mark 8:38

14. 14 “I am not ashamed of the gospel,” Romans 1:16  "Therefore I testify to you this day that I [am] innocent of the blood of all [men].” Acts 20:26  "For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” Acts 20:27  Is it uncomfortable for you to sing, “You never mentioned Him to me.” 2 Corinthians 5:10-11