PowerPoint Presentation

I AM AFFLICTEDEPHESIANS 3:1-131 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles-- 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.

EPHESIANS 3:1-134 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. EPHESIANS 3:1-136 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of His power. EPHESIANS 3:1-138 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, EPHESIANS 3:1-1310 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that He has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, EPHESIANS 3:1-1312 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. The Bible is very honest that SUFFERING is real and it comes to Gods people.Two things are TRUE of you and me, and were true of Paul:

1. We will cause other people to be afflicted.

2. Other people will cause us to be afflicted.

Paul was afflicted, not just in clinical way but in a very practical and pastoral way.

Jesus Himself suffered most. He suffered unjustly and righteously. He experienced it and so He identifies with us in the midst of it.

We dont have a God thats immune from it and separated from it.

KINDS OF AFFLICTION:It is the general result of sin: death, aging, illness1. ADAMICEternal hell; it is for people who have sinned against God and dont turn from sin and trust in Jesus.2. PUNISHMENTIt is reaping what we sow.3. CONSEQUENTIALSatans harming Gods people: sickness, torment, night terrors, hearing voices, demonic accusations.4. DEMONICIt is where you didnt do anything wrong; people just harmed you and you are sinned against: attacked, abused, mistreated. 5. VICTIMIt is where you are a part of a people, a community or a nation who are suffering, and so you are also suffering with them.6. COLLECTIVEIt is the Lords correcting and maturing the believers (pruning).7. DISCIPLINARYIt is where people are attacking the believers because of their relationship with Jesus: hated for being a Christian.8. VICARIOUSIts about when you are loving someone and when theyre hurting, you are hurting too: mourn with those who mourn. 9. EMPATHETICYou are not sinning or doing anything wrong and yet you are afflicted- primarily an opportunity to show others who Jesus is and what He has done.10.TESTIMONIALThis increases the worship of God.(Josephs being thrown, sold, jailed---and rising up in power to glorify God.)11. PROVIDENTIALThis is where God allows hardship to warn and spare us from greater hardship. (feeling pained and so you will need to go for a check-up)12. PREVENTATIVEWe dont know why we are suffering or whats going on: we know in part, we see in part.

13. MYSTERIOUSROMANS 11:3434Who has known the mind of the Lord?It is the intense opposition, affliction towards Gods people; things getting harder, difficult and worse --- due to the nearing judgment, returning of Jesus.14. APOCALYPTICWeve got to know the affliction to provide certain diagnosis.

(Jobs affliction)During suffering, dont ask the why but the who--- Who Jesus is and who you are in Him.Three things we are taught about affliction:1. We are afflicted for others good.

Our suffering can be the beginning of our ministry.2. We are afflicted for our growth.

Our self-awareness is increasing: who we are, what we have become, and for whom; pointing back to Gods grace and power.3. We are afflicted for Gods glory.

God could use the worst things to do wonderful things --- so we are not to lose heart.Practical Application1. Be honest with God and His people.2. Talk about it; it helps.3. Know when comfort is better than an answer.CONCLUSIONAFFLICTIONS ARE FOR A PURPOSE.-To display the manifold wisdom of GOD