Q2. Endurance and Suffering

[Commissioned]

Q2. Why do you think our churches tend not to declare the call to endurance and suffering? Why did Timothy tend to shy away from it? What is the result of a willingness to suffer for the gospel?

Our churches tend not to declare the call to endurance and suffering because nobody wants to face the fact that we are called to endurance and suffering for the cause of the gospel. There's teaching that lead people to believe that once you become a Christian everything will be alright. This lead many to associate suffering as a result of not living right. Timothy probably shied away from declaring a call to endurance and suffering not wanting to present a message that is unpopular with the masses. This trend is still with us today. We need to teach that our willingness to suffer for the gospel bring glory to God as we lift up the name of Jesus and declare His doctrine.

[rambler]

Q2. Why do you think our churches tend not to declare the call to endurance and suffering? Why did Timothy tend to shy away from it? What is the result of a willingness to suffer for the gospel?

Instead of making disciples, many are building organizations and you can't build organizations with empty pews. It is a natural reaction. We will reign with him.

[DrD]

Q2. Why do you think our churches tend not to declare the call to endurance and suffering? Why did Timothy tend to shy away from it? What is the result of a willingness to suffer for the gospel?

I feel that many churches today tend not to declare the call to endurance and suffering because we have become to accustomed to the comforts and prosperity we have today. . . I feel that there is some pride is involved in this failure also

[Old Jerry]

I think that our churches tend not to declare the call to endurance and suffering because we have the weird idea that if we accept Jesus as our savior we won

[Eagleswings01]

Q2. Why do you think our churches tend not to declare the call to endurance and suffering? Why did Timothy tend to shy away from it? What is the result of a willingness to suffer for the gospel?

I think our churches tend not to declare the call to endurance and suffering since noone will be willing to go through any suffering at all. The mindset is if your serving and living for Christ then why do we have to go through that.

Timothy tended to shy away from it because posssibly he was fearful.

Willingness to suffer for the gospel results in us reigning with Him.In everything we do for the Lord,the Lord takes record and He will reward us. He is no man's debtor.

[Gerbrand van Schalkwyk]

Why do you think our churches tend not to declare the call to endurance and suffering?

Many churches wants to spread only good news, they only give the nice 1/2 of the message from the World, so that they might not frighten away potential members.

For the same reason responsibility is regularly not preached.

Why did Timothy tend to shy away from it?

It is nice to preach nice things, but it can make you very unpopular to spread hard messages.

What is the result of a willingness to suffer for the gospel?

We earn rewards in heaven through obedience and sacrifice.

[Craig]

Q2. Why do you think our churches tend not to declare the call to endurance and suffering? Why did Timothy tend to shy away from it? What is the result of a willingness to suffer for the gospel?

 

In American, churches tend not to declare the call to endurance and suffering because they are not suffering.  Most church members do not suffer for Jesus Christ. They might suffer financial problems, suffer from illness or broken relationships, etc.  But, not from serving Jesus Christ.  Christians in American, like Timothy shy away from suffering because they don't like to suffer so they avoid it at any cost.  In reality effective witnessing for Jesus Christ does bring varying degrees of suffering.  We must patiently endure that suffering or dynamic, effective gospel ministry will not take place.  The gospel won't get out.

 

The result of a willingness to suffer for the gospel is eternal life with Jesus Christ.

 

[wifee]

2a) Humanly people want to avoid pain of endutance&suffering.Endurance equals sacrifice, and today’s society is all about self.
b)Timothy was naturally a more timid person,a character weakness of many.He’s also aware of past conflict in church already,so maybe not keen to create further rebellion.
c)Consequence of suffering for the gospel is benefit for the kingdom of God.Individual’s faith is strengthened,proven and greater confidence in the Lord’s power.

[Jonathan Edwards]

If they did, there would be lost of parishoners.   Sadly, too many clergymen have not been taught correctly in regards to basic Christian doctrines on suffering and Mortification.   It could be just bad seminary formation that has affected many pastors occupying the pulpits.

Timothy was a young preacher.   It must have been a trial for him knowing that his dear friend was practically left forgotten in a dank Roman prison.   Besides knowing that a number of Paul's associates abandoned his beloved spiritual father.  Timothy was indeed in a tough situation; the Ephesian church was in a city where pagan worship was common; he had to make sure that discouragement and frustrations did not get the best of him.  Timothy truly had to hold on the horns of the altar like Moses and Aaron!  Timothy had to be an encouragement to the Ephesian believers in their new found faith; it was no time for timidity.

The crucifying of the flesh, and taking up the Cross, and being a testimony for Christ in the midst of trial-gave glory to God and a great encouragement to the Ephesian believers.  Completed glory is reserved for the day of judgment.

 

[Krissi]

I'm not sure the church can avoid the topic of suffering -- many people deeply suffer, after all -- though I agree that it's not preached as an inevitability.

When people and nations suffer -- this could be great emotional trauma for an individual or a war for a nation -- the level of angst, disbelief and disillusionment increases, sometimes quite quickly. The church will have to speak to such suffering. I don't think the church is prepared for this. In the West, anyway, we've had it easy until recently.

I do think the long period of relative ease and loveliness of life in Western countries is coming to an abrupt end. At this point the people in the church who have already suffered and have risen through and above it must take a mentoring role to those in the congregation who have never deeply suffered and don't know how to cope.  And, we'll have to reach beyond the church to the unsaved. It will be a great witnessing opportunity! 

But will there be enough seasoned sufferers to press forward?

To read someone from an earlier time in history who had suffered greatly and was struggling, I recommend Lettie (Mrs. Charles) Cowman's devotional, Streams in the Desert. I clung to this book during my period of suffering -- no one seemed to understand what I was going through in the church, so I buried myself in books, prayed often and "wailingly," and found old Catholic authors and this Protestant one to cling to.

At the end of the 19th century, the period of optimism in Western countries ended abruptly as the realities of WWI sunk in. The suffering of Europeans ... the slaughter and it's aftermath... is difficult for us to comprehend today. I have found that European books written between 1890 and 1930 to be most familiar with real suffering and how to prayerfully overcome it. Oswald Chambers comes to mind, too.

The good news is that periods of suffering can be followed by those of revival, both on an individual and national/regional level. Suffering also creates the conditions of awakenings.

[Nicolaas A.P. Mostert]

Q2.

Why do you think our churches tend not to declare the call to endurance and suffering?

Endures and suffering is not a short term thing, this is a process, a continuous thing that must be adhere too. As JESUS has said, "you will be persecuted for MY name shake.." We have to correct where people preach or teaches wrong doctrine or even mislead congregants. But most Christian don't want to do this correction to escape the painful endurance and suffering.     

Why did Timothy tend to shy away from it?

Timothy was a young man, fresh in the missionary sent by Paul under the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT. Because of the older men in the area and the respect a younger person must show towards an older person, attend to develop such performs. There for Timothy has become shy for their intimidation. 

What is the result of a willingness to suffer for the gospel?

Always a glorious end result because GOD promise that HE will took after HIS WORD and HIS SPIORIT the HOLY SPIRIT will help us in our weakness. 

[Diane D.]

Q2. Why do you think our churches tend not to declare the call to endurance and suffering? Why did Timothy tend to shy away from it? What is the result of a willingness to suffer for the gospel?

There has been a lot of church history between the time that this scripture was written and now.  We are blessed now that we can worship as we wish without hardship and rejection.  I have only conjectures for this.  Possibly the churches and Timothy fully understood what the suffering would be since the Romans first crucified Jesus and Jews were handing Christians over to the Sanhedrin, and then again, when the Romans conquered Israel itself, in 70 AD destroying the Temple and subjugating the people. The Jews have had a long history of being outcast and the targets of executions and pogroms.  Timothy may have shied away from it because a) he was young and not yet as seasoned as the apostles or Paul b) this endurance/suffering may be viewed by parishioners as a badge of honour which could cause insurrections and trials as in earlier history.

 

The result of a willingness to suffer for the gospel is an example to those people on earth who may have to go through the same thing.  It strengthens your faith.  And although we should not just think of rewards whenever we do anything for the gospel, Matthew 5:12 states, 

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for

great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted

they the prophets which were before you.

 

[Eldress Rowe]

Our churches do not declare the call to endurance and suffering because too many are not willing to do so. If the church was to declare a call to endurance and suffering for the cause of Christ it would probably turn some a way.  Many have been led to believe that they can live any way they want and still make it in but the Bible tells us that without holiness no man can see the Lord.  Holiness is not a fact of life it is a way of life and we have to separate ourselves from the things and ways of the world which for some is not easy

Timothy tended to shy away from it for he did not want to upset the status quo.

If we are to reign with Him then we must suffer with Him and endure hardship like a good soldier.

[Katy]

Q2. Unfortunately I think the main reason that endurance and suffering are rarely taught about is because we are not prepared for suffering or endurance . Non of us in the first world want to have to suffer anything. We would like a quiet peaceful life with out suffering. Life is full of suffering and we need to have the endurance to go through whatever comes our way. As Christian’s we have God’s promise that He will be with us and He will help us and never forsake us ( Josh 1v9) God will not eliminate suffering because we are His people but He will walk with us through the storm. He will lead us, guide us, comfort us, and give us His peace which passes all human understanding.

Timothy was a shy man and appeared to find it hard to put himself forward. He was human like us all and didn’t want to speak out in case he offended anyone and maybe he would find it hard to face any fall out there may be! Paul reminds Timothy in 2 Timothy 1v7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self discipline. Timothy was also young and may have been inexperienced and not very confident. 
A willingness to suffer draws us closer to God and His presence feels very real. As we speak out it reaffirms the gospel in our minds and we are blessed by God. 

[Clelie]

In our today society of comfort and ease  of life, the idea of having to suffer for the gospel is not appealing.Some pastors do not want to frighten their congregation in saying that following Christ there is a cross to carry.

   Timothy Being  young and not having yet experienced   the opposition against the message of salvation , shunned  the idea of having to suffer as Christ the Saviour suffered.

Jesus said “ in the world you will have tribulations, but be of good  cheer for I have overcome the world.”

There is no victory without battle. Suffering for Christ guaranty victory in Christ Jesus against the schemes of the devil.

 

[Niyonka16]

Q2. Why do you think our churches tend not to declare the call to endurance and suffering?

ANSWER: Why does God allows so much suffering in the lives of those He loves, and why the Church needs to learn to suffer with the hope of Christ?Suffering with hope reflects our suffering Savior (1 Peter 5:10). Suffering with hope proves our faith genuine (Romans 5:3-5). Suffering with hope testifies to the power of the true gospel and disqualifies false gospels (2 Corinthians 4:7-10). Suffering with hope draws us into greater unity with each other (Romans 12:10-16).

If Christ learned obedience through what He suffered (Hebrews 5:8); then how much more do we, as His children, need to learn obedience through suffering? God’s Word says clearly that, since Christ suffered in the flesh, to the point of death, for the sake of our freedom from sin, we too should expect to suffer as we follow Him; suffering for the name of Christ and suffering for the sake of learning obedience and being sanctified from sin. 

The body of Christ needs suffering because it has a way of stripping away our “false pretenses”, our outward goodness, and our independence from Christ and each other. As Christ reveals our weaknesses, shows us the depth of our need for him, and comforts us in our affliction, we will grow in humility, unity, and love towards one another. The church was never meant to be a place filled with perfect, whole, lukewarm people. Rather, it is made up of broken sinners who have been redeemed and are in the process of being made whole into the image of Christ.

Why did Timothy tend to shy away from it, (the call to endurance and suffering)?

ANSWER: Though Timothy became a leader in the early church, he had some temperamental weaknesses. He was timid and not forceful like Paul. Timothy was under pressure to compromise the gospel. His timid personality shied away from conflict and controversy. Timothy struggled with fear and hesitation. So Paul admonished his timid protégé: “God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. Timothy proves that God can and does use all kinds of temperaments in ministry.

Paul tells Timothy to look for individuals who are: 1). “reliable”, "faithful" Look for people who are faithful, dependable, sturdy in doing what they say they' ll do, and then invest special time in them. 2). “able” Look for people who are worthy teachers (by their maturity and godly life), not just those who have an ability to teach and influence others (as the false teachers did).

What is the result of a willingness to suffer for the gospel?

ANSWER: How suffering hardship for the gospel results in eternal glory? To endure hardship, remember …

1. Jesus Christ, our risen Savior (2 Timothy 2:8).
2. that God’s Word is powerful (2 Timothy 2:9).
3. that God’s sovereign purpose in saving His elect will surely succeed (2 Timothy 2:10).
4. that God’s promises are trustworthy (2 Timothy 2:11-13).

Because God has saved us by His sovereign grace, we should be willing to suffer for the gospel. Suffering for the Gospel can result in the salvation of others.

The gospel is about God’s salvation of sinners by His sovereign grace.

      a. IT IS GOD WHO SAVES US.

      b. GOD SAVES US APART FROM OUR WORKS.

God’s salvation calls us with a holy calling. God’s call to holiness is  effectual, which is to say, it is something that He purposes and promises to accomplish in us. Yet at the same time, we must actively strive for holiness according to the means that God has provided. As to the effectual nature of this call, note Romans 8:28-30.

[haar]

Q2. Why do you think our churches tend not to declare the call to endurance and suffering? Why did Timothy tend to shy away from it? What is the result of a willingness to suffer for the gospel?

A2.

I think some churches give us the impression that being a child of God makes us free from suffering.  This may be one of the reasons they will not tend to declare the call to endurance and suffering. 
 

[Jonathan Edwards]

They are "seeker friendly" churches looking to make it easy to get prospective converts to get to join them.  All based on half truths.  Rarely are words such as "mortification","sin", "sacrifice" even mentioned in their programs.

Timothy must of thought of the impending death of Paul with some trepidation.  Timothy had a very role in the Ephesian church.   Many issues to contend with:  false teachers, numerous pagan shrines, and dealing with the backsliders who lapsed in gnosticism.  His mentor Paul was the center of Timothy's life and ministry.

Our full rewards in heaven.  We are secured in Christ ! If we suffer with Jesus, we will reign with Him, if we share the Cross,we will share the reproach, we will share the glory.   We must endure hardness as a good soldier of the Cross.

[Old Jerry]

Our churches don’t tend to declare the call to endurance and suffering because it would probably chase people away and it wouldn’t bring in any new people. Timothy probably shied away from it because how do tell people that if they joined, they would have to suffer. If we suffer for the gospel, we will get closer to God.

[hanks]

Q2. 
Why do you think our churches tend not to declare the call to endurance and suffering? Why did Timothy tend to shy away from it? What is the result of a willingness to suffer for the gospel? 
Some of our churches tend to preach only what they perceive the congregation want to hear. Mostly prosperity teaching and then they focus on success and the good life. They tend to avoid anything about the trials and tribulations that we all must endure to produce a Jesus Christ like character. Timothy was a young and inexperienced leader. Being timid in nature and when he started to see Christians being persecuted for their faith this may have frightened him. From personal experience, I have found that suffering brings me closer to Christ. Otherwise, there is the danger of becoming complacent and smug – everything is going well so there is no need for Jesus. Also, I feel this then is the time to consider if we have been truly saved at all. 1 Peter 4:14 tells us to count it a blessing when you suffer for being a Christian. This shows that God's glorious Spirit is with you. Suffering causes believers to sense the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives, which gives assurance of salvation. Nothing is achieved in this life without discipline and endurance, perhaps even suffering.