a. Suffering can be a gift. (Phil. 1:29) “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only              believe in him but also suffer for his sake.” Why is it a gift? When you go through adversity, who is the first one you          cry out to? Is it Christ? Suffering identifies your dependency! If you are not dependent upon God, you will run from          Him. Storms of life will always rock our boat, but do we put confidence in the boat of the One who can claim the                storm?

b. Suffering shows that you are part of the family. (1 Peter 4:12-14) “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when      it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share         Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name       of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” I challenge you to read Revelation 21     to see the beauty that is to come. I do not believe that John’s pin could capture the absolute majesty of God’s future         glory that awaits us! It’s worth it, Suffering for Jesus is worth it!

a. Future excitement (v.19)

b. Failure happens to everyone (v.20) Rom. 3:23, Gen. 3. Adam and Eve’s sins plague every human being. Christ is the          only acceptable sacrifice.

c. Freedom through Christ. (v.21)

d. Final adoption (vv.22-23)

a. Not earthly comfort, but conformity to Christ. (v.28) This context is not referring to earthly comfort, but to conformity      to Christ. He will mold us into the people we should be if we love Christ. If we love Christ, we’re eager to grow in              Christ, serve Christ, mature in Christ.

b. The continual progress of the believer’s conformity to Christ (vv.29-30)