God allows
His church to face trouble. Whatever degree of suffering we face,
it always has a purpose.
1. Problems.
Affliction 1:6, 3:3, 3:9. Suffering 2:2, 2:14. Conflict 2:2 Spitefully
treated 2:2 Persecution 2:15. Contrary 2:15. Hindered 2:18. Distress
3:7 Killed 2:15
...... with the World
what they say
fallacies 2:13 not as the word of men
flatteries 3:3 beguiled; led astray
what they think
hostility 2:15 hostile to all men
bigotry 2:16 forbidding to speak to Gentiles
what they do
rejection 2:15 have persecuted us
execution 2:15 killed the Lord Jesus
..... with the Wicked one
he blocks the way 2:18
he diverts us from the way 3:5
2. Path
.... an Appointed path 3:3 we are appointed for this
.... made Aware of the path 3:3,4 you know ... we told you.
.... Accepted path 2:14 you became imitators of the churches of God
3. Provisions
.... Message they had welcomed the Word 2:13 in much affliction 1:6
and Timothy came to minister 3:2 in their afflictions.
.... Men of passion 2:17,3:5 who preached 3:2 who prayed 3:10 ff.
.... Meeting 2:19 in the presence of our Lord at His coming.
4. Purpose
.... Faith is strengthened 3:6 1 Peter 1:6,7
.... Fellowship is built up 3:6, 8.
.... Future rewards are won 2:19.
