In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of rejoicing in faithfulness during trials and afflictions. He refers to 1 Peter chapter 4 verses 12-14, which encourages believers not to consider trials as strange occurrences but to rejoice in them as they are partakers of Christ's sufferings. The preacher also highlights the purpose of these afflictions, stating that they are necessary to make believers more useful for God's service and a source of blessing to others. He further discusses the concept of unseen things, which are more real and eternal, and how suffering can make these unseen things more precious and dear to believers. The sermon concludes with a list of the Apostle Paul's sufferings, emphasizing the endurance and perseverance required in the Christian journey.

God is able to do exceeding abundantly of all we ask and think according to Ephesians 3, verse 20. Ephesians 3, verse 20. Ephesians 3, verse 20. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. Able to do exceeding abundantly of all we ask and think. For that reason, God took Job through the pain of suffering. He may be able to understand the heart of God. God has much more to give than you ever can imagine. But in the heart of God. In a simple example, many years ago, a beggar came to me. He wanted some money. I asked him, what do you want money for? He said, I am hungry, I want some food. I said to him, you come with me to the neighboring hotel. I will sit there and buy for you whatever you want. Sir, give me one rupee, I will go away. I said, can you believe me? I want to get you a very nice meal today. He walked for a while and stopped there. No sir, give me half a rupee, I will go away. I said, please believe me, I am not joking with you. I want to get you a very nice meal. Not very far away. He walked for a while and again stopped. Sir, give me quarter of a rupee, I will go away. Again he walked. Sir, give me only one rupee. The smallest rupee can we have. He took him to the hotel. He told the hotel manager, can you give him whatever he wants? Rice or chapatis or puris, whatever he wants, give it to him. I will sit over here and pay the bill for you. He went on eating and eating. Whatever he wanted to eat. Then I asked the hotel manager, ask him to give me a glass of milk. After he ate sufficiently, I paid him one rupee cash also. It was also for me. Believe it. He would have been satisfied with only a small coin. But in my heart I decided to give him much more than that. God has much more to give us. Much more to teach us, much more to reveal to us. Much more to give unto us. Of eternity. But we don't have capacity. And that is why God took Job to the capacity of suffering. Not a punishment. But enabled him to enjoy double than before. Have you seen further? And verse 11. Verse 11. Then came there unto him all his brethren and all his sisters, and all that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house. And they bemoaned him and comforted him over all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him. Every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold. So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning. For he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand oxen, and a thousand she-asses. He had also seven sons and three daughters. To give him all that, God took him through the painful trial. He may have larger capacity to receive from God's loving hand all the good things in double quantity, in double measure. Now proceed, Book of Isaiah, chapter 48, from 10th verse. Book of Isaiah, chapter 48. Book of Isaiah, chapter 48, from 10th verse. Reading from verse 10. Isaiah 48, verse 10. Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver. I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. Next verse please. For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it. For how should my name be polluted? And I will not give my glory unto another. And that's why God is saying, I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction. That God's glory be fully seen to us. Please read carefully, 48th verse again. Book of Isaiah, chapter 48, verse 10 and 11. Book of Isaiah, chapter 48, verse 10 and 11. Verses 10 and 11 again. Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver. I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. Mark the phrase, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. Verse 11. For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it. For how should my name be polluted? And I will not give my glory unto another. So to show God's full glory, God will take us to a furnace of affliction. Some painful trial, how we react in it, how we behave in that way. For the same reason, God took Paul through 40 afflictions. To prove how he was faithful in any situation. 2 Corinthians, chapter 6, reading from verse 4. 2 Corinthians, chapter 6, reading from verse 4. But in all things, approving ourselves as the ministers of God in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in strife, in imprisonment, in tumult, in labors, in watching, in fasting. By pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned. By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left. By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report, as deceivers and yet true, as unknown and yet well-known, as dying and behold we live, as chastened and not healed. As sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing all things. In all these situations and circumstances, Paul could prove God's faithfulness. How God gave us the grace to come out victorious and triumphant in all these trials. No murmur, no complaint, but thank God for it. He says in all things, verse 4 says, but in all things approving of ourselves as the ministers of God. So our afflictions are intended for their purpose. People may know that we can rejoice even in poverty, we can rejoice in sickness, we can rejoice in suffering, we can rejoice in hardship, we can rejoice among the enemies, in all situations, among distresses, all kinds of problems. 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 In prisons more frequent, in deaths often. Of the Jews five times received, I forty stripes saved one. five times. And the Jews received five times forty-seven, thirty-nine. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep, in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by my own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren. In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Thus you put the two lists together, chapter six and chapter eleven, we have forty, forty afflictions, painful afflictions, it all went through, not as a punishment. And we just try then to make it more useful, for God's service, to make it a source of blessing to other people, that through his suffering, others may encourage some more joyfully. So afflictions are necessary. We just try to be prepared of them for the full purpose, and not come short of it. Then we see fourth chapter, 2nd Corinthians, chapter four, verses seventeen and eighteen. Chapter four, verses seventeen and eighteen. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. Things which are not seen, they are real things, they are eternal. To make those unseen things real to us, God will take us through these afflictions. Most of the time we are occupied with the earthly things. But there are many unseen things which are more real, which we don't know. We never learn in school or college or any institution. By painful trial we learn them. Our love becomes more precious, more real, more dear, through the suffering and trial. And Paul called them light affliction. Verses seventeen. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. That's why God permits this atonement and rebukes and afflictions, whatever they may be. Now please see further. Romans chapter eight, verse sixteen and seventeen. Romans chapter eight, verse sixteen and seventeen. The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God, and his children, then heirs of God, and joined heirs with Christ. If so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. If we want to be his joined heirs of the heavenly inheritance, then he says, I'll be prepared of suffering also. I reckon the suffering at present time is not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed. Our Lord is preparing us to many forms of afflictions, physical afflictions, trials, suffering, whatever they may be, to show forth his glory to us, and also to make us a partaker of the glory. Go on to 1 Peter chapter 5, verse 1. 1 Peter chapter 5, verse 1. 1 Peter chapter 5, verse 1. The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed. Both go together. He is a witness of the suffering, and at the same time he is a partaker of the coming glory. He can't have a glory without suffering. So similarly for the power of resurrection, That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made confirmable unto his death. He wanted to know two things. First he wanted to know him ultimately, and secondly the power of his resurrection. For that he prepared to go through any suffering. Philippians chapter 3, verse 10. That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings. The most intimate and personal knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ comes from suffering only. It's not by knowledge, not by book knowledge, but some suffering. Our Lord becomes more precious to us in suffering and trial. As we commit ourselves unto him. The point is saying, to know him, he is prepared to go through any suffering. At the same time to receive from him the power of his resurrection which he needs for victory over trial and temptation, any mortal body, he is prepared to go through any suffering. They go together, all suffering and trial. Now please see 2 Corinthians chapter 12. 2 Corinthians chapter 12, reading from verse 9. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I draw the glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take measure in infirmities. If Gandhi also reads from verse 7, that will help you. 2 Corinthians chapter 12, reading from verse 7. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, and it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I draw the glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong. Now these 40 afflictions which he went through, he never complained. But now in this case he says here, there was some thorn in the flesh, something very painful. Till today nobody knows what the thorn was. But something very painful, which God permitted in life. And for that he says, I besought the Lord three times. Please Lord, take the thorn away. And Lord said, My grace is sufficient for thee. That means, teach him more about God's grace, without the thorn in the flesh. Grace is experience, again. God's love, plus mercy, multiplied by eternity, that's God's grace. Undeserved love, plus mercy, multiplied by eternity. Teach us about the grace, God will take away our suffering also. Now Paul could say, very truthfully, 2 Corinthians 12, verse 10 Therefore I take pleasure, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong. To receive more strength, and to receive more power in our life, this is God's method. He allows in our life weaknesses, and afflictions, and suffering. And then we prove His faithfulness in our situation, and become more strong. At the same time, He keeps us humble, God allows the suffering as well. Verse 7 2 Corinthians 12, verse 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure, through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. So to keep us humble again, in this situation, God will take us to some friction. Some sorrowful, some painful trial, as He knows best. So we are seeing how, to come under the throne of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have to be prepared for the living rebuke, for the living chastisement. 2 Corinthians 12, verse 10 Hebrews 12, verse 10 Hebrews 12, verse 10 Same time, verse 6 Hebrews 12, verse 6 God who loveth, He chasteneth. If she would love toward us, He must chasten us, or rebuke us, or punish us, or chastise us, up to Him. So God's affliction and God's trial are intended to bring to us God's love in a greater measure, God's affection in a greater measure, and God's goodness in a full measure. That is His judgment. And that is the fourth step we have under the throne of the Lord Jesus Christ. Revelation chapter 1, chapter 3, verse 19 Revelation chapter 3, verse 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be zealous, therefore, and repent. That is the fourth step. To thank God for every painful affliction. That He must use to keep us on the right path, and to keep us rejoicing in faithfulness in all His trials. According to 1 Peter chapter 4, verse 14 1 Peter chapter 4, verse 14 Verses 12-14 And whom it was revealed, 1 Peter, isn't it? That's right. Chapter 4, verse 12-14 Chapter 4, verses 12-14 12-14 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. But rejoice! Inasmuch ye are partakers of Christ's suffering, that when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. Ye will be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye. For the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. On their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified. That is the purpose. For God allows in our life's suffering. To make us partakers of the suffering of Christ. Not the punishment. Therefore we must be prepared also by Him for our share in His glory, His coming glory. At the same time, upon the earth He says here, Ye will be reproached with Christ, happy are ye. For the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. On their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified. To glorify His name through us and to show His glory through us, He will take up any situation. It is up to Him. He is sovereign. Our duty is to go on thanking Him for His suffering. Generally we thank Him for His good deeds to us. Thank Him for so many answers to prayers. But now He says here, thank Him for every situation. Thank Him for every trial. Thank Him for every affliction. Thank Him for every suffering, every hardship. Praise Him all the time. Then we are brought on the throne, the fourth step of Lord Jesus Christ. May the Lord help us to come on the throne. Shall we pray?