Fellowship of His Sufferings
E.A. Johnston teaches that true Christian power and conformity to Christ come through embracing the fellowship of His sufferings alongside the power of His resurrection.
In this devotional sermon, E.A. Johnston explores the profound truth of Philippians 3:10, emphasizing that the power of Christ’s resurrection is inseparable from sharing in His sufferings. Through historical examples and personal stories, Johnston encourages believers to embrace suffering as a vital part of Christian obedience and spiritual growth. This message challenges listeners to deepen their relationship with Christ by understanding the purpose and power found in trials.
Full Transcript
J. Sidlow Baxter's life verse was Philippians 3.10. When he would autograph one of his books, he would write Philippians 3.10 beside his name. In fact, I have one of his signed books in my library with that verse in there. Philippians 3.10 reads, that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.
I submit to you, friends, that you cannot have the power of his resurrection without the fellowship of his sufferings. All the great saints of God were great sufferers. George Whitefield was once stoned by an angry mob while preaching in Ireland, and it almost killed him.
When Whitefield was in New England, he was introduced to a Boston minister who said he was from Ireland. To this, Whitefield removed his beaver cap, and leaning over, he pointed to a large scar on his forehead and remarked, This wound, sir, I received while preaching Christ in your country. Sidlo Baxter's predecessor at Charlotte Baptist Chapel in Edinburgh, Scotland, was W. Graham Scroggie.
Scroggie had a member of his congregation approach him one day. It was Helen Rosevere, who would become a missionary to Africa. She informed Graham Scroggie about her call to the mission field.
Scroggie took her Bible and inscribed on the inside jacket the verse Philippians 3.10, and he read it to her. As he handed her Bible back to her, he said, That I may know him. You have done that.
It is my prayer that one day you will have the privilege of knowing something of the fellowship of his sufferings. About twenty years later, in the mid-1960s, the Belgian Congo was in riot and an uproar, and this was the field of labor where Helen Rosevere was. She was captured by some rebels.
One man kicked her in the ribs. Another man knocked out her teeth. Another tormentor raped her.
As she was in the midst of her agony and in great pain, Graham Scroggie's words rang in her ear, It is my prayer that one day you will have the privilege of knowing something of the fellowship of his sufferings. Focusing on those words is what got her through her ordeal. We sometimes wonder why we have to suffer so as we live on this crying planet called Earth.
It is well to remember Philippians 3.10 and such trying times as they speak of the one of whom it says in Hebrews, Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. Let us pray.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction of Philippians 3:10 as a life verse
- The inseparable link between resurrection power and suffering
- Examples of saints who suffered greatly
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II
- Testimony of George Whitefield’s sufferings
- The significance of scars as marks of faithful ministry
- The role of suffering in Christian witness
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III
- Helen Rosevere’s calling and suffering as a missionary
- The encouragement from Philippians 3:10 during trials
- The power of focusing on Christ’s sufferings in hardship
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IV
- The purpose of suffering in learning obedience
- Christ as the ultimate example of suffering and obedience
- A call to embrace fellowship with Christ’s sufferings
Key Quotes
“I submit to you, friends, that you cannot have the power of his resurrection without the fellowship of his sufferings.” — E.A. Johnston
“It is my prayer that one day you will have the privilege of knowing something of the fellowship of his sufferings.” — E.A. Johnston
“Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Embrace suffering as a means to grow closer to Christ and be conformed to His image.
- Focus on Christ’s sufferings during difficult times to find strength and encouragement.
- Recognize that spiritual power and growth come through both resurrection life and sharing in Christ’s trials.