We are so glad you joined us this morning. Below you will find everything you need to help assist you with information about our Worship Gathering as well as what's going on within our church throughout the week. We would love to hear from you! If you would like to connect with us, click HERE

Message

SURVIVE AND THRIVE
“A Follower Thriving in Suffering”
1 Peter 4:12-19 

Introduction: Suffering is in general part of the human condition and as followers of Jesus it can come at us from many different outlets—consequences, persecution, attacks from the enemy and even testing from God.

Suffering Should Be Expected (1 Peter 4:12) (2 Timothy 3:12) (1 John 3:13)

It’s not intended to be Perplexing
but a Proposal (John 15:18)

It’s not intended to be Strange
but a Strategy (Matthew 5:1-14)

“The beatitudes are progressive
—not random in the order they are presented.
Each leads to the other
in logical succession.   

Being poor in spirit reflects the right attitude
we should have to our sinful condition,
which then should lead us to mourn,
to be meek and gentle,
to hunger and thirst for righteousness,
to be merciful, pure in heart,
and have a peacemaking spirit. 

A Christian who has all these qualities
will be so far above the level of the world
that his or her life will rebuke the world
—which will bring persecution and suffering from the world.” 
--John MacArthur

It’s not intended to be Catastrophic
but Character-building (Romans 5:3-4) (James 1:2-3)

"They who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls."                                         --Charles Spurgeon

“If we view life as a schoolroom
and God as the instructor,
it should come as no surprise
when we encounter pop quizzes
and periodic examinations 

Maturity in the Christian life
is measured by our ability
to withstand the tests
that come our way
without having them shake our foundation
or throw us into an emotional tailspin.” 
--Chuck Swindoll

Suffering Can Bring Us Closer to God

Participation:  Suffering with Him (1 Peter 4:13a)

Joseph Tson, a Romanian pastor
who withstood persecution in Romania wrote,

“This union with Christ
is the most beautiful subject
in the Christian life.  

It means that I am not a lone fighter here:
I am an extension of Jesus Christ.

When I was beaten in Romania,
Jesus suffered in my body.
It is not my suffering:
I only had the honor to share His sufferings.”

Exultation:  Celebrating with Him (1 Peter 4:13b)

Impartation:  Experiencing Him (1 Peter 4:14a)

John Piper writes: 
“I believe 1 Peter 4:14 promises that
in the hour of greatest trial or suffering
God comes to his children
to give them courage and faith
which they did not know
they were capable of.”

Exaltation:  Glorifying Him (1 Peter 4:14b)

Suffering Should Lead Us to Self-examination

Is this due to sin in my life? (1 Peter 4:15)

How can I glorify God in this? (1 Peter 4:16)

Have I considered the depth of my sin and the eternal perspective of my current suffering? (1 Peter 4:17-18)

Suffering Can Teach Us Much About Potential

God’s Potential (1 Peter 4:19a) (2 Timothy 1:12)

Our Potential (1 Peter 4:19b)

Application: As follower of Jesus, we should expect suffering. More than that, by God’s power, we can rejoice in our suffering if we see the result God is accomplishing. When suffering comes into our lives, we should examine ourselves more deeply and entrust ourselves to God more fully, knowing that we are thriving in His will.

Giving

To Give Online: Click HERE

Join A Connect Group

Don’t miss out on an opportunity to be a part of connecting with the Pleasant City Church family!  We offer Connect Groups on Sundays & Wednesdays to help grow our faith. 

If you want to know more, click: HERE

Or contact:

Gary—gmarburger@pccshelby.com

Jonathan—jglisson@pccshelby.com

Family Camp

September 13-14
Harvest Time Camp—Ellenboro

Come out & enjoy games, food, & the outdoors! Cost: $25 per family

For more information or to register, click: HERE

Family Event
Epic Show

August 28—6:30pm

A spectacular family event filled with entertainment, laughter, and unforgettable memories while teaching Biblical Truths!

College/Young Adult Connect Group

9:45—Upstairs Warehouse

Kicking back off our college/young adult class!  18-22 year olds come join us for Bible study and connection!  

For more information, click: HERE

PCC 101

11:00 am—Today—Room 1

Connecting people into the life of our church. Come find out who we are; what we are about; and how YOU can be a part of it!

Wendesday Night Adult Connect Group Schedule

August 28: No Wednesday Connect Groups - Join your child for family night “The Epic Show” here at PCC.  Bryan will lead the  mid-week Bible Study in the Legacy Suite each week throughout the Summer. If no other Connect Groups are meeting, there will be no childcare.

Sept 4: Resume usual Schedule

Right Now Media

Right Now Media is an extensive, faith-based video library you can access (completely FREE) whenever and wherever you want—on your phone, tablet, computer, or at home on your TV.

To sign up, click: HERE 

Clubhouse Kids Ministry

To view Clubhouse Resources which include: Worship Experiences (Bible Story), Godtime Cards, and Parent Guides: Click HERE

warehouse247 Student Ministry

Wednesday 5:30-7:45pm.  A Worship Gathering just for middle and high school students.  Cafe/Games/Worship/Teaching