1 Peter 4:12-19

Melcan Signe

1 Peter • Sermon • Submitted 9 months ago • Presented 9 months ago

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Christian’s Proper Response to Suffering

Introduction:

Peter WARNED his readers about the coming of a more intense period of persecution. Peter stressed mental readiness and spiritual readiness.

If they are not ready for persecution and suffering, they might coward and deny their faith...

or they might be angry at God for the trials and sufferings.

or They might develop a complaining heart because they are caught surprised. and they might say...

“Jesus, are you real?are you really loving and merciful?

They might misunderstood God and say that God is not mighty and powerful!

Peter encouraged his readers to endure suffering with Christlike faith so that they might be further identified with Christ, receive a blessing, and trust God completely.

As Christians, we need to be mentally and spiritually READY when suffering comes!

Let me share to you 3 lessons from our passage - 3 Proper Response to suffering: EAT

I. Expect trials and be mentally and spiritually ready (v.12)

1 Peter 4:12 NASB95

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;

Do not be surprised - In your mind, expect that suffering will come and do not be surprised, instead be ready!

Fiery Ordeal (NASB), Trial by Fire (NET) = trials that brings pain like that of having a burn.

testing = the act of examining, to prove the authenticity of your faith in Christ.

The Christians during this time, were literally made torches and burned on a pole to light the road.

They were burned on the pole, displayed for people to see - they have literraly become the light!

They only have to “deny” Christ but they did not! They are ready to give their lives for Christ!

The Christian faith is subject for testing.

- Will you still follow Christ when He allows sickness in your life?

- Will you still follow Christ when the people that is close to you (family and friends) will desert you and treat you differently because you have now become a Christian?s

- Will you still follow Christ without a complaining and murmuring heart?

II. Accept the sufferings that may come because of your faith in Christ (vv.13-18)

1 Peter 4:13 NASB95

13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.

A. Share the sufferings of Christ

Christ has been in our situation - he knows our sorrows, he endured, and he is victorious.

Without the suffering of Christ there will never be good news of eternal life. It is through the suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ that we are saved.

John 15:18–21 NASB95

18 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. 20 “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 “But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.

Accept suffering because Christ accepted his sufferings for YOU!

B. Fact: Greater joy is about to come Romans 8:18

Romans 8:18 NASB95

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Christ will come again to judge the world and all the suffering and trials will end. And those who are in Christ will not suffer eternal damnation.

C. Fact: God’s Spirit resides in you (you are blessed)

Matthew 5:10–12 NASB95

10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

James 1:12 NASB95

12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

D. Fact: You will escape eternal suffering when God judges the world.

1 Peter 4:17–18 NASB95

17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?

You are blessed

Matthew 5:10–12 NASB95

III. Trust in the Sovereignty of God (v. 19)

(Rely, Commit, Entrust)

1 Peter 4:19 NASB95

19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

Examples of Paul..

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 NASB95

9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Realize this, sufferings is not just for Christians, suffering comes to everyone who live in this sinful and evil world…but Christian suffering is purposeful and it leads us to the loving embrace of God

When God gives a promise, he always tries our faith. Just as the roots of trees take firmer hold when they are contending with the wind; so faith takes firmer hold when it struggles with adverse appearances.

- Robert Murray McCheyne (Scottish Minister) / Deeper Roots through Adversity

A quote from the Song “Blessings” from Laura Story Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops What if Your healing comes through tears? And what if a thousand sleepless nights Are what it takes to know You're near?

What if my greatest disappointments Or the aching of this life Is the revealing of a greater thirst This world can't satisfy?

And what if trials of this life The rain, the storms, the hardest nights Are Your mercies in disguise?

Illustration:

1 Kings 19:1-8

Elijah encountered a violent opposition that resulted to suffering (depression) because of his love for God and for standing against the evil rulers Ahab and Jezebel...

He got afraid and ran away...

He got depressed and asked God to take his life! A prophet of God became depressed? Is this true? yes of course!

This is a test of faith for Elijah,

What was God’s solution to Elijah’s fear and depression?

God sent angel to give Elijah a baked bread cake and a jar of water and the angel told Elijah to EAT.

And Elijah got refreshed…and then God reminded Elijah of his immense POWER and Sovereignty!

Reminding Elijah That God is greater that the evil rulers Ahab and Jezebel.

Elijah listened to God and trusted the sovereignty of God, and he got back on his feet - ready to face the opposition!

When trials and suffering comes, Remember to EAT.

Expect trials and be mentally and spiritually ready.

Accept sufferings as part of your calling in Christ.

Trust in the sovereignty of God.