Suffering FOR GOD’S GLORY! 1 Peter 4:12-19 - 12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 14 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. 15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. 16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? 18 And also, “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?” 19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you. Don’t be Surprised at what’s going on… Expect it! – Vs. 12 – 12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. If we’re living IN Christ, FOR Christ and we look more and more Christlike every day then we should expect persecution, trials and suffering. Don’t think it’s something “strange.” It’s part of God’s plan to refine us… ensure our Faith in genuine… AND we are a great witness to the World for Christ! In Jesus Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5 – 7. Jesus said this about Suffering, Persecution, and Trials. Matthew 5:10-11, God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven… John 15:18 - They hated me so they’re going to hate you. John 16:33 – I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. 2 Timothy 3:12 – 12 Everyone who wants to live as God desires, in Christ Jesus, will be persecuted. 1 Corinthians 4 - Paul wrote, We will be made a spectacle to men… misunderstood, defamed, and treated like the scum of the earth, like everyone’s garbage. When the Holy Spirit convicts people of their sin, (that’s part of the Holy Spirit’s Role) people have two choices: They Repent…. Or They Retaliate. MOST people retaliate…. and they do so in a very hostile or violent way. So, don’t be surprised when that takes place and when it does… Rejoice in it, be very Glad! - Vs. 13-15 - 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 14 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. And, a lot of people blame God and become angry with Him. * Where is God!? God is? They feel as if God’s abandoned them… * Why didn’t God show up!? * Why has God left me all alone to deal with this? * Why didn’t God do something! God isn’t with us… He’s in us,
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