1 Peter 4:12-19
I ve walked with people as... they watched mom and dad fall out of love.
I ve walked with people as... they watched mom and dad fall out of love. they watched their life mate slip from this world.
I ve walked with people as... they watched mom and dad fall out of love. they watched their life mate slip from this world. they have lost their beloved mother far too soon.
I ve walked with people as... they watched mom and dad fall out of love. they watched their life mate slip from this world. they have lost their beloved mother far too soon. they lost their job and struggled to make ends meet.
I ve walked with people as... they watched mom and dad fall out of love. they watched their life mate slip from this world. they have lost their beloved mother far too soon. they lost their job and struggled to make ends meet. they struggled raising a rebellious teenager.
I ve walked with people as... they watched mom and dad fall out of love. they watched their life mate slip from this world. they have lost their beloved mother far too soon. they lost their job and struggled to make ends meet. they struggled raising a rebellious teenager. they have been battered by an unrelenting addiction.
Bad things DO HAPPEN to God s Chosen.
It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply. ~A.W. Tozer
First, it s not always your enemy who gets you neck-deep in some mess. Second, it s not always your friend who gets you out. Third, if you re up to your neck in some mess right now? For goodness sake, don t squawk about it!
Far too often, we misunderstand the pain which keeps us from truly embracing the blessing.
1 Peter 4:12-19 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in as much as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
1 Peter 4:12-19 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
1 Peter 4:12-19 And, If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? So then, those who suffer according to God s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
1 Peter 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Job 3:11 Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?
Numbers 11:11 He asked the LORD, Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me?
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.
1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice in as much as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
Participating in Christ s sufferings can actually be a GOOD thing!
Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
1 Peter 4:14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
You are BLESSED because it s through suffering that the glory of God can best be seen in your life!
1 Peter 4:15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
DON T try to spiritualize your pain.
NOT ALL SUFFERING COMES FROM THE LORD!
1 Peter 4:16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
1 Peter 4:17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
1 Peter 4:18 And, If it is hard for the unrighteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?
1 Peter 4:19 So then, those who suffer according to God s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
Option A Entrust God with the care of your life. Option B Don t.
1 Corinthians 10:13 And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. Matthew 28:20 And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
2 Timothy 1:12 Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
2 Timothy 1:12 Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. Are you convinced?
Romans 5:3-5 we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Deuteronomy 34:4 Then the LORD said to him, This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, I will give it to your descendants. I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it.
Matthew 17:2-3 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
THE LIE: The proof that God loves you is that He doesn t let you go through terrible things.
2 Corinthians 12:9 My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ s power may rest on me.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world! Communion John 16:33