1 Peter 4:12-19 The Fiery Ordeal

Introduction

Finishing up chapter 4 and moving on to chapter 5

Peter is writing to Christians in Asia Minor

Groups originated from Pentecost msg

Roman society is in transition in AD 60

fear of rebellion - govt worried about losing control

Government is blaming Christians - Society resents Christians - violence is starting

Christians must stand firm - share the Gospel - it is the only way to salvation

1 Peter (Exposition)

He (Peter) could write like that because of what he had himself endured for Christ’s sake. He had been mocked, despised, and persecuted. His life had been sought, and he knew that he would have to suffer a painful death, for his Master had said to him, “When you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will tie you up and carry you where you do not want to go” (John 21:18). Putting all these things together, Peter could truly say that he was a witness of Christ’s sufferings because he had, in a measure, participated in them.

Christians today will back off from opposition

soft pedal or keep silent out of fear

Peter - focus on the Lord of the Gospel - not the persecution - He has the power of life and death

The world is temporary, heaven is eternal - God is loving and righteous

Key Question: How do we gain the courage it takes to tell others about Christ?

Answer: We focus on the urgency of our mission, and trust the Lord for our care.

1 Peter 4:12–14 NASB95

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; 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. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

1. A fiery ordeal is coming for all - but as Christians we are blessed

Explanation:

Beloved - He loves them and is trying to be gentle, but honest. Hard truth.

Historical circumstances point to a “fiery ordeal” coming for Christians. Nero.

Fiery trial - like that which is used to purify precious metals

Remember: 1 Peter 1:6–7 “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”

This is not strange or unexpected - God’s people were persecuted through the ages - prophets.

JFB- God’s people should not think it strange that God would allow His people to be sorely tried.

Christ suffered - He is our Lord and example

we get to share in those sufferings

Cause to rejoice

Exult, because soon they will be freed from their sufferings. Others will not

We are closer to meeting Him, when we suffer

Suffering for Christ means His Spirit is resting on us

will take care of us

Illustration:

Like a woman who is about to give birth - first pain, then joy

Argumentation:

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume 1 Peter 4:12–19

[1.] The best men and the best things usually meet with reproaches in the world. Jesus Christ and his followers, the Spirit of God and the gospel, are all evil-spoken of.

The Romans hated everything the Christians stood for, but they were headed to hell

They did everything to discourage them

Christians need to be true to Christ - need to focus on Him - eternity

Application/Exhortation:

All Christians will face their own fiery ordeal - Christ did, we will, God’s people before us did

World hates us, will persecute us, but needs us.

They don’t know it

We have the Word of Christ, and that is the way of eternal life.

1 Peter 4:15–16 NASB95

Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.

2. Our suffering brings us fellowship with Christ and reminds us we are closer to heaven

Explanation:

If you suffer for doing evil or murder, or interfering in the affairs of others, you deserve it

Don’t complain about it - just take it

better yet, don’t do it - it harms your witness

If you suffer as a Christian, know the Lord is with you

you are doing right - if you are doing right, you are glorifying God in the name of Christ

Illustration:

The Lord allowed Satan to test Job - lost his property, family and was afflicted with sores - was devastated

Job’s friends the book of Job: Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar came to comfort

Ended up accusing and blaming Job

God blessed Job in the end, and chastised his friends.

Argumentation:

Suffering is not always a sign of God’s displeasure.

Application/Exhortation:

Christians will suffer for the glory of God

Suffering is not necessarily a punishment for individual sin

1 Peter 4:17–19 NASB95

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? And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

3. Judgement is a fact for both Christians and unbelievers

Explanation:

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume 1 Peter 4:12–19

The usual method of Providence has been this: When God brings great calamities and sore judgments upon whole nations, he generally begins with his own people, Isa. 10:12; Jer. 25:29; Eze. 9:6.

Judgement has begun at the household of God

When a Christian comes to Christ, he confesses His sins and turns away from their sinful lifestyle.

The Christian has to own His sins before He confesses them

The Christian comes before the Saviour and pleads for mercy.

The Lord accepts that plea, and God grants righteousness, since Christ took the penalty for the Christian’s sin on the cross.

This is a painful and humbling process

What of the Godless man and unrepentant sinner?

Judgement will come after death, at the Judgement seat

The Godless man will come face to face with all His sins, but will have no one to defend or intercede for him

Neither the sinner nor the Christian has any defense for their sins - they are both accountable. But no one will take the punishment for the sins of the Godless.

As the Godless has rejected God, God will send him to a place of eternal punishment, away from God

The ungodly will face punishment for their sins, and Christians will be affected by the punishment - Noah, Lot, the exiles

Christians will suffer - but this is the will of God, and we can put our trust in Him, when we do what is right.

Jeremiah 25:29 ““For behold, I am beginning to work calamity in this city which is called by My name, and shall you be completely free from punishment? You will not be free from punishment; for I am summoning a sword against all the inhabitants of the earth,” declares the Lord of hosts.’”

Illustration:

No good deed goes unpunished

America’s founding fathers suffered

Civil rights activists suffered throughout history

Our veterans suffered

Justice requires accountability and punishment. Don’t do the crime if can’t do the time

Argumentation:

Bad conduct or good conduct are a result of circumstances

All are basically good. Criminals are misunderstood

Application/Exhortation:

Mark 16:16 ““He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.”

Get ahead of the final judgement. Repent of your sinful way of life and turn to the righteousness of Christ.

Put your trust in the great Creator, and have the courage to do what is right.

Conclusion

For the follower of Christ, no matter how hard this life gets, He will always take care of us.

If you have not trusted in Christ, do so today, and know the joy of the assurance that God will take care of you, through the tough times and the easier ones.

As a follower of Christ, no matter what you come up against, He will always have your back.