Christian Suffering

Introduction

We are all struck by fear of the unknown, the fear of what is to come and the possibility of it being something we don’t feel like we can handle. When you wake up every day there is a possibility of something going wrong, bad news coming your way, an accident that can happen and media outlets do not help us relieve from those fears and realities that could possibly happen, but they actually fuel that anxiety of things going wrong. I have been bombarded with memes about WW3 because of the Iranian attack on the U.S. Embassy and the bombing and killing of Iran’s top military general. The thought of another world war brings fear to me because I know the amount of hate, killing, destruction, loss, sadness, and so much more that happens during world wars and that scares me. We make jokes about it because it helps us to cope with what is actually going on in society. When we do something wrong we expect to be punished by our parents, our teachers, our coaches, our instructors, our youth pastors, etc. and we hate and we hide from punishment because we don’t like it. When we do wrong we expect punishment but you never imagine that doing good could actually land us in a position where we are ridiculed, laughed at, punished, and disciplined but that is a very clear part of the Christian life and tonight we are going to see what Peter says about Christian suffering and what is NOT Christian suffering.

Suffering as a Christian is normal. (v. 12)

Trials come to refine your faith and prove its’ genuineness.

(example of impurities in crude metal and fire melting away impurities)

Therefore, God uses trials to strengthen and purify us from our impurities.

Suffering as a Christian is a good sign. (v.13-14)

Our suffering means fellowship with Christ in His sufferings. ( “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” or “that I may know him and the power of His resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death...”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Our suffering means glory in the future.

The Holy Spirit ministers to us in the midst of our suffering. (God does not leave us by ourselves in the midst of trials) Present tense and a foretaste of future glory.

Our suffering brings us to a place to glorify the name of Jesus.

Suffering as a Christian is not: (v. 15)

Suffer as a christian and not a criminal.

The things that displease God and cause suffering are deserved and are consequences of our wrongdoing. (example: King David and his sons, Moses and his disobedience led to not going to the promised land, Peter’s disobedience led to shame)

Suffering as a Christian gives us a heart for the lost. (16-18)

Our suffering now should propel us to love those that persecute us. ( Paul and the Philippian Jailer. The earthquake that happened while the jailer was on duty was what made him want to kill himself, but it was the love that Paul showed even through the persecution and in the midst of the miracle that brought the jailer to saving faith in Jesus.

“As Christians we do not seek vengeance on those who have hurt us. Rather we pray for them and seek to lead them to Jesus Christ.”

Revolutionary Kindness.

Suffering as a Christian will not last. (v. 19)

Entrust your soul to the one in control. He is faithful and He wants us to do good for His name to be known to all of the world.

Read revelation. We know who wins in the end and we know that’s the God we serve. He is good, just, and faithful to us and longsuffering even now to those who do not know him personally.