Why Me Lord?

Because Christians are not exempt from suffering

We know that to live is to be exposure to all kinds of suffering

Two types of respond

Don’t be surprised . . .

We shouldn’t be astonished

Present imperative with the negative forbids the continual reaction that is natural to the human heart to regard the experience of suffering as something strange to the Christian life.

As though some strange thing were happening to you.

We see this today.

The Gentiles of Peter’s day were not used to suffering for their religion.

You can almost believe anything you want today and it is just accepted or ignored - but speak of being a Christian, or being committed to Christ - or that Jesus is that way to heaven and watch out.

Channeling -

New Age

The process of burning is used figuratively to denote the severity of the trials.

Among you - in your midst

This was to demonstrate what they could endure - trial

Keep on rejoicing . . .

Positive

Their suffering was not a threat to their spiritual life but a sign of the reality of their union with Christ

See Acts 5:41

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ

Paul and Silas singing contemporary songs in prison

What would you sing?

Christian rejoicing will be made complete at and by the return of Christ in glory

If our eschatological hope is a living reality it inspires loyalty and a readiness to suffer for the Lord

Because Identifying with Christ creates problems

Two types of suffering:

Appropriate

Inappropriate

Because God is wisely at work

Two types of judgment:

For the household of God

For those not a part of God's household