Facing The Furnace: Facts About Suffering

FACING THE FURNACE

I Peter 4:12-19

INTRO:  Every Christian who lives a godly life experiences some amount of persecution.  On the job, in school, in the neighborhood, perhaps even from family, there are people who resist the truth and oppose the Gospel of Christ.  No matte what a believer says or does, these people will find fault and criticize.  This is not what this passage is about.  Here Peter is explaining of the organized persecution of the church that was just beginning.  Peter wrote this as Nero was beginning to burn Christians steeped in oil to light his gardens at night.  As Peter looked to his own martyrdom he left us with four principles to follow in the face of such severe persecution.

   I.  Expect Suffering (I Pet 4:12)

       A.  Jesus Warned of it Himself (John 16:1-3)

       B.  But He followed that with encouragement (John 16:33)

       C.  The world persecutes us because it hates God (John 15:18-21)

       D.  It is part of God’s Plan and will work out for good (Rom 8:28; Jer 4:7-8)

 II.  Rejoice in Suffering (I Pet 4:13-14; II Cor 8:1-5 - It was while being persecuted the Macedonians gave to Paul)

       A.  Our Suffering means Fellowship with Christ (I Pet 4:13; Phil. 1:29; 3:10)

       B.  Our Suffering means Glory in the Future (I Pet 4:13; 1:7-8) Just like Christ (5:1)

             ILLUS: John16:20-22 -- Our suffering will be transformed not replaced

             ILLUS: II Cor 12:7-10 -- Paul’s thorn in the flesh gave him power and glory

       B.  Our Suffering Brings to us the Ministry of the Holy Spirit (I Pet 4:14)

             ILLUS: Acts 7:54-60 -- Stephen experienced God’s Glory at his martyrdom

       C.  Our Suffering Enables us to Glorify His Name (I Pet 4:14)

             ILLUS:  Polycarp - told to recant - “Eighty-six years have I served Him and He never did

                me any injury.  How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?”  -- “Away with

                the atheists” -- burned at the stake

III.  Examine Your Life (I Pet 4:15-18)

       A.  Why am I Suffering? (I Pet 4:15)  Is it for your own sins/foolishness? Suffering is sometimes used of God to correct us, "Whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth"

             ILLUS: Samson

       B.  Am I Ashamed of or Glorifying Christ (they are opposites)?  (I Pet 4:16)

             ILLUS:  Peter’s denials; Rom 1:16

       C.  Am I Seeking to Win Lost Souls? (I Pet 4:17-18)

             ILLUS:  Lot was “scarcely saved” from Sodom.  The lost have no hope in trials.

IV.  Commit Yourself To God (I Pet 4:19)

       A.  Live your life based on your future (Phil 3:12-21)

             ILLUS:  Jer 32:6-15 -- Jeremiah bought property that was occupied by Babylonians based on

                            his trust that God would restore His people to their land

CONC:  We will suffer.  As Christians, we can take heart in knowing our suffering will be transformed into our future glory.  So let’s examine our lives and ensure we are living it to God’s glory.  Commit your life to God.