God's Great Care for the Suffering Believer

Opening Comments:

Tonight we will finish out what has been our Sunday morning exposition of the book of 1 Peter. If you remember, the whole theme of the book of 1 Peter has to do with the christian facing the external problem of persecution and the believers attitudes as they face it.

Today we will examine God’s provision for his children while they endure that persecution.

1 Peter 5:10–14 NKJV

10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 12 By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand. 13 She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Introduction:

Have you ever asked yourself the question, while enduring some kind of suffering, “Will this ever end.” No where in the pages of scripture is the believer promised immunity from suffering and persecution.

Therefore, it is imperative for us to grasp, while enduring suffering and persecution, that God has a purpose in it and for it.

When we realize that, we can find a little solace in the fact that nothing can come our way that nothing can come our way that has not first passed through the loving hands of our heavenly father.

We can rest assured that God will take care of us through all of our sufferings in life. He will keep us, preserve us, and eventually take us home to be with him. That is the purpose behind the passage we’ve just read together.

Let’s observe together tonight the 3 tools that God uses to care for the suffering believer.

1. God’s great resources. (v.10)

There are two resources that God has at his disposal that the Apostle Peter mentions here for us: His Grace and His call to eternal glory.

A.) Grace

Everything God does for the believer is due to His grace. (unmerited favor)

God favors His children in spite of our short comings, and because he favors his children, he blesses his children.

Every blessing we have in life comes from the Mighty hand of God’s grace and that even include life itself.

B.) God’s call to eternal glory.

What is this call to eternal glory that Peter is mentioning here?

This is God’s salvation call. A call that was extended to us from his grace. It’s the salvation call that set you free from the power of sin and set you on a path to be glorified and made into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. The call that will lead you to living in eternal glory with the Father.

God has called the believer to eternal glory so He is commited to keeping and preserving you.

Application:

It is God’s grace and God’s eternal call to glory that will keep you through all the sufferings that life has to bring. No matter how much the devil attacks or how severe the persecution, God will keep you

Romans 8:16–17 NKJV

16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Philippians 1:6 NKJV

6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

2. God’s great provision. (v.10)

Just how does God’s grace and Eternal call keep us?

He does 4 wonderful things for the believer through their suffering.

**Note: The emphasis in greek is on God the Father doing these things himself. He becomes actively involved in taking care of His children.

A.) God perfects the believer.

Perfect- To make fit or join together.

Picture God taking all the displaced joints and broken limbs and using them to adjust our character.

God uses the trials, difficulties and persecutions, and sufferings in life to mold and shape us more into the image of Christ by fitting all the parts of life together for His glory.

Romans 8:28 NKJV

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Matthew 5:48 NKJV

48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

B. God establishes the believer.

Establish- to firmly set, be immovable.

Like a man who is stuck in concrete.

When we came to Christ at salvation, we became so attached to him that we are immovable. No matter how severe the attack or persecution may be you cannot be ripped away from him.

This fact ought to help us to be steady in our stand for Christ and make us immovable.

Remember the preceeding verses 8-9, it is our responsibility to resist the devil, we do this by standing firm in the faith.

James 4:7–8 NKJV

7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

C. God will strengthen us.

Strengthen- This is the only time in the NT this word is used. It gives the connotation of being filled with all the strength necessary to overcome the trials and sufferings that come our way.

Here is the amazing thing about this, the more we draw closer to God, the more strength he gives us and only He can give us this kind of enormous strength.

Ephesians 3:16 NKJV

16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,

Philippians 4:13 NKJV

13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Colossians 1:11 NKJV

11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;

D. God will settle us.

Settle- to secure as in a foundation; to ground with security.

God secures us through all the sufferings of life, no matter what they are.

He settles or secures our nerves, thoughts and fears and emotions that disturb us.

Application

All of this is the work of God in our hearts, the only part we play is drawing close to him. Far too often when suffering we pull away from God and then wonder why we are weak.

Philippians 4:6–7 NKJV

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

3. God’s great power. (v.11)

This is Peters Doxology (exclamation of praise)

Its as if Peter, after assuring believers of God’s gift of grace and eternal salvation, securing, perfecting, establishing, strengthening and settling us through the suffering and temptations of life bursts out in a song of praise to glorious, Sovereign Majesty of the universe who nothing and no one can ever defeat.

That same power that Peter praised and possessed is the same power you as a child of God possess today.

Application

You see when an unbeliever goes through suffering, he loses hope because his life is built on sand.

But the believer, hope in Christ increases through suffering.

Romans 5:3–4 NKJV

3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Through suffering God builds character and brightens our hope when we trust him and rely on his resources, provision and power.

Conclusion:

The rest of first Peter, is the benediction whereby he prays his readers would experience the peace of God much like he began the book in 1 Peter 1:2.

Peters entire first epistle, from beginning to end is all about experiencing God’s Peace through persecution and suffering.

Peter has encouraged us to hope in the Lord no matter the circumstance.

All throughout church history, the bride of Christ, has experienced intense persecution and fiery trials and yet, Satan has been unable to defeat it and he never will be able to.

Whatever may still come, the call of Peter is be at Peace and hope in the Lord.