Get Ready for a Rough Ride

That’s just weird - joy in suffering.

I. Suffering makes you a better Jesus Follower

1 Peter 4:1 NET 2nd ed.

So, since Christ suffered in the flesh, you also arm yourselves with the same attitude, because the one who has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin,

A. Suffering helps us identify with your King.

A good time to pause...

1 Peter 2:21 NET 2nd ed.

For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps.

1 Peter 4:2 NET 2nd ed.

in that he spends the rest of his time on earth concerned about the will of God and not human desires.

1 Peter 4:3 NET 2nd ed.

For the time that has passed was sufficient for you to do what the non-Christians desire. You lived then in debauchery, evil desires, drunkenness, carousing, drinking bouts, and wanton idolatries.

B. It helps, in suffering, to keep the past in the past.

1 Peter 4:4 NET 2nd ed.

So they are astonished when you do not rush with them into the same flood of wickedness, and they vilify you.

1 Peter 4:5 NET 2nd ed.

They will face a reckoning before Jesus Christ who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.

1 Peter 4:6 NET 2nd ed.

Now it was for this very purpose that the gospel was preached to those who are now dead, so that though they were judged in the flesh by human standards they may live spiritually by God’s standards.

C. It helps, in suffering, to remember the Judge is coming.

II. It helps, in suffering, to love one another…better.

1 Peter 4:7 NET 2nd ed.

For the culmination of all things is near. So be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of prayer.

1 Peter 4:8 NET 2nd ed.

Above all keep your love for one another fervent, because love covers a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:9 NET 2nd ed.

Show hospitality to one another without complaining.

1 Peter 1:10 NET 2nd ed.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who predicted the grace that would come to you searched and investigated carefully.

1 Peter 4:11 NET 2nd ed.

Whoever speaks, let it be with God’s words. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

III. Suffering is…true worship.

1 Peter 4:12 NET 2nd ed.

Dear friends, do not be astonished that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as though something strange were happening to you.

A. Don’t be a Gomer (“Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!”)

1 Peter 4:13 NET 2nd ed.

But rejoice in the degree that you have shared in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice and be glad.

1 Peter 4:14 NET 2nd ed.

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, who is the Spirit of God, rests on you.

B. Instead…rejoice (part of worship)!

1 Peter 4:15 NET 2nd ed.

But let none of you suffer as a murderer or thief or criminal or as a troublemaker.

1 Peter 4:16 NET 2nd ed.

But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear such a name.

C. Instead of feeling shamed…give glory to God (ditto, worship)!

1 Peter 4:17 NET 2nd ed.

For it is time for judgment to begin, starting with the house of God. And if it starts with us, what will be the fate of those who are disobedient to the gospel of God?

1 Peter 4:18 NET 2nd ed.

And if the righteous are barely saved, what will become of the ungodly and sinners?

D. Be weird,be very weird, and let your life be a testimony (worship).

1 Peter 4:19 NET 2nd ed.

So then let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator as they do good.

E. Weirder still, bank on God (entrust, commit - banking term).

F. But not all conflict comes from without…I Declare War