Trusting in the Suffering | 1 Peter 4:12-19

Summary

For every Christian, suffering will become a beautiful gift of dependency, intimacy, and love in Christ (1 Peter 4:12-19).

• Suffering is God’s Will.
  • God calls us to rejoice in our sufferings because we are sharing in Christ’s sufferings (1 Peter 4:13).
  • We are to be thankful to God in the suffering because we know this is not the end. After all, this momentary life is nothing compared to eternity with Christ, where there is no pain (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
  • If you are insulted or persecuted, do not be ashamed for believing in Christ. You are blessed because, in this suffering, there is a special outpouring of God on you (1 Peter 4:14).
  • We live in a hostile culture. But, just like the early church, we can continue to share the gospel as our faith is tested by how we respond in suffering (1 Peter 4:12).
  • All suffering in your life has already passed through the sovereign hand of God. He allows or ordains it, and He will sustain you through it.
• Faithful is God’s Character.
  • Those who are faithful to God in suffering entrust their souls (not their money, marriage, bodies, health, job, or anything else) to Him. We don’t thank Him for the suffering; we trust Him in the suffering (Isaiah 38:16-17).
  • God is faithful. When you can’t trace His hand, you can trust His heart. We don’t live in fear because God will be with us through every trial.
  • God is Creator. He brings something from nothing (Colossians 1:16). He will meet your need.
• Doing Good is God’s Fruit.
  • God has something for you to do while you suffer. And it is not “grin and bear it.” God says to abide in Him, and He will bear it and bring fruit from it (1 Peter 4:12-19).
  • Without God, suffering can turn you inward, to become introspective or bitter. But when you trust God in suffering and abide in Him, He will bear fruit in your life (John 15:5).
  • As you continue to do good while God works within you, when you drop into the fire of afflictions, there will be opportunities to share the gospel so those seeds may spread in the midst of suffering.
  • When Jesus was on a cross suffering, He quoted Scripture (Psalm 22:1), saved a thief, forgave those crucifying Him (Luke 23:32-43), and made sure His mom was cared for (John 19:25-27). He did good even when suffering.
  • Our suffering will soon be history, but our boast will be that we believe in God. He has given us a firm foundation in Christ, that no matter what storm comes upon you, the Lord has you, His grace will sustain you, as the Spirit of God and glory rest upon you. The day of trouble is coming but He is going to see you through the firm foundation of Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Peter 4:16).

Discussing and Applying the Sermon

• Has your faith in Christ brought suffering or persecution by your family, coworkers, or friends? If so, what did that look like, and what was your response? Pray with your community group that you will trust the Lord and ask the Lord to sustain you in the persecution.
• Have you ever been afraid to share your faith in Christ due to how you will be perceived or treated by others in our hostile culture? If so, pray right now, confess to the Lord your fears, and ask Him to help you live a life that boldly proclaims your faith no matter the cost.
• Are you in a season of suffering? If so, what are you currently going through? Have you shared this suffering or pain with anyone? If not, we encourage you to share these sufferings with your community group, at the 5 PM Prayer Service, or with a leader in the church.
• Share with your community group and others how you have praised and trusted God in the midst of your suffering and how the Lord has brought blessing in your suffering.
• Memorize 1 Peter 4:19 along with us.

Other Mentioned or Recommended Resources

• Additional Scripture: 1 Peter 1:7; Matthew 26:39; Genesis 1:1-31; Exodus 13:21; Exodus 16:4; Exodus 14:21-22; Genesis 22:13; Genesis 19:24; Joshua 6:20; Luke 10:18; 1 Kings 17:16; Daniel 3:25; Daniel 6:22; Exodus 17:6; Genesis 3:15; Matthew 19:26; 1 Kings 17:6; John 12:24
• Additional Resources: Training Day; Scripture Memory App; Dwell Differently; Notes on Suffering
• Downloadable phone background for a helpful way to memorize 1 Peter 4:19