CHRISTIANS WILL SUFFER PERSECUTION
I Peter 4:12-19
  1. Promise of Suffering.   I Pet. 2:21; 4:12; I Thess. 3:3,4; Acts 14:22; II Tim. 3:12.

  2. Purpose of Suffering.   I Peter 4:12; "fiery trial[.]"   Job 23:10; Ps. 66:10.

    1. Proof of our faith.
    2. When something is professed, it is necessary to prove it's reality.
    3. Proof of the depth of our faith.
      1. What will it take to move us or cause us to turn aside?
      2. The importance or size of that which hinders reveals the strength of our faith.

  3. Participation With Christ In His Sufferings.   I Pet. 4:13.

    Literally the Christian enters into the sufferings of Christ.   It will not be the cross but it
    may be at the hands of men.

    1. The Lord was denied.   John 1:10.
    2. The Lord was hated.   John 15:24.
    3. The Lord left the house of His Father.   John 3:16.
    4. The Lord did not have a house of His own.
    5. The Lord did not have the money even to pay His taxes.   Matt. 17:27.
    6. The Lord did not have a bed.
    7. The Lord had no one to defend Him when He was falsely accused.
    8. The Lord had no tomb.
    9. The Lord became poor.

      Phil. 3:10; I Pet. 4:1; Gal. 2:20; 6:12,17; Acts 5:41; Heb. 12:2; I Thess. 2:2; I Pet.
      2:21.

      What will be our reaction?   Heb. 12:2.

  4. Power In Suffering or Through Suffering.   I Peter 4:14

    The Holy Spirit rests upon those who suffer.   In the Old Testament a cloud was a symbol
    of the presence of God.   This cloud was known as the glory of the Lord.   I Kings 8:10,11.
    A similar glory comes on a believer by the Holy Spirit when he suffers for Christ.   The
    Spirit comes to minister - to fill, to cover, to clothe, to enclose, to sustain, to help, to
    strengthen, to intercede, and to make up that which is lacking.   Acts 6:5-8; 7:55,60.   (This
    glory was seen in Stephen).   II Cor. 12:9,10.   (The darker the night, the brighter the
    stars).

  5. Dangers In Suffering.   I Peter 4:14-16

    1. There is a difference in suffering for Christ and suffering for one's own guilt or
      foolishness.
    2. Shame.   Heb. 2:11; 11:16.
    3. Bitterness instead of joy and thanksgiving.   Ex. 15:23,24; 16:2; I Thess. 5:18.

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  1. Purification Through Suffering.   I Peter 4:17,18.

    1. Suffering can be used to purify, purge, burn up "dross," cause us to judge ourselves
      or cause us to deal with sin.   Ezra 9:6.
    2. Before a church can truly reach out or enter into true ministry, it must be purified,
      pruned and refined.   John 15:2
    3. There is no power without purification.
      1. Suffering in itself cannot refine or purify.
      2. Only the Grace of God can produce refining and purification, but suffering can
        cause us to recognize our need.
        1. Suffering can help us understand that nothing can be done in our strength.
        2. Suffering can make us sensitive to sin.
    4. Through suffering we can learn to completely depend upon the Lord.   II Cor.
      12:9,10.
    5. How will we respond?   I Peter 4:19; Acts 7:59; Luke 23:46.

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