12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.
16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18 And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. - 1 Peter 4:12-19
This world is not our home!
We are sojourners, only here but a short time, but have we become too comfortable in what we are accustomed to?
This is what we are used to, our beloved comfort zone!
We have lost sight of our real home!
It's coming!
Fiery trials!
Persecutions, trials of all kinds, and yes possibly even death.
We are warned!
Christ suffered!
Christ was persecuted!
He was thrown out of the temple, despised, reviled, beaten, stabbed, spit on, slandered, falsely accused, shamed, mocked and crucified.
Settle it in your mind and heart, trials are coming.
Stand firm in the knowledge of a Lord who is able!
Our Creator has you!
He has shown you by His example.
Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last. - Luke 23:46
22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. - 1 Peter 2:22-24
No shame!
No shame in persecution, no shame in being ridiculed, no shame in being mocked, or despised, or snubbed, or the endless sarcasm we face.
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, - 1 Peter 2:4
"Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets. - Luke 6:26
Remembering this:
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12:1-2
Rejoice!
Can we see the beauty in suffering?
Can we see the beauty in Christ suffering death on the cross?
We know the cost.
We know what His death conquered!
We know what His Resurrection did and all the glory it has brought!!!
We give our life as a witness!
11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. - Matthew 5:11-12
40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. - Acts 5:40-41
2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. - Romans 5:2-6
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. - James 1:2-3
Good deeds!
Hope in the Lord!
14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, - 1 Peter 3:14-18
Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. - 1 Peter 3:9
In good, in bad, whatever the circumstance, glorify God!
By God's grace, glorify God in your refining judgement.
Show the world that God satisfies!!!
Thank you Pastor John!!!
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