Why Are We Always So Surprised When We Suffer?
Richard Bradley
I Peter 4:12-19
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters.
16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18 Now ''If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?''
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
I started out intending to preach on Christian joy this morning. However, the more I read and studied I found I couldn't get away from Peter's statement in verse 12. In this verse Peter used the word ''strange'' to describe our reaction to the difficult situations in which we believers find ourselves. This word has to do with how something appears. In other words, Peter asked the church why they thought it appeared to be strange that they should be suffering because of their Christian witness.
Peter's implication was that the suffering of believers in an evil world was not strange at all. In fact, it was to be expected. Like the church of Peter's day, we 21st century believers are often shocked when we find ourselves suffering. While never easy suffering should be expected.
Look at what Peter taught his readers about ...
Richard Bradley
I Peter 4:12-19
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters.
16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18 Now ''If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?''
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
I started out intending to preach on Christian joy this morning. However, the more I read and studied I found I couldn't get away from Peter's statement in verse 12. In this verse Peter used the word ''strange'' to describe our reaction to the difficult situations in which we believers find ourselves. This word has to do with how something appears. In other words, Peter asked the church why they thought it appeared to be strange that they should be suffering because of their Christian witness.
Peter's implication was that the suffering of believers in an evil world was not strange at all. In fact, it was to be expected. Like the church of Peter's day, we 21st century believers are often shocked when we find ourselves suffering. While never easy suffering should be expected.
Look at what Peter taught his readers about ...
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