HOPE IN TRIALS (11 OF 14)
Scripture: I PETER 4:12-19
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Hope in Trials (11 of 14)
David Cawston
I Peter 4:12-19
INTRODUCTION:
C.S. Lewis wrote these words from his penetrating book "The Problem Of Pain:" "I am progressing along the path of life and my ordinary contentedly fallen and Godless condition, absorbed in a merry meeting with my friends for the morrow, or a bit of work that tickles my vanity today, a holiday or a new book, when suddenly a stab of abdominal pain that threatens serious disease, or a headline in the newspaper that threatens all of us with destruction, sends this whole pack of cards tumbling down. At first I am overwhelmed and all my little happiness look like broken toys, and then slowly and reluctantly, bit by bit, I try to bring myself into a frame of mind that I should be in at all times. I remind myself that all these toys were never intended to possess my heart, and that my true good is in another world, and my only real treasure is in Christ, and perhaps by God's grace I succeed, and for a day or two become a creature consciously dependent on God, drawing its strength from the right resources. But the moment the threat is withdrawn, my whole nature leaps back to the toys."
Peter addresses Christians who are going through such desperate circumstances.
Have you ever had anything like that in your life?
Not simply trials, but what Peter calls "fiery ordeals?"
If so, have you ever heard this kind of advice in how to handle such trials?
1 Pet 4:12-13 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation.(NAS)
Probably not!
There are some practical truths about trials.
Peter was not the only Apostle who wrote to Christians who were strangers in a foreign land.
James addressed his letter to those who w ...
David Cawston
I Peter 4:12-19
INTRODUCTION:
C.S. Lewis wrote these words from his penetrating book "The Problem Of Pain:" "I am progressing along the path of life and my ordinary contentedly fallen and Godless condition, absorbed in a merry meeting with my friends for the morrow, or a bit of work that tickles my vanity today, a holiday or a new book, when suddenly a stab of abdominal pain that threatens serious disease, or a headline in the newspaper that threatens all of us with destruction, sends this whole pack of cards tumbling down. At first I am overwhelmed and all my little happiness look like broken toys, and then slowly and reluctantly, bit by bit, I try to bring myself into a frame of mind that I should be in at all times. I remind myself that all these toys were never intended to possess my heart, and that my true good is in another world, and my only real treasure is in Christ, and perhaps by God's grace I succeed, and for a day or two become a creature consciously dependent on God, drawing its strength from the right resources. But the moment the threat is withdrawn, my whole nature leaps back to the toys."
Peter addresses Christians who are going through such desperate circumstances.
Have you ever had anything like that in your life?
Not simply trials, but what Peter calls "fiery ordeals?"
If so, have you ever heard this kind of advice in how to handle such trials?
1 Pet 4:12-13 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation.(NAS)
Probably not!
There are some practical truths about trials.
Peter was not the only Apostle who wrote to Christians who were strangers in a foreign land.
James addressed his letter to those who w ...
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