The Suffering Christian

1 Peter 4:12-19

Do Not Be Surprised…Think about where trials come from

• From our own mistakes

• From the sins of others

• From time and chance

Ecclesiates 9:11-12

I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to

the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor wealth to the discerning nor

favor to men of ability; for time and chance overtake them all.12. Moreover,

man does not know his time: like fish caught in a treacherous net and birds

trapped in a snare, so the sons of men are ensnared at an evil time when it

suddenly falls on them.

Do Not Be Surprised…Think about where trials come from

• From our own mistakes

• From the sins of others

• From time and chance

• From God allowing the test

This “testing” is specific, the preposition “for” indicates

purpose.

Thayer… trial of man’s fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy, etc.

Why Does God Allow this?…

• This is not heaven

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet

our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of

glory far beyond all comparison, 18. while we look not at the things

which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things

which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Colossians 3:2-3

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3. For you have died and your life is hidden

with Christ in God.

Why Does God Allow this?…

• This is not heaven

• There will always be conflict between light and darkness

John 3:19-20

"This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved

the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20. "For

everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light

for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

Why Does God Allow this?…

• This is not heaven

• There will always be conflict between light and darkness

• Testing/trial is for improvement/growth/maturity

Hebrews 12:6-8

FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE

SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.” 7. It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not

discipline? 8. But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate

children and not sons.

Testing is for Improvement

• It is a form of discipline

James 1:3-4

…knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4. And

let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Testing is for Improvement

• It is a form of discipline

• It completes us, and produces endurance

1 Corinthians 3:12-13

Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver,

precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13. each man's work will become

evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with

fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work.

Testing is for Improvement

• It is a form of discipline

• It completes us, and produces endurance

• It makes the inner man evident

What Are We to do?

• Keep on rejoicing

• Recognize your blessings

1. You’re doing it FOR Christ

2. You’re doing it WITH Christ

What Are We to do?

• Keep on rejoicing

• Recognize your blessings

• Look forward to exultation

• Glorify God

• Trust your “faithful Creator

Suffering Ordeals ARE difficult

But there is purpose and glory and blessing to be found

Trials are NOT a time to give up, but a time to stand up.

Deal with ordeals and mature, strengthen self, and glorify God.