WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.120 And we're going to pick our reading up in verse number 12, read to the end of the chapter. 00:00:04.620 --> 00:00:06.020 Have a word of prayer and then we'll jump right in. 00:00:06.759 --> 00:00:08.179 Peter says this in verse number 12. 00:00:08.179 --> 00:00:15.600 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. 00:00:16.260 --> 00:00:24.760 But rejoice inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's suffering, that when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy. 00:00:25.500 --> 00:00:31.520 If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye, for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. 00:00:31.519 --> 00:00:35.679 On their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 00:00:36.500 --> 00:00:42.519 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 00:00:43.200 --> 00:00:50.060 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf. 00:00:50.719 --> 00:00:56.760 For the time has come that judgment must begin at the house of God, and it will first begin at us, 00:00:56.759 --> 00:01:01.859 which shall the end of them that obey not the gospel of God. 00:01:02.599 --> 00:01:08.079 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 00:01:08.939 --> 00:01:19.939 Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing as unto a faithful creator. 00:01:19.939 --> 00:01:25.579 So we've kind of seen this theme throughout this epistle of 1 Peter that suffering is real. 00:01:26.299 --> 00:01:27.219 Life is hard. 00:01:27.359 --> 00:01:27.939 It's difficult. 00:01:28.179 --> 00:01:32.819 And it's just as Christians, we're not exempt from the difficulties of this world. 00:01:33.219 --> 00:01:36.120 But Peter says here, we can suffer well. 00:01:36.879 --> 00:01:40.000 That we can glorify God no matter what comes in our life. 00:01:40.039 --> 00:01:43.159 And he's going to give us some practical ways to do that in our life. 00:01:43.200 --> 00:01:45.400 So let's go to him and ask him to help us tonight. 00:01:45.400 --> 00:01:46.820 Father, thank you for this opportunity. 00:01:47.719 --> 00:01:51.460 Lord, thank you for this little book of 1 Peter that we've been studying. 00:01:51.640 --> 00:01:55.020 And Lord, I pray that even tonight we would come to it with fresh eyes again. 00:01:55.180 --> 00:01:59.240 We would be reminded of some wonderful truths that really meet us where we live, Lord. 00:01:59.320 --> 00:02:02.960 That there's many different things even represented in this room. 00:02:03.100 --> 00:02:05.460 And trials and burdens that we're walking through. 00:02:06.060 --> 00:02:07.880 And it doesn't mean that the suffering is not real. 00:02:07.980 --> 00:02:08.740 It's not painful. 00:02:09.300 --> 00:02:11.900 But Lord, there is another way to look at it. 00:02:11.900 --> 00:02:14.939 And we pray that you would give us your eyes and we could see it from your point of view. 00:02:15.400 --> 00:02:16.719 Lord, I pray that you would be with me now. 00:02:16.819 --> 00:02:19.060 That you would just guide my thoughts and my words. 00:02:19.520 --> 00:02:20.700 And be a help to your people tonight. 00:02:20.760 --> 00:02:22.060 And we ask this in Christ's name. 00:02:22.599 --> 00:02:22.900 Amen. 00:02:23.120 --> 00:02:23.780 Thank you so much for standing. 00:02:23.840 --> 00:02:24.200 May be seated. 00:02:27.879 --> 00:02:30.939 I'm sure every time you update your phone, you get the same thing that I do. 00:02:31.219 --> 00:02:32.920 It says, hey, there's an update available. 00:02:33.140 --> 00:02:34.240 And you click the button. 00:02:34.540 --> 00:02:38.680 And it has this little thing that pops up and says, I have read the terms and conditions. 00:02:40.120 --> 00:02:43.280 And all of you lie and click yes. 00:02:43.280 --> 00:02:48.819 Is there anybody that just reads all of the terms and conditions? 00:02:50.039 --> 00:02:50.699 Not me. 00:02:51.039 --> 00:02:53.379 I am not going to waste my time doing that. 00:02:54.080 --> 00:02:59.639 I mean, the thing could say by clicking, agree, you hereby surrender your home, your vehicle, and your first child. 00:02:59.680 --> 00:03:00.379 I'm like, yeah, whatever. 00:03:00.479 --> 00:03:01.400 Just update my phone. 00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:03.920 And that's kind of how we approach it. 00:03:03.979 --> 00:03:05.360 You go through the fine print. 00:03:05.360 --> 00:03:09.240 And really, we like to know what we're getting into. 00:03:09.940 --> 00:03:15.060 But apparently, we're not willing to spend a lot of time to really dive into the details, so to speak. 00:03:15.900 --> 00:03:20.520 And if we aren't careful, we can really approach the Christian life in the same way. 00:03:21.200 --> 00:03:26.080 And we can come and we can sing songs about looking to the Lamb of God and knowing that he can deliver us. 00:03:26.200 --> 00:03:28.120 And we love the promises of God. 00:03:28.120 --> 00:03:31.439 We love his forgiveness in our life and the grace that he offers. 00:03:31.780 --> 00:03:35.700 We think of heaven and maybe try to imagine what it would be like. 00:03:36.920 --> 00:03:38.840 But then difficulty comes in our life. 00:03:39.759 --> 00:03:40.879 Pain comes in our life. 00:03:41.240 --> 00:03:42.200 Persecution comes. 00:03:42.599 --> 00:03:45.659 And as we're following Christ, we suddenly think, wait a minute. 00:03:46.360 --> 00:03:48.080 I didn't sign up for this. 00:03:48.140 --> 00:03:50.719 I didn't agree to these terms and conditions. 00:03:51.659 --> 00:03:55.759 Well, actually, here in 1 Peter 4, verse 12 through 19, Peter says, you did. 00:03:55.759 --> 00:03:59.000 Jesus made this very, very clear. 00:03:59.179 --> 00:04:05.359 And when you read the Gospels, you see that Jesus doesn't kind of trick us into following him. 00:04:05.979 --> 00:04:09.759 No, in fact, he lays the cost of discipleship out over and over and over. 00:04:10.379 --> 00:04:14.680 And we see that he reminds us that if any man come after him, let him deny himself. 00:04:14.899 --> 00:04:17.680 Let him take up his cross daily and follow him. 00:04:17.839 --> 00:04:18.959 And we see that. 00:04:19.019 --> 00:04:20.579 We see even the life of Christ. 00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:23.779 The Son of God was dealing with difficulty. 00:04:23.779 --> 00:04:26.399 And Jesus reminds us of that truth. 00:04:26.959 --> 00:04:30.739 And that's really what Peter does here in the first verse that we read in verse number 12. 00:04:30.939 --> 00:04:33.759 He's just reiterating what Christ taught us. 00:04:34.099 --> 00:04:37.839 What we know to be true from the Gospels and from the other New Testament writers. 00:04:38.719 --> 00:04:41.759 But as we walk through these verses here this evening, 00:04:41.899 --> 00:04:46.059 Peter's going to take it a step further than just simply telling us to expect suffering. 00:04:46.060 --> 00:04:52.180 He's letting us know it's going to be real in our life, but we don't necessarily have to dread it. 00:04:52.939 --> 00:04:54.980 There is a way to suffer well for the Lord. 00:04:55.060 --> 00:04:56.699 There is a way to glorify him. 00:04:57.980 --> 00:05:02.279 I know it's been a week since we've been together in 1 Peter, but we back up to verse number 11. 00:05:02.959 --> 00:05:04.920 He tells us this in the middle of that verse, 00:05:04.920 --> 00:05:15.040 So he reminds us that God can be glorified in everything. 00:05:15.439 --> 00:05:19.840 And then he immediately goes into our text this evening and he talks about suffering. 00:05:21.200 --> 00:05:27.860 And I think the idea that we see here is that all things includes things we would never choose. 00:05:27.860 --> 00:05:34.540 What they were dealing with as Peter was writing this letter aren't things they would have signed up for. 00:05:35.300 --> 00:05:37.020 They weren't growing up when they were little and saying, 00:05:37.100 --> 00:05:40.580 Man, one day when I'm an adult, I want to just live in persecution all the time. 00:05:41.240 --> 00:05:42.439 But they find themselves there. 00:05:43.100 --> 00:05:44.500 And the same is true for us tonight. 00:05:44.600 --> 00:05:49.680 There's many in this room and there's many on our prayer list that are walking through things they never would have signed up for. 00:05:50.460 --> 00:05:53.520 But God knows and he understands where we are. 00:05:53.519 --> 00:06:01.079 And as Peter closes this chapter out in chapter number 4, his concern isn't whether we're going to suffer, but how we're going to suffer. 00:06:01.799 --> 00:06:05.639 How we're going to live it out before the world around us. 00:06:06.219 --> 00:06:08.759 And the big idea that I want us to kind of look at this evening is this, 00:06:08.979 --> 00:06:15.060 is that we can glorify God in suffering when we respond with joy and faithfulness and trust. 00:06:15.620 --> 00:06:19.379 Those are things that God keeps calling us to and wanting us to be a part. 00:06:19.379 --> 00:06:23.620 So let's ask this question tonight and we're going to see how Peter gives us the answers. 00:06:24.000 --> 00:06:26.139 How can we suffer in a way that glorifies God? 00:06:26.860 --> 00:06:29.839 Well, that very first verse that we read, verse number 12, here's how we can do it. 00:06:29.860 --> 00:06:31.620 Number one, we can expect suffering. 00:06:32.740 --> 00:06:34.819 That it shouldn't throw us for a loop. 00:06:35.439 --> 00:06:39.379 But before we really get into it, I love that first word in verse number 12, beloved. 00:06:40.959 --> 00:06:43.480 Peter's reminding them that they are loved of God. 00:06:44.240 --> 00:06:47.759 He's writing to the saints that are scattered abroad. 00:06:47.759 --> 00:06:56.800 God, he's just reiterating that truth that God knows you, that God loves you, and he knows exactly where you are. 00:06:57.519 --> 00:07:00.500 Because some of the verses we're going to read here tonight, they're heavy. 00:07:01.300 --> 00:07:02.060 They're difficult. 00:07:02.939 --> 00:07:04.899 And it meets us right where we live. 00:07:05.039 --> 00:07:10.060 But even as we walk through the difficulties of life, even if we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 00:07:10.219 --> 00:07:11.300 we're still loved. 00:07:11.899 --> 00:07:13.219 That we're not abandoned. 00:07:13.220 --> 00:07:17.440 Jesus Christ promised that he will never leave us nor forsake us. 00:07:18.020 --> 00:07:22.740 And so Peter reminds them, hey, God loves you, and I love you, and I'm here to help. 00:07:23.720 --> 00:07:26.380 Then he goes on to say, think it not strange. 00:07:27.660 --> 00:07:32.680 In other words, don't treat suffering as though something has gone terribly wrong. 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:36.700 I would imagine that may be our first response. 00:07:36.699 --> 00:07:41.459 That when a difficulty comes in our life, when a diagnosis comes across the table, 00:07:41.620 --> 00:07:46.680 when a work situation doesn't go like we want, we immediately think, Lord, what is happening? 00:07:47.240 --> 00:07:50.159 Why would you let this come across my desk? 00:07:51.339 --> 00:07:55.620 But Peter describes that, and he says, this is not something that should throw us for a loop. 00:07:56.419 --> 00:08:01.519 He goes on to explain that, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial. 00:08:01.519 --> 00:08:06.339 I mean, this is not coming out of the gate like real exciting and real uplifting. 00:08:07.199 --> 00:08:11.919 I mean, I think we get the picture of a fiery trial doesn't seem like, oh, that's something easy to walk through. 00:08:12.779 --> 00:08:17.639 It has this idea of this intense heat, the pressures of life. 00:08:18.459 --> 00:08:23.819 And in Scripture, as you really study it often, fire is connected with testing and refining. 00:08:24.719 --> 00:08:27.759 We're kind of really getting some maybe impurities out of our life. 00:08:27.759 --> 00:08:37.539 And Peter's already used that picture in chapter number one, that he reminds us that the trial of our faith is likened to gold being tried in the fire. 00:08:38.659 --> 00:08:41.740 Gold, when it's tried in the fire, it reveals what's real. 00:08:42.220 --> 00:08:46.000 It gets the things out that shouldn't be in there, the impurities. 00:08:47.419 --> 00:08:55.259 And Peter reminds us that sometimes difficulties come in our life, and God is using them to try us, not to bury us. 00:08:55.259 --> 00:08:57.120 And I think we've all been there. 00:08:57.740 --> 00:09:00.860 We tell the Lord, Lord, I'm not sure I can handle one more thing. 00:09:01.419 --> 00:09:02.100 Well, here's the reality. 00:09:02.220 --> 00:09:03.360 You couldn't handle one thing. 00:09:03.799 --> 00:09:05.220 I can't handle one thing. 00:09:05.639 --> 00:09:14.860 And God is not sending, God is not allowing, God is not wanting us to walk through something so he can bury us under the load and under the weight of the world. 00:09:15.679 --> 00:09:18.299 No, God can use, and we see all throughout Scripture. 00:09:18.860 --> 00:09:20.100 We love the story of Joseph. 00:09:20.259 --> 00:09:23.480 We love the story of Moses and Daniel and the three Hebrew children. 00:09:23.480 --> 00:09:33.320 I mean, you name all of these people, we love how God did some amazing miracles and walked them literally through the fiery furnace and allowed them to come on the other side. 00:09:33.440 --> 00:09:38.100 But we sometimes want to end up like them, but we don't want to walk through the difficulty. 00:09:39.620 --> 00:09:43.840 But difficulty can expose, it can strengthen, it can refine our faith. 00:09:45.279 --> 00:09:51.820 Nowhere in this letter have we seen that Peter is giving the impression that suffering isn't painful. 00:09:51.820 --> 00:09:54.800 No, he acknowledges that. 00:09:55.640 --> 00:09:58.240 We see that all throughout Scripture that it is hard. 00:09:58.560 --> 00:10:03.600 But what he is showing us, and he reminds us over and over again, that suffering is not pointless. 00:10:04.720 --> 00:10:10.320 That God can use even the most difficult thing, even the most painful thing in our life if we allow him. 00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:15.720 But I think what makes it difficult sometimes is we're not expecting it. 00:10:15.720 --> 00:10:20.120 You know, sometimes it just comes out of left field, doesn't it? 00:10:20.720 --> 00:10:22.220 I mean, everything can be going well. 00:10:22.500 --> 00:10:26.980 You can have everything kind of lined up in your life, and all of a sudden you're thinking, where did that come from? 00:10:28.600 --> 00:10:33.860 And if we're not careful, we can begin to follow Christ, and somewhere along the way we begin to assume, 00:10:33.860 --> 00:10:41.440 Hey, well, Lord, if I'm doing right, hey, I'm obeying you, I'm trying to live faithfully, I'm trying to stay plugged in to the church. 00:10:41.779 --> 00:10:43.360 Shouldn't life get easier? 00:10:44.080 --> 00:10:45.000 Sometimes we think that. 00:10:45.680 --> 00:10:47.200 And that's a natural way to think. 00:10:47.700 --> 00:10:51.200 You know, we feel like if we're doing well at work, we should be promoted. 00:10:51.340 --> 00:10:56.080 If we're doing well at home, maybe as a teenager or a kid, you're thinking, well, I'm doing everything I should. 00:10:56.139 --> 00:10:57.279 Why is my life so hard? 00:10:57.279 --> 00:11:04.939 But the hard pill to swallow when it comes to following Jesus is that often, and more likely than not, 00:11:05.039 --> 00:11:09.000 obedience to Him will make life harder and not easier. 00:11:10.019 --> 00:11:15.559 And that's why many start on the road and realize, hey, this is not what I signed up for. 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:21.539 But Peter says, you did, but I don't want you to quit now because there is a glory that's coming. 00:11:21.799 --> 00:11:23.339 And we're going to get to that here in just a minute. 00:11:23.340 --> 00:11:31.320 And really in this first verse, he's just kind of coming out of the gate and reminding them, hey, when that difficulty comes, don't just assume. 00:11:31.860 --> 00:11:34.340 Don't just think that God must have abandoned you. 00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:39.560 That God just, I mean, he was in the car and you fell out of the passenger door and he just kept driving. 00:11:39.980 --> 00:11:41.320 Sometimes life feels like that. 00:11:41.580 --> 00:11:43.480 And we're like trying to chase the car down. 00:11:43.660 --> 00:11:45.000 No, God knows where you are. 00:11:46.920 --> 00:11:50.120 Sometimes we make decisions and the Lord speaks to our heart. 00:11:50.180 --> 00:11:51.000 We may come to the altar. 00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:55.580 You may just, in your own devotions, the Lord lays something in your heart and say, Lord, I'm going to do this. 00:11:55.840 --> 00:11:57.559 I know this is what you have me to do. 00:11:58.480 --> 00:11:59.500 But then life happens. 00:12:00.480 --> 00:12:01.679 Then you lose that job. 00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:04.240 Then your health takes a turn for the worse. 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:06.980 And you think, well, did I miss God's will? 00:12:08.039 --> 00:12:09.639 Did I take the wrong turn, Lord? 00:12:09.940 --> 00:12:10.860 Am I lost? 00:12:11.200 --> 00:12:12.360 What's going on here? 00:12:12.360 --> 00:12:12.960 Peter. 00:12:13.620 --> 00:12:21.320 But Peter is just constantly reminding them and in turn reminding us that a difficult season does not mean you're outside of the will of God. 00:12:22.379 --> 00:12:23.700 I mean, walk through the Gospels. 00:12:24.419 --> 00:12:29.320 How many times were the disciples exactly where Jesus called them to be and there was a storm? 00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:30.919 And there was a difficulty? 00:12:31.340 --> 00:12:32.659 And there was a lack of resources? 00:12:33.139 --> 00:12:34.539 And whatever it might be. 00:12:34.539 --> 00:12:39.439 Listen, sometimes even with a difficulty, we might be right in the middle of where God wants us to be. 00:12:40.159 --> 00:12:42.620 And that's hard for us to kind of wrap our mind around. 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:48.240 Because I know that in my own life, I think, Lord, if I'm walking right next to you, I should face no problems. 00:12:49.039 --> 00:12:52.019 But we find that nowhere to be found in the Scriptures. 00:12:52.019 --> 00:12:59.159 And really, when we think about it this way, and that's kind of why Peter begins this section of chapter number 4 this way, 00:12:59.220 --> 00:13:02.539 because he wants us to think differently about what we're facing. 00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:09.720 Because when we realize that what we're going through is not strange, that God hasn't abandoned us, 00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:11.960 it really is going to change how we face it. 00:13:12.699 --> 00:13:18.419 See, because there's a big difference between being surprised by suffering and being prepared for suffering. 00:13:19.399 --> 00:13:21.199 You know, you know something's coming at work. 00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:24.280 Maybe some of you know something's coming next week or the week. 00:13:24.460 --> 00:13:25.900 You're trying to prepare yourself for it. 00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:27.540 You just want to be ready. 00:13:27.820 --> 00:13:29.620 You want to handle it properly. 00:13:30.940 --> 00:13:36.600 Because if we believe hardship means God has failed us, here's what suffering can do. 00:13:36.759 --> 00:13:37.920 It can shake your faith. 00:13:39.140 --> 00:13:41.680 You can think, well, God doesn't love me. 00:13:41.720 --> 00:13:42.940 He doesn't keep his promises. 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:46.820 But if we understand, and that's what Peter's trying to drive home, 00:13:46.820 --> 00:13:51.080 if we understand that God works even in the difficulties, even through suffering, 00:13:51.340 --> 00:13:54.360 then when a trial comes, we can say, listen, I don't like this. 00:13:54.980 --> 00:13:57.400 This is not what I would have chosen for my own life. 00:13:57.480 --> 00:13:59.860 I don't understand what you're doing, but I trust you. 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:05.060 And that's the difference between expecting it and being surprised by it. 00:14:06.440 --> 00:14:11.740 See, Peter isn't telling these people, he isn't telling us that, you know, 00:14:11.860 --> 00:14:13.860 just pretend like you're not hurting. 00:14:14.860 --> 00:14:16.639 Listen, I'm thankful we don't have to pretend that. 00:14:17.519 --> 00:14:19.460 We don't have to pretend like the name's on our prayer list, 00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:21.800 and we go through it on Wednesday night, like it's not a big deal. 00:14:22.279 --> 00:14:23.320 It is a big deal. 00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:28.180 And he's going to tell us in the very next chapter that we're to cast all our cares on him, 00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:31.340 that we're to bring it to the Lord because he cares for us. 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:34.580 He's not just saying, sweep it under the rug and put a smile on your face 00:14:34.580 --> 00:14:36.759 because Christianity is all about just plastering a smile, 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:38.560 and everything is hunky-dory all the time. 00:14:39.379 --> 00:14:40.759 That's not what he's talking about. 00:14:40.759 --> 00:14:47.819 But he is teaching us how to interpret our hurt through what we know about God. 00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:51.159 Because he keeps coming back to the character of God. 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:54.659 He keeps coming back to the fact that he's faithful, that he's trustworthy, 00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:56.240 that he's in control. 00:14:56.679 --> 00:15:00.100 And the fire you might be walking through, it was real for them, 00:15:00.220 --> 00:15:02.139 it might be real for you, but here's what he's saying. 00:15:02.399 --> 00:15:03.220 So is God. 00:15:03.840 --> 00:15:05.080 So is his faithfulness. 00:15:05.460 --> 00:15:07.059 So is his goodness to you. 00:15:07.059 --> 00:15:12.819 And we come to verse 12 and we read it and we think, okay, Peter, I mean, this is going to be tough. 00:15:13.299 --> 00:15:18.379 I don't like what's going on in my life, but I understand God's in control, so I think I can do this. 00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:21.579 I think I can just hang on and make it through. 00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:25.719 Well, then he says in verse number 13, but rejoice. 00:15:25.720 --> 00:15:33.240 So not only should we expect suffering, number two, he tells us to rejoice in suffering. 00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:39.500 I don't know about you, but verse 12 and then coming into verse 13 kind of sounds impossible. 00:15:40.680 --> 00:15:42.080 On a surface level. 00:15:42.440 --> 00:15:46.960 Hey, I know you're going through a fiery trial and it seems like it's taking you down, 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:48.180 but here's the great news. 00:15:48.660 --> 00:15:49.100 Rejoice. 00:15:49.840 --> 00:15:52.940 Maybe when they got this letter, they're thinking, Peter has lost his mind. 00:15:52.940 --> 00:15:55.060 Well, what is he thinking? 00:15:56.180 --> 00:15:57.440 Well, here's what he's not thinking. 00:15:57.520 --> 00:15:59.440 He's not saying enjoy the pain. 00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:00.880 Pain is gain. 00:16:01.060 --> 00:16:01.800 That's dumb. 00:16:02.520 --> 00:16:04.100 I don't want to have pain in my life. 00:16:04.600 --> 00:16:08.860 He's not saying search for pain because pain is the only way that you know that God loves you. 00:16:09.060 --> 00:16:11.000 No, our joy isn't found in pain. 00:16:11.260 --> 00:16:14.600 Our joy is found in what the suffering connects us to. 00:16:15.640 --> 00:16:17.080 Because here's what suffering should do. 00:16:17.340 --> 00:16:19.300 Here's what difficulty should do. 00:16:19.540 --> 00:16:21.240 It should push us towards Christ. 00:16:21.240 --> 00:16:25.379 It should remind us that he is the one that is in control. 00:16:25.659 --> 00:16:28.220 Peter says this in verse number 13. 00:16:28.700 --> 00:16:33.620 But rejoice in as much as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings. 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:36.919 Just to make sure we're clear what Peter is saying here. 00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:39.899 Our suffering doesn't accomplish what Christ's suffering accomplished. 00:16:41.060 --> 00:16:42.440 No, he suffered for us. 00:16:42.700 --> 00:16:44.539 His suffering was substitutionary. 00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:46.600 His death purchased our redemption. 00:16:46.919 --> 00:16:48.820 We don't add anything to the work of Christ. 00:16:48.820 --> 00:16:52.720 But when we suffer because we belong to him. 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:57.280 When we are living for him and we're persecuted for that reason. 00:16:57.500 --> 00:16:58.440 Here's what Peter says. 00:16:58.720 --> 00:17:00.460 That there is a fellowship with Christ. 00:17:01.160 --> 00:17:02.620 That we understand. 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:05.480 That we are followers of him. 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:08.380 Here's a way we can just break it down real simple. 00:17:08.620 --> 00:17:10.019 Here's what Peter is saying in verse 13. 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:17.460 Don't be surprised when following Jesus leads you down the road that Jesus walked. 00:17:18.359 --> 00:17:22.019 If you're following somebody, you're going to walk down the same road they walk. 00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:24.639 You can't follow somebody and not go what they're going through. 00:17:24.839 --> 00:17:25.859 And that's what Peter is saying. 00:17:26.920 --> 00:17:29.319 That Jesus walked this road. 00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:31.099 That he suffered. 00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:33.099 For doing the right things. 00:17:33.339 --> 00:17:35.639 He went about, the Bible says, he went about doing good. 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:39.980 He told us in John that he does all things that please the Father. 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:43.700 The perfect, sinless, spotless Lamb of God suffered. 00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:45.880 And if we're going to follow him. 00:17:46.020 --> 00:17:47.320 If we're going to live for him. 00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:50.500 If we're going to try to model our life after him. 00:17:50.540 --> 00:17:51.060 Then guess what? 00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:53.520 We're probably going to walk down that road at some point. 00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:58.759 In fact, Paul told us, all that live godly shall suffer persecution. 00:17:59.400 --> 00:18:00.460 We're not seeking it. 00:18:00.660 --> 00:18:01.840 We're not searching for it. 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:02.820 We're not signing up for it. 00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:05.279 But we're just reminded that's what happens. 00:18:06.059 --> 00:18:07.679 That's where it leads to. 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:10.279 But Peter doesn't stop with the suffering. 00:18:10.599 --> 00:18:11.200 Praise the Lord. 00:18:12.200 --> 00:18:13.179 Verse 13, he says this. 00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:15.379 That when his glory shall be revealed. 00:18:15.899 --> 00:18:19.759 That you may be glad also with exceeding joy. 00:18:21.399 --> 00:18:26.279 We see this idea that he keeps bringing us back to the fact that life is hard. 00:18:26.859 --> 00:18:28.059 But it's not the end. 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:31.059 You're walking through a fire. 00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:32.799 You're walking through a valley. 00:18:33.099 --> 00:18:34.019 But glory is coming. 00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:35.720 Jesus is coming. 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:37.539 We see that over and over. 00:18:37.619 --> 00:18:39.700 He keeps reminding us of this imminent return of Christ. 00:18:40.119 --> 00:18:41.700 We hear the old gospel song. 00:18:41.960 --> 00:18:43.039 Joy comes in the morning. 00:18:43.679 --> 00:18:45.139 That's what Peter is saying. 00:18:45.899 --> 00:18:48.000 Yes, it might look dark right now. 00:18:48.220 --> 00:18:49.299 It might look bleak. 00:18:49.379 --> 00:18:51.519 It might seem like everybody is forsaking you. 00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:52.559 But God hasn't. 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:59.519 And really the thought is we cannot interpret today's suffering in light of what's coming tomorrow. 00:19:01.379 --> 00:19:04.599 See, the trial that you might be walking through right now. 00:19:04.659 --> 00:19:06.519 Or the trial that's going to come in your life at some point. 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:08.359 Is not the end of your story. 00:19:09.179 --> 00:19:10.599 That's what Peter wants them to know. 00:19:11.919 --> 00:19:14.059 But when we're in the middle of it, we can agree with it. 00:19:14.099 --> 00:19:16.859 Listen, we can assent to it right now and say, yeah, I agree with that truth. 00:19:17.479 --> 00:19:22.299 But we've all been in a place where the trial comes and we start thinking, this is the end. 00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:24.299 I don't know how I'm going to make it out of this one. 00:19:25.199 --> 00:19:26.659 But we're reminded over and over. 00:19:26.899 --> 00:19:29.079 Well, we made it out of that one and this one and this one. 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:31.799 Not because of anything we did, but because of God. 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:34.859 Because he's there that he understands. 00:19:35.199 --> 00:19:38.279 And we see that really throughout the life of every believer. 00:19:39.719 --> 00:19:41.219 I mean, Jesus suffered. 00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:42.919 Then came the resurrection. 00:19:43.899 --> 00:19:46.219 The cross came before the crown. 00:19:46.819 --> 00:19:51.200 We see this connection really all throughout the Bible. 00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:56.120 And as Peter has made clear time and again that he is coming. 00:19:56.400 --> 00:20:02.380 And because that is true, everything that looks upside down, even in your life right now, God's going to turn it right side up. 00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:04.240 He's going to make all things right. 00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:09.279 Everything that you endure for the cause of Christ will be worth it. 00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:14.559 Sometimes, I get it, that may be hard for you to wrap your mind around right now. 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:20.620 But there is coming a day when we will see him face to face. 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:26.960 And everything that we think, and it's not to belittle anything because there are some difficulties even in this room, even on this prayer list. 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:29.460 Listen, they are real life difficulties. 00:20:30.339 --> 00:20:33.839 But when we see him, we're not even going to remember any of them. 00:20:34.600 --> 00:20:36.940 And that's what Peter's telling us. 00:20:36.940 --> 00:20:38.580 He wants us to see that. 00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:44.140 He's reminding these Christians walking through life that you can hurt and still have hope. 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.620 We have a living hope. 00:20:45.900 --> 00:20:51.360 You can grieve and struggle, but you can still rejoice because God is not done with you. 00:20:52.059 --> 00:20:55.380 This difficulty you're walking through is not the end of your story. 00:20:55.380 --> 00:21:00.100 But I love when we come here into verse number 14. 00:21:00.520 --> 00:21:04.020 We don't have to wait until the day we see him face to face. 00:21:04.540 --> 00:21:05.960 I'm looking forward to that day. 00:21:06.760 --> 00:21:09.200 But he reminds us that God is with us right now. 00:21:10.080 --> 00:21:12.280 Peter would have understood this as he would be there in the upper room. 00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:14.180 And Jesus said, hey, I'm leaving. 00:21:14.880 --> 00:21:19.080 But there in John chapter 14 and John chapter 15, he says, if I go, I'm going to send the comforter. 00:21:19.720 --> 00:21:21.840 And that God is presently with us. 00:21:21.839 --> 00:21:27.679 And verse number 14 says, if you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye, present tense. 00:21:28.019 --> 00:21:28.279 Why? 00:21:28.419 --> 00:21:29.439 How can that be possible? 00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:33.539 For the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:35.659 On their part, he is evil spoken to him. 00:21:35.699 --> 00:21:37.980 But on your part, he is glorified. 00:21:39.399 --> 00:21:41.299 Listen, the world may insult us. 00:21:41.939 --> 00:21:43.959 They may misunderstand your convictions. 00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:49.519 They may make you feel like you're on the wrong side just because you're trying to take a stand with Jesus. 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:54.680 And I will remind us that the closer we get to Christ, the more it's going to be. 00:21:55.700 --> 00:21:58.240 That evil is going to wax worse and worse. 00:21:58.900 --> 00:21:59.759 I don't think God's done it. 00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:01.500 I know God can still work. 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:04.220 But we are moving towards the end of history. 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:08.400 And as that day approaches, the world is taking every shot that it can. 00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:11.920 But Peter's reminding us we can still stand for the Lord. 00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:14.619 He says, happy are ye. 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:16.519 Why? 00:22:16.519 --> 00:22:22.180 Because God's spirit, his glory resteth on you. 00:22:22.879 --> 00:22:24.099 That's a wonderful truth. 00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:26.759 That's a wonderful promise from God. 00:22:27.400 --> 00:22:30.099 You know, we sing that old hymn, standing on the promises. 00:22:31.139 --> 00:22:34.139 But sometimes when we read a promise in the word of God, we just run right past it. 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:37.740 This is a wonderful promise that Peter's giving. 00:22:38.619 --> 00:22:40.180 That life is going to be hard. 00:22:40.180 --> 00:22:45.400 And people are going to misuse you and mistreat you and twist things that you say. 00:22:45.620 --> 00:22:49.440 And you think nobody cares and nobody loves me and I'm all alone. 00:22:50.080 --> 00:22:52.420 Let's go eat worms or whatever that old saying is. 00:22:53.060 --> 00:22:53.700 Nobody loves me. 00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:54.200 Everybody hates me. 00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:54.900 Let's go eat worms. 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:57.120 Sometimes we can get like that in our Christian life. 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:58.880 And Peter says, actually, listen. 00:22:59.080 --> 00:23:00.120 You have the Holy Spirit of God. 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:01.180 It just rests on you. 00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:03.759 That you're not walking through this life alone. 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:07.379 It's not up to you for the strength that you have. 00:23:07.640 --> 00:23:11.839 See, suffering has a way sometimes of making us ask, God, where are you? 00:23:12.839 --> 00:23:14.740 Peter says in verse 14, he hasn't left. 00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:18.859 If you are his child, his spirit rests on you. 00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:20.720 The spirit of God is there for you. 00:23:20.940 --> 00:23:23.500 The world might reject you, but God never will. 00:23:24.700 --> 00:23:25.920 That's something we can hold on to. 00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:27.799 That's a promise that we can stand on. 00:23:28.140 --> 00:23:29.539 That his word reminds us. 00:23:29.539 --> 00:23:34.639 See, trials often change our circumstances, but it does not change the presence of God in your life. 00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:43.159 Sometimes it makes it difficult to see him and to understand him, but we must trust who he is because he's revealed himself in the word of God. 00:23:44.519 --> 00:23:54.460 So if we're to glorify God in our suffering, but we're going to notice here in verse number 15 that not every difficult thing we experience when it comes to suffering is for Jesus. 00:23:54.460 --> 00:23:59.860 Number three, we can glorify God in suffering, but he puts a little disclaimer before he gets there. 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.680 Look at verse number 15. 00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:10.759 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or as a thief or as an evil doer. 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:18.799 As Peter has walked through this letter, he's reminded us time and again that sometimes we suffer for doing right. 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:20.680 For being a witness. 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:22.339 For taking a stand. 00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:24.539 For having certain convictions in our life. 00:24:24.839 --> 00:24:30.960 But he also reminds us that there is nothing commendable about suffering the consequences of our own sin. 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:33.259 I mean, he gives quite a list here. 00:24:33.960 --> 00:24:37.859 I mean, a murderer, a thief, an evil doer. 00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:40.420 You think, thank goodness, that's not me. 00:24:40.420 --> 00:24:43.160 Look at this. 00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:44.480 Or a busy body. 00:24:46.120 --> 00:24:50.720 Doesn't seem, sometimes when he puts a list like this together and Paul puts a list like that together. 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:52.860 I mean, he's putting all these horrible sins. 00:24:53.100 --> 00:24:54.560 And then he'll say, Paul will say something like this. 00:24:55.140 --> 00:24:56.080 Disobedience to parents. 00:24:56.720 --> 00:24:59.220 Like, you know, as a kid you're like, where did that come from? 00:24:59.820 --> 00:25:01.200 That's kind of what's going on here. 00:25:01.340 --> 00:25:03.800 And it seems like, well, I'm doing okay. 00:25:03.900 --> 00:25:04.980 But here's what Peter says. 00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:06.120 You know what we need to be doing? 00:25:06.300 --> 00:25:07.820 Just minding our own business. 00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:13.139 Sometimes we like to meddle in other people's business. 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:16.319 Peter said, that's not what God's called us to do. 00:25:16.819 --> 00:25:19.639 Sometimes we meddle in their business to make ourselves feel a little bit better. 00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:25.980 A busy body is just someone that concerns themselves with things that are none of their business. 00:25:25.980 --> 00:25:27.480 And Peter's point is simple. 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:36.620 Do not, I mean, whatever the list is, murderer, thief, evildoer, busybody, don't create unnecessary suffering through sinful behavior. 00:25:37.900 --> 00:25:39.420 And then call it persecution. 00:25:39.420 --> 00:25:51.220 You know, if we're rude and difficult and dishonest and meddlesome and sinful and people respond negatively, we can't say, well, I'm just suffering for Jesus. 00:25:52.180 --> 00:25:52.519 No. 00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:54.019 You're being a jerk. 00:25:55.340 --> 00:25:56.940 I mean, there's no other way to say it. 00:25:58.080 --> 00:25:59.600 These aren't spiritual gifts. 00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:04.500 I mean, speaking your mind and being mean is not what God has called us to do in that sense. 00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:14.699 And Peter wants us to understand, as Christians, we should live in such a way that if we suffer, when we suffer, it's because of our faithfulness to Christ, not a foolish way that we're living. 00:26:15.359 --> 00:26:18.339 That's really what he's telling us here in verse number 15. 00:26:19.419 --> 00:26:23.480 But then he goes on in verse 16 to get to the idea that he really wants to drive home for these believers. 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:32.180 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf. 00:26:33.740 --> 00:26:40.779 See, Peter, nowhere have we seen that he says when suffering comes, your primary goal is to get out of it. 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:44.099 No, he keeps coming to this point. 00:26:44.380 --> 00:26:46.860 When we suffer, here's the goal, that we glorify God. 00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:48.620 That is the aim. 00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:51.480 That is what he calls us to do. 00:26:51.480 --> 00:26:53.099 That takes us back to verse 11. 00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:58.579 That in all things that we may be glorifying God in what we do. 00:26:59.960 --> 00:27:01.880 And that all things might include your suffering. 00:27:03.660 --> 00:27:06.380 See, it's easy to glorify God when life is going well. 00:27:07.880 --> 00:27:10.799 But how do we live for him when life isn't going well? 00:27:12.880 --> 00:27:16.180 Because people watch how we live in the good times and the bad times. 00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:19.839 There might be somebody at work watching you walk through this difficulty. 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:21.799 Watching you, how you respond. 00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:22.379 How do we respond? 00:27:23.399 --> 00:27:24.399 And listen, none of us are perfect. 00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:27.399 There's going to be days where you're going to just not handle it really well. 00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:31.559 But overall, are we trying to live for Christ? 00:27:31.799 --> 00:27:35.279 Are we trying to apply the principles of the Word of God to our life? 00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:37.680 Peter says, that's what our goals should be. 00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:43.819 And he says, if any man suffer for Christ, let him not be ashamed. 00:27:43.819 --> 00:27:48.339 I know we know who wrote this book, but just think about that. 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:49.720 This is Peter. 00:27:51.539 --> 00:27:59.639 This was the man that on the night Christ was arrested and crucified, he was given an opportunity to identify with Jesus. 00:27:59.640 --> 00:28:01.500 But he was ashamed. 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:05.280 He said, I don't want to be associated with that. 00:28:05.700 --> 00:28:08.720 Three times he denied even knowing him. 00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:14.759 The man that had left all and forsaken his business and followed Christ with everything that he had. 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:17.160 But here's the wonderful thing about the grace of God. 00:28:17.420 --> 00:28:18.599 This is not the same Peter. 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:24.819 Just because we maybe didn't handle things well in the past doesn't mean, well, I messed up then so I can't do it now. 00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:26.920 I'm thankful for the growth in Peter's life. 00:28:27.359 --> 00:28:31.140 I'm thankful that when Jesus showed up there in John 21, he said, Peter, do you love me? 00:28:31.619 --> 00:28:32.700 Yes, Lord, you know I love you. 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:34.379 Then do what I've called you to do. 00:28:34.380 --> 00:28:46.020 And God restored Peter and brought him to a place and Peter became a great leader in the early church and preached at Pentecost and God used him in a mighty way. 00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:50.440 And see, Peter's speaking from a place of experience. 00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:57.740 He learned that there are worse things than suffering for Jesus and one of those is being ashamed of Jesus. 00:28:58.860 --> 00:29:02.900 He said, listen, I'd rather suffer for Jesus than be ashamed of him. 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:06.880 Because I know what Jesus has done for my life. 00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:13.780 And now he is writing to believers who are most likely going to have to pay the price for bearing the name of Christ. 00:29:15.080 --> 00:29:16.920 And the same applies to us today. 00:29:18.280 --> 00:29:21.420 That we don't have to hide our faith because someone may ridicule it. 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:26.960 We don't have to compromise our convictions because it might cost us something. 00:29:27.280 --> 00:29:30.200 We don't need to be embarrassed by the name that we bear. 00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:31.980 No, we belong to him. 00:29:32.900 --> 00:29:36.280 See, on the cross of Calvary, when he laid down his life, here's what he did. 00:29:36.480 --> 00:29:37.600 He purchased us. 00:29:38.740 --> 00:29:39.960 Read 1 Corinthians 6. 00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:44.460 He says, glorify your God in your body, which is his. 00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:47.620 He's the one that paid the price for it. 00:29:47.880 --> 00:29:48.640 We belong to him. 00:29:48.680 --> 00:29:50.620 We have no reason to be ashamed. 00:29:50.619 --> 00:29:57.439 Then he comes to verse 17 and 18 that kind of seem like a troubling place. 00:29:57.519 --> 00:30:00.179 And we don't necessarily like how it may sound off the get-go. 00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:02.159 But he says this in verse 17, 00:30:02.239 --> 00:30:07.239 For the time has come that judgment must begin at the house of God. 00:30:08.699 --> 00:30:10.059 Now, don't misunderstand what he's saying. 00:30:10.319 --> 00:30:14.979 He isn't saying that Christians are in danger of being condemned with the unbelieving world. 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:16.900 No, we know Christ. 00:30:17.220 --> 00:30:18.779 He has secured us. 00:30:19.400 --> 00:30:23.860 That we are in the Father's hand and no man can pluck us out of his hand. 00:30:24.079 --> 00:30:27.460 Christ has already borne the condemnation of those that belong to him. 00:30:28.099 --> 00:30:29.360 That's why we are his children. 00:30:29.359 --> 00:30:35.219 But what he is reminding us in these two verses here is that God deals with his own people. 00:30:36.619 --> 00:30:40.339 That sometimes the trials and sometimes the fiery trial that you might be walking through, 00:30:40.459 --> 00:30:42.179 it might be from the outside. 00:30:43.119 --> 00:30:46.059 But sometimes God is using things in our life to refine us. 00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:48.019 To purify us. 00:30:48.519 --> 00:30:53.699 He wants to use that difficult season to shape us into what he wants us to become. 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:57.699 That he wants us to be conformed to the image of his dear son. 00:30:57.700 --> 00:31:00.340 That we would be more and more like Christ. 00:31:00.519 --> 00:31:04.880 And the fiery trial that we saw in verse 12 isn't evidence God has forgotten you. 00:31:05.080 --> 00:31:06.380 No, in fact, it's the opposite. 00:31:07.140 --> 00:31:08.900 That God is still at work in your life. 00:31:09.640 --> 00:31:13.220 Listen, I'm so thankful that God loved me enough to come to where I was. 00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:16.120 But he loves me enough not just to leave me there either. 00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:21.299 That he wants me to be more like him every single day through every situation. 00:31:21.620 --> 00:31:23.299 And there are things that we learn about God. 00:31:23.360 --> 00:31:25.120 And I know we can have testimony after testimony. 00:31:25.119 --> 00:31:28.799 That you learn in suffering that you just can't learn in prosperity. 00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:36.819 There are things when suffering comes in our life that it exposes that we just kind of let the comfort hide. 00:31:38.859 --> 00:31:42.079 See, sometimes the fire reveals really what we've been trusting. 00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:45.339 And God says, you're going to trust in that? 00:31:46.059 --> 00:31:47.759 That's no place in your life. 00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:53.420 Sometimes what the fire does is it loosens our grips on things that we really thought were important. 00:31:54.299 --> 00:31:55.920 And it refocuses our life. 00:31:56.039 --> 00:31:58.519 And it keeps pointing us back to the one that's in control. 00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:09.500 See, we don't have to know everything God is accomplishing in a particular trial to know that God does not waste suffering on his children. 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:15.420 The trial that you might walk through one day is not pointless. 00:32:16.460 --> 00:32:17.839 Now, sometimes here's the problem. 00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:20.099 We choose to miss the point of it. 00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:22.420 We choose to waste the trial. 00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:28.160 But God says, hey, if you just let me, you just trust me, I can use this for your good. 00:32:28.599 --> 00:32:30.500 We know that all things work together for good. 00:32:31.059 --> 00:32:33.460 Listen, that's not a verse to quote to somebody else. 00:32:33.579 --> 00:32:35.240 That's a verse that we need to live by. 00:32:35.240 --> 00:32:38.420 That he wants to work in our life. 00:32:40.120 --> 00:32:45.599 And then there towards the end of verse number 16, Peter turns his attention to those that are outside of Christ. 00:32:46.839 --> 00:32:51.400 He said, if it first begin at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel? 00:32:53.519 --> 00:33:00.799 He's kind of just reminding these believers here that if God takes holiness seriously among his own people, 00:33:01.180 --> 00:33:03.019 what about those that reject the gospel? 00:33:03.019 --> 00:33:08.160 See, we can walk through difficulty because we know it's not the end. 00:33:09.160 --> 00:33:12.180 But we say it all the time, and I know you understand this. 00:33:12.379 --> 00:33:16.139 I don't know how people come to a funeral service and walk through that without knowing the Lord. 00:33:17.240 --> 00:33:23.019 I don't know how you walk through some of the fire and some of the trial that we even have on that prayer list back there and not know the Lord. 00:33:24.259 --> 00:33:27.480 And Peter's saying, listen, you should be thankful you know God. 00:33:28.339 --> 00:33:30.059 You don't have to walk through this alone. 00:33:30.059 --> 00:33:40.220 And he continues there in verse number 18, and if the righteous scarcely be saved, what shall the ungodly and the sinner, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 00:33:41.759 --> 00:33:45.559 Now that word scarcely, it doesn't mean God barely manages to save us. 00:33:46.259 --> 00:33:48.639 He didn't get it in right under the nick of time. 00:33:48.879 --> 00:33:51.179 Our salvation is not hanging on by a thread. 00:33:51.399 --> 00:33:52.179 No, it's secure. 00:33:52.599 --> 00:33:55.720 We have an anchor of the soul that's steadfast and sure. 00:33:55.720 --> 00:34:05.720 But Peter's point is this, that the road home, the road to glory, the place that God is preparing, it's going to involve suffering, and it's going to involve testing, and it's going to involve refining. 00:34:06.500 --> 00:34:07.579 But here's the wonderful thing. 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:09.159 God will see you through. 00:34:09.860 --> 00:34:11.079 God will see you home. 00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:16.300 Paul told us, faithful is he that calleth you who also will do it. 00:34:16.760 --> 00:34:21.340 He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ. 00:34:21.340 --> 00:34:24.180 We see that over and over throughout Scripture. 00:34:25.680 --> 00:34:31.380 But the question that lingers here in verse number 18 is what hope does the person have who rejects Jesus? 00:34:32.700 --> 00:34:34.640 You notice Peter doesn't even answer the question. 00:34:34.900 --> 00:34:36.100 He just kind of lets it sit there. 00:34:37.360 --> 00:34:39.320 It's a scary thing to think about. 00:34:40.300 --> 00:34:42.559 And you think, well, thank goodness I don't have to worry about that. 00:34:42.940 --> 00:34:43.940 Praise the Lord for that. 00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:46.140 But what about that co-worker? 00:34:47.019 --> 00:34:48.220 What about that classmate? 00:34:49.119 --> 00:34:49.839 What about that neighbor? 00:34:49.939 --> 00:34:52.500 What about that person that you have all this conversation with all the time? 00:34:52.719 --> 00:34:53.339 Do they know? 00:34:54.539 --> 00:34:58.259 Hey, they're going to walk through trials just like you are, but do they have hope on the other side? 00:34:58.459 --> 00:35:02.319 Do they have hope if they close their eyes in death that they're going to see their Savior face to face? 00:35:03.179 --> 00:35:05.739 Peter's reminding them that, hey, he's coming back. 00:35:05.779 --> 00:35:06.500 We need to make sure. 00:35:06.759 --> 00:35:07.859 They need the hope. 00:35:08.579 --> 00:35:10.079 That's why we can't pack it in. 00:35:10.679 --> 00:35:13.899 Hey, that's why we've got to love deeply and serve faithfully. 00:35:13.900 --> 00:35:18.940 As he talked to us last week in those texts, there's still a job to be done. 00:35:19.680 --> 00:35:21.360 The Great Commission has not expired. 00:35:22.300 --> 00:35:24.440 He still wants us to go forward for him. 00:35:26.099 --> 00:35:30.099 See, there's no refuge from God's judgment apart from Jesus Christ. 00:35:31.480 --> 00:35:34.780 We need to make sure that we're living it out the way that he's called us to. 00:35:34.780 --> 00:35:40.620 Because as we walk through the fiery trial, somebody might see and say, I want what you have. 00:35:41.540 --> 00:35:48.200 I don't know how you're walking through this and still somewhat have a smile on your face and have some hope and have some joy in your life. 00:35:48.840 --> 00:35:51.060 You know, that isn't an opportunity to share the gospel. 00:35:52.700 --> 00:35:55.680 So how do we glorify God in suffering? 00:35:55.679 --> 00:36:00.579 First, we need to make sure that we're suffering for what is right. 00:36:01.339 --> 00:36:04.460 Not because of our own sinful decisions. 00:36:05.339 --> 00:36:08.559 We can glorify him by not being ashamed of his name. 00:36:09.379 --> 00:36:14.019 We can glorify him in recognizing that even in the fire, God is still at work. 00:36:15.659 --> 00:36:22.980 But as Peter closes out this passage in verse number 19, he finally tells us kind of what to do when we can't understand what God is doing. 00:36:22.980 --> 00:36:25.360 And here's what he says. 00:36:26.280 --> 00:36:34.980 Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing as unto a faithful creator. 00:36:36.059 --> 00:36:37.519 Here's what he wants us to do. 00:36:38.039 --> 00:36:39.320 Trust God through the suffering. 00:36:40.880 --> 00:36:43.460 That we know who is in control. 00:36:45.019 --> 00:36:50.139 Verse 19, that first word, wherefore, it connects it back to all of this. 00:36:50.139 --> 00:36:52.199 Everything that he just told us. 00:36:52.839 --> 00:36:54.559 That suffering shouldn't surprise us. 00:36:55.019 --> 00:36:57.759 That rejoicing is possible because we belong to Christ. 00:36:57.859 --> 00:37:00.519 That we can glorify him in the way that we respond. 00:37:01.059 --> 00:37:02.719 And that God can use this fire. 00:37:04.039 --> 00:37:07.759 But what does it look like when we're actually in it? 00:37:07.960 --> 00:37:10.400 Peter gives two very simple instructions. 00:37:10.739 --> 00:37:12.519 Here's what we need to do when suffering comes. 00:37:12.739 --> 00:37:14.779 We need to trust God and keep doing good. 00:37:15.719 --> 00:37:16.980 It sounds cliche. 00:37:16.980 --> 00:37:19.299 It sounds too simple. 00:37:20.139 --> 00:37:21.159 But that's what it is. 00:37:21.859 --> 00:37:22.859 That's what Peter says. 00:37:23.079 --> 00:37:26.900 He says, commit the keeping of their souls to him. 00:37:28.299 --> 00:37:35.279 That word commit, it carries this idea of entrusting something valuable to somebody for safekeeping. 00:37:36.819 --> 00:37:41.259 You know, when you have something that's very valuable, as a kid, as soon as you get something valuable, you know who you take it to? 00:37:41.420 --> 00:37:41.779 Mom. 00:37:42.779 --> 00:37:43.519 Can you hold this? 00:37:44.320 --> 00:37:46.360 That's why, you know, you give moms a hard time. 00:37:46.360 --> 00:37:50.320 The reason everything's in their purse is because they're the one that can be trusted with what's in the purse. 00:37:51.099 --> 00:37:52.320 I'm giving her the keys. 00:37:52.420 --> 00:37:53.179 I'm giving her the wallet. 00:37:53.340 --> 00:37:57.320 I'm giving her, hey, would you hold on to this because I'm not going to keep up with it. 00:37:57.940 --> 00:38:00.380 We give things to people that we trust. 00:38:00.380 --> 00:38:03.539 And here's what Peter's saying as he closes out this chapter. 00:38:03.960 --> 00:38:06.539 That's what you do with your life when you're suffering. 00:38:06.820 --> 00:38:09.079 Why don't you give it to somebody that knows what they're doing? 00:38:09.660 --> 00:38:11.300 Why don't you give it to somebody that you can trust? 00:38:11.760 --> 00:38:16.460 That you know, hey, they can handle what you're going through and they can see you through to the other side. 00:38:16.720 --> 00:38:19.059 You can trust your life with God. 00:38:19.059 --> 00:38:26.199 Because suffering sometimes, it gives us this thought that I've got to take control. 00:38:27.559 --> 00:38:29.480 You know, when life starts falling apart, here's what you do. 00:38:29.799 --> 00:38:30.340 Google it. 00:38:31.380 --> 00:38:32.420 Don't Google it. 00:38:32.980 --> 00:38:36.059 You start feeling sick, do not get on WebMD. 00:38:36.920 --> 00:38:40.019 You will be telling everybody you're not going to make it. 00:38:40.099 --> 00:38:41.619 You've got five minutes to live. 00:38:42.259 --> 00:38:43.679 You probably just have allergies. 00:38:44.739 --> 00:38:46.739 No, when suffering comes, here's what we want. 00:38:46.860 --> 00:38:47.599 We want answers. 00:38:47.599 --> 00:38:49.579 We want to know why. 00:38:49.759 --> 00:38:52.159 We want to know how long is this going to happen. 00:38:52.400 --> 00:38:54.259 We want to know if everything is going to work out. 00:38:56.119 --> 00:38:57.659 Peter didn't say that's what we need to do. 00:38:58.139 --> 00:38:58.779 Here's what he says. 00:38:59.279 --> 00:39:00.079 Just trust God. 00:39:01.219 --> 00:39:02.920 Commit your soul to him. 00:39:03.699 --> 00:39:05.259 Allow him to work. 00:39:05.440 --> 00:39:06.279 Here's what faith does. 00:39:06.480 --> 00:39:09.759 It just requires me to know who I'm trusting in. 00:39:11.019 --> 00:39:12.719 And Peter tells us exactly who he is. 00:39:12.960 --> 00:39:15.119 Unto a faithful creator. 00:39:15.119 --> 00:39:18.380 I mean, Peter could have just simply said, trust God. 00:39:19.079 --> 00:39:21.239 But instead he says, trust your creator. 00:39:22.139 --> 00:39:23.099 That's on purpose. 00:39:24.420 --> 00:39:27.079 He's saying, trust the one who made you. 00:39:27.799 --> 00:39:29.980 Who knows you better than you know yourself. 00:39:30.859 --> 00:39:34.159 The gospel tells us that he knows the number of hairs on our head. 00:39:34.380 --> 00:39:36.719 He knows us better than we know ourselves. 00:39:36.980 --> 00:39:37.859 And he loves you. 00:39:37.860 --> 00:39:42.380 And Peter's reminding him, your life is not outside of his control. 00:39:43.559 --> 00:39:44.940 He is the creator. 00:39:45.220 --> 00:39:46.980 He is the beginning and the end. 00:39:47.180 --> 00:39:48.860 And we must remember that constantly. 00:39:49.920 --> 00:39:51.920 And when we know that to be true, we realize this. 00:39:52.079 --> 00:39:54.340 He's been faithful all this time. 00:39:55.300 --> 00:39:56.940 And he's going to continue to do so. 00:39:56.940 --> 00:40:01.300 And Peter's just simply saying, put your life in his hands. 00:40:02.639 --> 00:40:03.900 He can see you through. 00:40:04.500 --> 00:40:05.619 He knows where you are. 00:40:05.820 --> 00:40:08.019 And he says this little phrase there in the middle of verse 19. 00:40:08.900 --> 00:40:10.340 In well doing. 00:40:11.780 --> 00:40:13.500 We're not just to trust God. 00:40:14.039 --> 00:40:17.300 We're to trust him and keep on living for him. 00:40:18.099 --> 00:40:19.860 Keep doing the right thing. 00:40:19.860 --> 00:40:25.440 See, because suffering can tempt us to change the way that we live. 00:40:26.880 --> 00:40:27.940 You know, something's going wrong. 00:40:28.860 --> 00:40:32.120 And almost every area of life we think, maybe I need to change something. 00:40:32.760 --> 00:40:34.579 Maybe I need to reevaluate it. 00:40:34.780 --> 00:40:40.180 Sometimes if obedience costs us this much, we think, why not, you know, maybe not just go all in on this. 00:40:40.559 --> 00:40:43.400 It seems like I can't afford following the Lord. 00:40:43.620 --> 00:40:47.500 If people are going to treat me this way, why should I keep responding graciously? 00:40:47.500 --> 00:40:50.159 Those are thoughts that are going to pop in our mind. 00:40:50.239 --> 00:40:51.699 The enemy is going to try to get in there. 00:40:53.380 --> 00:40:59.599 But what he's reminding us when he tells us to keep doing good is that suffering is going to change your circumstances. 00:41:00.000 --> 00:41:01.440 But it shouldn't change our obedience. 00:41:02.539 --> 00:41:05.239 It shouldn't change how we live for him. 00:41:08.239 --> 00:41:13.599 As we've seen throughout this study, Peter never promises these Christians the road's going to be easy. 00:41:13.599 --> 00:41:18.119 He didn't say, man, if you just keep following the Lord, the fire's never going to come. 00:41:18.299 --> 00:41:19.819 There's a champion inside of you. 00:41:20.699 --> 00:41:21.860 He never says that. 00:41:23.860 --> 00:41:25.739 But he does tell them how to walk through it. 00:41:27.079 --> 00:41:31.299 He tells these people going through a difficult time, hey, you need to expect it. 00:41:32.460 --> 00:41:33.659 You need to expect suffering. 00:41:33.799 --> 00:41:38.400 Don't think it's strange that this has happened just because you're following the Lord. 00:41:38.400 --> 00:41:51.700 Peter tells us we can rejoice in the suffering. 00:41:52.400 --> 00:41:52.760 Why? 00:41:52.980 --> 00:41:53.180 How? 00:41:53.460 --> 00:41:54.440 Because it's temporary. 00:41:55.760 --> 00:41:56.280 Yeah, it might. 00:41:56.559 --> 00:41:59.740 Some of the things you might be dealing with, it might be for the rest of your life. 00:42:01.160 --> 00:42:01.559 Here. 00:42:02.559 --> 00:42:05.720 But this time that we have on earth is just a speck. 00:42:05.719 --> 00:42:11.799 In light of all of eternity, it's going to be erased from our memory in a sense. 00:42:11.980 --> 00:42:13.739 And he's reminding us glory is coming. 00:42:14.559 --> 00:42:15.879 God hasn't left you. 00:42:16.919 --> 00:42:18.359 And we can glorify him in that. 00:42:18.419 --> 00:42:19.699 We don't need to be ashamed of Jesus. 00:42:21.839 --> 00:42:24.599 Just because we're walking through a difficulty doesn't mean that God doesn't love us. 00:42:25.359 --> 00:42:28.739 But sometimes we think, well, I can't live for God because they're going to see I have all these problems. 00:42:29.359 --> 00:42:30.219 I've got this health issue. 00:42:30.279 --> 00:42:30.759 I've got this. 00:42:30.879 --> 00:42:33.179 And, you know, if God loves people, he doesn't let these things happen. 00:42:33.379 --> 00:42:34.019 That's not true. 00:42:34.019 --> 00:42:37.900 We don't have to be ashamed of what we're walking through. 00:42:38.139 --> 00:42:39.179 God's using it in our life. 00:42:39.820 --> 00:42:42.239 And it's not just for our good, but it's for maybe others around us. 00:42:42.960 --> 00:42:45.780 You might be walking through something right now because somebody's watching you and they're thinking, 00:42:46.059 --> 00:42:48.840 if God can help them through that, maybe God can help me through that. 00:42:49.519 --> 00:42:50.320 And you can be a testimony. 00:42:51.780 --> 00:42:53.320 We can trust him through our suffering. 00:42:55.300 --> 00:42:56.400 And maybe that's where you are. 00:42:57.219 --> 00:42:57.980 Right here today. 00:42:57.980 --> 00:43:01.500 You're walking through something you never would have chosen. 00:43:02.599 --> 00:43:05.940 You have no idea how long it's going to last and you don't know why God allowed it. 00:43:07.199 --> 00:43:11.019 And I know in my own life when things like that happen, I'd love for God just to explain it to me. 00:43:12.199 --> 00:43:14.340 God, could you just shed a little light on this for me? 00:43:15.980 --> 00:43:18.139 But Peter reminds us, hey, we have a faithful creator. 00:43:18.139 --> 00:43:22.079 We don't have to know what he's doing, but we can know who he is. 00:43:23.059 --> 00:43:24.559 So put your life in his hands. 00:43:25.599 --> 00:43:26.639 Trust him to do that. 00:43:26.920 --> 00:43:28.480 Keep doing what's right. 00:43:29.159 --> 00:43:30.599 That we can suffer well. 00:43:31.639 --> 00:43:32.739 I'll leave you with this thought. 00:43:32.839 --> 00:43:36.039 You may not get to choose whether you suffer, 00:43:36.679 --> 00:43:40.119 but you can choose whether God is glorified and how you suffer. 00:43:41.519 --> 00:43:42.779 We have that choice. 00:43:42.780 --> 00:43:47.920 We can respond in a way that is glorifying to God. 00:43:48.780 --> 00:43:49.880 And it points others to him. 00:43:50.580 --> 00:43:52.140 That's what suffering well looks like. 00:43:53.100 --> 00:43:56.540 And one day it will be worth it all when we see Jesus. 00:43:56.539 --> 00:43:57.539 Please stay away. 00:43:57.539 --> 00:43:57.539 00:43:57.539 --> 00:43:57.539 00:43:57.539 --> 00:43:57.539 00:43:57.539 --> 00:43:57.539 00:43:57.539 --> 00:43:57.539 00:43:57.539 --> 00:43:57.539 00:43:57.539 --> 00:43:57.539 00:43:57.539 --> 00:43:57.539 00:43:57.539 --> 00:43:57.539 00:43:57.539 --> 00:43:57.539 00:43:57.539 --> 00:43:57.539 00:43:57.539 --> 00:43:57.539 00:43:57.539 --> 00:43:57.539 00:43:57.539 --> 00:43:58.539 Please stay away away. 00:43:57.539 --> 00:43:57.539 00:43:57.539 --> 00:43:58.539 Please stay away away. 00:43:58.539 --> 00:43:59.539 Please stay away away away. 00:43:59.539 --> 00:43:59.539