Wayfaring Strangers Part 18" Fiery Trials" Series

Wayfaring Strangers

A Study Of 1 Peter

Part 18

“Fiery trials”

As we continue today with our series

On 1 Peter

Titled

Wayfaring Strangers

The Apostle Peter

Once again addresses suffering for Christ

We have seen over the last couple of months

That we as believers

Those whose home is in eternity

Not here

Will quite likely face trials and troubles

And the fact that we are Christians will not make us immune to these sufferings

But can increase the chance of them

But

With our eyes fixed tightly on Jesus we

Can not only overcome

But thrive and grow in these hard times

In a perfect world

Those who have placed their trust in God

Would not face troubles

But we know we live in a sin filled world

And as we have discussed many times

The world

Old Slick and even some of our friends and families

Don’t like the new us

So, troubles come our way

And Peter to encourage and prepare the believers

Gives us ways to not only get though the tough times

But

To experience spiritual growth in our own lives

And let the unbelieving world see Christ in our actions, reactions and responses

Please open your bibles to

1 Peter Chapter 4:12-19

Let me read this passage in its entirety and then come back and break it down

Please throw your bulletin in there as we will come back here a lot

1 Peter 4:12-19

Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

14 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God[a] rests upon you.[b] 15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. 16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? 18 And also,

“If the righteous are barely saved,

what will happen to godless sinners?”[c]

19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you

Verse 12

Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.

The NLT uses the words dear friends

The King James says beloved

Peter is Cleary talking to believers here

Wayfaring strangers

And he is offering hope to those who know Christ

Without Christ there can be no hope

He says

Don’t be surprised at the fiery trials

Now I am sure that when peter says fiery trials

He is talking about way above and beyond

Just getting unfriended

Or talked about

It that day

Nero was actively killing Christians for their faith

Even making lamps or candles out of them

So, peter

Says

Hey guys

Don’t be surprised by these bad things

And then in verse 13

He says

1 Peter 4:13

13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

Instead

When the worst of the worst is happening

When the wheels fall off

And there seems to be no hope

When the report from the Doctor comes back and it’s not good

When the woman or man you love, leaves without reason

When you experience sickness

And death

And loss of all types

Fiery trails

Peter calls them

Big stuff

Be very glad

Do what?

The world yells, you have got to be kidding

Our human minds say, really God

Be glad

Be glad

Because Christ suffered as well

And when you suffer for him

You be blessed

A question that is asked often by believers of al levels of maturity

Is why God?

I’m trying to do right, why God

Listen to me this is reality

God allows us free will

He allows his children to sin

He allows his children to suffer the consequences of their sin

And he does this for a variety of reasons

First, he does this to expose our sinful hearts

Trials and troubles should make us shine a light on ourselves

See if we are truly living as Bona Fide Believers