WAYS OF GOD- SUFFERING

1 PETER 4:12-19

1 Pet 4:12 ¶ 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;

1 Pet 4:13 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.

1 Pet 4:14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

1 Pet 4:15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;

1 Pet 4:16 but if {anyone suffers} as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.

1 Pet 4:17 For {it is} time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if {it} {begins} with us first, what {will be} the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

1 Pet 4:18 AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?

1 Pet 4:19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

Suffering is not new. God uses our suffering

What is suffering? Result of anything that causes us pain; sometimes sin, God’s discipline and persecution.

Suffering is painful and perplexing.

Why God allows us to suffer?

1. To get our attention

Ps 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.

Ps 119:71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.

2. To develop maturity and righteousness in our life

3. To prune our life

John 15:1 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

John 15:2 "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every {branch} that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.

~ Righteous and godly in our conduct

~ Righteous and godly in our action.

~ Maximising your potential as a child of God

Purity and power cannot be separated. The pruning process is to remove dead leaves.

4. To teach us obedience

He loves us- Heb 12:5,6

God has a desire for us to be righteous and pure

Obey parental authority

5. To teach us to trust Him 1 Pet 1:7 so that the proof of your faith, {being} more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

6. To bring continounce dependence of His grace & goodness: Paul’s epistles were written when He was suffering. God , what is your purpose> Why are you allowing this in my life?

7. To manifest Christ’s life and character in us. - living example. God does not allow to much. He always have a purpose. Whatever may be the form of suffering God has a purpose and God is up to something.

8. To purify our hearts- (sermon of the mount)” The pruning knife of God goes very deep”

ü A pure heart is a righteous heart, righteous motive.

ü A pure heat desire purity

9. So we can share in the holiness of God.- Heb 12:10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He {disciplines us} for {our} good, so that we may share His holiness.

10. To teach us to give thanks in everything-1 Thess 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

ü Perseverance does not give up.

ü Perseverance builds character in your life.

11. To teach character & perseverance-Rom 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Rom 5:2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

Rom 5:3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;

Rom 5:4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;

Rom 5:5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

12. To enable us to share in suffering of Christ- Phil 3:8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,

Phil 3:9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from {the} Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which {comes} from God on the basis of faith,

Phil 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;

Experience something of His suffering. Sensible to others suffering

13. To prevent pride in our lives – eg Paul- Thorns in the flesh

14. To broaden the ministry-Phil 1:12 ¶ Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,

Phil 1:13 so that my imprisonment in {the cause of} Christ has become well known throughout the whole Praetorian Guard and to everyone else,

15. Reveal the evil nature of mankind and the Righteous judgment of God

Response: Lord, what are you saying. What are you upto for my life?

All suffering are not the results of sin.