Suffering for the Good Life

1 Peter 4:12-19

Right Response to Persecution

• Be joyful, not surprised (v12-13)John 15:20

“Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you…”

2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Right Response to Persecution

• Be joyful, not surprised (v12-13)–“rejoice” - to regard yourself as blessed–A choice, not a feeling–How you actually feel = “distressed”!

Right Response to Persecution

• Be joyful, not surprised (v12-13)

• Be bold, not ashamed (v16)• Trust and obey (v19)–Not as an excuse for doubt or bitterness–Not as an excuse for sin

Respond Well to Suffering because...

• It demonstrates your faith (v12)

• It results in eternal reward (v13)

Matthew 5:11–12 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great…”

Respond Well to Suffering because...

• It demonstrates your faith (v12)

• It results in eternal reward (v13)

2 Timothy 2:12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us

Respond Well to Suffering because...

• It demonstrates your faith (v12)

• It results in eternal reward (v13)Revelation 2:26

“He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations…”

Respond Well to Suffering because...

• It demonstrates your faith (v12)

• It results in eternal reward (v13)2 Corinthians 4:17

For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison…

Respond Well to Suffering because...

• It demonstrates your faith (v12)

• It results in eternal reward (v13)

• It draws you nearer the powerful presence of God (v14)

Matthew 5:3–4 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn,

for they shall be comforted.”

2 Corinthians 1:3–5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

Respond Well to Suffering because...

• It demonstrates your faith (v12)

• It results in eternal reward (v13)

• It draws you nearer the powerful presence of God (v14)

• This is small compared to what God has saved us from (v17-18)

What we know about Hell

• Not created for humans

Matthew 25:41 Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels.’

What we know about Hell

• Not created for humans• God desires no human to go1 Timothy 2:3–4 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

What we know about Hell

• Not created for humans• God desires no human to go

2 Thessalonians 1:6–10 For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed…

What we know about Hell

• Not created for humans• God desires no human to go• People go for rejecting the

gospel• It will be perfectly just• A place of eternal destruction,

fire, and punishment

Penn Jillette of “Penn and Teller”

“If you believe there is a heaven and hell and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life and you think, It’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward… How much must you have to hate somebody to believe that eternal life is possible and not tell them that?”

Respond Well to Suffering because...

• It demonstrates your faith (v12)

• It results in eternal reward (v13)

• It draws you nearer the powerful presence of God (v14)

• This is small compared to what God has saved us from (v17-18)